What is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder??
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What is inside the DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3 folder??
by Guest Tue 03 Dec 2013, 10:11
Hey guys!
So I found these pages that describe what is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder, so I thought I would share it with you. Here is a mix of everything I could find!
Folders:
Files:
I hope this helps you out!!
So I found these pages that describe what is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder, so I thought I would share it with you. Here is a mix of everything I could find!
Folders:
- Collections:
- Introduced in patch 1.26 (PC, Mac Snow Leopard) / 1.27 (Mac Lion). You can organize your Buy/Build Catalog in Collections, for example have an “Industrial” or “Gothic” style, and the resulting collections would be placed here, or place any Collection downloads shared by the Sims community in this folder.
- ContentPatch:
- Introduced in September, 2011 for patches to Store Items. When prompted in Launcher of Store updates, the file(s) would be downloaded and stored in this folder if one accepts the prompt. The patch file is named "ContentPatch.package"
If not, a 1KB file with the name "DontBugMeUntilNextPatch" would be placed here so you won't get the prompt in Launcher again.
There's also a subfolder in here called "Download" that may contain files with "*.part" in the name. This is a temp file of the "ContentPatch.package", which should have been deleted after downloading is completed, so it is safe to remove if not.
- CurrentGame.sims3:
- These are the files your current game is playing from. When the game is closed, this folder will be empty. If it is not, it will be emptied on startup of the game.
During a save procedure this folder would be renamed as you specified and transferred to the Saves folder. If at any time, the Save procedure results in an error or is stalled, you can simply copy this whole folder into the Saves folder yourself before exiting the game, and rename it to.sims3 or something that you'll be able to identify later. It just needs to be different from the actual name of the Save that you loaded.
- Custom Music:
- Contains your custom music that is played on the custom music channel. Don't delete the files that are already in there for it can lead to problems with patching. If you don't want them in there, move them to some temp folder and put it back before patching.
If these default mp3 files get corrupted, you can simply replace this folder's contents by copying the originals from the Program Files path.
It has been reported, however that the Custom Channel won't work properly if the default game's Custom Music are not present, so YMMV. The files need to be in .mp3 format and in 128kb bitrate. They cannot be VBR or higher than 320 kbps bit rate, so they must be fairly standard.
WARNING: corrupt or incompatible files here may crash or otherwise impact your game while it’s trying to play them!
- DCBackup:
- When installing .sims3pack files, the game stores copies of the items found in those files here. These copies are not normally used for gameplay, however when you use the game’s Export facility to share anything, the game will look in this folder to pack any non-standard content. If it can not find the item here, it will fall back on a standard EA replacement, even if the item itself is still installed in your game.
This folder is bound to have many files if you install and test out a lot of content, for the files in here will not get deleted when you uninstall or delete something in your Launcher. The names in here are just numbers so you won't know which is which. To find out, you can open them in s3pe and find the picture (Type: THUM or ICON).
If you export a Sim / Household / House from your game, the game only packs the stuff used that is actually in this folder. Meaning if you used a window in your house but deleted the corresponding Package file in this folder, the window will not get packed with the house. Some Downloads don't need to be used to get packed. They just do, but only if you have them in this folder.
Since the introduction of premium content to the store, this folder contains a file called ccmerge.package. This file contains information about the buffs and skills given by the premium content. Don't delete this file or it will cause the premium content to not work correctly.
Files in this folder have the extension .package.
See here for more details.
- DCCache:
- Contains all installed Custom Content/Exchange/Store items that you installed through the Launcher. Shows up in Launcher's Installed Content tab. This tab may list more content than you had downloaded and installed, as there are many Sims3Packs that have lots of files getting packed with it. Do NOT install hundreds of files in one go, do small batches that does not exceed 200MB. Launcher cannot handle too big a queue.
There are 3 different file types in this folder:- *.dbc: All third party content
- *.ebc: Store content
- missingdeps.idx: Probably some kind of Cache file for it gets recreated when deleted.
The files are getting compressed together and unfortunately one does not know what CC item is in which numbered file. The size of the files can be changed in the Default.ini in your \Game\Bin folder. If a file reaches this value, a new one is created and files are named incrementally, from *0.dbc or *0.ebc onwards.
The items can be stored in various .dbc files in no specific order, so if you remove only one of these, an installation of a compound item may be incomplete. If you delete the files here, installed items will be gone from your game and will need to be re-installed using the Launcher.
A first file is created the first time you installed ANY sims3pack. If it's a houses/household/Sims/Worlds the file will only be 1 kb big. No actual info is stored there. If you uninstall something, the file size does not seem to be reduced at all although the content is gone from your Launcher & game.
The content of these files is what you see in the Installed Content tab in your Launcher. If you delete them, ALL of your CC/Store item will be gone from your game (this does not include the houses/household/Sims/Worlds itself). Sometimes it's the best thing to do, if you have lots of corrupted stuff. You can cut and paste these files temporarily to your computer's Desktop to remove the content from your game. This is an especially useful trick if you suspect the .dbc (or .ebc) is already corrupted and cannot accept new installs. The pre-existing content would then need to be reinstalled.
You can use Delphy's Dashboard to scan those files but it will only tell you, IF something faulty is installed. It can't be repaired. If there is, you will need to delete the file and reinstall all your downloads.
Houses(Lots), Households, Worlds and Sims are installed in different folders. - *.dbc: All third party content
- Downloads:
- This folder only recognizes .sims3pack files. If you install a sims3pack via the Launcher, or Download from the Sims Store or Exchange via a web browser, the original file will be downloaded first into this folder.
If you copy them here without installing, they will not show in your game and if you delete it from here but not uninstall via Launcher, they will still show in your game and the Launcher. This is basically just a backup and can be used for installing many sims3packs at once. To do so, copy your downloaded sims3Packs into this folder (if not already located here), open your Launcher and just check them all to install.
If the Launcher takes ages to load, you can move all installed sims3packs into a subfolder within this folder and the Launcher will ignore them and also load much faster. It is also recommended to move these files out after a successful install so you have them as backup in case a reinstall is required. Keep only the current "going-to-be-installed" files in here.
Files in this folder have the extension .sims3pack and will show in the Downloads tab in the Launcher.
There is a file contained within this folder that is named as your Origin email-address with the extension of ".bin". This file contains information used by the in-game Store functionality.
Folder with very long number (Introduced with Patch 1.31)
This folder contains two files PassportData.package and ChallengeData.package:- PassportData holds information about your SimPort progress which you loose all if you delete the file.
- ChallengeData.package holds information about your achievements. All completed achievements that were awarded with badges are also saved on the EA server but things you've started (like jogging a certain distance) is saved in this file.
You should keep a backup of this folder
dynamicchallenge_
This file is downloaded to your computer when there's a new challenge/achievement available that you can do. It's unclear what happens if you delete the file.
There might also be a new folder with a new very long number that only contains the ChallengeData.package. - PassportData holds information about your SimPort progress which you loose all if you delete the file.
- Exports:
- When you share or export something from your game (or export a world from CAW) the game creates a .sims3pack here. On starting the Launcher, it will assume you intend to upload these to The Exchange, however there is no need to do so.
You can take the files out of here and use them for other purposes, including putting them into the Downloads folder of another game.
The files in this folder shows have the extension .sims3pack and show in Uploads in the Launcher.
- FeaturedItems:
- As of patch 1.29 the game stores the thumbnails for Store featured items here, to be offered to you when you enable the in-game Shop mode.
is causing crashing issues (as of Dec 2011). Recommended to turn off the in-game Store feature from Options. Or turn it off manually by editing Options.ini, set the following line to 0 to turn it off: enableingamestore = 0.
- IGACache:
- I don't know much about this folder yet...
- InstalledWorlds:
- Here the basic .world files get stored of worlds you have installed in your game. The worlds that come with the game itself, like Sunset Valley, are not found here.
Files in this folder have the extension .world and show in Installed Content in the Launcher.
- Library:
- This folder stores the familles and lots in your Sims bin (as used in Edit Town) that you installed through your Launcher. The game stores these with hexadecimal file names, however you are free to rename them as long as you leave the extension intact.
Every house and household has it's own file. If additional content came with the Sims3Pack that will be installed in your DCCache files.
The files in this folder have the extension .package and will show in your library in game and also in Installed Content in the Launcher. They can be either deleted in-game or uninstalled through the Launcher.
If you use a house or household in your game and delete the file in this folder, the house will still be in your game for it is saved with your savegame. Deleting the file will only result in the house/household not showing in the Library/Bin anymore.
- Mods:
- Your downloaded user-created content in .package format. Not present by default. You have to create this folder yourself.
What is the Overrides Folder used for ?- Under the standard resource.cfg, priority is given to packages on the Overrides folder over those in other folders
- In the same way that tuning mods override EA tuning, this allows "Override" mods to override the tuning in other custom mod packages that you have installed.
- For example : This is useful if you have a mod such as StoryProgression installed, and wish to replace the scoring tuning within that mod without having to edit the mod package itself.
- Under the standard resource.cfg, priority is given to packages on the Overrides folder over those in other folders
- Recorded Videos:
- When you record a video while playing, the resulting video file goes here. The Launcher will offer to upload it to the Exchange, but you are free to take the file out and use in other ways.
- SavedSims:
- When you save a Sim, it goes into a
.sim file here. These are NOT the Sims you have in your “sim bin”, you will see them in the pre-made Sims when you enter CAS. These files contain only the Sim itself, and merely a reference to their outfit/hair/etcetera.
Every Sim has it's own file. If additional content came with the Sims3Pack that will be installed in your DCCache files.
If you use a Sim in your game and delete the file in this folder, the Sims will still be in your game for it is saved with your savegame. Deleting the file will only result in the Sim not showing in CAS anymore.
The files in this folder have the extension .Sim and will show in CAS (premade Sims) ingame and also in Installed Content in the launcher. They can be either deleted ingame or uninstalled through the Launcher.
Some Sims you download from other sites are NOT Sims but households (see above). If the Launcher pic only shows a head, it's a Sim, if it shows the whole Sim, it's a Household.
This folder cannot be organized into subfolders. .sim files stored in subfolders will not be recognized by the game and Launcher.
- SavedOutfits:
- Same for Outfits.
- Saves:
- Your saved games go here, in separate folders named
.sims3.
For every game there is also a folder called.backup. That is your second last savegame. If you used the Save As command instead of Save, no .backup folder will be created.You can not normally use such a backup, you will have to rename it first with a .sims3 extension before the game recognizes it.
Sometimes you will also find folders called.bad. Those are usually created when you have an Error 12, 13 or 16 and should be deleted right away. You don't need to keep those.
If you want to try to salvage your game progress after a Save Error occured before you quit, see CurrentGame.sims3.
- Screenshots:
- When you use the in-game camera to make a screenshot, you will find the file here. The same rules apply as they did for Recorded Videos.
- SigsCache:
- Information about activities in EADM and the Store. Files will be created again, if deleted.
- platform.bin: Probably some info about your Computer/OS
- igs.bin: Login-Data for the store.
- platform.bin: Probably some info about your Computer/OS
- Thumbnails:
- Cached thumbnail pics. Saved here for faster loading the next time you start your game. If you have any trouble with strange thumbnails ingame, delete these. They will be recreated next time you start the game, albeit a slightly slower game when it is first loaded, after the contents of this folder had been deleted.
- WorldCaches (not Mac):
- Cache files pertaining to the world you’re playing. You may delete these, however the game will re-create these in game and may consume extra resources while doing that.
There are no WorldCache files for worlds that came with the game and were not installed through the Launcher like Sunset Valley, Twinbrooks or Bridgeport. These can be deleted if you are on Windows, but must not be deleted on Mac.
Files:
- CasPartCache.package:
- CAS parts that appear in Create-A-Sim. It is a cache file to help speed up various operations in the game. You can delete it, but the game will need to re-create it and will consume extra resources while doing so.
- compositorCache.package:
- New objects that would appear in Buy/Build mode. It is a cache file to help speed up various operations in the game. You can delete it, but the game will need to re-create it and will consume extra resources while doing so.
If you install a mod that changes the icons or locations of in-game buy/build catalog items, you may need to delete compositorCache.package for your changes to show up.
If you install a skintone mod or a mod that changes the body shape, you may need to delete compositorCache.package and simCompositorCache.package for your changes to show up.
- simCompositorCache.package:
- New Sims, default skins. It is a cache file to help speed up various operations in the game. You can delete it, but the game will need to re-create it and will consume extra resources while doing so.
If you install a skintone mod or a mod that changes the body shape, you may need to delete compositorCache.package and simCompositorCache.package for your changes to show up.
- scriptCache.package:
- IMPORTANT! When deleting or installing mods it is important you delete this file before playing. Failure to do so may cause your game to use old information so that the mods do not take (full) effect.
- DeviceConfig.log:
- Even though this is a log file, it seems to hold information for the game pertaining to your hardware setup. Delete this file if you want to force the game to re-evaluate your system.
- HiddenPackages.ini:
- This file contains the standard EA families and lots you see in Edit Town that have been set hidden by you. Deleting this file will make all standard EA families appear again.
- Options.ini:
- This file is interesting in its own right, it contains a textual representation of the settings you have made using the Game Options panels.
Save this file if you update your drivers and put it back after the update or all your Option settings will be lost because the game would reset it automatically. This also occurs when you install new Expansion or Stuff Packs.
You may want to edit it manually, because it also contains settings pertaining to Sims life spans, and allow you to set options not normally available through the sliders. If you delete this file, a standard default copy will be re-created when you start the game.
This file may also become corrupted. If you get any graphical or sound glitch, removing this file would restore the Options and Lessons to "factory defaults" and you can then re-tweak the options as you desire, again. It can be manually edited before entering game if game crashes before you have a chance to enter F5.
- Sims3LauncherLogFile.log:
- A log file pertaining to the Launcher. This file tells you what happens when you try uploading/downloading to the Exchange. It might contain some useful info if you have trouble up- or downloading. Can be deleted but will be recreated.
- Sims3Logs.xml:
- A standard log file from the game. Can be deleted but will be recreated.
- ScriptError files:
- The famous ScriptError files, either a log or other output as a result of a mod interaction, or an error report from one of the mods. They are not used in the game.
- userPresets.package:
- Colors and patterns that you saved in the Create-a-Style (CaST) pallette in Create-a-Sim (CAS) or Build/ Buy Mode. If you delete this file, all your customized favorites will be gone.
- WorldPresets.ini:
- When you define “waypoints” in your game for the game camera (ctrl-5 through ctrl-9) this file holds the coordinates of those waypoints.
- Version.tag:
- Info about the version of your game. This file only contains the gameversion of the last installed pack. Delete this file if you have troubles patching or Launcher is reporting errors. Should be recreated on game / Launcher start.
- tslus.bin:
- Various housekeeping files for internal use by the game and the copy protection. Do not touch.
- xcpt/xcept files:
- Crash logs that where written when your games crashes. You can have them analyzed with the Crash Log Analyzer or just delete.
I hope this helps you out!!
Guest- Guest
Re: What is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder??
by J.T. Tue 03 Dec 2013, 10:45
Thank you for all the information!
I probably should start learning programming
.
I probably should start learning programming
.
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Re: What is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder??
by Phoebe Tue 03 Dec 2013, 11:50
Me too...J.T. wrote:Thank you for all the information!
I probably should start learning programming
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Re: What is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder??
by Guest Tue 03 Dec 2013, 11:58
Lol guys!
Just to clarify, I didn't write any of those, I just copied it from several websites to make a central database!
Just to clarify, I didn't write any of those, I just copied it from several websites to make a central database!
Guest- Guest
Re: What is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder??
by Admin Wed 04 Dec 2013, 20:16
Hi there,
Oh, that's great and very informative. Thank you!
Oh, that's great and very informative. Thank you!
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Re: What is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder??
by The_gh0stm4n Sun 25 Jan 2015, 11:55
Sorry, for the very late feedback (was totally oblivious of that thread, lol 
). But that one looks very good ! However, my opinion is that this would fit much better into The Sims 3 tips & tricks-section. Other than that I think it's a good reference source, and that it would be a very good addition to the TS3 tips & tricks section.
Maybe Admin or Lady will move it sometime ?
). But that one looks very good ! However, my opinion is that this would fit much better into The Sims 3 tips & tricks-section. Other than that I think it's a good reference source, and that it would be a very good addition to the TS3 tips & tricks section.Maybe Admin or Lady will move it sometime ?
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Re: What is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder??
by Admin Sun 25 Jan 2015, 22:05
Hopefully she'll be back soon. She'll read your message. Soon.Carlos wrote:Maybe Lady will move it sometime ?
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Re: What is inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder??
by The_gh0stm4n Wed 05 Sep 2018, 01:05
Webmaster wrote:Hopefully she'll be back soon. She'll read your message. Soon.
//MOVED
Topic moved from Helpers - to the Admins Area, and resurrected. OK, since I had the pleasure (?) of working with this person in the past, I know that Hlyz had this pervasive difficulty of not being fully able to comprehend what the individual Forum sections are there for, plus not being able to use these mod functions properly.
Nonetheless, Admoron could've made more of an effort on this one. Or couldn't he? Was he really "burned out all the time", as some of his former allies (I think Dracos made a vague hint about that, shortly after he returned to G4TW) suggest?
Though reading again the above comment, it may have just been meant as a passive-aggressive putdown towards me. It's OK though. I mean, I am not exactly talking positively about the Admoron either, whenever given the opportunity.
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