Moving package files

[rono]

In an active game, if I move package files from folder a to b (following depth rules) or combine loose files into a single file, will the game keep track of them, or will issues be caused?

[procian]

You can have folders in the mods folder for cc etc....ww anims....hair....shoes and such....script files can only be 1 folder deep in mods....combining files can cause problems though.

[Scorpio]

17 hours ago, rono said:

In an active game, if I move package files from folder a to b (following depth rules) or combine loose files into a single file, will the game keep track of them, or will issues be caused?

Merging files only really helps with the games initial loading times. 

You can merge hairstyles, makeup, clothing, and that type but don't merge script/tuning files.

Most script and tuning mods will need to be updated on a regular basis.

 

As long as you keep a backup of those un-merged files somewhere else to look at.

You will likely add more later and you need to check back to avoid adding duplicates by accident.

And if you download cc Sims later they might include some cc you already have.

 

Keeping mods organized by mod names or categories is always a good practice even if you don't merge files IMO. 

[rono]

7 hours ago, Scorpio said:

Merging files only really helps with the games initial loading times. 

You can merge hairstyles, makeup, clothing, and that type but don't merge script/tuning files.

Most script and tuning mods will need to be updated on a regular basis.

 

As long as you keep a backup of those un-merged files somewhere else to look at.

You will likely add more later and you need to check back to avoid adding duplicates by accident.

And if you download cc Sims later they might include some cc you already have.

 

Keeping mods organized by mod names or categories is always a good practice even if you don't merge files IMO. 

Thanks but the question was if i take something, say a chair, that i hadnt combined into a furniture package, can I add it to that package of furniture items without issue, or will the game look for it as a separate item.  It becomes no longer visible in the current save for example.  I have rolled up stuff for years, but always before i start a new household. I have never taken a solo item in use in a save and tried to add it to combined file, so i was curios.  

[thaclone]

"active game" ??
you mean while the game is running?

I am not even sure, if you can move files within the mods folder ?‍♂️

But even if you can, the game won't keep track of it. If you change package files etc while the game is running, it would probably cause an error...
for every change within the mods folder, you need to restart the game, because the game always loads all the mods file with the game start

[Scorpio]

16 hours ago, rono said:

Thanks but the question was if i take something, say a chair, that i hadnt combined into a furniture package, can I add it to that package of furniture items without issue, or will the game look for it as a separate item.  It becomes no longer visible in the current save for example.  I have rolled up stuff for years, but always before i start a new household. I have never taken a solo item in use in a save and tried to add it to combined file, so i was curios.  

No you can't add a new item to a merged file when either one is in use by the game.

Just have to exit the game to do it.

[rono]

3 hours ago, thaclone said:

"active game" ??
you mean while the game is running?

I am not even sure, if you can move files within the mods folder ?‍♂️

But even if you can, the game won't keep track of it. If you change package files etc while the game is running, it would probably cause an error...
for every change within the mods folder, you need to restart the game, because the game always loads all the mods file with the game start

No, just in a save file.

[thaclone]

"in" a save file?
you mean, when TS4 is not running? yeah, you can do what ever you want to  with your package files.

Just remember, after fiddling around with any kind of mods or CC, to delete the localthumbcache.package file before starting the game again, so that it will load all mods/cc again