If you are trying to mod your Sims 3 but do not know how you have come to the right place as I will show you how to install Sims 3 mods today. It is not a complicated process, but there are some key steps to make it work, so continue reading if wish to learn how to set up Sims 3 mods.
Installing Sims 3 Package Files/Setup and Files
If you are looking for great Sims 3 mods and do not know which ones to download, you can check our best Sims 3 mods article and decide from there.
Before Starting
If you installed custom content like mods or hacks before by using the Helper Monkey/Monkey Bars, first you need to uninstall Monkey Bars/Helper Monkey and delete all the old framework files from your The Sims 3 path files. Also, you need to install the latest versions of the mods you are planning to download, so check the pages of the mods just in case they may have moved the newest version to somewhere else. If you do not do these 2 steps correctly, your custom content may not work.
Step 1: Make Your Game Accept Custom Content
The Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\ folder – note the contents are folders like DCBackup, DCCache, InstalledWorlds, Saves, etc. (click the image for full size)
Go to The Sims 3 Folder in My Documents: NOT in Program Files!
Before you try to mod your game, you need to make your game accept custom content. First of all, download FrameworkSetup.zip.
Now, carry that file into the directory of The Sims 3 in My Documents. The default location of that directory is as follows for different operation systems:
Windows Vista/7: C:\Users\\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\
Mac OS: /Users//Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/
Step 2: Extract the Files
Extract the FrameworkSetup.zip file you just downloaded by right-clicking on the FrameworkSetup.zip file and choosing Extract Here. A new folder called “Mods” will now appear.
Step 3: Check the New Folders
Open the Sims 3 Mods folder. It should look like the picture above. There should be two folders, one called “Overrides” and other one called “Packages”, and one file called Resource.cfg. Open the folder called “Packages”.
There should be two files in the “Packages” folder inside the Mods folder: NoBuildSparkles.package and nointro.package. If they are there, this means you completed the most important step, which is the setting up your game to accept custom content.
Step 4: Test the Mods
Test if the packages are working properly. NoBuildSparkles.package and nointro.package are already two mods installed for you to test things out, so launch your game and see if they are working properly.
nointro.package: As you can understand from its name, No Intro completely skis the EA Intro video before the game menu, so you can see very quickly if you set up properly to install mods.
NoBuildSparkles.package: In the native game, there is a small sparkles effect whenever you build something. Nobuildsparkles completely eliminates that. Go play the game and build something; if no sparkles effects appear, it means your mods are working in-game. Congratulations!
If they are not working as intended, you need to start over. Delete the Mods folder and start again from Step 1.
Step 5: Download a Mod
Find a mod that you want to play with. The Sims 3 modding community is huge with different mods for all the DLCs. If you are looking for a great list, check out our best Sims 3 mods to download.
Download the mod you want to play with. See if there are any special instructions about the mod’s compatibility and installation. If not, continue on.
Step 6: Place the Mod In Your Packages Folder
The file you have downloaded will be a compressed file like a .zip or .rar. Extract the files and place the .package file into your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages\ folder – the same place where your NoBuildSparkles.package and nointro.package mods are.
If you want to delete any mod, you can simply delete the related .package file.
And that is it! This is how to install mods on Sims 3, with 10 easy steps. Just tweak your game to accept custom content, download the mod and paste it into your Packages file. Fast and not that complicated, and it makes thousands of different The Sims 3 mods available to you for free if you want to spice things up with the classic life simulation game. If this article helped you install Sims 3 mods, let us know below!
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