Game Help:CAW Framework

Making Create-a-World Recognize Custom Content

Overview

Create-a-World (CAW) just like The Sims 3 game system, relies on DBPF package system. Previously Fresh-Prince found that CAW recognize custom content installed via Sims3Pack installer or Sims 3 Launcher. Later after the discovery of Unknown7 usage on OBJD entry, it is found out that we can create a framework similar to Old Framework system inside CAW installation folder (default: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Create a World Tool\).

Manual Installation

Currently only manual installation available for this method.

Step 1: Edit Resource.cfg

Inside CAW program folder, there is already Resource.cfg created by CAW installation. Copy it into another folder, then edit it using Notepad or your desired text editor. Leave all content that already in Resource.cfg! Only append the text below in the end of Resource.cfg file.

Priority 501
DirectoryFiles Files/... autoupdate
Priority 500
PackedFile Packages/*.package
PackedFile Packages/*/*.package
PackedFile Packages/*/*/*.package
PackedFile Packages/*/*/*/*.package
PackedFile Packages/*/*/*/*/*.package

After you finish appending those text above, replace the original CAW's Resource.cfg with the edited one. Don't forget you should back up the original file.

Step 2: Create Packages Folder

You may choose between these two methods to create Packages folder for CAW. Please do either 1 or 2- you do not need to do both steps!

Either:

1: Create "Normal" Packages Folder

Just create a folder named Packages inside the CAW program folder. You need to put all custom content inside this folder in order to be recognized by CAW

OR:

2 (Vista onwards): Create a Symbolic Link to Packages folder in The Sims 3 Framework (Windows Vista, 2008, or 7)

This method is slightly advanced but useful, which you will not need to maintain redundant copy of Packages folder inside your computer.

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt , right click the icon then chose Run As Administrator)
2. Type MKLINK /D "[CAW Program Folder]\Packages" "[The Sims 3 Framework/Packages Folder]" then press enter. In example if you have the old framework style where your packages located in The Sims 3 program folder: MKLINK /D "C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Create a World Tool\Packages" "C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages". Remember that if you use Ambitions style of framework, the Packages folder should be located inside your Documents folder.
3. If step 2 is succeed, it will say "The symbolic link created ..."

2 (XP): Create a Symbolic Link to Packages folder in The Sims 3 Framework (Windows XP)

1. Download Junction http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx
2. Extract Junction to the location recommended by Microsoft, that is, the root of the user profile folder. If you are unsure of what this is, it is likely to be c:\documents and settings\[your username]. If you are still unsure, run command prompt and navigate to the directory it opens with. Extracting Junction to this directory means you don't have to navigate to the directory where you have extracted Junction when typing the next command.
3. Type junction "[CAW Program Folder]\Packages" "[The Sims 3 Framework/Packages Folder]" then press enter. In example if you have the old framework style where your packages located in The Sims 3 program folder: junction "C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Create a World Tool\Packages" "C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages". Remember that if you use Ambitions style of framework, the Packages folder should be located inside your Documents folder.
4. If step 2 is succeed, it will say something like "The symbolic link created ..." . If it says it cannot do it, carefully check your code and directories and try again. If you have created a Packages folder in the CAW directory, you will need to delete it as the program will create the directory during linking.

After that the program will recognize that Packages folder is exist inside CAW program folder, which actually linked to The Sims 3 package folder. It works so much like a shortcut but slightly different. All the CC you installed inside The Sims 3 package folder will be linked automatically to CAW package folder. So you will need to maintain only one Package folder, the The Sims 3 one.

See Also

• Tutorial: Setting up Your Caw Framework for CC (with pictures!)
• Showing Objects in CAW Catalog (Unknown7)