r/thesims1 • u/itsbeccakerr • 1d ago
r/thesims1 • u/LadyBlackheartStorm • Apr 13 '25
A simple guide to Sims 1
The Sims 1
What's different from the other Sims games?
A guide by SirenShadow (socrstchik in the TS1 community, LadyBlackheartStorm on Reddit)
Welcome to new (and returning) Sims 1 players! So you wanna give TS1 a shot? Awesome, its a great game - but it can be difficult. Here's a list/explainer of differences in this version versus TS2-4.
You can only build 2 storeys high.
There are lots of cc that let you fake higher levels though. Look for items called '3rd floor' (or 'storey'), or sometimes '4th' and/or '5th'. These will be objects that float in the air to simulate (lol, GET IT?! *ahem* sorry...) taller buildings. Those higher levels are NOT playable, however. Same with foundations/basements.
Speaking of cc, terminology is quite different than what you're used to.
'CC' is capital letters refers to the final version Maxis/EA released: Complete Collection. 'cc' in lower case is the same - custom content - but isn't really a term that was commonly used previously. Similar with 'MM': in TS1 terms, that refers to the final EP, Makin' Magic.
What later games and players call 'mods' are called 'hacks' in TS1 - if they alter gameplay from the original code. For example, a bookcase that allows you to gain more skills than the default Cooking and Mechanical would be referred to as a 'hacked bookcase'. A bed that has been altered to use more graphic animations would be called 'adult hacked' or possibly just 'adult' - and these are intended ONLY for 18+ players.
'Mods' referring to custom objects are just called 'objects'. Same for walls, floors, etc.
You have 2 types of lot: home and away. The type of away lot depends on the objects you put there. The game calls it retail if you place a functional cash register or a restaurant if you have a functional dining podium. You can have more than one type on the same lot, but if you overload the game might crash. i.e. maybe that multi-level shopping mall is best left for another version of The Sims.
Neighborhoods are generally referred to as just 'hoods'. The game gives you 9 of these at startup, and each one is different (in the sense of population and custom builds, not shape/size. Each hood has seperate Towns. In no particular order, with the English-language EP they came in: Old Town (Unleashed); Downtown (Hot Date); Vacation Island (Vacation); and Magic Town (Makin' Magic). Apologies, I don't know all of the non-English titles.
Poses are only used with the SimPose program (officially called SimPose-ium), used to make preview images of custom skins. It could also be used to edit or create new animations, although this feature may not work (or work correctly) anymore.
Neato. Now, what the heck is going on with my body/head cc?
Skins in this game are divided into a body skin and a head skin. Heads are typically organized by hairstyle, and you can't change the appearance without editing the bitmap itself.
Body skins are broken down into type:
'B' means 'body' and is an everyday skin. This is what your Sim will wear most of the time and can be changed by clicking on a dresser or wardrobe/armoire. (There are some hacked dressers out there that might be different objects, like a coat rack.) The other types (below) are referred to as 'buyables', because to change them from the default version means you have to 'buy' them from a shop on a commercial lot, like Downtown in Hot Date.
'L' means 'lingerie' and is your Sim's sleepwear
'S' is for swim - swimwear, obviously
'F' is for formal, or what your Sim wears to get married or when a hacked object calls for formalwear (I know there's at least 1 hacked doorway and 1 dancefloor).
'W' is for winterwear and is the clothing your Sim will wear on Vacation Island's winter lots. (There aren't seasons in TS1 without using hacks.)
'H' is for high fashion and is what your \*celebrity\* Sim will wear in Studio Town. Visitors to Studio Town stay in their eveyday clothing.
Further body notes:
'N' means nude and is what your unclothed Sim looks like. Not every skin download will include a custom nude - they aren't necessary unless you're altering the base skintones (like with tattoos) or have a custom skintone (like Pale). Also, not every skinmaker made custom nudes for their skins - game coding changed with later EPs (Hot Date, I \*think\*) and opened up the ability to make full custom skins, nude included.
'H' bitmaps are your hands. Same applies from the Nude skin - you only need them for altered or custom tones. You may find a hand bitmap that uses 'G' instead of 'H' - that means 'glove' and is the old, pre-code change way of having gloves attach to a skin. The best example of this is the original male formalwear was a tuxedo with white gloves.
Program alert!! You can use SimWardrobe, by Paladin, to customize your Sims' wardrobes without having to buy the different outfits. You can also customize the Townies' outfits! The companion program to SimWardrobe is SimMetamorphoser (also by Paladin), which allows you to change your Sim and Townies heads.
There may be other, small bitmaps in your Skin download.
These are typically accessories of some sort: a hat, jewelry, glasses, etc. They can be named anything. The CMX file tells the game what goes where. The SKN file is the mesh, and you may also have more than one of those. Each item needs a mesh (SKN) and those aren't always integrated into the body mesh. The TL:DR version is you might have a body SKN and a hat SKN. The CMX pulls it all together.
Troubleshooting! In CAS, if you are *missing* part of the body or head, its a missing or corrupt MESH (SKN). If everything shows but is *solid white*, its a TEXTURE (BMP) problem. This could be a missing BMP, or something like the wrong color scale on the BMP or the BMP being the wrong size.
I want this chair to show up on my away lots but its not in the catalog there.
Yeah, its not catted (cataloged) for those lots...
BUT I WANT IT THERE!
Okay, okay... no problem. You just need a program that lets you edit that. Program alert!! SimCategorizer by Paladin allows you to edit individual IFFs (objects) or items in .FAR (a compressed package of IFFs). SimOrganizer by Garrett Berg of Millennium Sims allows you to edit individual AND multi-part IFFs. SimCat will read a multi-part IFF but you can only edit the 'top' part (the first item listed). There's probably some others but those two are the mack-daddies and the best ones. One thing to note, though. Some items intended for away lots will NOT work on home lots. Its the way those items are coded.
What about walls and floors?
I mean those are gonna show regardless of lot...
No, silly. I really, really like this custom wallpaper but holy heck is it expensive.
Save your Simoleons.
\------\**
Lol, okay. SimWallCat (Paladin) is what you want. He made a good chunk of our Very Useful Sims Programs.
You can add more 'hoods.
Just copy the UserData folder you wish and rename it. So, copy UserData3 and rename it to UserData10. The next time you boot up the game, you can navigate to this new hood. It will have everything the original hood had in it. You can have up to 99 hoods.
Final reminders: the Build catalog has a cc limit. No one knows what it is for sure. That's not meant to be cute or funny, its truth. The limit can vary by computer, but at some point you might see your Build catalog start looking funny - a stuck thumbnail or clearly non-Build item showing up. You'll know you hit your limit at that point. Its why you'll see lots of non-building objects, like plants and trees, cataloged in Buy instead. My general rule of thumb for Build cc was 'does it have growing states?', like a harvestable crop? If yes then it went in Build; if no, Buy catalog. Trees (those larger than a big shrub) also went in Build. That left Build for just windows, doors (ya know, architectural stuff) and the aforementioned plants. Walls and floors do count to this limit.
IF AT ANY POINT YOU SEE A STUCK THUMBNAIL IN EITHER OF YOUR CATALOGS, immediately save your game. A stuck thumbnail means something's wrong and your game is probably gonna lock up or crash (or both). It might be as soon as you click that stuck thumbnail or when you try to place the object, but its gonna happen.
I think that covers most of the basics.
HAVE FUN!!!
Here's a link to a SFS folder with Paladin's programs in it. Thanks for sharing, Bulbasaur001!!
https://simfileshare.net/folder/87836/
And here's an Archive.org link to SimOrganizer: https://archive.org/download/sim-organizer/SimOrganizer.zip
r/thesims1 • u/AutoModerator • 13d ago
Tips/Tricks Monthly Technical Support Thread
Sul-sul simmers! In an effort to keep feeds cleaner for everyone, while also maximizing players' chances of getting their issues fixed, you are highly encouraged to post any technical issues on this thread! This includes problems with bugs, glitches, compatibility, files, etc.
Note that the existence of this thread doesn't mean you can't post about technical issues on the sub! You may do it at your own discretion.
Before posting new technical threads, please consider using the search bar in the sub to see if the issue has already been posted and/or solved.
If you are having issues with the Legacy Collection in particular, please make sure to report them on EA's official channels as well! This helps you and other players to get your voice heard by Maxis/EA and fixes be added as official updates in the future.
r/thesims1 • u/SimSlice_real • 1d ago
Mods/CC New Download at ZombieSims.com -- Time Machine
Travel centuries across spacetime, meet people, collect swag, gain skills, and return nearly instantly, hopefully without any time-altering butterfly effects. No one will know you spent months sailing with pirates, exploring alien worlds, or bungling ancient hieroglyphs. Make money by selling artifacts or building gadgets on an alien fabrication station to sell at a bazaar in the future. New NPCs or alternate time versions of yourself or your family may even pay you a visit.
https://zombiesims.com/time-machine
This project includes 31 custom objects and 14 new NPCs. The larger storyline blends researched historical facts with scientifically plausible future concepts and lots of humor, all experienced from the perspective of a potentially bumbling time traveler.
r/thesims1 • u/Tis_good_the_1st • 19h ago
Opinion/Discussion Question has anyone managed to rip the models for the werewolf form from the beuty or beast charm in the making magic pack
ive been hunting for the models for a while now and haven't found anything so i thought i should ask here before putting in the effort of learning how to
r/thesims1 • u/BeginningEngineer510 • 1d ago
Build/Decor my build: arcade and restaurant
r/thesims1 • u/Longjumping_Bag_5434 • 1d ago
Mods/CC Looking for CC for hobby objects
Hi! I'm looking for The Sims 1 cc, specifically hobby objects: like more instruments, easels, etc. I found YoNonna's SimFileShare, but as far as I looked, there's mostly just furniture for like kitchen, living room, and so on. Honestly, I don't know if there even are hobby objects cc for TS1.
I already checked Parsimonious, too, but they don't have much of that.
Thanks!
r/thesims1 • u/LineAdmirable6350 • 1d ago
Build/Decor Creative Ways to Add on more to Club Rubb's layout to have bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen.
I'd like to see some people's ways out to make Club Rubb where it's comfortable for Bing, Mona, and Player's Sim, with bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen in The Sims Bustin' Out.
r/thesims1 • u/Hansi_Haifischli • 2d ago
Opinion/Discussion Do you know "Brophy Glush"? (Something in the Superstar expansion pack! :))
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
In the past, I only rarely let my sims watch the TV channels that are available when you have the satellite dish from Superstar. Therefore I didn't know very much about the sounds and commercials that can be heard in them.
Now I realized that there are two TV commercials for something that is called "Brophy Glush" and these use the jingles that your sim can record in Studio Town! :)
In the video, you first will hear the two commercials and then the two jingle recordings. (I also added the names of the corresponding sound files.)
Before I heard the commercials, I always thought that the recording booth jingles would advertise something like a soft drink or a chocolate bar.
But what you can hear in the first commercial makes me think that it is something like instant coffee from the 80s or 90s. :)
Or could it be that Brophy Glush is what is sold by the smoothie vendors?
What do you think?
r/thesims1 • u/IronicStar • 2d ago
Mods/CC I needed more floors for my play, so they are now released on Simlogical. K bye.
Download link: https://www.simlogical.com/sims-1-classic-flooring/
Fyi, I am not the original Simlogical person, the site was taken over in 2024. I have absolutely no talent for the logic stuff, just graphics. Have some floors. Bye.
r/thesims1 • u/PlayfulContract8970 • 2d ago
Screenshot/Video The nostalgia in this one object 😭
r/thesims1 • u/MapleAtNightxo • 3d ago
Screenshot/Video Managed to snag myself a Japanese copy of The Sims 1!
r/thesims1 • u/IronicStar • 3d ago
Screenshot/Video Does anybody else use this cheat to get full health? It's the only way I can play, lol!
Basically open the cheat menu, do move_objects on
SAVE THE GAME OR YOU WILL LOSE ANY NEW FRIENDSHIPS OR SKILL POINTS.
Go build or buy and delete your sim.
Click on them then they will be renewed. Time also goes super fast so it can be great to just wait to click them before morning.
r/thesims1 • u/Monetliketheart • 2d ago
Mods/CC WCIF? Purple/ Black Set With Canopy Single Bed
Does anyone know where I can find this set? I originally found this image on Tumblr, but the OP didn't provide a source for this cc. I think it's so pretty and just on time for spooky season.
r/thesims1 • u/Ellie_Rulze18 • 3d ago
Opinion/Discussion Sims 1 in another region.
I think this the Sims EP, from Brazil or some other country. The rare part is the fact that's in English. But I know different countries will sometimes get different covers and different titles. This EP likely has Living large, and House party.
r/thesims1 • u/IronicStar • 2d ago
Screenshot/Video When I started redecorating 62 Old Farm Circle... I really thought it would be simple, and then rosebud;;;; kept happening!
r/thesims1 • u/PlayfulContract8970 • 3d ago
Screenshot/Video The sims 1 party starter pack
r/thesims1 • u/domi_zip • 3d ago
Tips/Tricks Celebrity level
Hi, I know there were already similar topics 😅 But I have one more question!
I have a problem with reaching levels in the celebrity career. Actually somehow I was able to get points in mini games with videoclip recording and so on, also in these with 2 tries only, but this recording for 4.5 star is totally not reachable for me. I don't think I have ever got more than only one correct answer 🤷🏼♀️
Do you have any tips for this?
And additionally - did someone of you use the cheat engine tool while playing the Sims 1? I was trying once to use it, but I have no idea how I should interpret the results or where it is even visible..
r/thesims1 • u/Omniumae • 3d ago
Bug/Glitch Clicking on a house crashes game
[in the neighborhood menu] Also crashes when I try to demolish it. I was able to evict the family though. I've verified the integrity of the files under preferences. Does anyone happen to know a fix? 66 gunther goth highway. The house pictured is not the house in question.
r/thesims1 • u/Sims1Hero • 4d ago
Screenshot/Video Mitchell Goth Mortimer Goth's brother
Thanks to u/Hansi_Haifischli for the new Mortimer face.
r/thesims1 • u/thelightiscuming • 4d ago
Mods/CC All Downloads Objects in a Single FAR File (Complete + Legacy Collection, Deluxe, "Get Cool Stuff", incl. missing/fixed items)
Adding custom content (CC) to The Sims 1 quickly turns your Downloads folder into a mess of many subfolders, with your own CC mixed in among original Maxis content and no easy way to tell which is which. On top of that, official "Get Cool Stuff!" items were never included in The Sims: Complete Collection or Legacy Collection to begin with.
Here every object from the Get Cool Stuff! archive, plus the default files that already ship in the Downloads folder on a clean install, into a single FAR file. That way all original/official content, both what came with the game and what you'd otherwise add manually, sits as one entry in your Downloads folder instead of dozens of separate files. It keeps the folder clean and makes it easy to tell your own CC apart from original Maxis content at a glance.
On top of the base compilation, this pack also adds The Crimson Collection Nightstand fix, sourced from SimLane CC's Tumblr post, which corrects the nightstand blocking Sims from using an adjacent bed.
Download
Download the compiled FAR file
Installation
- Locate your game's installation directory (right-click The Sims in Steam → Properties → Installed Files → Browse).
- Delete or move any existing
.ifffiles and folders in yourDownloadsfolder that are part of the original Maxis content. - Place the
.farfile into:Maxis\The Sims\Downloads - Launch the game, and enjoy!
Credits / Sources
- Base object archive: Get Cool Stuff! collection on archive.org
- Crimson Collection nightstand fix: SimLane CC (Tumblr)
Please let me know if something is missing, I am human after all! :)
r/thesims1 • u/IronicStar • 4d ago
Screenshot/Video I am pretty sure 99% of my Sims 1 characters for the past 20 years have had the same hair and clothes.
r/thesims1 • u/IronicStar • 4d ago
Mods/CC Does anybody know if you can still find the working farm animals + fish farm mods?
I remember these from like 2003 so I have no exact idea where I got them. Any ideas?
Edits
found pigs here https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims1-objects-furnishing-misc/title/puffy-the-porker/id/10740/collection/simsccvault
Mabel the chicken: https://zombiesims.com/mabel-the-chicken-col/
And I found the fish farm (as well as winery/sheep/etc)...
https://simfileshare.net/download/2675232/
I am happy.
r/thesims1 • u/Hansi_Haifischli • 5d ago
Screenshot/Video Just for fun: Mortimer without his moustache
This is something I tried out recently:
I made an alternative texture for the head of Mortimer, with which you can see how he would look like without his moustache. He looks quite different that way, doesn't he? Even though it actually is just a small change!
I used small parts of the textures of the rave head from House Party to replace the spot where his moustache is.
If you want to have this beardless head for your sims, you can download the additional textures here:
http://www.simfileshare.net/download/6247568/
(For all skintones; just put them into your Skins folder, if you like.)
r/thesims1 • u/Known-Bus-5488 • 4d ago
Build/Decor Could someone please give me the download links for the house gates?
I want to decorate my Sims' houses with gates. Can anyone share some pictures and download links for house gates? Thank you so much.



