Game Help:UI and Sim Issues - Revision history

EllaCharm3d at 16:34, 1 November 2012

2012-11-01T16:34:04Z

EllaCharm3d at 15:56, 27 October 2012

2012-10-27T15:56:49Z

EllaCharm3d at 04:24, 17 August 2012

2012-08-17T04:24:47Z

EllaCharm3d at 04:20, 28 July 2012

2012-07-28T04:20:36Z

EllaCharm3d at 04:12, 28 July 2012

2012-07-28T04:12:02Z

EllaCharm3d at 05:55, 8 August 2011

2011-08-08T05:55:31Z

EllaCharm3d at 04:59, 8 August 2011

2011-08-08T04:59:15Z

Crinrict: Added a TheSinms.com link

2011-03-31T12:17:14Z

Added a TheSinms.com link

EllaCharm3d: /* update nraas link */

2011-01-25T06:23:31Z

‎update nraas link

Werismyki: /* Already Have the Issue? */

2010-11-09T16:42:00Z

‎Already Have the Issue?

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
-==How You can Help==
+==Seeking further assistance==
-If the above suggestions do not work for you, we have posted a [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=411005 Sticky] for this issue to collect information, you can find it at the top of the [http://www.modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=551 Help Forum].  If you have or have had issues with Missing Sims and/or the User Interface, we welcome you to post your details in the thread.
+If the above suggestions do not work for you, please provide the answers to the following questions and then post in [http://www.modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=551 Help Forum].
+{| style="margin: 0 2em; border: solid 1px; background-color:#efefef; padding: 1em;"
-==References==
+|-
-The following threads helped provide information for this article, you may find additional information in these threads that was not included or may have been added after this article was posted.  As more information is learned, it will be added and the link provided.
+# Which game(s) do you have?
+# What is the game version/patch level for the base game?
+# How many sims are missing/invisible?
-===MTS Help Threads===
+# Do they have an icon or not?
-Links to Help Threads with Missing Sims or User Interface, various reasons:
+# Do you have any UI issues?
-<div style="font-size:80%">
+# Were the sims traveling?
-* http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=378863
+# How many traveling?
-* http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=406076
+# How are all travellers related?
-* http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=410750
+# Which country are the sims in?
-* http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=410582
+# How many days?
-* http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=393637
+# Did the sim(s) return via the phone prematurely or only when the vacation was over?
-* http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=400497
+# Returning together or separate?
-* http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=380297
+# Are you using Twallan's MasterController+Overwatch+DebugEnabler or AwesomeMod?
-* http://linna.modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3255045
+#* If you're not, you should. And then do the steps in the '''[[#Already Have the Issue?|Already Have the Issue?]]''' section above.
+# Are you using EA Story Progression, Twallan's Story Progression, or Awesome Story?
-</div>
+#* If you're still using EA's Story Progression, that is buggy, use a mod. Several selections in the [[Sims_3_Content_List:Game_Mods_and_Hacks#Story_Progression|Content List]].
+# When did the issue start?
-===Sims 3 Forum Threads===
+# What were your sims doing?
-Posts/Threads from TheSims3.com Forums
+# What things have you tried
-<div style="font-size:80%">
+# What worked?
-* http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/135388.page
+# What didn't work?
-* http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/149753.page
+# Anything else you would like to add?
-* http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/35296.page
+|}
-* http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/51811.page
-* http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/357763.page
-−
-</div>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{|cellspacing="2" cellpadding = "6" style="border-style:solid; border-color:red; border-width:2px;" width="70%" align="center"
+{{UnderConstruction}}
-|align="center" | [[Image:Warning.gif]]<span style="color:red;"><b><big>Under re-construction!</big></b></span>   <font color=black><big>It's going to get messy! Watch out for the falling bytes...
-|}
-−
 {{Sims3GameHelpHeader}}
 =Missing Sims and/or User Interface=

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 * Do NOT use EA Story Progression especially if you have World Adventures.  EA Story Progression is the default when you install your game.  Even if you uncheck the box to disable it, it may still be running and corrupting your game.  Try [[Fansite:NraasIndustries|NRaas Story Progression]], or [http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15185.0.html  AwesomeStory]
 * If you find Sim(s) missing during gameplay, "Quit Without Saving"  Yes, you will lose progress, but the alternative is losing the game entirely.
-* If you have World Adventures and plan on sending your sims on vacation, make extra backups of the save using "Save As" to save the game.  Save often, and rename each appropriately so you know which is which.  Doing so can minimize loss, if you experience game issues, computer crash, power outages, etc.  Save the game before going on vacation, during vacation, and just before returning, etc.  This will help you tremendously, should the Traveling Glitch make your sims or user interface corrupt or invisible.
+* If you have World Adventures and plan on sending your sims on vacation, make extra backups of the save using "Save As" to save the game.  Save often, and rename each appropriately so you know which is which.  Doing so can minimize loss, if you experience game issues, computer crash, power outages, etc.  Save the game before going on vacation, during vacation, and just before returning, etc.  This will help you tremendously, should the Traveling Glitch make your sims or user interface corrupt or invisible. [[Fansite:NraasIndustries|Twallan's Traveler]] mod also helps.
 * By default, the game allows teens, young adults, adults, and elders to travel to Vacation worlds.  In contrast, children are permitted to return to the home world as well as the other age groups.  Neither of which allow babies or toddlers to travel.  While this may be changed in a tuning file, doing so may cause your game to have issues.
 * Also note at what day of their life cycle each Sim is on, before traveling.  There were several reports of Sims showing up with an incorrect age appearance, even though they were in the correct age cycle.
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 ** ''Error Trap'' mod: other users have reported this has helped them if they let the game run past its auto-cleanup time at 3am Sim Time, and
 ** ''Overwatch'' mod: proven effective with removing items during gameplay which can cause lag and other issues.
 * Try removing All Custom Content [[Game Help:Remove Sims3 Custom CC Wizard | Remove Sims3 Custom CC Wizard]]
 * [[Game Help:Sims 3 Delete Cache Files | Refresh/Delete the Cache Files]] especially when you add or remove custom content.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Sims3GameHelpHeader}}
+{|cellspacing="2" cellpadding = "6" style="border-style:solid; border-color:red; border-width:2px;" width="70%" align="center"
 =Missing Sims and/or User Interface=
 Most of the suggestions listed in [[Game Help:UI and Sim_Issues#Already Have the Issue?|Already Have the Issue?]] have solved this bug for many people.  While many are affected by World Adventures and Sims going to or returning from vacation, it has also affected those without World Adventures.

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 ** ''Debug Enabler'' mod:
 *** click on a Sim (or City Hall), Nraas > DebugEnabler > Option:Sim (if Sim is clicked) > Fix Invisible Sims
-*** open cheat console (Ctrl+Shift+C) and enter "forceHud"
+*** open cheat console (Ctrl+Shift+C) and enter "forceHud" (requires "testingcheatsenabled true" first)
 ** ''Error Trap'' mod: other users have reported this has helped them if they let the game run past its auto-cleanup time at 3am Sim Time, and
 ** ''Overwatch'' mod: proven effective with removing items during gameplay which can cause lag and other issues.

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 * [[File:InviSim.jpg|thumb|click to enlarge]]You get Green empty Thumbnails where the Sims thumbnails are. The Portrait of the Sim is also missing in the HUD Panel. Not pictured is how the invisible Sim look like with just a plumbob floating over thin air. (First image)
 * [[File:Missing HUD.jpg|thumb|click to enlarge]]Upon loading a save game, you find the HUD panel missing, and there are no Map Tags. None of the keys (F1, F5, or F10, etc) works. (Second image)
-* Upon traveling, in patch 1.22 onwards (with Generations release), you may also get clones (aka doppelgangers, as some call them) of your Sims
+* Upon traveling, from patch 1.22 onwards (with Generations release), you may also get clones (aka doppelgangers, as some call them) of your Sims
 * Upon traveling, you lose relationships with those in the Relationship panel. Or you suddenly gain a new family member or acquaintance
 * Upon traveling, Sims' ages get messed up
@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 * Try using Twallan's mods available @[[Fansite:NraasIndustries|Nraas Industries]]
 ** ''Master Controller'' mod: click on a Sim, Nraas > MasterController > Household > ResetLot
-** ''Debug Enabler'' mod: click on a Sim (or City Hall), Nraas > DebugEnabler > Option:Sim (if Sim is clicked) > Fix Invisible Sims,
+** ''Debug Enabler'' mod:
-** ''Error Trap'' mod: other users have reported this has helped them if you lat it run past its auto-cleanup time at 3am Sim Time, and
+*** click on a Sim (or City Hall), Nraas > DebugEnabler > Option:Sim (if Sim is clicked) > Fix Invisible Sims
 ** ''Overwatch'' mod: proven effective with removing items during gameplay which can cause lag and other issues.
 * Try removing All Custom Content [[Game Help:Remove Sims3 Custom CC Wizard | Remove Sims3 Custom CC Wizard]]
 * [[Game Help:Sims 3 Delete Cache Files | Refresh/Delete the Cache Files]] especially when you add or remove custom content.
 * If possible, try using the cheat: "resetsim (first name) (last name)"; or "resetsim *" to reset ALL Sims in the world
-* If possible, save the current family to the library. Evict and delete the existing family, then place the saved family in the same house.  Choose them as your default family in live mode.  NOTE: doing this may allow you to play the family, but outside relationships, dreams and wishes, careers, etc will be lost.
+* If possible, save the current family to the library. Evict and delete the existing family, then place the saved family in the same house.  Choose them as your default family in live mode.  NOTE: doing this may allow you to play the family, but outside relationships, dreams and wishes, careers, etc will be lost. However, before doing this step, you might want to try ResetLot command as shown above first.
 * At the first sign of an invisible Sim/missing Sim or missing UI Panel, quit the game without saving.  Then follow the [[Game Help:Restoring Backup Saves|Restoring Backup Saves]] Guide and attempt to load the backup save to see if you can continue with the backup.  This, also, may not work as the backup may also be corrupted.
 * If after quitting and reloading the game, the UI Panel is still missing, you can enter "forceHud" in the cheat console. You need ''DebugEnabler'' for this to work.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 =Missing Sims and/or User Interface=
-There isn't much known for a fix or workaround, though it does seem to plague many players.  While many are affected by World Adventures and Sims going to or returning from vacation, it has also affected those without World Adventures, making it extremely difficult to pinpoint the cause.
+Most of the suggestions listed in [[Game Help:UI and Sim_Issues#Already Have the Issue?|Already Have the Issue?]] have solved this bug for many people.  While many are affected by World Adventures and Sims going to or returning from vacation, it has also affected those without World Adventures.
-==How You can Help==
-We have posted a [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=411005 Sticky] for this issue to collect information, you can find it at the top of the [http://www.modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=551 Help Forum].  If you have or have had issues with Missing Sims and/or the User Interface, we welcome you to post your details in the thread.
+==Issue & Symptoms==
-==How to Avoid Issues==
+==Solutions==
 While a fix or workaround are still being sought, there are some things you can do to help prevent the issue from occurring in the first place:
@@ Line 14: / Line 32: @@
 * Run the game from admin user account or with admin privileges, doing so helps eliminate many user related issues.
 * Those that tend to stick with one family (don't switch active households) tend to have less issues and problems.
-* Do NOT use EA Story Progression especially if you have World Adventures.  EA Story Progression is the default when you install your game.  Even if you uncheck the box to disable it, it may still be running and corrupting your game.  Try [http://www.the-isz.com/nraas/index.php?board=4.0  NRaas Story Progression], or [http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15185.0.html  AwesomeStory]
+* Do NOT use EA Story Progression especially if you have World Adventures.  EA Story Progression is the default when you install your game.  Even if you uncheck the box to disable it, it may still be running and corrupting your game.  Try [[Fansite:NraasIndustries|NRaas Story Progression]], or [http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15185.0.html  AwesomeStory]
 * If you find Sim(s) missing during gameplay, "Quit Without Saving"  Yes, you will lose progress, but the alternative is losing the game entirely.
 * If you have World Adventures and plan on sending your sims on vacation, make extra backups of the save using "Save As" to save the game.  Save often, and rename each appropriately so you know which is which.  Doing so can minimize loss, if you experience game issues, computer crash, power outages, etc.  Save the game before going on vacation, during vacation, and just before returning, etc.  This will help you tremendously, should the Traveling Glitch make your sims or user interface corrupt or invisible.
-* by default, the game allows teens, young adults, adults, and elders to travel to Vacation worlds.  In contrast, children are permitted to return to the home world as well as the other age groups.  Neither of which allow babies or toddlers to travel.  While this may be changed in a tuning file, doing so may cause your game to have issues.
+* By default, the game allows teens, young adults, adults, and elders to travel to Vacation worlds.  In contrast, children are permitted to return to the home world as well as the other age groups.  Neither of which allow babies or toddlers to travel.  While this may be changed in a tuning file, doing so may cause your game to have issues.
-* Also note at what day of their life cycle each sim is on, before traveling.  There were several reports of sims showing up with an incorrect age appearance, even though they were in the correct age cycle.
+* Also note at what day of their life cycle each Sim is on, before traveling.  There were several reports of Sims showing up with an incorrect age appearance, even though they were in the correct age cycle.
-==Already Have the Issue?==
+===Already Have the Issue?===
-As noted earlier, there isn't much in the way of fixes or workarounds once the issues occur and especially if you save the game once the issue has occurred.  You can try the steps below to see if it solves your issue, but there are no guarantees.  It should also be noted, there are various reasons for sims to become invisible and or the user interface to become corrupt and each is treated differently.  Some can be solved, others can't.
+As noted earlier, these fixes or workarounds work for most people, once the issues occur and even if you save the game once the issue has occurred.  You can try the steps below to see if it solves your issue, but there are no guarantees.  It should also be noted, there are various reasons for Sims to become invisible and or the user interface to become corrupt and each is treated differently.  Some can be solved (if root cause is known), others can't.
 * You made sure you had not accidentally pressed the TAB key or F10 key to hide the User Interface
-* Try using Twallan's mods available @[http://www.the-isz.com/nraas/index.php?board=4.0 NRaas Industries]
+* Try using Twallan's mods available @[[Fansite:NraasIndustries|Nraas Industries]]
-** ''Debug Enabler'' mod: it has the option to fix invisible sims,
+** ''Master Controller'' mod: click on a Sim, Nraas > MasterController > Household > ResetLot
-** ''Error Trap'' mod: other users have reported this has helped them, and
+** ''Debug Enabler'' mod: click on a Sim (or City Hall), Nraas > DebugEnabler > Option:Sim (if Sim is clicked) > Fix Invisible Sims,
 ** ''Overwatch'' mod: proven effective with removing items during gameplay which can cause lag and other issues.
 * Try removing All Custom Content [[Game Help:Remove Sims3 Custom CC Wizard | Remove Sims3 Custom CC Wizard]]
 * [[Game Help:Sims 3 Delete Cache Files | Refresh/Delete the Cache Files]] especially when you add or remove custom content.
-* If possible, try using the cheat: resetsim (first name) (last name)
+* If possible, try using the cheat: "resetsim (first name) (last name)"; or "resetsim *" to reset ALL Sims in the world
 * If possible, save the current family to the library. Evict and delete the existing family, then place the saved family in the same house.  Choose them as your default family in live mode.  NOTE: doing this may allow you to play the family, but outside relationships, dreams and wishes, careers, etc will be lost.
-* At the first sign of an invisible sim/missing sim or missing UI Panel, quit the game without saving.  Then follow the [[Game Help:Restoring Backup Saves|Restoring Backup Saves]] Guide and attempt to load the backup save to see if you can continue with the backup.  This, also, may not work as the backup may also be corrupted.
+* At the first sign of an invisible Sim/missing Sim or missing UI Panel, quit the game without saving.  Then follow the [[Game Help:Restoring Backup Saves|Restoring Backup Saves]] Guide and attempt to load the backup save to see if you can continue with the backup.  This, also, may not work as the backup may also be corrupted.
 * Uninstall and Reinstall.  Completely [[Game Help:TS3 Uninstall|Uninstall]] the game, move or rename the User Files (Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder).  Once you have completely uninstalled and removed all traces of The Sims 3, then [[Game Help:Install|reinstall]] and [[Game Help:TS3 Patching|patch]] your game.  From a Guru on Sims 3 Forum ''"The reason uninstall/reinstall is often suggested, especially manual uninstall, is that with the wide variants of systems, hardware, mods/no mods, exchange content, store content, etc. It is possible that somewhere along the way a file was changed or modified in a way that was not intended. Doing a completely clean install updating directly from install to the newest versions, and playing a new game or a for sure 100% clean save are the best ways to be certain that there aren't any additional outside programs/changes effecting the game and causing errors to pop up. "''
+*
 ==References==
 The following threads helped provide information for this article, you may find additional information in these threads that was not included or may have been added after this article was posted.  As more information is learned, it will be added and the link provided.
 ===MTS Help Threads===
@@ Line 65: / Line 92: @@
+*
 </div>