changing sims3packs to packages

If you're using s3pack extractor on s3packs like lots and worlds that contain custom content you will end up with a load of different packages. I'm afraid I can't tell you exactly what would happen on the merging of said files all together, because I've never done it, but I can only think that with worlds especially, that would be inadvisable.

I check all s3packs with Custard and remove all the custom content before I extract my sims3packs with the extractor tool. If you do that, you should end up with only one file.

Worlds can be installed without the launcher, but they need to be in .world format, which is why merging a bunch of loose files probably wouldn't work.
World files go into your main TS3 installed folder in Program files, not into Documents. The default path is usually C:/ProgramFiles (x86) / Electronic Arts / The Sims 3 / Game Data / Shared / NonPackaged / Worlds , though you can replace the drive letter with wherever you have the game installed.

For worlds, if you want to tell the packages apart, the world file is usually the largest one, but again, it would need to have the file extension renamed to .world before it becomes usable. If you're using Win 10, to rename it, you simply right click the file and choose rename. The actual title of the world will be highlighted blue like I've shown in the image below, but you can just click your cursor over to the file extension and rename that.

https://i.imgur.com/ZAHvfA2.jpg

I know that you can extract store packs to packages but it requires some extra steps. I can't tell you how sorry, because I install those through the launcher. There have been reports in the past of things like counters not cornering properly and not snapping together when extracted to packages, so I've avoided doing it just in case that is true.

My launcher used to crash sometimes too when scrolling through it, probably due to all the store things installed, and I found that it was often caused by my scrolling far too fast, so whenever I needed to use it, I always forced myself to scroll very slowly, despite it being terribly tedious to do. It didn't crash much after that. Though if you have a huge array of extra CC that might not actually help.

How odd, I have that selected but Windows still displays the file extension of TS3 package & world files. Removing it, and then re-enabling it does nothing. I just thought that was how Win 10 is.
Ugh, I can't express how much I loathe Windows 10.

Anyhow, glad you were able to work it out, and yes, Custard is a very helpful tool, especially for removing unwanted custom content. Particularly if it is a "sticky" file like the Arezzo counter that was making the rounds at one point.

@Pary thank you, this is helpful info. I don't have the custard tool - it looks like that should be something I get for the future. One of the problems I'm having with worlds is that I can't seem to be able to change the extension. The name of the file is editable, but the extension is not. When I have the files in a folder listed, the type of file is listed separately. I'm on windows 10, but am not computer literate enough to figure out why I can't alter that.

Wait wait, lookie here

https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/204676189-How-to-change-a-File-Extension-in-Windows

huzzah!