Sims 3 Package Explorer by Okeanos

[Regina]

Quote:Purpose:
Tool to examine, extract, replace and modify Sims 3 package content.

Recent changes:
NEW: Added Previews functionality.
NEW: Preview Support for Hex, Images, Xml
NEW: Store/Restore of window position and size

The tool is written in Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 under C#. It is a windows tool not commandline stuff or something and should be able to do roughly the same as postal.

I do not have a built-in viewer for some of the more basic types, okay noted. But everything else to create or manipulate packages is in there and some things are not in postal. I let you users decide if its better or not.

Okeanos uploaded this tool June 12, 2009. It's my absolute favorite tool for finding stuff in the game files.

[suzetter]

Hmmmm, interesting. I don't know how I'm going to use this yet but I'm going to have to give this tool a try. Thanks!

[Regina]

When I want something quick and light, like for finding files or exporting textures, this is the one I use. For actual CC creation I've always used S3PE because I've never been able to get this tool to export the images I wanted to edit with the really long file names that are needed when they're put back together. Even with what I see as limited applications, it still comes in way handy. :D

[auntielynds]

For some reason, I had it in my head this was just an earlier version of s3pe. I'll have to check it out. Thank you Regina for bringing it back to my attention. :)

[Ceridwen]

Thank you for sharing this software! It's wonderful to have a way of viewing packages, especially when some of them have a title that is full of numbers instead of description! :) Best wishes!

[MerryMary]

What is the difference between Delphy's Sims3Pack Clean Installer?

[Ghost]

The Clean Installer is for sims3packs, not packages, as I recall.

[Regina]

Yes, as Ghost said Delphy's Clean Installer is for looking inside Sims3Pack files to see what they hold. Its main purpose is for those who want to do something like remove custom content that's attached itself to lots or Sims that are packaged in that format.

The Package Explorer is for seeing what a .package file holds. Say for example you've built a half-dozen assorted lots and save them to your Library. You open that folder and you have a half-dozen files with names you can't make any sense of. You can open those files in this Explorer program, look for the images in the .package and see exactly what it is. Then if you're a control freak where files on your computer are concerned, like I am, you can close the file then give it a sensible name to help you keep track of it. I do this kind of thing to help me keep the assortment of lots I've collected over the years sorted. For example, I may only want to have to sort through one person's lots at a time in my game. Instead of having every single lot I've downloaded or built in the Library, I make a sub-folder and move the lots I don't currently want to use into that, and leave the ones I do want to use in the Library folder. The only way I can keep track of those lots that way is if they have names instead of numbers.

Also, when I want to export textures from the game to use for things like terrain paints for building a world I prefer this program over S3PE because it loads a bit faster and for some reason is easier for me to locate and export the files. Bear in mind, though, when you use it to export a file for some reason it loses part of the file name, so it isn't suitable for exporting a texture you want to reimport into something, like in the case of making a default texture replacement--I use S3PE for that.

[MerryMary]

Okay thanks but when I try to open the program from my pc it will not open :( Also, does any one know where I can find a tutorial for Delphy's Custard? I want to extract objects from lots and worlds. Thanx a lot.

[Regina]

Did you get the program extracted from the .zip file? There are three files in the .zip. You can just drag them to a folder somewhere on your hard-drive, then double-click the .exe file to run it (or you can make a shortcut on your desktop). It won't open without the .xml file.

To find info on how to use Custard, go back to where you downloaded it. It's always best to get support from the source. :)

[MerryMary]

Yes I did

[Regina]

Did make sure all the files were in the folder? You may need to run it as administrator. I'm all the time having this computer ask me if I'm sure I want to do this or if I really want to do that. I declare, one of these days I'm going to slap it upside the head for being so insubordinate.

[MerryMary]

I gave up on this; it will not work and I have no idea why, I always check the Run as Admin in a programs properties, I'm on Win7...I started using Echo's Postal, which does the same thing, but I find the layout very annoying. I cannot send Echo a message at her sourceforge site, it will not let me even though I signed in using my Google account, do you know where else I can get support for her tool? Thanks

[MerryMary]

Okay I understand how to use your program: you have to drag and drop the file onto the shortcut :rolleyes: okay now I'm frustrated with the layout; how come the preview pane is not built in?

[Inge Jones]

Is this a one-package at a time tool? I got the impression from the rest of the thread is was like simscategoriser or similar (well maybe without the recategorising cabability)