How To: Install Sims 3 Custom Content without the LauncherMods and custom content work in the same way in the EA App that they did with the Disc, Steam and Origin versions. Nothing has changed in that part of the game.
Some mods and custom content need to be extracted with 7zip (
https://www.7-zip.org/) or another extracting tool and need to then be placed into (\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages) depending on how you have your mods folder setup to work and show up in game.
-- To unzip the entire folder, right-click to select Extract All, and then follow the instructions.
Along with that some come in .package format instead of .Sims3pack files because some see it as a safer and easier way to install the files without the Sims 3 launcher, as it's not very reliable. It's known to not be able to handle large amount of files.
What I like to do is take note of custom content's name, links, .zip, .rar and/or the .Sims3pack file and back this information up along with said CC files into a folder called Sims3CC. This way I have the files and information handy in case I want to use them again or share the information and links with friends. -- This is also good for organizing purposes.
After you've done your "shopping spree" of custom content from which ever sites you find the content from. (Sims Resource or Mod The Sims to name a couple.) -- Make separate folders for the custom content as the package files need to be installed in different places to be seen in-game. -- Once installed, some of the items may not show up in the launcher. It has to do with the way the content is installed.
--
Custom Content: (Hair/outfits/objects/jewelry/makeup) [Install to: Mods/Packages]
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages
--
Households/Lots: [Install to: Library folder]
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Library
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Patterns: (Patterns made with CAP) [Install to: Downloads folder and use the launcher]
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Downloads
What I have done is created a temp folder on my D drive and called it Temp\Downloads. Then created folders called CCPackages ; Households-Lots ; and Sims3Pack Files.
For example I'm going to walk through downloading and installing this package file, linked below:
Toys Set from TS4 - 16th April 2015 Update
http://modthesims.info/download.php?t=552093I have downloaded it to my D:\Temp\Downloads\CCPackages folder. It's a .rar file and can be unzipped using 7zip (
https://www.7-zip.org/) or whatever zip utility you may have. -- Right-click on the file select your zip utility and select Extract Here. I do this to make things easier for me.
There are 7 files that should be in that .rar file:
TheJim07_Toy_TS4Blarffy.package
TheJim07_Toy_TS4Uni.package
TheJim07_Toy_TS4LlamaMama.package
TheJim07_Toy_TS4GaryGiraffe.package
TheJim07_Toy_TS4Drago.package
TheJim07_Toy_TS4Dino.package
TheJim07_Toy_TS4TheLotsOfLoveBear.package
Copy the files that get unzipped to:
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages
When you're ready to jump in-game. You can find these stuffed toys in:
Buy Mode > Sort By Function > Kids > Toys
Hopefully this has made it easier to understand howto install custom content and to where.
Troubleshooting tip from Beardeux -
New install and mods won't work *Fixed!!*
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,25671.0.html----------
Reference Links:
Sims 3 - How to Install Lots (and other CC) without using the Launcher, by NonaMena
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=9297.msg187233#msg187233Sims 3 - How-To: Fix Problems with Mods/CC
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=31759.msg506010#msg506010Custom Content Not Showing Up In CAS
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=30596.msg489884#msg489884Re: CC Not Appearing In-Game
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=30906.msg494152#msg494152
