CC - How great is it?

[Shhh]

How great is Custom Content and how much does it slow down gameplay. I have forgotton as I removed my CC and only use store stuff now. I have about 52 CC items saved that I don't use,
Thanks ;)

[StarboardParoxysm]

Depends on the CC. Some of it is jaw-droppingly amazing, and some of it is utter crap. I like to keep it fairly sparing, being very choosy, just sticking to a few really nice, versatile, well-made items. It doesn't slow down the game at all, really, as long as you combine your packages.

[Shhh]

Combine my packages?

I learnt to be choosy in the Sims 2, loading times took ages! :D .

EDIT: Combining packages now :)

[eskie227]

Combine my packages?

I learnt to be choosy in the Sims 2, loading times took ages! :D .

EDIT: Combining packages now :)

Well, to be honest, 52 really isn't a lot. I have ~5 to 600 package files (obviously I'm not nearly so choosy), which are combined into 25 or so merged files. If you have a borderline computer, merging even a small number of files might improve load times, but if you're running a contemporary (current as of the last year or so, given product cycles these days) I doubt you'll notice any difference. Remember, store content is still cc, just cc EA got you to pay for. It doesn't feel like it's adding to your overhead because all those Sim3Packs are merged by the launcher for you, not because EA made really good, well programmed content.

My suggestion, if you're willing to play with store content, don't automatically reject other content because it's not EA, or because it might slow down your load times. If you start getting a larger collection, then merging package files yourself is really pretty easy, and certainly helps game performance.

[ninedoors]

I know that I am absolutely obsessed with hair, particularly Anubis360's retextures. And really good clothes when I can find them. And I've also noticed some really cute/amazing shoes coming out. Then there's makeup and patterns and yeah... sometimes I can go a little overboard.

But I still like to have quality products. I find I'm not so much of a furniture nut but that doesn't mean there aren't some amazing pieces out there. You just have to look around. You're certainly on one of the right sites to find some really cool stuff.

Like those above me have said, merge your files, find the stuff you'll use and love and I think you'll be surprised by how much it adds to the game!

[Srikandi]

I would recommend using Granthes's CC magic... takes the labor out of package combining, and lets you manage your packages/s3packs individually even after they're combined. Link's in my sig.

Store stuff is also very mixed in quality, but the best free CC is better than the best store stuff for sure :p Find the creators who make high quality stuff and stick to them, is my advice. If you're worried about performance, make sure to check poly count.

As for what to use, make sure you check out game mods as well as clothes and objects :) You can fix issues, tune things to your preferences, and add interesting new gameplay that way.

[Shhh]

I've deleted quite a bit of store content (I can always redownload it from The Sims 3.com) and combined my package files. I kept all the furniture though 'cause most of it is really quite good actually. It was the hair and clothes that were less realistic :)

The loading time has sped up alot and the gameplay is better :)

[pikku.titiuu]

As this is not MATY, I dare to voice out my confusion, although this propably is the wrong place and time. Sorry.

I want to merge my .packages, but can not get s3pe to work (the instructions are clear enough, but it just won't import my files for some reason - I've checked them with the dashboard and they should be fine), so I followed Srikandi's suggestion and installed CC Magic, but can't figure out just how to merge them packages. I'm usually quite able with computer stuffs, so I must be having some idiot moment, the intructions really make my brain hurt.

Is there any step-by-step guide to merging files with CC Magic?
I guess I can't just merge them as they are in their folders in my Mods-folder (under 'legacy' in CC Magic), but I have to create new sets to be able to 'rebuild' = 'merge'?

The wiki page about merging packages here mentions you need s3pe, and nothing about CCMagic to merge...

[purexevil666]

It's impossible for me to play without CC, especially TS2 :lol: even though i am not a maniac downloader when it comes to them so i can make my game less freezy

[van Dorn]

The wiki page about merging packages here mentions you need s3pe, and nothing about CCMagic to merge...

Personally, I use S3PE too. Are you importing as .dbc? And oh please don't tell me you are on a Mac.

[Shhh]

I used S3PE and it worked fine. Is your updated?