I always wanted to avoid mods, but this post from April 6 has changed my mind, months after first viewing it. I adore TS3 store content, got into steampunk and was thrilled to have a world dedicated to that sort of theme, but I couldn't really see it, so I only played in the world for a few brief times. :heartbreak: Yesterday, changed everything. I viewed two videos that showed me how to Install, Remove, & Organize CC and info about .zip, .rar, .sim, and converting files. Now, armed with the knowledge about it, I could finally download the one thing I just had to have, the one thing that came with one of the games but never came with the game . . . :| :star: HINT! :star: It's the unlocked showtime items! Woooo! I don't have to use an exchange lot with the items on it and go through the hiccup of having my sims steal them in order to build stuff anymore! Yeehaw! o:) But I also downloaded the recommended mods to brighten up Midnight Hollow. <3 The terrain paint mod and plant mod do wonders on that world. I think rflong7's Dream Dimension looks stellar. It's got so many beautiful colors in it and I actually prefer that one over her 'Midnight Dream' one, as I think the sky is a little too bright for that particular world. That said, the reds are gorgeous. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I'm still not looking to go overboard with anything. I don't want any actual CC like skin, makeup, hair, furniture, etc., etc. I'm only about gameplay mods. I prefer a clean game, since I like to upload to the exchange.There is one mod in particular I'm looking for, since I like to build a lot. I've downloaded some beautiful lots that make use of this mod. I think it allows objects to be placed at any elevation. For example, you could place the toy bears, which would normally be locked to the ground, on a shelf. Or put the decorative pillows from the Generations stuff pack on the bed or windowsill. I just don't know what it's called(?????????????). There's also another mod out there that keeps the Baker's Bazaar Collection from TS3 store full, so players don't have to restock it all the time(?). I found it! NRaas Cupcake ModI know the most recommended mods are overwatch and story progression. I'm leaning towards getting overwatch, since it's supposed to clean up your game and I bet mine could use some cleaning up. :D I run all but one expansion pack on a simple laptop that goes barely above the games recs, but it's worked all these years. :* knocks on wood. Story progression I'm a little iffy about, mostly because it seems to change the game dramatically and wouldn't it take up more space, therefore removing the use of overwatch on such a potato laptop? You'll have to convince me on that one . . . I looked at a few of these and I'm very intrigued. What do you recommend?

I use both story progression and overwatch on my laptop. Overwatch cleans up the stuck cars and turns off radios and tvs and such that could bloat your game.Story progression does have lots of features, such as you can give the kids the summer off from school, set curfew days.etc.I love it, but certainly don't install it if you don't think your laptop can take it.=)I would recommend the following:Shimrod's townies out on the town- It pushes more townies, NPCS and service sims to visit the community lots.I can't play my game without it, one of my favorites: http://simsasylum.com/tfm/index.php?/topic/2780-townies-out-on-the-town/ You have to register for an account though I think.And then Bluejitsu's More Autonmous Romance- This one I chose "up to proposal of marriage" which makes it so inactives from other households "can" propose to you, or ask you to go steady etc.First time it worked it really caught me off guard, went to send my sims to go eat at diner as soon as he got there, he proposed to her on his own.http://simsasylum.com/tfm/index.php?/topic/562-more-romantic-autonomy-for-your-sims-requires-certain-eps-for-some-interactionsobjects-update-6-9-15/

I know this isn't the be-all and end-all list of TS3 mods, it's really only the beginning. But for some reason or another I'm kind of partial to these over here. ;)

I've been using the NRaas Mods and tons from Simlogical,MTS,Simsasylum as well as awesomemod to fix school overcrowding.I've got almost the entire NRaas Mod collection installed and have over 700 Mod files installed in my game.My game is a lot less laggy than it ever was without Mods and I used to get the Error 12's a lot from having EA's bugfest turned on.

I'd say just get Overwatch for now and let it do its thing for a little while and see how you feel. You won't even notice it is there until you start seeing why it's there. Messages about stuck sims and cars deleted and suddenly you realize that's what's been slowing down your game forever and why didn't I do this sooner? :D Story Progression is big but beautiful at the same time, it is just so helpful at keeping your town alive. But if you're not sure about it, take your time. There's no deadline, right? Edit:Oh and btw, I only ever figured out how to install mods by watching YouTube videos too. Once I could see it done I was able to do it. B)

"igazor;c-16705124" wrote:I know this isn't the be-all and end-all list of TS3 mods, it's really only the beginning. But for some reason or another I'm kind of partial to these over here. ;) But did you hear they are closing, bet nobody told you :p :p

I dived into mods for the first time. Looking for any recommendations and I have some questions.

graceymanors
New Hotshot
7 years ago
I use both story progression and overwatch on my laptop. Overwatch cleans up the stuck cars and turns off radios and tvs and such that could bloat your game.

Story progression does have lots of features, such as you can give the kids the summer off from school, set curfew days.etc.I love it, but certainly don't install it if you don't think your laptop can take it.=)

I would recommend the following:

Shimrod's townies out on the town- It pushes more townies, NPCS and service sims to visit the community lots.I can't play my game without it, one of my favorites: http://simsasylum.com/tfm/index.php?/topic/2780-townies-out-on-the-town/ You have to register for an account though I think.

And then

Bluejitsu's More Autonmous Romance- This one I chose "up to proposal of marriage" which makes it so inactives from other households "can" propose to you, or ask you to go steady etc.First time it worked it really caught me off guard, went to send my sims to go eat at diner as soon as he got there, he proposed to her on his own.

http://simsasylum.com/tfm/index.php?/topic/562-more-romantic-autonomy-for-your-sims-requires-certain-eps-for-some-interactionsobjects-update-6-9-15/
igazor
7 years ago
I know this isn't the be-all and end-all list of TS3 mods, it's really only the beginning. But for some reason or another I'm kind of partial to these over here. ;)
TadOlson
7 years ago
I've been using the NRaas Mods and tons from Simlogical,MTS,Simsasylum as well as awesomemod to fix school overcrowding.I've got almost the entire NRaas Mod collection installed and have over 700 Mod files installed in my game.My game is a lot less laggy than it ever was without Mods and I used to get the Error 12's a lot from having EA's bugfest turned on.
Kateness8
7 years ago
I'd say just get Overwatch for now and let it do its thing for a little while and see how you feel. You won't even notice it is there until you start seeing why it's there. Messages about stuck sims and cars deleted and suddenly you realize that's what's been slowing down your game forever and why didn't I do this sooner? :D

Story Progression is big but beautiful at the same time, it is just so helpful at keeping your town alive. But if you're not sure about it, take your time. There's no deadline, right?

Edit:
Oh and btw, I only ever figured out how to install mods by watching YouTube videos too. Once I could see it done I was able to do it. B)
suchkawaiiomg
7 years ago
"igazor;c-16705124" wrote:
I know this isn't the be-all and end-all list of TS3 mods, it's really only the beginning. But for some reason or another I'm kind of partial to these over here. ;)

But did you hear they are closing, bet nobody told you :p :p
igazor
7 years ago
"budewarmin;c-16705494" wrote:
But did you hear they are closing, bet nobody told you :p :p
quixotictiger
New Spectator
7 years ago
The mod for placing objects at various heights is OMSP (One More Slot Please) at MTS. There's also a Tipsy OMSP add-on and the OMSP Resizer if you're interested in having either of those functions for more decorating options in your builds.
60smusicluvr
7 years ago
"Springfairy556;c-16705011" wrote:

I would recommend the following:

Shimrod's townies out on the town- It pushes more townies, NPCS and service sims to visit the community lots.I can't play my game without it, one of my favorites: http://simsasylum.com/tfm/index.php?/topic/2780-townies-out-on-the-town/ You have to register for an account though I think.

Oh, that would definitely be helpful! Thank you!

"igazor;c-16705124" wrote:
I know this isn't the be-all and end-all list of TS3 mods, it's really only the beginning. But for some reason or another I'm kind of partial to these over here. ;)

Ha! :D :p Thanks for the list. I'll definitely check some of these out . . . Speaking of . . . A YouTube video I watched suggested that Overwatch and ErrorTrap should be installed together, but I was thrown off because that simmer said that ErrorTrap basically does the same thing, so what's beneficial to having them both?

"TadOlson;c-16705298" wrote:
I've been using the NRaas Mods and tons from Simlogical,MTS,Simsasylum as well as awesomemod to fix school overcrowding.I've got almost the entire NRaas Mod collection installed and have over 700 Mod files installed in my game.My game is a lot less laggy than it ever was without Mods and I used to get the Error 12's a lot from having EA's bugfest turned on.

Hmm. I don't think I've heard of Simlogical or Simasylum before. I'll have to give these a look see.

"KATENESS;c-16705420" wrote:
I'd say just get Overwatch for now and let it do its thing for a little while and see how you feel. You won't even notice it is there until you start seeing why it's there. Messages about stuck sims and cars deleted and suddenly you realize that's what's been slowing down your game forever and why didn't I do this sooner? :D

Story Progression is big but beautiful at the same time, it is just so helpful at keeping your town alive. But if you're not sure about it, take your time. There's no deadline, right?

Edit:
Oh and btw, I only ever figured out how to install mods by watching YouTube videos too. Once I could see it done I was able to do it. B)

Yeah, I think I'll definitely do overwatch and wait on the story progression. I do have one saved game that I was switching from townie to townie and another where the family will be split, soon, but I have stories to tell with each family member, you know, mostly trying to advance in their careers. I'm afraid if I get it, my sims will autonomously quit their jobs or do things I don't want them to. I'm wondering if there is a way to opt out of story progression with certain sims or families, so I can play them the way I want to. :grey_question:
"budewarmin;c-16705494" wrote:
"igazor;c-16705124" wrote:
I know this isn't the be-all and end-all list of TS3 mods, it's really only the beginning. But for some reason or another I'm kind of partial to these over here. ;)

But did you hear they are closing, bet nobody told you :p :p

Hee! I was on the site, beforehand, and almost thought the entire site was closing down. I was thinking for a second what a great thing it was to get into mods in this exact moment, before it goes poof!
"starguru;c-16705559" wrote:
The mod for placing objects at various heights is OMSP (One More Slot Please) at MTS. There's also a Tipsy OMSP add-on and the OMSP Resizer if you're interested in having either of those functions for more decorating options in your builds.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
SimplyJen
New Spectator
7 years ago
The Story Progression mod along with other NRaas mods have adjustable settings. All it takes is a little reading and if you need further help, you can post in the NRaas forums. Most of the mods have a FAQ page along with the Interactions page. The Interactions page listing every setting and of course, the FAQ page listing frequently asked questions.

NRaas: Story Progression Rotational Caste Settings suggestions for those who play householdsin a rotation
igazor
7 years ago
"60smusicluvr;c-16706168" wrote:
A YouTube video I watched suggested that Overwatch and ErrorTrap should be installed together, but I was thrown off because that simmer said that ErrorTrap basically does the same thing, so what's beneficial to having them both?

They are both important but very different from each other. Overwatch "watches" for in-game things going wrong against a long pre-defined list of such issues and steps in to fix them as they happen. It also performs cleanups at startup and every night at 3am (or 5am by default for urban worlds on the current version), again against a long pre-defined set of usually unwanted conditions.

ErrorTrap captures ("traps") errors thrown by the game or other mods that can damage the game or cause it to crash otherwise and reports on them by way of script logs that can then be read or sent up to us at NRaas for help in interpreting them. It also removes data from our games that pertain to sims, copies of sims, objects, etc. that are already so far corrupted that they would never be usable anymore or are really data that belongs in a foreign world that somehow got copied into the current one, and it performs general data trash collection at least a few times each game session to keep our save files free from such debris.

The two mods do not conflict and are designed to be used together.

"60smusicluvr;c-16706168" wrote:
Hmm. I don't think I've heard of Simlogical or Simasylum before. I'll have to give these a look see.

Simlogical was founded by Peter and Inge Jones, arguably the grandparents of all TS3 modding (and that of the other sims games as well) that followed. They also made the tools so many of us rely on to edit and work with game and package based files. A small number of things there from other developers are now outdated, but much of it is still very useful and valuable.

The Asylum is a very different place but also the home to a lot of very useful mods.

"60smusicluvr;c-16706168" wrote:
Hee! I was on the site, beforehand, and almost thought the entire site was closing down. I was thinking for a second what a great thing it was to get into mods in this exact moment, before it goes poof!

Just to clarify for those reading this now in case this is necessary, NRaas is not shutting down but our landlord is. We are moving (see my signature block for details), the new site should be up and running by October. We will be at Wikispaces through our eviction date on Sept. 30. :)