Make sure you've read Sims 3 CC Basics first! While this guide to.package files explains how to get the.package files in your game, TS3 CC Basics explains all about custom content in general, including using zip/rar/7z files, identifying file types, and what information to look for before downloading particular files. For full instructions on switching over from the old way to the new way, see: Installing Sims 3 Package Files: Old Way to the New Way. Do this first, then come back here for instructions on installing to Documents. Installing Custom Content. Greetings Sims 3 Fans. I have noticed a lot of questions about how to install custom content. This is a very BASIC how to install custom content guide in Sims 3.

1. Sims 4 Package Files Opener
2. How To Install Package Files On Sims 3

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1Installing Sims 3 Package Files: Setup & Files

Read before proceeding! If you have ever had your custom content in Program Files (either manually or using the Helper Monkey/Monkey Bars), you must uninstall Monkey Bars/Helper Monkey, and remove the old framework files from Program Files path first! If you don't, some of your custom content may not work! You must also get updates from the creator(s) for any hacks/mods before putting them in the Documents path shown below. For full instructions on switching over from the old way to the new way, see: Installing Sims 3 Package Files: Old Way to the New Way. Do this first, then come back here for instructions on installing to Documents. Also make sure you have read TS3 CC Basics so you know how to extract from rar/zip/7z files and how to identify file types before continuing with this page.

Setup Folders & Files

Before you can put the .package files in your game, you'll need to set up your game to accept custom content. From patch 1.12 and up, this is very easy!

1. Go to The Sims 3 Folder in My Documents: NOT in Program Files!

• Windows XP: C:Documents and Settings<user name>My DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3
• Windows Vista/7: C:Users<username>DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3
• Mac OS: /Users/<username>/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/
  

2. Download the ready-made FrameworkSetup.zip This file contains everything you need to set up your game for custom content. Right-click on the download link below and choose 'Save link as.' Save it into your DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3 folder (the same folder you just opened).

3. Extract the framework: Right-click on the FrameworkSetup.zip file and choose Extract Here (You will get this option if you have properly installed 7-Zip as advised in the TS3 CC Basics FAQ). A new folder will appear, called 'Mods'. Double-click on it to open the 'Mods' folder.
4. Check Mods Folder: Your DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3Mods folder should look like the picture, with three items inside... two folders, one called 'Overrides' and one called 'Packages' and one file called Resource.cfg. Double-click on the folder called 'Packages' to open it.
5. Check Packages Folder: Your DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3ModsPackages folder should have two files inside it: NoBuildSparkles.package, and nointro.package

Note: The picture shows them with a little green plumbbob icon, and 'Sims3 Package' under Type. It's okay if your icon looks like a Sims 2 package icon, a monkey, a white sheet of paper, or anything else, and the type may say 'PACKAGE' or something else. Icon and exactly what it says for 'type' are irrelevant as far as working in the game is concerned - what matters is that it ends with .package.

6. Everything okay? Do your folders look as they should in step 4 and step 5, with all the right files/folders in place?

• Yes! Good! Proceed.
• No! You must have done something wrong. Delete the DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3Mods folder and start try again from step 1.

Test!

Now if you run the game, your .package files should be fully working in-game! You already have two package files installed, so you can tell right away whether things are working properly.

• nointro.package: The No Intro will eliminate the EA Intro video before the game starts loading, which makes it very quick and easy to see if things are setup properly. If the plumbob animation and intro videos no longer play (you go straight to the loading screen), then you know your .package file content is working!

• NoBuildSparkles.package:Nobuildsparkles will show that your custom content is actually working in-game. Go into build mode and build a wall, or a room. If no sparkles appear, then other package format content should work as well!

Both of these files work for any patch level and any/all expansions/stuff packs.

If you still get the intro movie and build sparkles showing when you test in-game, you must have done something wrong. Delete the My DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3Mods folder and try again from Step 1 of 'Setup Folders and Files' above. It will work this way if done properly!

Placing Package Files

Now that you know that package files are working right in your game, you can start downloading custom content yourself!

Of course, you'll need to have read about any special instructions or compatability (make sure everything you get works with your patch level and expansion/stuff packs!), download the files, and extract them from their archives. All of that is explained in detail on: TS3 CC Basics - go there and read about it if you don't know how to do that!

Then, you just put any .package files you've extracted into your DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3ModsPackages folder - that's the same place as the NoBuildSparkles.package and nointro.package files are. You can cut and paste them into the folder - just move them from whereever you extracted them, or extract them straight into that folder.

You can, of course, delete the NoBuildSparkles.package and nointro.package mods if you want your intro/build sparkles back - they were just there to show you where to put the files, and to verify that packages are working in your game.

More Info?

Need more information about .package files and custom content?

Sims 3 Game Help Categories:
Custom Content |Installation |Gameplay Guides |Technical & Graphics Issues |Miscellaneous Issues
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PACKAGE File Summary

Six known software programs (notably, Electronic Arts The Sims 2 developed by Electronic Arts) are related to the PACKAGE file extension. In addition, they are categorized under three distinct file types, but mainly identified as the Electronic Arts Game Package File format. The PACKAGE File Extension are listed predominantly as Game Files, while in other circumstances they can be Compressed Files.

The PACKAGE File Extension can be viewed on the Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. They are supported on both desktop and mobile devices. These files have a Popularity Rating of 'Low', meaning they are not very commonly observed on your average hard disk.

Please see the detailed information below to learn more about PACKAGE files and the programs that can open them. In addition, we provide simple troubleshooting information to help you open your PACKAGE file.

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