Sims 3:Modding
CAS (Create a Sim)
Things you can stick on your sims - skintones, clothing, and more.
General CAS Tutorials
- How to Make a Simple Texture Replacement by ThomasRiordan
- Creating Default Replacement Skintones for TS3 by Aikea Guinea
- Default Replacement Eyes, Plus Changing The Whites by Aikea Guinea
- Sims 3 Hair Basics by HystericalParoxysm
CTU Tutorials
Tutorials on using Delphy's CTU:
TSR Workshop Tutorials
Tutorials on using TSR Workshop:
CAS Tools
Blender GEOM Mesh Plug-In
By Morgade. Work in progress.
Delphy's CTU
Allows creation of non-replacement clothing, etc. - stencils, retextures, and new meshes. Includes 3D preview.
Delphy's Acronym Bending Original Output Barber Shop (aka DABOOBS)
Creates non-replacement custom hair mesh packages.
TSR Workshop
Create non-replacement clothing, hair, make-up and accessories in sims3pack format. Also allows mesh editing. Includes live 3D preview.
Patterns
Create a Style patterns for use on all manner of items in-game.
Tools
Delphy's Pattern Packager
Creates new pattern package or sims3pack files from DDS files.
TSR Workshop
Creates new pattern package or sims3pack files from DDS, PNG, and BMP files. Includes auto-upload to TSR if you are a member.
Pattern Tutorials
General Modding
Creating gameplay modifications and the like.
Tools
The Lepid Llama Unpacker by Echo
Extract the contents of a sims3pack exported file. Choose the sims3pack, select the file to extract, and click Export Selected" on the bottom left.
Postal Package Editor by Echo (Alpha)
A tool for exploring the innards of the game's package files.
S3PE Demo Package Editor by Peter Jones
A package editor to view package contents and edit files.
s3pi Library - Programmers Only
The start of an open source library for programmers creating tools for TS3. Written in C# under .Net 3.5 and contains wrappers that implement methods to read and write package files, unpack packed files, and interpret several file types. Created by Peter L. Jones.
TS3 STBL Editor
An editor tohange ingame text, like item description, job description, job names, etc.
Sims 3 Package Explorer
A tool to examine, extract, replace and modify Sims 3 package content, by Okeanos.
Neighborhood Workshop (formerly Save Game Editor)
Snaitf's FNV Generator
Simple Encoder for Making Hashes
Experimental Object Cloner
A tool to create new Sims 3 objects by copying and renumbering parts of an original game object. Created by Peter L. Jones
Modding Tutorials
- Sims 3 Gameplay Modding for Dummies by Inge Jones
- Sims 3 XML Tuning Modding (a more user friendly version of the above tutorial, with pictures)
- How to Make a Simple Texture Replacement by ThomasRiordan
- Core Modding Tutorial (For complete and total nincompoops, like me!)
- Creating a New Book
- Adding Clothing to a Category (for beginners)
- IL and DLL overview / tutorial
- Custom Painting In Sims 3 by Snaitf and Srikandi
- How To Clone A Painting And Change the Texture
- Mini-Tutorial: linking stairs, railings, and fences by Srikandi
- Object Modding (aka adding interactions)by Kolipoki
Installation and Content
To help you get custom content working in-game, and other related utilities.
Delphy's TS3 Install Helper Monkey
Use this program for easy set-up and installation of Sims 3 .package files.
Delphy's Sims3Pack Multi Installer
Designed for mass installing multiple Sims3Packs into a specific folder.
TSR Merlin
Install/uninstall sims3pack and package files. View contents before installing. Much quicker than using the Launcher for installing.
Marhis' TS3 Framework Installer for Mac OS X
Easier way to install Sims3 .package files for Mac.
JFade's 3Viewer (Beta)
A Sims3Pack installer, editor, and overall download manager. Similar to TS2's Clean Installer in function, with additional content management capabilities.
JFade's The Compressorizor Redux! (Beta)
Compress package files to save hard drive space.
Building
Instructions and help on building the perfect lot in Sims 3.
Building Tutorials
- How to create a basic roof with different slope angles - By Feldynn
- Building an Aquarium pool in TS3 - By aphexZero
- How to build a specific lot type, where to have a party and why it matters - By Blackcat007
- How to Create Split Levels With and Without Warped Walls - By Qbuilderz
- Creating a sunken room with floor to ceiling windows By - Beefysim1
- How to build a pool in a lake - By AllHeartAnne
- How to Make Pools of Different Depths - By KRD123
- Building an Aquarium Pond - By Patul
- Half Walls and Folded Stairs in a Modern House - By Amiao103
- Indoor/Outdoor Pools - By kraslev
- Building a Yacht!! a basic framework - By Ralphaelninja
- TS3 Circular Stairway Tutorial - By Patul
- True Sunken Basement - By Flabaliki
- Split Level Stairs - By Plasticbox
- Split levelling 4-level house without warped walls - By ellacharm3d
- Bridges in The Sims 3 - By Flabaliki
- Split Level on the Second Story - By Flabaliki
- How to build a multi split level home (eqivalent to 8 clicks) - By Rosalie_Q
- Correct Pool Windows - Even After Reloading - By sims-holic
- Gambrel Roof Tutorial - By ricslady99
- Under Ground Garage - By Xeroz
- Glitch: How to Make Water go Green - By suttonbros
- Split Level Pools {Sloped} - By Moonfeather
- Fountains in a Pond - By rgarraw
- TS3 Nine Livable Levels (Illusion) by Patul
- How to make an underground carport by Xeroz
- Building a Gambrel Roof Tutorial by ricslady99
- TS3 Nine livable levels (illusion) by Patul
- TS3 Greenhouse (and custom roofing) tutorial by Patul
- "Acrostacking" Stacking Objects in TS3 tutorial by Qbuilderz
- "Geoblending" Covering Objects with Terrain in TS3 tutorial by Qbuilderz
Video Building Tutorials
- Roof Height Adjustment Tutorial{TSS}
- Connecting Garages to Foundations Tutorial{TSS}
- Split Leveling Tutorial{TSS}
- How to make Waterfalls Tutorial{TSS}
- Pool Techniques Tutorial{TSS}
- Building a Better House Tutorial{TSS}
- Tricks with Split Leveling Tutorial{TSS}
- Basements/Multilevel Basements in The Sims 3 Tutorial{TSS}
- Landscaping Tutorial{TSS}
- Landscaping Megatorial{TSS}
- Creating Bridges{TSS}
Meshing Tools
Plugins by WesHowe for meshing in Milkshape
Meshing Tutorials
- Modifying a TS3 Mesh by Wes Howe
- 3D_Meshing_Part_I - The basics of 3D meshing by Wes Howe
- 3D_Meshing_Part_II - A Mesh by Wes Howe
- 3D_Meshing_Part_III - Textures and UVs by Wes Howe
- 3D_Meshing_Part_IV - The UV Map by Wes Howe
- 3D_Meshing_Part_V - Holy Smoke, Joints! by Wes Howe
- 3D_Meshing_Part_VI - Ready, Set, Go! by Wes Howe
- 3D_Meshing_Part_VII - Organic Modeling by Wes Howe
Advanced Coding
If you are interested in all the file formats that go to make up the game, check these resources out:
- Files by Type Code: Sims 3:PackedFileTypes
- RCOL (Scene) Sims 3:RCOL
- Catalog Resource Sims 3:Catalog Resource
- Key table and lists of resource references Sims 3:Key table
