[The Sims 3] How to play your sims3 smoother ! 如何讓你的模擬市民三跑得順暢！

Many people face bugs and issues from the Sims 3 and those errors usually make game very slow or even shut down! I kept been asking questions, such as " How do you run sims3 smooth?" "Why you can build such grand castles using your computer?" To help sims3 players, let me share my tips! All tips are for my most signification creation, New SwanStone Castle.

很多模擬市民三玩家都遇到許多遊戲錯誤，而且這些錯誤往往大大降低遊戲速度，甚至會讓電腦當機！我也常常被問到這些問題，“你怎麼讓模擬市民三跑得順暢的？”“你怎麼可以在電腦裡蓋那麼大的城堡？” 為了幫助大家，就讓我分享我的小秘訣吧！當初摸索出這些好用的秘訣，其實都是為了我最重要的作品，新天鵝堡！其實連桌電都是為了它，自己組的！

First, Buy a Good PC 買一個好電腦

Sharp tools make good work. A good desk computer will save you away from a sluggish game. So, having a computer with decent level components is very important. You do not need to buy everything best. However, better Processor, RAM, 64 bits Operating System, are three key factors for improving the running speed of game. Following information are my PC: 

攻欲善其事 必先利其器，一個好電腦可以讓你遠離像蝸牛一樣慢的遊戲，所以如果電腦配備不要太差，玩遊戲時會有很巨大的差異，(用桌電跟筆電是差很多的)。你不需要什麼都買到最好的，但是有三種配備是最主要影響遊戲速度的：處理器，記憶體，64位元作業系統，如果這三個可以買好一點，幫助會很大。以下是我桌上電腦配備，僅供參考：

Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1231 v3  8M Cache, 3.40 GHz
Intel® Xeon® 處理器 E3-1231 v3  8M 快取記憶體，3.40 GHz

RAM：8 GB

Operating System (OS) : 64 bits
作業系統：64 位元

If you can add SSD to your PC, running speed of game will improve a lot! However, you must backup everything! Because once your SSD broke, your files are all finished !

如果你可以加裝SSD硬碟，那麼你的遊戲會更更更加順暢！但是你一定要備份好，因為SSD碟壞了之後，你的檔案就無法救回來了。

Second, Using Mods from NRaas Industry 使用Mods 

You can also go to NRaas Industry webpage (http://nraas.wikispaces.com/) to download some Mods which can help you remove some unnecessary objects. Following Mods are my recommendations:

你可以去到NRaas Industry網頁去下載一些可以幫助你改善遊戲速度的模組，它們可以幫忙移除一些遊戲中不需要的物件，減緩你電腦的負擔。以下模組是我的推薦：

Overwatch (http://nraas.wikispaces.com/Overwatch)
DebugEnabler (http://nraas.wikispaces.com/DebugEnabler)

Third, Clean Sims 3 System Files Manually 手動整理系統檔

If you only play basic scale, step one and step two are enough for your needs. However, If you want to build grand houses or castles, or play the ten generation legend, you may still encounter bugs or errors. I found an effective way to speed up my game while I read the Sims 3 official documentations : clean Sims 3 system files manually !!! It worked after I tested. My guess is correct. I used this method to keep my large creations or files and to play other small game file at the same time.
(Will Update)

如果你玩這款遊戲，只有玩基本的規模，50X50以下小房子，或是一般故事，那麼以上兩個步驟就已經很夠了。但是如果你想要像我一樣蓋很大的城堡，或是挑戰十代傳奇，那麼還是不太夠的，一樣可能會遇到問題！我後來讀官方的文件檔時，靈機一定想到了一個好方法！經過我測試，我的猜測是正確的，我用這個方法，讓我可以保留住很大的檔案，又一邊玩其他小遊戲檔，那就是：手動整理系統檔！

Note!!! I didn't have time to do a comprehensive testing and taking pictures again, so this guide only provided a concept of cleaning Sims 3 system files by your own. Please backup your game file "The Sims 3" in advance every time!!! To avoid you lose anything you need!!!
注意！！！因為我沒有時間重整一次檔案並截圖，所以以下所提供的官方文件講說以及指南，是概念似地講解怎樣手動清理重整你的資料檔。所以務必請先備份，以免你遺失任何資料！！！

由於有一點小小複雜，以下將以步驟的方式講解：

First, go to the path: My Document//Electronic Arts, and you will see a file called "The Sims 3", which is your game file. Usually its size is not small. With your game time flying, this file will become bigger and automatically generate many MICS files, gradually slower your game speed or make your game easy shut down. In fact, your game do not need those files which only slow your game, so it is better to re-clean this file using the method I am going to show you, releasing space of memory.

第一，從圖檔中，你會看到你可以到C碟或是D碟中的路徑：我的文件/Electronic Arts中看到這個資料夾The Sims 3，這資料夾就是你的遊戲內容所有的檔案，所以他的GB or MB應該不會太小，隨著你遊戲越玩越久，你會發現你的檔案會越來越多亂八七糟的檔案，很多是系統自動產生的，或是有一些是你自己產生的，其實，系統在執行遊戲時，就不需要去讀那一大堆根本沒用到的雜七雜八的檔案，那些檔案只會讓你的遊戲執行得更慢更吃力罷了，一點都不會影響到遊戲的物件或是進度。以下就開始解說怎麼重整這個資料檔案，讓你把沒用到的空間釋出。

First, please backup The Sims 3 file and save it in desk or other disks. This step usually takes some time. (Very important step!!!)
首先，請把這個資料夾The Sims 3備份！存起來放到桌面，或是其他硬碟EX: E碟也可以。看你的檔案大小，基本上要備份個10~20分鐘是有可能的。（這步驟很重要）

Second, your C: or D: /my document/Electronic Arts file is empty. Nothing inside now! OK, right now, please click the sims 3 icon to start the game. At this sudden, the system will automatically generate a new "The Sims 3" file which is a brand new one containing all basic files you need for a new game. We will use this new "The Sims 3" file as a base and then gradually move contents from previous backup "The Sims 3" file you need to this new "The Sims 3" file. After successfully creating a new file, please exit The Sims 3 game.   
第二，這時候，此路徑中的我的文件/Electronic Arts是空的，什麼都沒有！所以請到桌面點Sims 3的桌面捷徑啟動遊戲，這個瞬間，系統會自動產生一個新的The Sims 3資料夾，是全新乾淨的基本檔案。而這個檔案是要拿來當作一個全新的開始，把之前備份的The Sims 3的內容，選擇性移動過來。開完之後，請離開遊戲。



Third, as you see in picture, fils in red box are your game progress files. Now we can move those files by your need. Hence, we can keep our game progress as well as remove all un-necessary files in one time! If you found you missed anything. Just quit your game and then copy and move more contents to here, so if you had backup, you did not worry at all!
第三，之前備份的The Sims 3裡頭，這些紅框裡的檔案是你之前的遊戲進度檔案，所以我們可以選擇性地，移動過來，這樣就可以保留想要的遊戲進度，但是又可以把不需要的雜七雜八的檔案們一次清除掉！（除果開遊戲進去發現少了什麼，你可以再回來複製移動，所以只要有備份，就不用太擔心）所以接下來，這一個一個的資料檔，除了基本部分，請依個人需求一一複製過來。

Usually, if you copy and move those files, DCBackup, DCCache, Library, Modes, SavedOutfits, SavedSims, Saves, you will can keep most of your game progress!
通常，就把DCBackup, DCCache, Library, Modes, SavedOutfits, SavedSims, Saves這幾個複製到你的新資料夾The Sims 3，就不太會有太大的問題。

Since each person has his/her own needs. I list roughly introduction of every files and folders, so you can copy and move anything you need by your choices! Test and Try it! Go ahead!
由於每個人可能有其特殊需求，我把大略的每個資料夾跟檔案的大約介紹也貼上來，以下就視個人情況去增增減減了！測試跟嘗試是很必要的！！！加油！！！
Source from Nraas Industry (Webpage : https://www.nraas.net/community)

The folders

Collections：不用移到新The Sims 3資料夾。

• You can organize your Buy/Build Catalog in Collections, and the resulting collections would be placed here, or place any Collection downloads shared by the Sims community in this folder.

ContentPatch：不用移到新The Sims 3資料夾。

• When prompted in Launcher of Store updates, the file(s) would be downloaded and stored in this folder if one accepts the prompt. The patch file is named "ContentPatch.package"
• If not, a 1KB file with the name "DontBugMeUntilNextPatch" would be placed here so you won't get the prompt in Launcher again.

CurrentGame.sims3：不用移到新The Sims 3資料夾。

• This contains the data used in the currently loaded Save game, when The Sims 3 is running. During a save procedure this folder would be renamed as you specified and transferred to the Saves folder. 
• After quitting the game, ensure the contents of this folder is empty before starting the next game.

Custom Music：移到新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Contains your custom music that is played on the custom music channel. 

Downloads: After install your objects, delete items in Downloads. It just wastes your space!Downloads: 刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

Library：通常我會保留，複製這個檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Houses and households that you installed through your Launcher. Every house and household has it's own file. Unfortunately the names are cryptic. If additional content came with the Sims3Pack that will be installed in your DCCache files.
• If you use a house or household in your game and delete the file in this folder, the house will still be in your game for it is saved with your save game. Deleting the file will only result in the house/household not showing in the Library/Bin anymore.

SigsCache：DO NOT COPY THEM to YOUR NEW THE SIMS 3 !
SigsCache：刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Information about activities in EADM and the Store. Files will be created again, if deleted.

DCBackup: depending on your need. 依個人需求。

• Contains all package files that get unpacked when you install a sims3pack. This folder is bound to have many files if you install and test out a lot of content, for the files in here will not get deleted when you uninstall or delete something in your Launcher. The names in here are just numbers so you won't know which is which. 

DCCache：depending on your need. 依個人需求。

• Contains all installed Custom Content/Exchange/Store items that you installed through the Launcher. Shows up in Launcher's Installed Content tab.

Mods：複製這個檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Your downloaded user-created content in .package format. Not present by default. You have to create this folder yourself.

SavedSims：我通常會保留這個檔案。

• Sims that you installed through the Launcher or saved in CAS. Every Sim has it's own file. Unfortunately the names are cryptic. If additional content came with the Sims3Pack that will be installed in your DCCache files.
• If you use a Sim in your game and delete the file in this folder, the Sims will still be in your game for it is saved with your savegame. Deleting the file will only result in the Sim not showing in CAS anymore.

Saves: 請好好保存這個檔案！

• Your savegames. Back those up regularly. 

Thumbnails: DO NOT COPY THEM to YOUR NEW THE SIMS 3 !
Thumbnails: 刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Cached thumbnail pics. Saved here for faster loading the next time you start your game. 

WorldCaches: These can be deleted if you are on Windows, but must not be deleted on Mac.
WorldCaches: 如果你是Windows，可以刪除，如果是Mac，不可以刪除，必須保留。

• Cache files for your installed worlds. There are no WorldCache files for worlds that came with the game and were not installed through the Launcher like Sunset Valley, Twinbrooks or Bridgeport.

Other Files

刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。
Cache Files Delete those when you add new CC or remove unwanted CC. They will be recreated.

• CasPartCache.package: CAS parts that appear in Create-A-Sim
• compositorCache.package: New objects that would appear in Buy/Build mode
• scriptCache.package: Mods or Hacks
• simCompositorCache.package: New Sims, default skins
• socialCache.package.package: Information about the social aspects (Intro with Patch 1.31)

Options.ini: DO NOT COPY THEM to YOUR NEW THE SIMS 3 !
Options.ini: 刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Contains your game and graphic options set in the game. Save this file if you update your drivers and put it back after the update or all your Option settings will be lost because the game would reset it automatically. This also occurs when you install new Expansion or Stuff Packs.
• This file may also become corrupted. If you get any graphical or sound glitch, removing this file would restore the Options and Lessons to "factory defaults" and you can then re-tweak the options as you desire, again.
• Can be manually edited (in Notepad (PC) / TextEdit (Mac) or other Text Editors), before entering game if game crashes before you have a chance to enter F5.

Log Files: DO NOT COPY THEM to YOUR NEW THE SIMS 3 !
Log Files: 刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• DeviceConfig.log
• Sims3Logs.xml
• Sims3LauncherLogFile.log: This file tells you what happens when you try uploading/downloading to the Exchange. It might contain some useful info if you have trouble up- or downloading.

ScriptErrors: Delete them or DO NOT COPY THEM to YOUR NEW THE SIMS 3 !
ScriptErrors: 刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Errors produced by the game that were caught by Twallan's ErrorTrap mod. They are not used in the game. 

I usually save those two files, due to my heavy work of color and pattern design. Copy those two files to your new "The Sims 3" file.
我通常會把以下兩個資料檔保留，因為花色跟圖案是辛苦設計的，所以把這兩個資料檔複製並移動到你的新的"The Sims 3"資料夾。
tslus.bin
UserPresets.package

• Colors and patterns that you saved in the Create-a-Style (CaST) pallette in Create-a-Sim (CAS) or Build/ Buy Mode.

Version.tag: Delete them or DO NOT COPY THEM to YOUR NEW THE SIMS 3 !
Version.tag: 刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Info about the version of your game. This file only contains the gameversion of the last installed pack. Delete this file if you have troubles patching or Launcher is reporting errors. Should be recreated on game / Launcher start. 

xcpt*.mdmp & xpct*.txt: Delete them or DO NOT COPY THEM to YOUR NEW THE SIMS 3 !
xcpt*.mdmp & xpct*.txt: 刪除，或是不要移動這些檔案到你的新The Sims 3資料夾。

• Crash logs that where written when your games crashes. You can have them analyzed with the Crash Log Analyzer or just delete.

在用這種方法，重整過資料夾之後，我省下了1/3的容量，成功地讓我的遊戲中的大城堡，大房子，順暢很多！
After cleaning The Sims 3 file using this method, I saved one of third MB of the game! Speedy up my game successfully!

Finally, BACKUP YOUR GAME FILE EVERY-TIME ! 

最重要的是，請隨時備份你的遊戲檔！

Hope those information could help you, sims3 player ~~ !
希望這些小秘訣，可以幫助到模擬市民三的玩家們！