ultrav1oletgrl

--------------------------graphics & optimization---------------------------

here's a great guide by @/sim-novels to get you started: how to install the sims 3 and make it run smooth

the performance boost patch collection by @/sonja92yu helps speed up save and loading times while reducing memory usage and in game crashes (at least, in my experience)

i edited my graphic rules based on this tutorial by @/gruesim

my nvidia control panel settings, a combination of sims3tutorialhub's and my own:

-------------------------------cc management-------------------------------

there are plenty of mod managers out there but i personally use and recommend granthes' cc magic out of all of them for the sole reason that it really does an excellent job organizing and merging cc without having to do it manually, especially if you like to download and remove cc regularly or have multiple saves. here is a tutorial by gruesim!

--------------------------------camera mods---------------------------------

be sure to download the no drift freecam mod by akiea guinea and brntwaffles' edit if you don't want to end up with motion sickness like me

@/simbouquet's tab camera tweaks get rid of those ui + headline effect annoyances!

----------------------------------cas mods------------------------------------

@/lazyduchess' smooth patch is already integrated in s3ss (see graphics & optimization) and having that speeds up cas significantly and loads patterns quickly (again, personal experience)

if cas is still slow, i recommend changing the ff settings in master controller:

show in compact form: accessories - false > true

show in compact form: clothing - false > true

cmar's xcas increases the number of facial and body sliders - though i already use nraas master controller for this; i use xcas for the expanded skintone panel and naked outfit

custom sliders - there's a looot out there. i'll just link my resources page which has links to mostly everything i use

face presets help you create some pretty sims! recs: @/kwimii999's and @/glossii's

this eyelash terminator by slamyy is a lifesaver. removes the hideous ea lashes for good

----------------------------------ui mods-------------------------------------

i use this ui by @/marinaan based on @/cowplantcartel's cloud ui!

dark mode by @/simstate is also a good alternative!

i also use sim sans font replacement by @/ohrudi

* these are optional! i just thought they were worth mentioning.

----------------------------environment mods-------------------------------

@/potato-ballad-sims' clear & bright is my current lighting mod. in the past i used: uranesia by @/nilxis and perfect day by brntwaffles. @/brntwaffles has a long list of gorgeous lighting mods too!

this is a good resource for comparisons of other really nice lighting mods out there to help you choose.

i use simsi45's improved environmental shadows (dynamic) and more light coming through windows by blyss

@/asabinsims' project renaissance makes a huge difference in plant and tree textures!

i use wasset's better sun and better rainbow from this environment pack and lyralei's snow but better textures!

for clouds i use @/linnlavendel's dishonored clouds, for night sky i use vaddish's twinkling stars. before i used brntwaffles' skyrim star field texture replacement

------------------------------gameplay mods---------------------------------

tfm mods (registration required) from bluegenjutsu and twoftmama - super helpful! the routing in ts3 is just awful. faves: slow motive decay, no route fail and foot tapping, route fix, no autonomous stereo, no autonomous streaking, no autonomous skinny dipping, no autonomous computer games and chat

@/ohrudi's less space required fixes pretty much a need for the same reasons above!

i also turn off autonomous actions in nraas retuner > settings > general > object/tunable xml

@/simsarahsarah shared their very useful nraas settings and i've copied some of them to my own!

phantom99's retuned ea story progression - i used to use nraas' story progression but it lagged the hell out of my game so i switched to this and it's been great so far!

@/thesweetsimmer111's mods are my absolute must-haves and really enhance gameplay! (i have all)

@/twinsimming's mods - faves: growing pains, acne and skincare, yoga mod

@/olomaya mods faves: toddler bed, more play playmat, get pumped, snowflake day activities

kapaer's no stretch children can lets kiddos do all sorts of tasks without the horrifying glitching

phantom99's fix for the pigtail glitch when sims age up

-----------------------------build & buy mods--------------------------------

i simply cannot build without @/lazyduchess' catalog search mod

also subtle build grid by alverdine because again, i'm blind af

hystericalparoxysm's no build sparkles

velocitygrass' remove stencils and add any lot size

@/nausallien's ultimate object overhaul recategorizes the object catalog - super useful!

----------------------------------worlds---------------------------------------

@/mercury101 put together a comprehensive list of worlds!

----------------------------------cc recs---------------------------------------

note there are tons of cc creators and converters out there, you'd just have to search yourself to find what suits your preference. these are just what i like and use.

genetics:

skins by tifa | skins by kurasoberina | skins by nectar-cellar | skins by mamyrocker | skins by cozygirlsimmer | toddler and child skins by meowpxls

contacts by wundersims | contacts by satellite-sims | contacts by sourlemonsims

cosmetics:

tifa | in3s | sourlemonsims | kurasoberina | nectar-cellar | simtanico | smallsimmer | pyxis | synestesi | wundersims

hair:

melts3cc | ryenardo | vmsims25 | nemiga

eyebrows and facial hair

pixelore | nectar-cellar | enless | sourlemonsims | chisami | i-like-teh-sims

clothing, shoes and accessories:

rollo-rolls | johziii | grimothy-cc | meochi | nectar-cellar | kapii | elvgreen | teekapoa | omotte | suteflower | marinaan | qerty | sofayya | rstarsims | sketchbookpixels

build + buy

martassimsbook | deniisu | teekapoa | baufive | twinsimming | awesims | pretty much everything on TSR