Sims 1: Adding Downloads To Your Game

This topic contains instructions for installing all the different file types for The Sims 1 custom content. There is also a section (the lower part of the page) which deals with the common causes of downloads not working properly.

If you are running Windows 98, 2000 or XP ignore the (x86) part! If you've installed it to a different drive or a different path, or if you simply can't find The Sims directory you can always use your computer's search option to look for it.

Furniture/Objects

To install objects (iff files) put it in any 1 of these 3 folders (it doesn't matter which and you can put objects in subfolders within any of these 3 folders):

Objects that have NPC's associated with them, or skin parts will include a mixture of files inside the zip. Make sure you install all the separate parts into the correct folders.

Note some objects are cloned from the Maxis Simday downloads which are standalone executable downloads which were posted on the official site. Such objects will need to have the base item installed in order to work, which is why the executable file is included in the zip with the applicable files. They are also available to download separately (see related links above) on our Sims 1 Utilities page.

Walls, Floors & Roofs

Skins, Clothing & Heads

As noted above, these instructions also apply to the skins worn by NPC's and for 3D mesh parts which belong to some objects (these are rare but we do have some on the site). Add ALL .bmp .cmx and .skn files in the zip you download to:

No-Show Custom Content

There are a number of possible reasons why custom content does not show up in game. Please check through in order until you find the one that applies. If none of these fix the issue, try the related links listed at the bottom of the page.

Did You Unzip Them?

Your game does not know how to open the zips you download from the internet so you'll need to open them before installing them. Please read this topic if you're unfamiliar with zip files:

How To Open A Zip File

Not in the Right Folders?

The different types of files have different folders they should live in, putting all the files inside the zip you download into the correct folder based on their type is very important.

If you do not know what the file extension is, try right clicking on it and selecting 'properties' to see more information.

Please double check the instructions provided above. If you cannot find the suggested file path on your computer because the game is installed differently, then use your computer's search function to locate 'The Sims' folder. From there, the file paths shown in this instruction topic will be accurate.

Objects Disappear in Live Mode

This means you do not have the required expansion pack installed that is needed to support that object.

Delete the file from your game, or install the missing Expansion (note it is strongly recommended that you install ALL expansions for The Sims 1 if you want to use any custom content).

Skins & Heads not Appearing in CAS

This does get reported occasionally but truthfully I've no idea what is the cause aside from failing to install all the parts in the zip to the correct skins folder. We have never used meshes with weird and funky names that the game won't recognize, and all zips do include all the parts needed to support the texture we've created.

All skins on our site were fully tested in game when they were made and again in 2011 (to make sure they hadn't mutated over time!), so there's no reason why they shouldn't work in your game. All I can suggest is to make sure you're checking the correct gender and age, skin colour for heads, and that you're not looking for buyable skins in your Sim's dresser at home!

Only New Downloads Missing

This issue occurs quite often with players who have been playing for a long time, at some point new items they add to their game cease to show up.

There is a limit to how many downloads the game can hold. There is no precise value, but it seems to occur when the total volume of game content reaches about 2.5 to 3.5Gb. It is an old game that was never really designed to deal with vast libraries of additional items. The only advice I can give is to weed out things you don't use.

Missing NPC's

It is often reported that NPC's that go with community objects are invisible or appear as just a pair of floating hands.

One cause of an invisible NPC is forgetting to put the NPC .iff or any related controller file in with your other objects. To fix this download the object again and put ALL .iff files in your game folder.

The other cause is forgetting to put the skins (clothing, head, meshes and sometimes hands) into the skins folder. Without them the NPC has nothing to wear. Some NPCs may appear as just a floating pair of hands because they use the game hand textures, but the skins and meshes are missing for the head and body.

If either of these apply re-download the object and put ALL of the contents into your game.