This is a newbie or a dummy guide for beginners who doesn’t know a single thing about installing package files for Sims 3. It’s really easy and you can do it in a few simple steps.
What is Custom Content or Mods?
So we say the objects in sims 3 are as content right? Telephones,shelves,clothes,makeup all of them are content. So the content you see in your game are made by the game producers but fans all over the world have made really cool content for specific object types and that’s what make them “custom content” Basically saying they are unoffcial addons for your sims 3 game.
Now for a brief example:
See the gorgeous babes up there? They have been pimped up from their skin tones to their hair and clothes using different type of custom content. So if you want to make your Sim fabulous rather than plain boring your best choice is to learn how to use those them mods! 😀
So they are created with a particular software and saved as a certain file type. They are called package files.
The below images are some examples of a package file. As you can see it doesn’t have a specific extension but don’t worry your Sims 3 game can understand it.
This file will be needed to be placed manually so the game can load it.
This will be the one we are trying to install manually in this guide. Notice the .package extension.
Another type of package file.
This particular custom content file should be double clicked and you will be automatically redirected to the Sims 3 Launcher screen and can finish the installation there.
Now let’s learn how to install File Type 1:
What You Will Need:
- Downloaded Custom Content File. (from Mod the Sims or any other sims 3 freebie site)
- Winzip or Winrar software should be installed.
- Keyboard/Mouse.
- Coffee! XD
Firstly you should know that the most of the .package files will be inside of a winrar archive or winzip archive so it’s important that you need to install either winzip or winrar.
Both of them are free programs that can be downloaded. You should install one of them(either winrar or winzip- my preference is winrar.)
Secondly you will need your sims 3 custom content(duh the most important part).
I personally like getting hair mods or skin tones for my game you can try a google search and find them or you can check my version of Best Mods for Sims 3
So now that you have installed winrar or winzip you could open the file you have downloaded. Wait I will give you an example of a winrar archived file looks like. (in case you haven’t ever used winrar before)
file name will be different okay? i mean this is for dummies if you know what a winrar file is skip down to the installing step lol
For those who haven’t seen what a winzip file looked like, take a lookie at the picture below thanks!
The winzip icon. Its like two drawers held with some crazy contraption, Well whatever *roles eyes*
STEP ONE:
Go to Your Sims 3 Game Directory in My Documents
So now you have your files and everything which i have whined about you need to know your Sims 3 file directory. So simply go to the following location. (depending on your operating system)
- Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\
- Windows Vista or Windows 7: C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\
- Mac OS: /Users/<username>/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/
It should look like this(Windows 7)
STEP TWO:
Make A New Folder Called “Mods”
So you just have to make a new folder named mods just to keep your new mods not jumbled with the other game files and causing chaos.So right click in the directory —> New —-> Click ” Folder” and name it as “Mods”
So now you have a new folder in your game directory hallelujah! so it should look something like this:
So go inside your newly made “mods” folder and you will NEED TO MAKE TWO MORE folders named:
1.Overrides
2.Packages
So inside the mods folder it should look like this:
STEP THREE:
Download the Resource.cfg File
So technically your mods folder has two folders now. So you now to fill it up with another extra titbit named “Resource.cfg” It’s just a 1kb file that is needed to be placed in the Mods folder along with “Override” and “Packages”
Don’t be alarmed- I got your back. This file is completely safe and you just need to download it and place them in the newly created “mods” folder.
**Please disable adblock before downloading. Otherwise the task would be mission impossible! 🙂
so copy paste your newly downloaded Resource.cfg file in the Mods directory and your final result will be this: 
STEP FOUR:
“Extract” Your Mod from the Winrar Archive to the Directory
So i know for newbies the word “extract” is so terrifying but it’s not that hard to do. So you should click on your downloaded custom content file which is inside winrar. Find it double click it and you will see the package file inside it.
Go ahead and select it and right click it and click “Extract to the specified folder” or you could just simply click the “Extract to” icon on the winrar menu.
And you’ll get a new small window telling where you should put the folder(which literally means extraction lol) You’ll need to change it so that the mod should be placed in your newly created “Packages” folder in the Sims 3 game directory.
So browse into the “mods” folder from the browsing pane on the right and select the “Mods” folder and then click “Packages” and select ok.
Now your .package file should be on the directory, extracted. *pfft* 😀
So now navigate back to your “Mods” folder using windows explorer or My Computer and check whether the .package file is in the “Packages” folder.
You are done! 😀 Now it’s time to test your package files in the game.
STEP FIVE:
Finding Your Package Files in the Game.
There’s an easy way to detect which objects are custom content inside the game- look at this screenshot.
Courtesy of simsl3gacies.com
**Notice the small folder icon visible in some of the objects above? Those are custom content.
Remember what i said about .packages file type number 2? That they are easy to install and you need to go to the launcher?
Check under the “Installed Content” tab for your installed mods.
Courtesy of findingbadccsims3.blogspot.com
**Installed custom content in launcher would look like the above with that purple star on the lower left corner below.
Make sure you read the description and installation instructions given by the mod creator as the location of the mod is usually specified there. To my knowledge some of the items can be categorized as seen below.
Buy Mode Items: Can be found in the “Buy Mode”
For an example: If your custom content is a car you should go to the Buy mode while playing the game and find it in the vehicles section. There could be a price for the custom content items as well so earn well!
Skin Tones: Can only be accessed in Create-A-Sim Window. As it can be only accessed through the start of a new family you will need to use the sims 3 cheats to go into the Create-A-Sim Window.
Hair/Eyes/Sunglasses/Blush/Makeup/Clothes: Click on any mirror and click “Change Appearance” and find your installed goodies there.
Ready Made Houses– Sometimes a whole house could be made into a custom content file so when you need to place it in the game you will probably need to go into the “Town” mode and choose and empty space/ lot and place it in the town manually.
Sims scripts and gaming scripts: They are saved as package files as well. Read the descriptions well on such mods. some of those scripts are mostly actions that can be performed by a sim and etc.
So there you go! 😀 If you found this guide useful pleace share it with your friends and leave a comment.
Thanks and Happy Simming!
