The Sims 3: Using Custom Content
If you followed the Getting Started section you should now have the game set up for modding, the right tools for manipulating custom content (CC) and the basic file structure in place to keep your CC organized. Unlike my other modding guides, I'm going to incorporate a small selection of recommendations for core CC into a step-by-step install guide. There are literally thousands of CC files available for download from dozens of sites so I'm going to focus on finding and installing the best core CC and follow up with some recommendations for the best places to find a lot more.
Step 1: How Much CC is Too Much?
Before we start, let's discuss how much is too much since adding CC to the game can become very addictive. Unlike some other games with hard limits, there is no specific answer to this for TS3. It comes down to how much performance loss and file micromanagement you're willing to endure. I personally recommend not exceeding 200 files at any given time and that number should go down if your PC is struggling. I also recommend starting out small. Install no more than a handful at a time and test them in game before getting more. CC comes in all grades of quality and taste. If they're something you like and intend to use regularly keep them. Even if you like them but end up never using them get rid of them. You can always stash CC on your hard drive for later use. If you get tired of select CC, uninstall it and replace it with something else. The last thing you want is unused or unwanted CC slowing your game down. Having options is great but use common sense and don't become a CC hoarder, at least not in game. While we're on the topic, the same is true of DLC content. If you find yourself not using some of the DLCs or not liking what they have to offer, uninstall them too.
Step 2: Making Your Game Better
Before adding new clothes and fancy custom-made homes how about we fix bugs, improve performance and spice up the game with new and expanded features? Below is a selection of recommended utility-type CC to kick your core game up a notch. I will follow with instructions on how to install them. A word of warning: If you're new to TS3 modding and are unfamiliar with the Tumblr format and community in general be prepared to occasionally hunt for tiny CC download links embedded in artsy, non-intuitively designed blog posts.
Recommended Utility Mods
to be continued...
Step 1: How Much CC is Too Much?
Before we start, let's discuss how much is too much since adding CC to the game can become very addictive. Unlike some other games with hard limits, there is no specific answer to this for TS3. It comes down to how much performance loss and file micromanagement you're willing to endure. I personally recommend not exceeding 200 files at any given time and that number should go down if your PC is struggling. I also recommend starting out small. Install no more than a handful at a time and test them in game before getting more. CC comes in all grades of quality and taste. If they're something you like and intend to use regularly keep them. Even if you like them but end up never using them get rid of them. You can always stash CC on your hard drive for later use. If you get tired of select CC, uninstall it and replace it with something else. The last thing you want is unused or unwanted CC slowing your game down. Having options is great but use common sense and don't become a CC hoarder, at least not in game. While we're on the topic, the same is true of DLC content. If you find yourself not using some of the DLCs or not liking what they have to offer, uninstall them too.
Step 2: Making Your Game Better
Before adding new clothes and fancy custom-made homes how about we fix bugs, improve performance and spice up the game with new and expanded features? Below is a selection of recommended utility-type CC to kick your core game up a notch. I will follow with instructions on how to install them. A word of warning: If you're new to TS3 modding and are unfamiliar with the Tumblr format and community in general be prepared to occasionally hunt for tiny CC download links embedded in artsy, non-intuitively designed blog posts.
Recommended Utility Mods
- Awesome Mod - Overhaul mod of sorts with dozens of optional tweaks, fixes, and enhancements. It's main feature is a superior replacement for the vanilla Storymode that drives the autonomous actions of Sims in a more realistic way. I personally prefer this to the NRass story mod. (See the NRass Suite description for details.) There are too many other changes to list here but they can all be reviewed and optionally enabled or disabled through a very handy online configurator that generates a downloadable config package to go along with the mod itself. NOTE: Be sure to also download the framework files and install them in your main TS3 folder (e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 3).
- Invisible Plumbob - It may be a signature feature of The Sims series, but that green plumbob that hovers over an active Sim can really get in the way of the action. Not anymore.
- No Build Sparkles - Removes the annoying sparkle effect when placing walls during home building.
- No Intro with Maxis Logo - Removes the repetitive, time-consuming intro videos and animated maxis logo that play every time you first load the vanilla game.
- NRaas Suite - A spin-off from Awesome Mod that offers many similar enhancements, however it provides a modular approach with some improvements and more regular updates. The main difference is their StoryProgression module which is more resource intensive and static than Awesome Mod's AwesomeStoryDriver function. StoryProgression runs more in the forefront with emphasis on keeping the player up to date on newsy-type happenings of Sims which have no substantial impact on the world. AwesomeStoryDriver stays in the background but has a more substantial and permanent effect on the lives of Sims within the community. Aside from the story-related module, the main function of NRass is to provide a basis for added in-game customization of many aspects of the game including editing every aspect of any Sim in CAS on the fly, editing how lots behave, changing the weather, romantic relations, careers, traffic, timescale, moving Sims around, viewing them inside their homes, and the list goes on. Several modules function primarily to automatically troubleshoot game errors and bloat that can lead to slow downs and crashes on older systems. The beauty of NRass Suite is that you can choose which mods to install. The ones I regularly install and use in place of relevant Awesome Mod features include Careers, Consigner, DebugEnabler, Dreamer, Dresser, ErrorTrap, HomeOpener, MasterController (the core module for NRaas), Mover, OnceRead, Overwatch, Relativity, SleepFreedom, Woohooer, and WrittenWord.
to be continued...