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How To Install Store Items

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  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the link provided by the steam user does the trick, and one simmer said it worked it work in for him/her.

    And, Sparky's idea to try to use just the base game to install everything from the store and then continue to install the EPs/SPs has merit (though it means a real effort of reinstalling) if that fails.

    One other note was ensuring that all the old Sims 3 files were cleaned from the registry. So, it's possible that some remnants from the past install are still hanging around causing conflicts.
  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    @SPARKY1922 - the download link was in the first link you shared. Also, I put it in my first response today - edited after reading the links you provided.
  • ZeeGeeZeeGee Posts: 5,355 Member
    SPARKY1922 wrote: »
    @ZeeGee

    wonderful let me know if it works please as I need to try my steam game out at some point.. also could you direct me to the download link for the patch as I must have missed that reading through the links..have you managed to download all your store content into your steam version of the game yet or was it that when you had downloaded your store content it would not work because of the patch incompatibilities?

    @SPARKY1922 I redownloaded all my store content into the Steam edition and that worked fine. I started installing and it worked fine. When I finished with the 0 ebc file I checked ingame to make sure everything had installed and was working. It was. So I continued with the install thinking everything was fine. It was only after I finished that I started noticing missing venues and items. So I have the Steam patches (Ciane posted the link) and am going to try again.
  • ZeeGeeZeeGee Posts: 5,355 Member
    ciane wrote: »
    I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the link provided by the steam user does the trick, and one simmer said it worked it work in for him/her.

    And, Sparky's idea to try to use just the base game to install everything from the store and then continue to install the EPs/SPs has merit (though it means a real effort of reinstalling) if that fails.

    One other note was ensuring that all the old Sims 3 files were cleaned from the registry. So, it's possible that some remnants from the past install are still hanging around causing conflicts.

    @ciane Thanks. The only negative to Steam is if you buy it, it installs. I really miss the ... can't remember what it's called... the thing I use with my disc install to disable or enable EPs or SPs. I'm brain dead today. Had a tiring week. With Steam, the only way to disable packs is to remove them from the registry (which is what I tried) but they just reinstall themselves shortly after in my experience. If there is a tool out there to select EPs on Steam I've not been able to find it!

    I did previously have a disc install on this laptop but I've deleted the registry entries so many times I don't think that's an issue? We'll see.
  • SPARKY1922SPARKY1922 Posts: 5,965 Member
    @ciane

    apologies I missed your copied and paste link re the patches but when I followed this:

    Bottom line: Try the copy of the store content patch update provided by the steam user, deleting the obvious spaces.
    https:// //mega. nz/#!z9BxzARD!rzzIiBZyOEhnXoYacZUzBg0Ce1FvP68Fzk995fQp4n0

    I just got web pages related to Mega desktop apps so i must be doing something terribly wrong as there are no mention of steam patches and i am probably overlooking something basic but thats me when working on something new I don't know much about lol

    @ZeeGee

    This sort of thing does make us tired when we are continually try to solve and fix things. I had no idea the only way a player could enable/disable steam S3 packs through the registry so went on a little search as always and found something mentioned about this at number in the guide.

    4.4 Remove an Installed EP

    https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=279488894

    Don't know if it will work however it's maybe worth a look..
  • ZeeGeeZeeGee Posts: 5,355 Member
    @SPARKY1922 That is a great resource. The section on the EPs is what I'm doing, deleting directly from the Registry. So I decided to try to keep all my EPs and SPs disabled at least until this installation is done. I've deleted them from the registry and am now installing MH gold!
  • ZeeGeeZeeGee Posts: 5,355 Member
    Removing EPs and SPs from the registry doesn't work anymore. As soon as you boot up your game they are right back. :frowning:
  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    @SPARKY1922 - When the page first loads for me (for the content patch download), I immediately get a drop down added to the top of the page with two options for downloading the 12.3MB file. One wants you to use the MEGA app. But the green download option should work for you.

    @ZeeGee - That content patch file didn't work for you?
  • ZeeGeeZeeGee Posts: 5,355 Member
    @SPARKY1922 You do have to edit the link, take out the 2 blanks and remove the double backslash at the beginning and it worked for me.

    @ciane So far so good. 0 ebc done and everything installed.
  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    That's great @ZeeGee! I hope it continues to work.
  • SPARKY1922SPARKY1922 Posts: 5,965 Member
    Thank you @ciane & @ZeeGee

    I got it to work and have downloaded it and saved/backup for any future use :)

    I am so pleased @ZeeGee it is working for you I hope you able to get the game up and running perfectly now :)
  • simrhinosimrhino Posts: 14 New Member
    Hi. I'd have preferred to start a new topic but I don't see a way to do that. I have a question. I seem to remember there being links floating around that could lead to files for individual items from free holiday and gift sets on the store. Is there a way to find these? There are some holiday and registration items that I care to have in my game and some that I don't. I think there was a post on these forums that listed free items and had some links to individual files that weren't otherwise accessible navigating the website.My aim is to reinstall store content with no/fewer unwanted items.
  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    edited March 2020
    That's an awesome goal @simrhino! Valgon57 put together a great database organized by types and let me use whatever I wanted from his work. So, I added everything into my database with links in the first post. Here's what I see from the free category tab:
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:35749 Rockin' Out Aerobics Leotard
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:35750 Home on the Range Grill
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:35751 Hive of Knowledge Bookshelf
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:35752 Sleek Intellect 5010
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:35753 Rustic Staycation Whirlpool Station
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:35754 Go Team!
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:35755 Lost My Homework Graphic Tee
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18099 Not-A-Street Floor Lamp
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18101 Generation Clock
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18102 Byron Desk
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18103 Deco Tank
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18450 Tomb Sled Sleeper
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18489 The Desert’s End
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18564 Paris Wall Clock
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18620 Modern HDTV by Webbsta Industries
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18684 The Sleeker-Sleeper
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18701 Cellar Arch
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:18852 Perfecto Presto!
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:21819 Honeycomb Bookshelf
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:50711 Lunar Lakes Rock
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:50395 Katy Perry Poster
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:68587 The Sims 4 Poster
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:19056 New Year Hat for Her
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:19064 New Year Hat for Him
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:19578 Fiona
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:19505 Just in Jest Hat (F)
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:19506 Just in Jest Hat (M)
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:20897 Diva
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:21403 Lucky Duckie (AM)
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:21404 Lucky Duckie Jr. (CM)
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:21505 Lucky Duckie Jr. (CF)
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:37572 #1 Fanatic
    sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:22676 Happy Holiday Presents Collector's Edition

    Here's a link to a free thread for you as well:
    https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/580940/the-sims-3-free-store-items-a-list

    And here's more lists with pictures to help as well:
    https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=18326.0
    https://simsvip.com/sims-3-store-content/freebies/
    http://beyondsims.com/the-sims/the-sims-3/free-store-content/
  • simrhinosimrhino Posts: 14 New Member
    @ciane Thank you so much for the quick reply. Unfortunately, I have already downloaded individual files for the solo items above. Specifically, I was hoping to find separate downloads for the items in the Halloween, Thanksgiving, winter holiday, and New Years Eve ('11 and '12) sets, as well as The Ultimate Career Bundle.
  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    Sorry, @simrhino, I don't have a break down of those, but...
    If you create a new sims 3 folder by simply renaming your old one. You can install one of those sets and then look at the files in the dcbackup folder. Guess the item by its file size and copy that file into the mods packages folder of another sims 3 folder, which you'll rename back to sims 3 after renaming that test sims folder.
    Someone may have already isolated which files are which, but I don't know them.
  • Me1620Me1620 Posts: 4,983 Member
    edited March 2020
    ciane wrote: »
    ... You can install one of those sets and then look at the files in the dcbackup folder. ...
    Someone may have already isolated which files are which.

    @simrhino - Crinrict has isolated the package files in Crinrict 's S3S browser.

    For example, the package file for Bountiful Harvest Center Piece that is included in the Fall Fruition is 0xf76d3bb2702746d99f1562c104c85b22.package.

    While separate downloads for the items are not available directly from the Sims 3 store, I just used Valgon57's method for direct download to download Bountiful Harvest Center Piece using the product ID number listed in Crinrict's S3S browser. In the URL field in the browser, the product id for the center piece is OFB-SIM3:41139. I added that to the direct download url as shown in Ciane's post above - sims3://download/?ofbId=OFB-SIM3:41139.


    Post edited by Me1620 on
    a.k.a. - Jodi and a link to My Page on the Sims 3 website

    To help you organize your stalking of the Daily Deal, please join us on the Daily Deal Rotation and Sales Help thread and please view the DD Spreadsheet
  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    Yay, it does exist! Thank you so much @me1620. That is awesome!
  • Me1620Me1620 Posts: 4,983 Member
    edited March 2020
    My pleasure.

    I had to keep editing my post to stop pink flowers from appearing in the words Crinrict and the S3S Browser. I guess some combination gives pink flower emoji.
    Post edited by Me1620 on
    a.k.a. - Jodi and a link to My Page on the Sims 3 website

    To help you organize your stalking of the Daily Deal, please join us on the Daily Deal Rotation and Sales Help thread and please view the DD Spreadsheet
  • 8989898989898989 Posts: 11 New Member
    Can I do this in my original sims 3 folder (no vanilla folder)? Like remove the dbc0, download a store world, rename it to dbc1 and put back the original dbc0 back in my DcCache folder?
  • ZeeGeeZeeGee Posts: 5,355 Member
    @89898989 The dbc files are custom content. The ebc files are the store content. It’s best to have everything installed in a clean fresh folder and then save it so in the future you never have to do it again! But if you want to do that way it will work.
  • 8989898989898989 Posts: 11 New Member
    @ZeeGee
    Thanks for getting back to me and clarifying the difference between ebc and dbc. I totally got them backwards :D
    For some reason, I thought this method was only to do, if your ebc file did not generate. But after doing some research and reading a blog on Ciane's page, It made more sense to me lol.
  • SimLibbySimLibby Posts: 668 Member
    edited July 2020
    Hi @ciane,

    This must have been so much work for you. Thank you very much for doing this. <3

    I finally have made a begin with your method. It's probably more reliable than my method to prevent doubles which is manually looking at the pictures in the Launcher en remove the doubles. Which is terrible to do because I have more than 750 store files.

    Anyway, I have started to lay the groundwork, so of speak. Reading through your documents to make sure I get it and making folders with the files that eventually will make up one .ebc file. I'm still at group 1: Patterns, Worlds and Venues. I have noticed you have not listed all venues. Probably because they where not released when you made this thread and the excel file 'Reinstall guide'.

    I'm afraid you need to hold my hand a little. ;)

    Do I install all venues with group 1 even though you haven't mention them all with that group?

    Or does that mean the venues that are not listed, will be mentioned later on and therefore installed in another .ebc file (not part of the patterns, worlds and venues group)? I have looked a bit through the other groups: on glance I didn't see them listed elsewhere. So the answer to the first question is probably yes although an confirmation would be nice. Since it's my understanding you calculated the size of the .ebc files so they are not getting to big. Maybe you didn't mention those venues on purpose because installing those venues in group 1 means I'm going to exceed a certain size limit with the first .ebc file. I don't know. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    You've got it, @SimLibby. I start with worlds and look at their sizes. MH, I think, is the largest. It has room in that .ebc file for the patterns that I like to install first (to ensure they always transfer with uploads) and the files that are needed for broken sets (retro dining chair) or left out of their sets (a pair of shoes). So, I put all those in my first .ebc file. Then, I move that file out and install two worlds in the next file and whatever other random files I had room for there, like maybe some premium content not in a set. Then, I change the zero at the end to 1 (one) and move that file to join the first.

    All my worlds are in the first five (or six) .ebc files. The venues sometimes come with the gold versions of worlds, so you can install them in the same file, but some venues are also wrapped together with other "best of" sets, so I looked at the best way for me to install in logical groups. Size of file and ease of installing a set were my key focus.

    The only things I don't own from the store are some of the bonus items that came with buying sim points and some of the random single CAS items, and oh yeah, some of the random label items like some of the Dr.Pepper items. Everything that came in a set, I own. BUT even, if I don't own it, it is included in the list. I just asked friends to look up the file size in their computers.

    The main disclaimer here is that file size does vary a bit. The order in which you install the items can cause a file to go over that magic number. This happened to me with the file that has three worlds in it. Installing from largest to smallest was different than installing from smallest to largest!!! And we all have different systems, so the compression of files will vary.

    If you install everything I did, in the same order, you SHOULD be okay. BUT, what's important is just to look at the file sizes (which vary when compressed) and try to install them logically. (If you fear going over in size, just make a copy of the .ebc file you are working on, so you won't have to reinstall everything in it, if you go over.)

    My thought was biggest to smallest. All like items relatively close together.

    My database file has separate tabs with things organized, in my mind. So, the first tab has all the worlds listed on it, but they will NOT all fit in one .ebc file. I marked which ones I grouped together, and offered it as a guide.

    I hope I didn't confuse you and give you too much or not enough info. Just ask and I'll answer as best as I can.

    NOTE: ZeeGee did a video that I have linked in the first post (I think), that might help give you a better visual.
  • cianeciane Posts: 16,996 Member
    I went back to the first page where I have an image of what the first spreadsheet page looks like and also a copy of the pWV tab (for patterns, worlds, and venues).

    Look at the bottom of the pWV list and the line that says GDWorld shows which venues came with gold versions of worlds. LrnCtr is short for learning center and the (AS61770) after that means it comes with the gold version of AuroraSkies and the number you can type in to have the learning center auto install (if you didn't have the gold version) is 61770. (Many thanks to @Valgon57 for all those numbers and the method to do that). The rest of that line show other venues that came with gold versions of worlds. SO... if someone had the gold versions they would have already installed them, if not, then they need to install them. I would have installed them in the same .ebc file as the world if you see the gold color of the world name on the first page.

    The line under that gives the venues in Comps, which is short for compilations. So, the arcade is included in Oct2011 as well as Go All In. The casino is included in the Up the Ante compilation, which is why I didn't install the gold version of LP. The cinema is included in Mar2013 and the Grnhs, which is short for greenhouse, is included in Best of 2010.

    So, I should have all the venues listed on that pWV tab, but placed in a way that people, hopefully, won't install them twice.
  • SimLibbySimLibby Posts: 668 Member
    Thanks @ciane.

    I have seen ZeeGee's films (and probably going to watch it again). I also want to make sure I get your documentation. At the moment I'm not installing yet. I'm grouping my store items together. For example, I went through all the compilations you mention in this post. I put all the compilation files in one folder and the sets in those compilations in another folder with an note 'Install' or 'Not install' so I don't forget which folder to install or not to install. Because I'm probably going to install the sets, not the compilations, for easy reference in the in-game catalog. I also made sure I didn't download doubles because often the sets within the compilations have doubles (as you probably know).

    Do you know this:
    SimLibby wrote: »
    Me1620 wrote: »
    When I play, I like to use the feature that shows store collections in the in-game catalogue. I prefer to see each set individually as opposed to be grouped in the compilations.
    I do too, especially when I can't find something (there are just so much items filed under the decorations). When I use the catalog, I often also want to select items that way to place on my lot. However, sometimes that function doesn't seem to work (so I had to go back to my decorations anyway, search for it and place if from there). I would select an item from the store catalog and it wouldn't place on my lot*. I never understood why until now (I just chucked it up as yet another persistent bug). But I need to check it. Maybe you know. Could it* be because that particular set is not installed, but the compilation it belongs to is?

    Going through those compilatons and sets already took a couple of hours. So I will continue another time with your next post.

    When I was grouping the store items, I felt organized. Which was a nice feeling. It didn't feel anymore like this massive bunch of neverending files I had to work through in the Launcher in order to make sure I had no doubles (I'm sure I missed many).

    About the magic number. Each .ebc file between 202,000 and 204,800 kbs, right? How did you came to those numbers? What different does it make if you stay within those numbers, what does it mean? Does it mean store items load faster in game?

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