Sims 4 sort of newbie needing help with CC

[HorusX]

so let me preface by saying, I know how to install cc in the mods folder but what I would like to do is have the ability to have multiple custom sims from this forum and others and not have duplicate cc, is there a way to point the custom sims to 1 singular file? there are a lot of beautiful sims I'd like to use here but the overlap in cc has me scratching my head on how to solve the duplicate problem.

[SpexSIMS]

At game start your mods folder is scanned and loaded, you should only have ONE copy of each mod or you may run into problems. It is always a good idea to have the latest versions of mods installed and keep your game current.

 

You can make folder categories: Clothes, Makeup, Objects, Scripts and more. When you download these sims you can categorize the content so there is not any conflicts. Only SCRIPT MODS should never be more than one folder deep. Something else to watch out for... Some sim developers might include script mods with their sims which can cause conflicts in your game, it is always a good idea to look through all of the content that is supplied with the tray files. If your mod folder is already disorganized you can use "The sims 4 Mod Manager", it has a utility that will find duplicate mods and allow you to remove them. I cannot stress enough the importance of organizing your mods folder, this will make things easier for you when PATCH DAY comes and you are trying to root out issues with your CC.

 

The left portion of the screenshot shows an example of the MAIN mod directory and the right side shows the folder structure of the CAS category. Most of the folders in my mod directory hold scripted mods (2s, 6s, 7s) , my CAS category holds categorized CC for my sims. My BB folder holds objects you would find in Build-Buy. Adopting a system for organizing your CC will save you plenty of headaches in the long run. Cheers!  

 

 

 

Edited February 26 by SpexSIMS
Can't knock a good time saver!

[Scorpio]

14 hours ago, HorusX said:

so let me preface by saying, I know how to install cc in the mods folder but what I would like to do is have the ability to have multiple custom sims from this forum and others and not have duplicate cc, is there a way to point the custom sims to 1 singular file? there are a lot of beautiful sims I'd like to use here but the overlap in cc has me scratching my head on how to solve the duplicate problem.

Spanks covered most of it quite well but the other problem is do you know how to spot and delete merged files, unknown cc/mods, outdated default skins, and other trash that often comes included with those Sims.

 

If not then it may be more trouble than it's worth.

Just because you see a new Custom Sim posted it doesn't mean all the cc included is updated, or even OK to use.

 

As an example the other day I downloaded 9 custom sims from here and piled all the cc into one folder to examine and there was tons of it since some of those sims had 2-3 DL files.

I found rather large sized files like: 00s.package, makeup.package, along with other strangely named or unknown files which I deleted promptly.

These were too big to be regular cc like lipstick, eyebags, etc., and usually the only files that large are high lod alpha hairstyles so they were someones personal merged files.

So now you have 100 different pieces of someones makeup all hidden inside a merged file and no idea what they are so when you DL more makeup how to you prevent more dupes.

 

Next I found a few default skins because I downloaded sims from different authors and each one has their own preferences.

(Do you know you can only have one default of anything installed at a time).

(I use skin overlays rather than regular skins because they almost never break from game updates and you can still use makeup over them).

(Just search the net and look for those you like best and pick your own to dl).

 

Next is you find some files that were renamed slightly by someone and they don't match the originals name so you have duplicates that won't be found by any programs.

 

Honestly I'd recommend you look on the gallery for sims without any cc and build up your cc collection by looking around online for lipstick, eyes, and whatever else you want.

BTW also stay away from default eyes and use contacts instead.

 

Can't stress enough that you keep your cc organised.

Mods/CC Clothing Female

Mods/CC Clothing Male

Mods/CC Hairstyles Female

Mods/CC Hairstyles Males

Mods/CC Jewelry

Mods/CC Makeup

etc.

 

   

Edited February 1 by Scorpio
Typo

[HorusX]

1 hour ago, spanks said:

At game start your mods folder is scanned and loaded, you should only have ONE copy of each mod or you may run into problems. It is always a good idea to have the latest versions of mods installed and keep your game current.

 

You can make folder categories: Clothes, Makeup, Objects, Scripts and more. When you download these sims you can categorize the content so there is not any conflicts. Only SCRIPT MODS should never be more than one folder deep. Something else to watch out for... Some sim developers might include script mods with their sims which can cause conflicts in your game, it is always a good idea to look through all of the content that is supplied with the tray files. If your mod folder is already disorganized you can use "The sims 4 Mod Manager", it has a utility that will find duplicate mods and allow you to remove them. I cannot stress enough the importance of organizing your mods folder, this will make things easier for you when PATCH DAY comes and you are trying to root out issues with your CC.

 

The left portion of the screenshot shows an example of the MAIN mod directory and the right side shows the folder structure of the CAS category. Most of the folders in my mod directory hold scripted mods (2s, 6s, 7s) , my CAS category holds categorized CC for my sims. My BB folder holds objects you would find in Build-Buy. Adopting a system for organizing your CC will save you plenty of headaches in the long run. Cheers!

 

 

38 minutes ago, Scorpio said:

Spanks covered most of it quite well but the other problem is do you know how to spot and delete merged files, unknown cc/mods, outdated default skins, and other trash that often comes included with those Sims.

 

If not then it may be more trouble than it's worth.

Just because you see a new Custom Sim posted it doesn't mean all the cc included is updated, or even OK to use.

 

As an example the other day I downloaded 9 custom sims from here and piled all the cc into one folder to examine and there was tons of it since some of those sims had 2-3 DL files.

I found rather large sized files like: 00s.package, makeup.package, along with other strangely named or unknown files which I deleted promptly.

These were too big to be regular cc like lipstick, eyebags, etc., and usually the only files that large are high lod alpha hairstyles so they were someones personal merged files.

So now you have 100 different pieces of someones makeup all hidden inside a merged file and no idea what they are so when you DL more makeup how to you prevent more dupes.

 

Next I found a few default skins because I downloaded sims from different authors and each one has their own preferences.

(Do you know you can only have one default of anything installed at a time).

(I use skin overlays rather than regular skins because they almost never break from game updates and you can still use makeup over them).

(Just search the net and look for those you like best and pick your own to dl).

 

Next is you find some files that were renamed slightly by someone and they don't match the originals name so you have duplicates that won't be found by any programs.

 

Honestly I'd recommend you look on the gallery for sims without any cc and build up your cc collection by looking around online for lipstick, eyes, and whatever else you want.

BTW also stay away from default eyes and use contacts instead.

 

Can't stress enough that you keep your cc organised.

Mods/CC Clothing Female

Mods/CC Clothing Male

Mods/CC Hairstyles Female

Mods/CC Hairstyles Males

Mods/CC Jewelry

Mods/CC Makeup

etc.

 

   

 

so what I did last night was I deleted all of the cc I had and deleted the trays from the sims I had downloaded to start from a clean slate. so my idea was to make a save that had a strip club/brothel a porn studio , nsfw lots and sims, like  only fans models pornstars etc and I would go find said sims and download them, but it seems like its becoming more clear that I need to probably just make my own sims and modify them on my own which I can do.. it just takes forever lol I'm very perfectionists when I make Sims on my own but I guess I will just do that.

[SpexSIMS]

On 2/1/2024 at 12:42 PM, HorusX said:

 

 

so what I did last night was I deleted all of the cc I had and deleted the trays from the sims I had downloaded to start from a clean slate. so my idea was to make a save that had a strip club/brothel a porn studio , nsfw lots and sims, like  only fans models pornstars etc and I would go find said sims and download them, but it seems like its becoming more clear that I need to probably just make my own sims and modify them on my own which I can do.. it just takes forever lol I'm very perfectionists when I make Sims on my own but I guess I will just do that.

 

 

Kudos to Scorpio who made some excellent points I did not even think to mention. 

 

I download a bunch of sims on here... I do not necessarily use all of their CC (sliders, makeup, clothing etc.) which ships with them. Usually I will want them to wear my own outfits. Starting off with that clean slate is going to save you lots of problems in the future! One thing I will say is that you can find some hidden gems in these sim packs on offer... I found one creator who only shares his clothing creations with his bundled sims. I cannot think of his name right now but you can be assured you can run into plenty of surprises from time to time... Happy Simming!

 

 

.

Edited February 26 by SpexSIMS
The creator's name I forgot about is: Biondoadar