I know I've seen others with this issue and I'm 100% this isn't Awesomemod related but I had to ask this question here because of the following circumstances:

I've been playing the game just fine. I have all the content and much of it is all in .dbc format.

Recently, I decided to try re-installing Spore. I decided this because I liked the game before and had both add-ons unopened in their boxes. Previously it crashed on me all the time so I uninstalled it for about a year but thought it might be better now. (so far it is still crashing - I never have this problem with Sims3) Anyway, when re-installing, I had to also re-install our good friend, the EA Download Launcher.

Sims3 is the only thing I have on my E drive to keep it running well.  When I downloaded the launcher, it installed a bunch of files onto my E drive such as eula text files and files such as  install.res.1028.dll, globdata, and VC_RED.

I updated to the newest Awesome but that didn't change things - still no houses and the lots are blue.  So, this has to be from the launcher which I do not use for either game as I boot from the file but it has been recently updated. 

All my content is still there, but the game is unplayable as it is. I'd like to keep both games as I still have some tiny hope to play some Spore.

Shoud I delete the launcher and all those files or is there another solution??  Is there something I did wrongly? 

Threw in $20 as I cannot bear the idea of Sims without Awesome - wish it could have been more!

I'm happily running my game with the workaround and now looking to get more content in it.  There are patterns from the Exchange that I would like to use.  I am aware of the Exchange patterns issues with running in the game and since I have the workaround, I tried taking those files and converting them into .package files.  They still do not show up for the most part with the exception of about 10% of them that worked.

Is there a way to fix this at this time?  I've been reading the threads and am seeing that .dbc files are all the rage now and considering converting some of my package files to .dbc anyway.  Would this solve the pattern issue? Should I simply put the patterns into a different file/folder that I'm not aware of. 

Are there still cache files I should be deleting each time I play? 

I have the latest Awesome. No real probs. I'm finally able to play without pain; and I'm loving WA.  I did have a sim that made me crash when I changed her hair, but that passed after I let a day go by.

I made a mistake and went with the package file route but am working on the other one now.  It wasn't completely a bad thing re-installing all the store content as I was able to organize some files and get rid of ones I didn't want anyway. 

However, my only problem now, is, since I re-downloaded all my store content, those files don't appear in the .dbc files.  So that's an issue.

I usually seem to go the more tedious and destructive routes with these kinds of issues which is one reason I stay away from programming. I'm not mad or anything. I've been coming to this Awesome site for over 5 years now, so I know what to expect when posting.

I saw all the threads actually.  I've been reading thread after thread on this site for days now.  Thanks for your help.  Have a nice day.

Yes - that's exactly what happened.  Originally, I was just going to wait until the next patch to see what happened, but my day off got the better of me and I really wanted to play.  The package file replacement method seemed like a more realistic option than the fix. (I didn't know the lag would be so much!) I believe that eventually the "fix" will be useless or need to be fixed further and that ultimately, package files will be the only solution to keeping the cc rather than using the launcher.  Maybe I am way off on that I'll concede, but, I would like to understand more about what is causing this lag as my computer shouldn't be having an issue with that.

Yes. All of my store content was installed via the launcher. 

Sorry - I didn't see that as a double post so much as rather an update of what I was trying to do. 

As for the idiocy, sure; I guess I'm an idiot because none of this makes any sense at all to me as I'm a gamer - not a programmer.  All I want to do, is, make my houses and families so that they can run through the flowered fields of Sunset Valley and procreate to their little pixelhearts content.  All I know, is, I've been unable to play this game without the cc because nothing looks right without it.  The above posters indicate that package files can easily be substituted without much lagging.  I suspected that the downloaded files in the documents folder and on the launcher were contributing to my giant lag, but perhaps it's just the package files after all.  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me as they don't take up nearly the space that my Sims 2 package files did.  I've already stated how I feel about the workaround.  Do you have any ideas about this?

Well, I've achieved laggy, nightmarish hell anyway.  My town still isn't loaded and somehow, I've lost Riverview.  I purposely tried to keep that.  I think I still haven't properly deleted everything I intended to yet.  According to the task manager, the game takes about twice as much memory to run as it did before I started this venture.  This makes me think it's doubling the files it's retrieving.

Other than the previously mentioned things, I don't understand why the game would lag so much more with just the package files rather than the Sims3pack files.  At this point, my Sims2 would be loaded up a while ago by now and that has nearly 7gb of cc in it.  I don't even have 1 gb of package files for Sims3.  It is still loading.

I really don't know what to do other than this.  I really feel the "workaround" that everyone is using is not a long-term fix and that sooner or later, we will have to have all the store stuff as package files or be screwed.  Any thoughts?

I think you may have misunderstood me.  I'm not deleting all of my EA folder in my documents; simply the downloads in the downloads folder and also uninstalling them from the launcher.  I'm hoping this will help kill the lag time from the package folders I've transferred them all to. Worse comes to worse, I will have to re-install all the simspack files again, which are mostly useless now anyway. I won't be deleting the launcher.  I just want to find out how to enter the game without it like I hear people doing all the time.

Thanks, Nanacake - I'll be sure to delete the DCCache as well!

I'm going to check out this 3booter also.

My reasoning for doing this was that I think that the game is pulling out double the number of files for me.  The package files and the downloaded sims3pack files.  I'm about to find out whether I'll be playing tonight or if I'm in some sort of lagging, nightmarish hell.

Thank you for the information here, Sheep Plushi.  I've decided to go with the "converting Sims3packs to package files" method of fixing this latest problem as I think EA is going to continue to try to manipulate the game in order to prevent our usage of store items.  I think it will become increasingly more difficult to obtain/keep the items for our game and I wish to stop using the launcher as soon as I figure out how to.

However, I do have some questions as I am experiencing extreme lag in the game after converting/installing not even half of my downloads into the game.  I used the Multi-Extractor to do this and only about half the converted files had names.  I tried using Sp3e to view the package files but have been unable to do that correctly I think.  Also, Simlogical's package viewer isn't available as the links I went to did not work.  So I need a method of viewing what those package files are.  

Most importantly, I plan to delete my downloads from the documents folder and the launcher to lessen this horrible lag.  Is that advisable? Will it make a difference?  If the lag was restricted to the loading times, that would be fine, but apparently it slows every aspect of sim-making as well as build and buy modes.  My computer may not be new, but she was a beauty less than two years ago with Nvidia 8800 GTX.  

My goal is to run everything Sims 3 exclusively on my E drive and I think my documents in C is holding me back.  Everything before this patch was just fine and ran beautifully without any problems whatsoever.  

I have this issue as well.  I've been reading this thread rather extensively and I believe I understand how to "correct" this problem.  What I would like to know, is, do you think that EA is going to release a patch shortly that would render this fix useless and require additional maneuvers?  I would simply prefer to wait for a more permanent solution if that is the case.

Sorry about that - I edited my signature out for you - I'm accustomed to signing my posts in my schoolwork and professional stuff.

Actually I have looked around for such a fix rather extensively at all the sites with no luck.  I should have mentioned that I was aware of the supercomputer mod but I don't really consider that a fix and I didn't see a need to have that mod for anything else.  However, if that's all we have so far, I guess I'll get that.  One would think EA would have responded to that one by now.

@Varmint: I'm just one of the few that actually like the build/buy music on Sims3 - I really hate the Sims2 build/buy.  I especially don't like mixing real music with my sims playing though and would/still do deal with the Sims2 music for hours on end.  It would be nice though, if we could play the in-game stereo music while building our houses.  I would dig that.

Didn't think this needed to be posted in the Awesome section and haven't seen much reference to this lately which makes me suspect it's been solved somehow.
Getting awfully tired of silent lots with musical notes popping out of quiet stereos and the loss of build/buy music while building and buying.  Also tired of EAs blatant disregard of this issue.

So is there a fix I'm not seeing? Thanks for any replies.

Dude, just deleting those things from the first 3 steps saved me 2.2 GB!!! That's freakin' awesome! - Already playtested the game as well and everything appears just fine.  Thank you!

Me again, I've been away a few days with school stuff and other annoying rl things plus the patch temporarily killed my playtime.

I see this thread is showing some evidence of erosion into the realm of a smoking debate.  While I also have strong feelings in that arena, I will keep them to myself to stay on-topic here.

 Again, mostly what I'm looking for is for my sims to have their Simbacco habits made graphically representable and as a boon for storytelling.  The mod with moodlets and death extras is an exciting additional possibility and this thread is here to see how such a mod could be accomplished.

That being said, there have been some cool suggestions/implements and one..other one.



Love this idea of the coffee clone being used.  Maybe it could even be tweaked for a more powerful moodlet swing!  While I still like the thought of the sim choking as smoke envelops them to death, Spontaneous combustion is always nice and fun to see in the Sims and probably a lot easier to implement animation-wise than the smoking one.


Simious and Watersmoon's thoughts on the caffeine moodlet and higher fatigue is something I would think is a must for this mod.

Again, this should be a feature.

  Totally cool with the Death Stick name (want stogies and pipes too, though) and I think this is a great way to implement the addiction.


This idea cracks me up as well and could be an interesting and fun way to show the addiction - the massive hit to the sim's moodlet accurately portrays most smoker's (certainly my own) mood when going too long without.  There would have to be a way to kill the permanence though eventually - like how the "furious" relationship bar goes down in time....somehow.



I want to give you the Bunny with a Pancake image for this one, but that belongs to Pescado on this site.  I also want to call you names reserved for people with fewer mental capacities but instead I'm just going to go WTF??!?!??!?

Also brilliant.  Heck, death by smoking is fine by me. Or Simbacco disease.  Or just "Smoking Death" or "Choked by Smoke" - anything is preferable to me than the ol' boring and depressing cancer thing.

Cool - Lots of posts!



I'm certainly on board with this one - Not only is this a good way to portray the addiction, but there's something cool about the "euphoria and fiend" moodlets that I think would really add to this.


My ambitions are actually quite small with this.  In the end, if we get the objects and some smoke animation - I'll be thrilled, but I think we're getting some really good ideas for further modding on this and the moodlets really give new possibilities.  I wonder what it takes to introduce new moodlets into the game?   - Also, hilarious point about the eye-poking and Crammyboy ref! Could make for some interesting screens!


I saw this and immediately thought: "Well, well, well... What do we have here?"    That just might be the perfect animation for this mod.  I'm going to try to reproduce that in-game shortly!  Thanks a million for that!



What are you? Some kind of human idea well? You're really good at this.

I think all this stuff is worth getting in the mod and now that we've got a possible animation to eventually, someday, maybe use; the rest could be added over time.

On the topic of the "smoking death"(damn this is sensitive  - I'm not saying no to this and I'm perfectly fine if it's decided otherwise{like I have any real say}, but I'm just putting this opinion out there so please don't freak the hell out with personal stories and threats of eternal damnation anyone):

I, for one, would rather not use lung cancer in the mod for several reasons:

1. I don't think many people want to see the "C" word in the sims as nearly all of us have been touched by it somehow.
2. Here we go - Not everyone who gets lung cancer smokes and not everyone who smokes gets lung cancer.
3. The disease is kind of a weird one to implement into the mod - If they die suddenly with the simple announcement that it was lung cancer, then fine - that's easy - but also a little lame.  And otherwise, how would we portray it?

What I prefer to use is an Emphysema Death, also for a couple reasons:

1. Pretty much all long-term smokers will face it.  (and frankly, this scares me more than the cancer)
2. This could easily be portrayed and even almost fun to portray as the sims would eventually start coughing a little bit and over the days/years that cough would increase in length and seriousness as the smoking continues until eventually, and shortly into their elder years, they start coughing into a choking thing as smoke builds up around them and envelops them and they die.  *Edit - Plus, this makes this mod a handy way to get rid of all those pesky elder sims. 


And on the Addiction aspect:  What about making it so they reach a point where there is no stopping?  Like, where a sim may try to quit smoking, but it keeps getting added into their inventory and the use becomes automatic? I think that would be kinda cool and funny to implement.

That pony bit was fuckin' awesome.

Alright, onto the post.

First, didn't really intend to come off one way or the other with my posts regarding the "glamorous" side of smoking.  Was I being funny? Yup, I'm always throwing humor into my posts.  However, I used those examples as classic stereotypes because that's how I see them getting used in my game.  So there's that...   However, I DO think the cigarette vastly improves the image of Butterfly shirt trailer woman up there. If she would only move her hand over that mustache...


But on to the nitty gritty:  

@ Watersmoon:  I would quote your whole post as it's filled with great ideas.  The power of moodlets! Using moodlets to create the addiction, the smell, all the aspects you mention with pot and smoking are freakin' perfect for this sort of mod.  I keep forgetting moodlets when thinking about possibilities and it's really all about them now.  Basically everything you thought of should be a part of this mod.

I'm thinking that new accessories aren't far away since there is already some simple clothing alteration going on.  I'm sure people are dying to get some better accessories in their game like maybe rings on the other hand?? So hopefully, the first element of this mod won't be too far off.  I want to make the objects myself if I can, but I don't know anything about 3d creation yet or even what program I'll need to learn about.  

Also, what goes into pulling already in-game animations out for objects? Is there generally a lot of coding required for that?

Oh I know it's way early yet.     I just want to get some thinking going on it.  

A food item is not a bad idea.  Would they try to eat it though?  That might be getting into a whole mess of stuff.  But it would make it easier to go purchase them.


Mostly, I want it to add character to the sims.  It could really add some interest into screenshots and stories.  Especially movies if we get the smoke animation included.  I picture an evil Cruella-type sim with the cigarette holder or in contrast, the glamorous movie star type. I just have to have a mob boss with a stogie.  Then you have the classic James Dean-y thing with the cigarette.  It just brings more flavor to the sims for the most part.

But the extras could be really cool as well.  I love the ideas of the offensive smell moodlet and days taken away!

Does anyone know how difficult it looks to make new objects at this point?  What kind of knowledge/program will that require? Until the animation gets figured out, there's always the objects, which are basically colored cylinders or tapered cylinders.  

I would like my sims to be able to enjoy the rich, smooth satisfaction that comes from smoking.  I'd like some of my sims to be able to visit Marlboro Country with a cigarette, some sim professor sorts to embellish a smart pipe and of course a big stogie would be available for either the big shots or the wifebeater-clad sort.  For the ladies, an elegant cigarette holder would be great as well.

Basically, what I see needs to happen for this mod (eventually - I know we're not there yet) is for these objects to be made as accessories that employ a simple smoke animation dubbed from one of the in-game animations already present.  I'm not sure which one would work best - I'm keeping my eye out.   The smoking objects would primarily be placed in mouth although a "ring" placement might be easier at first to achieve.

If that's all that is done with the mod someday then that's great, but ultimately, it would be nice to have an actual smoking animation, perhaps an addiction of sorts, a purchase option, and of course an optionally added death possibility in the choking arena for the older sim smokers.

So I'm just putting this out here for ideas on how this could be accomplished.  Feel free to discuss the ways some of this idea could or could not be implemented or add new possibilities for it.  I'll be checking back.

 Really not looking to get into some smoking/anti-smoking thing ok? 

Good to know - Thank you very much - I'll be looking into it!

Hello,

Just thought I would post this to see if it's everyone and not just me.  I dig the ability to choose the voice and pitch of our sim's voices (although I wish they had some better choices) but I have a problem that occurs with the deeper pitches of the voices. 

In CAS, the audio translates perfectly, but when I choose a deeper voice for my sim the result is a mushy, gravelly, drugged out voice in-game.  It sounds like the killer's altered voice from the movieScream. This seems to occur whenever I have the pitch any lower than about a 3rd of the slider.

So, am I alone here and need to seek out some audio drivers? Or is this a frequent issue amongst the horde?

Thank you for replying.

Just to make certain - I had all graphics turned up when I began my game but I still had to manually turn up the "Sims Quality" so that may be a factor as while my sims have some weird texture to a degree, they are not nearly as blotchy as the pic above.

Regarding the skin, I go back and forth on whether or not I like it.  I think they did a very good job of making the male skins look as though there is an element of body hair on the arms and chest especially. The underarms are a little weird. 

I'm having a bit of a difficult time with the lips still - another reason I want me some Awesomemod (trying to wait as long as possible for the mod's shininess to be fully polished) and sometimes the skins just aren't attractive.

Speaking of attractiveness, there's something that's been nagging me but is growing each day. 

That is, the fact that when I play Sims2 - I'm especially good at making any teen females(and up) look downright physically beautiful, which makes me want to play that sim a lot more.  I'm having a difficult time finding/creating beauty out of any born-in game sim.  This, paired with Story Progression making my grown kids disappear, is really starting to affect my Sims3 love.  Either I'm just not getting it yet or the makeup in Sims3 is lacking in it's ability to make a sim look better.