Ladders Without Pools

starting with this header the skeleton booping the cat is on the Bella Squared mesh and the remainder on the Civic Idol.. didn't want to make it too busy looking by labeling them. Proceeds to make the following previews look busy anyway.

Pokemon TCG art of Persian and some artwork from FFXIV on the Artig mesh. Pikachu and Eevee matching bathroom set on the Pineapple mesh. I actually kept the original text on the FFXIV art because it looked close enough to Simlish for me. And the wee boba friends are on Surfing the Universe. Whee.

art by Jessica Roux on Four Vegetables. Some line emojis from FFXIV on Fuzzy Babies. Record player cat is on the Sheep painting. The cat and alien duo is on Inverted Vertigo and the Train Hard, Eat Trash and pizza catto are on the Reggae poster.

the onion buddies are art from a shield in FFXIV, I love my onion buddies.

on red? in red? nobody ever asks how is red..

I named this as "Movie Poster" because I couldn't remember what it was called.. anyway, it's the Great Films one with the werewolf. I actually own that Last of Us print on a similarly giant frame. :D

What I’ve Changed:

Pretty much all community lots have been given medium-major makeovers

Way more TREES everywhere

Random sim inconsistencies have been fixed, eg: Carl Abbott & Bert Alto now have corrected career histories

Better looking (non-randomized) outerwear outfits for all residents & townies 🙂 - no CC was used on these

Residential lots have had minor tweaks where I felt necessary (mainly the roofing & window placement which was pretty whack on a few lots)

The Vanderburg Palace has had the most major exterior renovation, and it looks like a castle now

A few brand new lots have been popped into town - most made by me but a couple of them are from others, and they are labelled with their original creators in the lot descriptions (and credited down below as well)

Some of the community lots will change decorations automatically depending on the season, particularly in autumn & winter

More spawners on some of the community lots including those for rarer bugs & gems

Sims gender preferences have all been set to 0 using NRAAS MasterController

What’s the same: 

Sims haven’t been made over, ASIDE from their outerwear as mentioned

Residential lot interiors are basically untouched

Things to Note:

The CASTable rabbithole replacements I used do tend to glitch colours for a moment when in map mode / zoomed out from the lot

This world has a large volume of objects (particularly trees) and may not run great on lower-performance machines

Packs Used:

⛺ World Adventures / 🏆 Ambitions / 🌆 Late Night / 🌦️ Seasons / 🪟 High End Loft Stuff

CC Used:

‼️THIS CC IS NOT INCLUDED IN MY DOWNLOAD, YOU WILL NEED TO DOWNLOAD IT SEPARATELY FROM THE LINKS BELOW ‼️

CASTable Rabbithole Replacements

Specific ones used:

Aurora Skies - Füd Feud / Just an Abandoned Warehouse / Mud Baths & Manuscripts (Spa Only)

Base Game - Bistro / Police Department

Bridgeport - Landgraab Marine Science Facility / Plumbob Pictures Backlot

Dragon Valley - Like-Minded-Individuals Inc. 

Lucky Palms - Imagine That! Theater / Brittlebush Academy

Midnight Hollow - St James Simitarium / World's End Mausoleum

Twinbrook - Sims in Arms Military Base / City Hall / Always Studious Bookstore / Grocery Grab Supermarket

BlamsEAStore

A quick note about this content - I’ve used  a lot because I have Blams collection file installed, if you have this as well, you won’t need to download the content individually from this list as you’ll have it all anyway - this is just for those who don’t have the collection file  :)

Hidden Springs (ALL)

Dr Pepper Stadium Rabbithole

See all the other items used linked here  (for the sake of not making this list 2 miles long)

ATS3

Recolourable store coat rack

Morocco Mosiac Table

Bistro Chair #3 Parisian

Camping Cooler

Natacha’s Garden Lamp (Lantern for Table)

Cottage Living - Henford Wedding Arch

Growing Together Piano

Garden Edging - Weaved (Diagonal + Arc)

Vegetable Stand

Birthday Hot Tub (Covered version)

Snowy Escape - Start & Finish Line Marker + Ski Rack + Banner

Baby World - Playpen Simple Toys

Sport Collection - Gymnasium Sign + Kettle Bell + Mat Rolled Horizontal + Mat Rolled Vertical + Punching Bag 1 (red versionl)

Ambulance (vehicle)

Hammam Massage Table

Other Creators

Tedhi - Unhidden Images

Deniisu - Romeo & Juliet Arbor

Deniisu - Cosy Cabin Round Rug

MartasSimsBook - Little Ceramics Small Candle

MartasSimsBook - Cowbuild Soft Bear Mini Chair

MartasSimsBook - Strangerville - The Tully

MartasSimsBook - Sunbeam Study - Books A + B + C + D

Kandiraversims - 4t3 Cats & Dogs Sapphire Suns Flower Pot

Kandiraversims - 4t3 Cats & Dogs Paintings 1 & 3

BionicZombie - 4t3 Records of The Past

BionicZombie - 4t3 Vanity Nook Pouf

Mammut - 4t3 Tree Stump Seat

Danjely - Functional Kites

Twinsimming - On The Rink Set

Twinsimming - Studded Mirror

Twinsimming - Hydroponic Planter

MsPoodle - Get Famous Ship Barrels 

LilyofTheValley - Tree Bench Set

ilGrandeLama - TS1 Geranium Flower Stand

ilGrandeLama - Mansard Roof Set

Everlasting Garden - Branch Columns

Jomsims - Refrigerator Sonics

Suteflower - 4t3 MyCupOfCC Tiny Dreamers Rocking Chair

Elitisim - Dark Academia Art Part 2

Pixelfrogslegs - 4t3 Basket of Cosies

Omedapixel - Grass Roof

Omedapixel - Tørsvall Corkboard

Architectural Sims - 4t3 Selvadorada Lamp Post

AiSquared - Fitz-Yinter Serving Cart Emptied

Armiel - Columns

Tasteslikefridge - 4t3 Woven Rugs

TOU: 

Usual stuff - basically just don't claim as your own or reupload to paysites please

If you use this save & post it for others to see, I'd love for you to tag / mention me as it would make me so happy to see people explore it :3

Feel free to modify, refurnish or redecorate any of the save however you want, but if you're gonna re-upload a downloadable version I'd appreciate it if you threw a tag my way! :D

➡️ DOWNLOAD THE SAVE FILE HERE

Credits: 

Other Creator Lots Included: 

Public Quay #1 by mangoesandlimes

Peaceful Community Pool by DeadMetalSimmer

One Man’s Junkyard by aaronrogers8i3

Thank you to grandelama once again for the retextured version of Hidden Springs, the original grass colours would sometimes give me a headache, but I love this world, so this version is a lifesaver <3

Step 1: install your game through your respected platform.

Just follow the regular steps and install the game without adding any other stuff yet whatsoever.

(I personally have a legit copy of the Sims 3 on Steam. If you use another app and have any questions, I'll probably not be able to help you.)

Step 2: run the game once through the official launcher. Once you get to the main menu, you can quit again.

It is very important you run your game through the original launcher at least once after installing it. Not doing so can cause problems with programs like CC magic. You only need to do it the first time. After that, we'll be skipping the launcher entirely.

Step 3: Create a short cut of TS3W.exe on your desktop.

You'll be skipping the launcher from now on. This helps with performance and it starts up your game much faster. It is also important to do this because of DXVK.

You can find TS3W.exe in your bin folder. For me (Steam version) it's in this location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Sims 3\Game\Bin

Right click TS3W.exe, click 'show more options' and choose 'create a shortcut'. Place this shortcut on your desktop and Run Sims 3 from there from now on.

Step 4: Run the GPU Add-on Support patcher

You can find this patcher here. It is essential to run this because Sims will otherwise not recognize your graphics card unless it's over 10 years old. This patcher helps to get your GPU recognized.

The patcher will create a new Graphicsrules.sgr and new Graphicscards.sgr for you in your bin folder. After installing this, you can move the ones that have _old behind them somewhere else (or delete them).

P.S.: if you pirate your game you'll have to do this manually, there's guides online for it but since I have a legit copy I can't help you here.

Step 5: Install DXVK

Make sure you follow this guide by Nornite and do every single step. Don't skip anything!

I'd say DXVK is pretty essential nowadays, especially if you have a modern graphics card with 6GB of VRAM or higher. It'll greatly help to keep your game stable and can prevent a lot of crashes. The way Dxvk works, is that it loads textures through your VRAM instead of your RAM. Especially when you use a lot of CC or HD textures, this will make a huge difference for your RAM usage. Sims 3 can only use 4GB of RAM at once and will start crashing once you hit the 3GB mark in your task manager. With DXVK, you will use a lot less RAM and it'll take much longer for your game to reach this hard cap.

When not to install DXVK: if you have a shitty GPU (like an integrated graphics card on a laptop, or one with 4GB of VRAM or less).

Step 5: Start up the game

Use your new desktop shortcut that also has 'run as administrator' permissions now if you followed the DXVK guide properly.

Step 6: set up all your settings through the ingame options menu

The best graphics settings for you will highly depend on what computer you're using. But there are some things you should always turn off because they negatively affect performance. I will share my (relevant) settings with you (I use a custom UI so your screen style will look a little different from mine). Click on the images to enlarge them so you can read them:

Things of note about these settings:

I recommend you play in windowed mode, especially if you plan to use ReShade. Playing fullscreen is possible, but it does make Reshade presets behave differently in your game. I will include a step in this guide that you can follow to play windowed borderless. So, when you plan to do this: make sure you set the resolution to your display resolution.

Enable object hiding helps with performance. Advanced rendering is essential because otherwise your game looks like absolute shit.

Set your High Detail Lots to any value between 2 and 4. Don't go lower or higher, because you'll get rendering issues that lag out your game.

All other graphics settings can be set to your heart's desire. I'd say start with the highest settings and only go down if you notice your frames per second are bad.

Disable shop mode and lessons and fully disable memories or use this mod to severly limit them. Disable interactive loading screens as well. These are all performance eaters. Interactive loading screen also causes crashes. Memories also don't do anything for your sim, it's just a scrap book with no in-game effects.

Disable any online mode feature. This also lags out your game. Unless you really want to use these features it's best to just play fully offline.

Save your settings, close the game again.

Step 7: Install Sims 3 Settings Setter

This is the most recent magic genie that Sims 3 was blessed with. Especially combined with DXVK it is a life changer. Installing it is simple. You download the most recent version here and drop the .asi file in your bin. Also grab 'wininet.dll' from here and drop that one in your bin too.

Start up your game and load up a save. Once you're inside your save, you press 'insert' to open up the menu for Sims 3 Settings Setter. Go to the 'patches' tab and enable what you like. These are my enabled patches and they all work really well for me, but feel free to experiment with them to find your own performance sweet spot:

Only enable uncompressed textures if you have a GPU with at least 8gb of VRAM. My game will use over 6gb of VRAM easily with this enabled, so you've been warned.

Once you have everything you desire enabled, press 'file' in the top left corner and click 'save settings'.

Step 7.5: if you're playing windowed mode: go into the Other/QoL tab and enable 'Borderless Window'. Set it to 'Full Screen'.

Save your settings and close your game again. No need to save the game you entered for this unless you want to.

Step 8: Install Nraas Errortrap, MasterController and Overwatch

These 3 mods by Nraas are pretty much essential to keep your game from breaking down in the long run. You can download the mods here. Have you never installed a mod for Sims 3 before? Here's a guide (skip the part about Sims3pack and go straight to the part where it explains how to install .package mods).

That's it! You can now play The Sims 3 and it'll be as smooth and stable as it'll ever be. From here on, you can stock your game with more mods and CC (check out my mods masterlist!), or you can install Reshade (here's a guide).

Some important things to keep in mind while playing:

Clean up your game regularly. You can easily do this by using Regul Save Cleaner.

When you install a new mod or update/change Sims 3 Settings Setter, always restart and clear your caches.

Use CC Magic for installing CC, because it merges your files and this really helps with performance. Here's a handy guide on how to use it. Don't put your script mods in here, just your CC.

If you plan to travel to vacation destinations in the EP World Adventures, Nraas Traveler is a must to prevent most of the bugs and crashes that happen in this expansion.

Always keep in mind: mods and corrupt CC can still break your game, make it laggy or unplayable. Always be mindful of the mods you add, so you can always trace any issues you're having back to the mod causing it. I highly recommend not downloading a ton of mods in one session, but adding them step by step and see what they do to your games performance.

Use 'Reset the entire town' from Nraas MasterController at least every other sim week. It'll help clear up any lag that happens because of NPC sims getting themselves stuck routing or annoying stuff like that.

Rules:

I have listed the intended requirements for each generation, move on to the next generation once the requirements are complete or the next heir becomes a young adult

I have listed some guidance on careers, lifetime wishes and traits. I recommend taking 2-3 of the traits listed but they aren't mandatory

You can use money cheats if you wish, I've tried to write the generational order to put you in the desired financial spot for storytelling, but please just have fun with it

Please do alter and play this how you wish & how your stories pan out, the guidance is just there for ideas and isn't meant to limit you

Generation 1 - Earth

Child of earth, you are grounded and resillient. Your goal is to provide your family with solid foundations for the generations to come. You are selfless, stubborn and driven. You know what you want and will work your upmost to achieve it. Your ambitious and frugal nature can get on other's nerves and prompts the question: with so much planning for the future, are you really taking time to enjoy your own life?

Traits: Ambitious, Frugal, Natural Cook, Snob, Workaholic

Job: Medical Career

LTW: World Renowned Surgeon

Requirments:

Begin in a starter house. You should not move lots or houses this Generation and instead add extensions onto your house when needed

Master the cooking and nectar making skills

Fall in love and marry one person in your lifetime

Do not have children until you reach level 8 of your career

Save 20,000 for the next generation

Generation 2 - Water

Child of water, thanks to your parents hardwork, you had a carefree childhood and now plenty of savings behind you. You are a calm free spirit that lets the oceans currents carry you to your next adventure. You are in no rush to settle in one place just yet, why rush when you are having such fun? Your time for settling down will come evetually. Whatever will be will be.

Traits: Adventurous, Loves to swim, Commitment Issues, Easily Impressed, Athletic

LTW: Seaside Saviour/Seasoned Traveler/Deep Sea Diver

Job: Lifeguard

Requirements:

Travel to 3 different destinations

Do not get married and settle down until adulthood

Have at least 3 children with 3 different people you meet in your travels

Master the diving skill

Own a boat or live in a houseboat

Generation 3 - Fire

Child of fire, you are passionate and hot-headed, throwing yourself headfirst into your work and relationships with a grandeur flair. You wear your heart on your sleeve, making many flock to you for friendship or more. Your self-awareness around your temper certainly helps your popularity as you channel your temper into your physical fitness. You certainly aren't burning out anytime soon!

Traits: Social Butterfly, Hot-Headed, Artistic, Loves the Heat, Flirty

LTW: Super Popular

Job: Self-employed Painter

Requirements:

Master the painting and martial arts skills

Have at least 20 friends and maintain friendships until you are an elder or the next generation takes over

Have 3 passionate lovers in your lifetime

Throw a party once per week

Woohoo once per week

Generation 4 - Grass

Child of grass, you just can't get enough of babies, especially your own! Your family and their wellbeing are your whole world. You live to nourish, protect and teach your loved ones. However, you have been told on one or more occasions that you can be overbearing...a helicopter parent perhaps? Don't they know you only want what is best for them?

Traits: Nurturing, Perfectionist, Loves the Outdoors, Family Orientated, Green Thumb,

LTW: Surrounded by Family/The Perfect Garden

Job: Daycare

Requirements:

Have a garden and live off the land, using your grown produce for meals

Max the gardening skill

Fall in love and marry your childhood sweetheart

Have 5 children and a bad relationship with at least one

Teach all of your children their toddler skills

Live within your means in a small-medium house - never have more than 10,000 in household funds

Generation 5 - Ice

Child of ice, your parents doting nature only added onto your pressure. You never felt like you fit in with your family, never felt understood. They were all so extroverted and loud whilst you much preferred your quiet isolation. Perhaps that's why you prefer animals over people. You have a lot of love to give, I can only hope you will find someone to share that with (who is not one of your many pets).

Traits: Shy, Animal Lover, Hates the Outdoors, Savvy Sculptor, Loves the cold

LTW: Descendant of Da Vinci

Jobs: Self employed Sculptor/Painter/Inventor

Requirements:

Have a poor relatioship with your parents and siblings, you will leave your childhood family home as soon as you age into a young adult

Have 3 pets at one time

Only leave your house when necessary

Meet your lover through online dating

Master the sculpting and inventing skills

Have a child through the time machine

Generation 6 - Electricity

Child of electricity, you sure are a shocker! You thrive in the spotlight and want all eyes on you, for better or worse. You would never miss an opportunity to make a good story for the headlines. Rumours have been circulating that your appearances are a rouse: you're broke, narcissistic and even miserable! They're just jealous of your fame and fortune...right?

Traits: Inappropriate, Star Quality, Charismatic, Daredevil, Irresistible

LTW: Superstar Actor/Rock Star/Vocal Legend

Job: Actor/Musician/Singer

Requirements:

Reach Celebrity Level 5

Reach Level 10 of your chosen career

Have 3 negative scandals in your lifetime

Act inappropriately once per week

Live beyond your means - live in a large mansion and keep your household funds below 5,000. Spend any additional income on items, spa treatments and activities

Have a fall from grace and leave your children with nothing

Generation 7 - Metal

Child of metal, you know what it's like to be at rock bottom. Due to your parents neglect and carelessness, you taught yourself all you know to get by and find your next meal, even if you aren't proud of it. You are stubborn, self-reliant and one hell of an evil genius. You won't hit rock bottom again. Ever.

Traits: Evil, Kleptomaniac, Genius, Night Owl, Rebellious

LTW: Become a Master Thief

Job: Criminal Career

Requirements:

As a teen: consistently maintain D's at school, skip school, pull pranks and steal from neighbours

Work for tips as a mixologist in your young adulthood

Master the mixologist skill and learn every drink recipe

Have a found family

Steal an item every week

Never fall below 2,000 simoleons when you are independant. If you do or are about to, start doing whatever is necessary. We will never hit rock bottom

Marry a rich sim, have a child with them and kill your partner off

Generation 8 - Air

Child of air, your life so far has been turbulent and chaotic. Your parents death has scarred you and you have floated through life lost. You try to travel on the right path for your late parent, but you can't help but feel there is more to life than what meets the eye. There are sounds at night that wake you, unexplained foresight into future events and a pull to the paranormal. Perhaps it is time to stop fighting this unknown path and instead let the winds carry you to where you are meant to be.

Traits: Good, Light Sleeper, Unlucky, Over-Emotional, Neurotic

LTW: Master of Mysticism/Paranormal Profiteer

Job: Fortune Teller/Ghost Hunter

Requirements:

Join a base game job in young adulthood. Quit once you reach level 3

Reach level 10 of your chosen career

Donate money to charity every week to honour your late parent

Marry a supernatural or one of your clients

Do one exceptionally good thing in your lifetime (examples include: cure a supernatural, adopt a child, revive a dead sim)

Have a close relationship with your children

Generation 9 - Space

Child of space, you certainly are special. With your parents holding a unique view on the world and the afterlife, you grew up with an open mind and childlike awe of life's wonders and mysteries. Your parents advocated for you to question the world, and question you did! You excelled in your studies and took a particular interest in space. Is it true you become a star if you die?

Traits: Genius, Childish, Athletic, Slob, Ambitious

LTW: Perfect Student

Job: Military

Requirements:

Keep straight A's throughout school

Go to university and achieve a perfect GPA

Master the logic skill

Reach space by becoming an astronaut (Reach level 10 of the military career)