Llnw Sims 3 Content Global S Caw World Tool
Posted on by admin
The Sims 3 Create a World. The link is messed up. Http:// com/content/global/downloads/caw/worldtool.exe. The Sims 3: Create a World. Can't install Sims 3 create a world tool? Can you post your ticket text? My support request was turned down with, if nothing else reinstall your game. CAW troubleshooting thread on the.
Llnw Sims 3 Content Global S Caw World Worldtools
8th Oct 2011, 2:22 AM
Llnw Sims 3 Content Global S Caw World Worldtoole
This is a repost of the original thread by Kiritra (http://www.modthesims.info/member.php?u=4683331) , who has decided to delete all his/her posts and fire abusive PMs at staff members. All credit and thanks goes to Kiritra.
Please see this wiki article for the latest information for this process:
Game Help Talk:Patch Table
Please post any questions or problems with this process in this thread. Thank you!
Reproduced with permission of Kiritra; I have reworded it slightly so any errors are most likely mine. Please correct me if you spot any mistakes, or can offer any improvements!
The original thread was here; not much is left now I'm afraid.
http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=450303
CAW and Sims 3 version mismatch work around explained
Please first follow all steps in this guide (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=441595) regarding removal of custom content and clearing caches.
This should work in all cases where your game is newer then your CAW version (that is to say after a new patch), but isn't likely to work when you don't have the latest EP or SP (see below).
This condition will usually result in the following error:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225739-VersionNotCompatible.jpg
STEP 0 Be sure that you are using a CAW version that is compatible with your game version; if you have the latest EP or SP then it is likely you want the lastest CAW:
Download it from the EA Site at this link. (http://llnw.thesims3.com/content/global/downloads/caw/worldtool.exe) <----newest version.
If you do not have the latest EP/ SP then please see the table below; each CAW version will only work with compatible game versions because it is coded to look for files from the new EPs, when this is the case it normally crashes to desktop, runs Launcher instead of EIG mode or else gives one of the following errors:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225737-ProtectedMemory.jpg
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225736-GameDataNotFound.jpg
STEP 1 Be sure that User Account Control is disabled if you are on Win 7 or Vista (Google 'turning off UAC'), otherwise you will not be able to edit the files. Remember to re-enable UAC after you have completed this!
If you still get an error that you don't have permission to edit the file:
Take a deep breath. You can try opening it as administrator, or, copy it to the desktop, alter and save, then replace the original with the altered one.
STEP 2 Locate your game folder, by default:
32 Bit Operating System: C:Program FilesElectronic Arts[Latest EP or SP intalled]GameBin
64 Bit Operating System: C:Program Files (x86)Electronic Arts[Latest EP or SP intalled]GameBin
For Digital (Origin) and Steam versions:
The Steam versions are irrelevant as regards this thread, as CAW will not work with the Steam versons. The Steam install has a different game version, also it has different reg keys and a different file structure. The advice for Steam gamers seems to be to install the Origin version of the game if they want to run CAW:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1746411
The Origin versions of the game are now installed to [Game Install Location] Origin Games The Sims(T) 3, which on a default install would be C:Program Files (x86) Origin Games The Sims(TM) 3 or C:Program Files Origin Games The Sims(TM) 3.
If you still cannot find your game install location then right click the shortcut you use to start the game, choose 'properties' and then 'open file location'.
STEP 3 In your GameBin folder, backup the Default.ini file. To do this, copy it to a safe location so that you can restore it later should you need to.
STEP 4 Locate your CAW folder, by default:
32 Bit Operating System: C:Program FilesElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3 Create a World Tool
64 Bit Operating System: C:Program Files (x86)Electronic ArtsThe Sims 3 Create a World Tool
Or right click the short you use to start the CAW, choose properties, then open file location.
STEP 5 In your CAW folder, open the Default.ini file with notepad -if you get a file access error see step 1.
STEP 6 Find the section of the file that looks like this:
[Version]
languages=en-us,fr-fr,es-es,es-mx,de-de,it-it,nl-nl,sv-se,
da-dk,no-no,fi-fi,pl-pl,pt-pt,hu-hu,cs-cz,
pt-br,el-gr,ru-ru,ko-kr,zh-hk,ja-jp
GameVersion = 1.11.12.012037
CompatVersion = 12
WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion = 9
Copy it to the clipboard by highlighting the last 2 lines (CompatVersion & WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion) and pressing Ctrl-c or right click copy.
Please note the numbers in your section might be way different depending on your version of CAW it doesn't matter copy it, this what CAW requires to work.
Close the Default.ini file without saving.
STEP 7 Return to the sims game folder from step 2, open the Default.ini from the Game/Bin folder with notepad. Again, if you get a file access error see step 1.
STEP 8 Find the section of the file that looks like this
[Version]
languages=en-us,fr-fr,es-es,es-mx,de-de,it-it,nl-nl,sv-se,
da-dk,no-no,fi-fi,pl-pl,pt-pt,hu-hu,cs-cz,
pt-br,el-gr,ru-ru,ko-kr,zh-hk,ja-jp
GameVersion = 1.11.12.012037
CompatVersion = 12
WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion = 9
Highlight the last 2 lines (CompatVersion & WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion) and hit ctrl-V or right click paste, to replace it with the version that you copied earlier. Save and close the Default.ini file.
STEP 9 Turn UAC back on if you turned it off in step one.
STEP 10 Before patching to a new version, restore the backup of Default.ini to the Sims 3 Game/Bin folder, or the patch will fail. To do this, copy the backup Default.ini file and paste it into the location in Step 2.
If you didn't make a backup and need to patch, try downloading the full version of the patch, which should work.
Using this method, others from here and MATY have had good results.
I REPEAT: this is for cases where you game is newer then CAW
In Cases where EPs/Sps are missing-
Look for the latest EP/SP that you own, on the table below.
The patch levels for both the EP/SP and the base game are the maximum that can be used with that version of CAW, patches of a lower version are fine but higher will break CAW.
Also, if you don't have Town Life Stuff and/or Generations you can't run CAW 1.11.10 plus, or patch 1.24.3 with CAW 1.11.9 or lower, it will not work.
Old CAS version downloads from: Auntielynds
the table below,
CAW Version,BG Version,Expansion, patch, Stuff Pack,patch
1.5.126 (http://www.mediafire.com/?tt59dzd9pq91s0r),1.8.25,World Adv,2.3.33*,
1.6.72 from 1.5.126 (http://akamai.cdn.ea.com/eadownloads/u/f/sims/sims3/patches/Sims3_CAW_1.6.72.005037_from_1.5.126.002037.exe) *This is a patch,1.11.7,World Adv.,2.6.11,High End Loft,3.2.8*
1.9.14 (http://www.mediafire.com/?qyp3t5l4ifbsfi3),1.14.11,Ambitions,4.2.32*,High End Loft,3.5.8
1.9.16 ( http://www.4shared.com/archive/0uoGScbA/worldtool_V1_9_16.html),1.15.34,Ambitions,4.3.4,Fast Lane,5.0.44*
1.10.9 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?lauyo806ny0wu3l),1.17.60,Late Night,6.0.81,Fast Lane,5.2.4
1.10.9 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?lauyo806ny0wu3l),1.18.9,Late Night,6.1.11,Fast Lane,5.4.4
1.11.4 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?lv3hhfnbgejnacw),1.19.44,Late Night,6.2.4,Outdoor Living,7.0.55*
1.11.9 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?pj4zxcm5a6s78pl),1.21.123,Late Night,6.2.4,Outdoor Living,7.0.55
1.11.10 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?fbd9foioaiajfl6),1.22.9,Generations,8.0.152*,Outdoor Living,7.3.2
1.11.12 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?d5uhjkd51ckjvl7),1.24.3,Generations,8.0.152,Town Life,9.0.73**This SHOULD work without the fix as it is the patch level and CAW version intended, if not perform the above fix.
Apply the steps above to both EA's latest EP/SP that you own and the basegame sims 3 folder, that is to say do steps 2-8 to in both the basegame sims 3 folder and the newest Stuff pack or expansion folder, steps 1 and 9 only need to be done at the start and the end of it.
Tested CAW 1.11.12 with base game Patch level 1.24.3
Tested CAW 1.6.72 with WA no patches beyond those required to install WA...
Tested CAW 1.9.16 With WA & AMB no patches beyond those required to install AMB..
Tested CAW 1.11.9 with LATE AMB WA no patches beyond those required to install Late night...
Tested CAW 1.11.12 With GENE, LATE, AMB, & WA, Patch 1.24.3.....
Again always the newest if you have GENE but do not have any combo of WA, AMB or LATE, it is still CAW 1.11.12 and patch 1.24.3
Again, full credit to Kiritra for this information; also thanks to auntielynds for the CAW archives, and to all others who contributed by testing.
Please post any comments and questions here.
Please see this wiki article for the latest information for this process:
Game Help Talk:Patch Table
Please post any questions or problems with this process in this thread. Thank you!
Reproduced with permission of Kiritra; I have reworded it slightly so any errors are most likely mine. Please correct me if you spot any mistakes, or can offer any improvements!
The original thread was here; not much is left now I'm afraid.
http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=450303
CAW and Sims 3 version mismatch work around explained
Please first follow all steps in this guide (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=441595) regarding removal of custom content and clearing caches.
This should work in all cases where your game is newer then your CAW version (that is to say after a new patch), but isn't likely to work when you don't have the latest EP or SP (see below).
This condition will usually result in the following error:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225739-VersionNotCompatible.jpg
STEP 0 Be sure that you are using a CAW version that is compatible with your game version; if you have the latest EP or SP then it is likely you want the lastest CAW:
Download it from the EA Site at this link. (http://llnw.thesims3.com/content/global/downloads/caw/worldtool.exe) <----newest version.
If you do not have the latest EP/ SP then please see the table below; each CAW version will only work with compatible game versions because it is coded to look for files from the new EPs, when this is the case it normally crashes to desktop, runs Launcher instead of EIG mode or else gives one of the following errors:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225737-ProtectedMemory.jpg
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225736-GameDataNotFound.jpg
STEP 1 Be sure that User Account Control is disabled if you are on Win 7 or Vista (Google 'turning off UAC'), otherwise you will not be able to edit the files. Remember to re-enable UAC after you have completed this!
If you still get an error that you don't have permission to edit the file:
Take a deep breath. You can try opening it as administrator, or, copy it to the desktop, alter and save, then replace the original with the altered one.
STEP 2 Locate your game folder, by default:
32 Bit Operating System: C:Program FilesElectronic Arts[Latest EP or SP intalled]GameBin
64 Bit Operating System: C:Program Files (x86)Electronic Arts[Latest EP or SP intalled]GameBin
For Digital (Origin) and Steam versions:
The Steam versions are irrelevant as regards this thread, as CAW will not work with the Steam versons. The Steam install has a different game version, also it has different reg keys and a different file structure. The advice for Steam gamers seems to be to install the Origin version of the game if they want to run CAW:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1746411
The Origin versions of the game are now installed to [Game Install Location] Origin Games The Sims(T) 3, which on a default install would be C:Program Files (x86) Origin Games The Sims(TM) 3 or C:Program Files Origin Games The Sims(TM) 3.
If you still cannot find your game install location then right click the shortcut you use to start the game, choose 'properties' and then 'open file location'.
STEP 3 In your GameBin folder, backup the Default.ini file. To do this, copy it to a safe location so that you can restore it later should you need to.
STEP 4 Locate your CAW folder, by default:
32 Bit Operating System: C:Program FilesElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3 Create a World Tool
64 Bit Operating System: C:Program Files (x86)Electronic ArtsThe Sims 3 Create a World Tool
Or right click the short you use to start the CAW, choose properties, then open file location.
STEP 5 In your CAW folder, open the Default.ini file with notepad -if you get a file access error see step 1.
STEP 6 Find the section of the file that looks like this:
[Version]
languages=en-us,fr-fr,es-es,es-mx,de-de,it-it,nl-nl,sv-se,
da-dk,no-no,fi-fi,pl-pl,pt-pt,hu-hu,cs-cz,
pt-br,el-gr,ru-ru,ko-kr,zh-hk,ja-jp
GameVersion = 1.11.12.012037
CompatVersion = 12
WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion = 9
Copy it to the clipboard by highlighting the last 2 lines (CompatVersion & WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion) and pressing Ctrl-c or right click copy.
Please note the numbers in your section might be way different depending on your version of CAW it doesn't matter copy it, this what CAW requires to work.
Close the Default.ini file without saving.
STEP 7 Return to the sims game folder from step 2, open the Default.ini from the Game/Bin folder with notepad. Again, if you get a file access error see step 1.
STEP 8 Find the section of the file that looks like this
[Version]
languages=en-us,fr-fr,es-es,es-mx,de-de,it-it,nl-nl,sv-se,
da-dk,no-no,fi-fi,pl-pl,pt-pt,hu-hu,cs-cz,
pt-br,el-gr,ru-ru,ko-kr,zh-hk,ja-jp
GameVersion = 1.11.12.012037
CompatVersion = 12
WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion = 9
Highlight the last 2 lines (CompatVersion & WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion) and hit ctrl-V or right click paste, to replace it with the version that you copied earlier. Save and close the Default.ini file.
STEP 9 Turn UAC back on if you turned it off in step one.
STEP 10 Before patching to a new version, restore the backup of Default.ini to the Sims 3 Game/Bin folder, or the patch will fail. To do this, copy the backup Default.ini file and paste it into the location in Step 2.
If you didn't make a backup and need to patch, try downloading the full version of the patch, which should work.
Using this method, others from here and MATY have had good results.
I REPEAT: this is for cases where you game is newer then CAW
In Cases where EPs/Sps are missing-
Look for the latest EP/SP that you own, on the table below.
The patch levels for both the EP/SP and the base game are the maximum that can be used with that version of CAW, patches of a lower version are fine but higher will break CAW.
Also, if you don't have Town Life Stuff and/or Generations you can't run CAW 1.11.10 plus, or patch 1.24.3 with CAW 1.11.9 or lower, it will not work.
Old CAS version downloads from: Auntielynds
the table below,
CAW Version,BG Version,Expansion, patch, Stuff Pack,patch
1.5.126 (http://www.mediafire.com/?tt59dzd9pq91s0r),1.8.25,World Adv,2.3.33*,
1.6.72 from 1.5.126 (http://akamai.cdn.ea.com/eadownloads/u/f/sims/sims3/patches/Sims3_CAW_1.6.72.005037_from_1.5.126.002037.exe) *This is a patch,1.11.7,World Adv.,2.6.11,High End Loft,3.2.8*
1.9.14 (http://www.mediafire.com/?qyp3t5l4ifbsfi3),1.14.11,Ambitions,4.2.32*,High End Loft,3.5.8
1.9.16 ( http://www.4shared.com/archive/0uoGScbA/worldtool_V1_9_16.html),1.15.34,Ambitions,4.3.4,Fast Lane,5.0.44*
1.10.9 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?lauyo806ny0wu3l),1.17.60,Late Night,6.0.81,Fast Lane,5.2.4
1.10.9 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?lauyo806ny0wu3l),1.18.9,Late Night,6.1.11,Fast Lane,5.4.4
1.11.4 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?lv3hhfnbgejnacw),1.19.44,Late Night,6.2.4,Outdoor Living,7.0.55*
1.11.9 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?pj4zxcm5a6s78pl),1.21.123,Late Night,6.2.4,Outdoor Living,7.0.55
1.11.10 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?fbd9foioaiajfl6),1.22.9,Generations,8.0.152*,Outdoor Living,7.3.2
1.11.12 ( http://www.mediafire.com/?d5uhjkd51ckjvl7),1.24.3,Generations,8.0.152,Town Life,9.0.73**This SHOULD work without the fix as it is the patch level and CAW version intended, if not perform the above fix.
Apply the steps above to both EA's latest EP/SP that you own and the basegame sims 3 folder, that is to say do steps 2-8 to in both the basegame sims 3 folder and the newest Stuff pack or expansion folder, steps 1 and 9 only need to be done at the start and the end of it.
Tested CAW 1.11.12 with base game Patch level 1.24.3
Tested CAW 1.6.72 with WA no patches beyond those required to install WA...
Tested CAW 1.9.16 With WA & AMB no patches beyond those required to install AMB..
Tested CAW 1.11.9 with LATE AMB WA no patches beyond those required to install Late night...
Tested CAW 1.11.12 With GENE, LATE, AMB, & WA, Patch 1.24.3.....
Again always the newest if you have GENE but do not have any combo of WA, AMB or LATE, it is still CAW 1.11.12 and patch 1.24.3
Again, full credit to Kiritra for this information; also thanks to auntielynds for the CAW archives, and to all others who contributed by testing.
Please post any comments and questions here.
2nd May 2011, 9:27 PM
Here are some things to try if your CAW program refuses to run, runs slowly or gives error messages.
First, check you have the correct version of CAW.
1.67 direct download (http://lvlt.thesims3.com//content/global/downloads/caw/worldtool.exe)
1.69 direct download (http://lvlt.thesims3.com//content/global/downloads/caw/ts3caw.exe)
Clear Caches:
First, clear your CAW caches- delete Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Create A World Tool WorldbuilderCache and Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Create A World Tool UserToolData LocalWork.
Next, clear your game caches- click here! (http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_GCCTSU_1_Refresh_cache)
Gelis (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3551790&postcount=6) has found that for Windows 7 users you may need to delete your Virtual Store files too- C:Users<Username>AppDataLocalVirtualStoreProgram Files (x86)Electronic ArtsThe Sims 3 Create a World Tool. You can also delete the corresponding files for The Sims 3 from there safely, too. These files are hidden so you may need to set your operating system to show hidden files to find these.
Remove in-game CC:
CAW will read any custom content that you have installed to your Sims 3 game, even if it cannot be used by CAW (for example, clothes and hairstyles). This can mean that your computer will not perform well with CAW. To solve this, try removing your custom content whilst you run CAW to see if you get a better performance. Remove Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Mods for game version 1.12 upwards (click HERE (http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Old_Way_to_New_Way) for removing older framework files).
Check Patch levels:
Using an outdated version of CAW can result in errors such as this one:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225736-GameDataNotFound.jpg
CAW needs your game to be fully updated. If you are having issues then check that your game is fully up to date.
Help with checking game version and downloading patches here. (http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Patching)
Once your game is updated, backup your CAW userdata by copying Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Create A World Tool UserToolData to somewhere safe.
Then, uninstall CAW, redownload CAW from the Sims 3 Website (http://www.thesims3.com/game/tools/world) and reinstall it. Replace your backup userdata once you are done.
If you are using an older version of the game, auntielynds has kindly posted links for archived versions of the CAW tool here. (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3592794&postcount=18)
Make the CAW executable Large Address Aware:
If your PC has more than 2GB RAM, and if you are receiving this error:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225737-ProtectedMemory.jpg
Or if your CAW shuts down suddenly with no error, then you might like to try making the CAW exe LAA:
http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Sims_3:Large_Address_Aware
whisperingtruth7 (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=444527) points out that this version (http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112556) of LAA may work well for the CAW executable.
Version Mismatch Error
If you have an error like this:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225739-VersionNotCompatible.jpg
Or if you are having the following issues:
Crashing
Memory errors (with your CAW executable set to LAA if you have >2GB RAM)
Save Errors
Load Errors
Then check your game compatibility versions, as outlined here by kiritra. (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3661479)
That thread also contains suggestions from kiritra for resolving problems if you do not have the latest EP/ SP.
Also, check out our Wiki article:
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help_Talk:Patch_Table#Workarounds_for_CAW_from_1.22_patch_without_the_last_released_Pack
And this help thread by auntielynds on the Sims 3 forum:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/417418.page
Thanks again to auntielynds and kiritra!
CAW opening screen flashes, but CAW will not run:
JadedSidhe advises a solution to this problem in this post. (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3663025&postcount=55) Running the CAW executable as an administrator will bypass any UAC restrictions which cause this problem.
Another way of preventing this issue would be to install your CAW tool and the Sims 3 game to a non-default location, for example C: Games. This would ensure that UAC does not affect the running of your game.
'Image is not a PNG File' error when opening heightmaps:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1320265-Bluefunk_0130-Aug-1216.47.jpg
Try first deleting all CAW and game caches. If that fails, try dragging Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Create A World Tool and Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 to the desktop. Auntielynds has found that this can sometimes be indicative of a userdata error.
http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3894571&posted=1#post3894571
Thankyou auntielynds!
If that solution fails, the next thing to try would be to backup your user files and redownload/ reinstall CAW.
Edit in Game crashing/ not saving:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225735-ErrorSavingLayer.jpg
If you are having trouble making EIG save your world, there are a few things you can try.
Firstly, try creating lots in-game and adding them to your world from the library via EIG (instead of building them from scratch in EIG).
Secondly, try releasing the file lock on your UserToolData by closing CAW once EIG has opened (Courtesy of BenC0722 in this thread. (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=444202))
CAW loading Launcher instead of Edit-in-Game:
If Launcher pops up instead of EIG mode, or if you get a message about CAW being unable to find TS3.exe:
This could be:
1) A problem specific to having the latest version of CAW with the latest game version but without the latest EP/SP
2) Caused by having the newer 'Go Social' digital version of the base game
Fixes for this are:
For issue 1:
Try this fix from SimAd. (http://www.the-isz.com/nraas/index.php?PHPSESSID=7498aa1db1663928275231dda53e690d&topic=776.msg17489#msg17489)
Zaide_Chris made a great batch file to open a world in EIG easily, whether you are having this problem or not. Get it here. (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=453161)
OR:
See the advice in this thread by kiritra (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3661479) regarding 'cases where EPs are missing'.
OR:
Install the latest EP/SP. Shame on you, EA!
For issue 2:
Install the older digital version of the base game (http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/Create-a-World-Edit-in-Game-doesn-t-work-with-the-Go-Social/td-p/1684615)
Bypass the launcher (http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Bypassing_the_Launcher) and try using Super CAW (http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=468279) as mentioned here. (http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=4771962&highlight=Go+Social#post4771962)
Odd hex numbers in the metadata list:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225738-TreesError.jpg
A couple of causes for this:
Out of date or incompatible CC- test with your game Mods folder AND your CAW Packages folder removed. Also clear your game and CAW caches as above. Use the 50% Method (http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Finding_Problem_Custom_Content#The_50.25_Method) to help you to find the problem files.
You have CC which depends upon objects from Store Worlds, when the Store World has been uninstalled. Reinstall the relevant Store World to test this.
Are you still reading? Good, I sometimes fear I'm talking to myself. Am I going mad, or is this usual for someone of my age?
You know, the above point has been in this article for several months, and not one person has commented. I am definitely talking to myself!
Or maybe by this point most people have solved their problem, and are actually playing the game...?
Computer performance:
Improve your computer performance by shutting down unnecessary tasks and optimizing your system. Some hints and tips here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Optimize-Windows-7-for-better-performance
http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Improving_Sims_3_Performance
http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Checkup
Steam Users:
Thanks to auntielynds for indirectly reminding me of this! ;)
If you have purchased and installed The Sims 3 through Steam, you will find that CAW will not work correctly. This is because the Steam version of TS3 has a different file structure and uses different registry keys, so CAW is not able to correctly read the game data. To solve this, use your Steam license keys to download TS3 from EADM (now known as Origins) instead of through Steam:
I completely uninstalled the game from Steam.
Then I used my Steam CDKeys for the game, all of the expansions, and all of the Stuff packs to activate them with the EA Download Manager. (Note, activating keys in the EADM does not give you a positive response that the key was registered but after entering it, when you close the dialog the Sims game will show up in the EADM)
Once EADM had all of the games recognized I downloaded and installed them from there. After each one, I ran it and did the updates, I'm not sure of the required order or if it needed to be patched each time but I did them in order of release and it worked. At this point in my Sims frustration I didn't mind any little extra steps.
Everything installed fine and patched up and I installed the Create A World tool.
Now the Create A World tool loads right up with no problems!
I don't really do any social stuff on Steam so I don't know how this might be seen as negative to other players by not having any Steam features but I figured since it doesn't have any achievements anyway that it's no big deal. Personal choice I suppose but hopefully my experience can help some people. At the very least you could install the game twice
Source for this:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1746411
Check out the CAW troubleshooting thread on the official Sims 3 forum also:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/417418.page
Thank you to all who have contributed to this article! Please feel free to add any more suggestions to this thread, or you can PM me to advise me of any errors or additions. It would be much appreciated!
First, check you have the correct version of CAW.
1.67 direct download (http://lvlt.thesims3.com//content/global/downloads/caw/worldtool.exe)
1.69 direct download (http://lvlt.thesims3.com//content/global/downloads/caw/ts3caw.exe)
Clear Caches:
First, clear your CAW caches- delete Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Create A World Tool WorldbuilderCache and Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Create A World Tool UserToolData LocalWork.
Next, clear your game caches- click here! (http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_GCCTSU_1_Refresh_cache)
Gelis (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3551790&postcount=6) has found that for Windows 7 users you may need to delete your Virtual Store files too- C:Users<Username>AppDataLocalVirtualStoreProgram Files (x86)Electronic ArtsThe Sims 3 Create a World Tool. You can also delete the corresponding files for The Sims 3 from there safely, too. These files are hidden so you may need to set your operating system to show hidden files to find these.
Remove in-game CC:
CAW will read any custom content that you have installed to your Sims 3 game, even if it cannot be used by CAW (for example, clothes and hairstyles). This can mean that your computer will not perform well with CAW. To solve this, try removing your custom content whilst you run CAW to see if you get a better performance. Remove Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Mods for game version 1.12 upwards (click HERE (http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Old_Way_to_New_Way) for removing older framework files).
Check Patch levels:
Using an outdated version of CAW can result in errors such as this one:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225736-GameDataNotFound.jpg
CAW needs your game to be fully updated. If you are having issues then check that your game is fully up to date.
Help with checking game version and downloading patches here. (http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Patching)
Once your game is updated, backup your CAW userdata by copying Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Create A World Tool UserToolData to somewhere safe.
Then, uninstall CAW, redownload CAW from the Sims 3 Website (http://www.thesims3.com/game/tools/world) and reinstall it. Replace your backup userdata once you are done.
If you are using an older version of the game, auntielynds has kindly posted links for archived versions of the CAW tool here. (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3592794&postcount=18)
Make the CAW executable Large Address Aware:
If your PC has more than 2GB RAM, and if you are receiving this error:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225737-ProtectedMemory.jpg
Or if your CAW shuts down suddenly with no error, then you might like to try making the CAW exe LAA:
http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Sims_3:Large_Address_Aware
whisperingtruth7 (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=444527) points out that this version (http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112556) of LAA may work well for the CAW executable.
Version Mismatch Error
If you have an error like this:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225739-VersionNotCompatible.jpg
Or if you are having the following issues:
Crashing
Memory errors (with your CAW executable set to LAA if you have >2GB RAM)
Save Errors
Load Errors
Then check your game compatibility versions, as outlined here by kiritra. (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3661479)
That thread also contains suggestions from kiritra for resolving problems if you do not have the latest EP/ SP.
Also, check out our Wiki article:
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help_Talk:Patch_Table#Workarounds_for_CAW_from_1.22_patch_without_the_last_released_Pack
And this help thread by auntielynds on the Sims 3 forum:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/417418.page
Thanks again to auntielynds and kiritra!
CAW opening screen flashes, but CAW will not run:
JadedSidhe advises a solution to this problem in this post. (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3663025&postcount=55) Running the CAW executable as an administrator will bypass any UAC restrictions which cause this problem.
Another way of preventing this issue would be to install your CAW tool and the Sims 3 game to a non-default location, for example C: Games. This would ensure that UAC does not affect the running of your game.
'Image is not a PNG File' error when opening heightmaps:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1320265-Bluefunk_0130-Aug-1216.47.jpg
Try first deleting all CAW and game caches. If that fails, try dragging Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 Create A World Tool and Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 to the desktop. Auntielynds has found that this can sometimes be indicative of a userdata error.
http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3894571&posted=1#post3894571
Thankyou auntielynds!
If that solution fails, the next thing to try would be to backup your user files and redownload/ reinstall CAW.
Edit in Game crashing/ not saving:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225735-ErrorSavingLayer.jpg
If you are having trouble making EIG save your world, there are a few things you can try.
Firstly, try creating lots in-game and adding them to your world from the library via EIG (instead of building them from scratch in EIG).
Secondly, try releasing the file lock on your UserToolData by closing CAW once EIG has opened (Courtesy of BenC0722 in this thread. (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=444202))
CAW loading Launcher instead of Edit-in-Game:
If Launcher pops up instead of EIG mode, or if you get a message about CAW being unable to find TS3.exe:
This could be:
1) A problem specific to having the latest version of CAW with the latest game version but without the latest EP/SP
2) Caused by having the newer 'Go Social' digital version of the base game
Fixes for this are:
For issue 1:
Try this fix from SimAd. (http://www.the-isz.com/nraas/index.php?PHPSESSID=7498aa1db1663928275231dda53e690d&topic=776.msg17489#msg17489)
Zaide_Chris made a great batch file to open a world in EIG easily, whether you are having this problem or not. Get it here. (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=453161)
OR:
See the advice in this thread by kiritra (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3661479) regarding 'cases where EPs are missing'.
OR:
Install the latest EP/SP. Shame on you, EA!
For issue 2:
Install the older digital version of the base game (http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/Create-a-World-Edit-in-Game-doesn-t-work-with-the-Go-Social/td-p/1684615)
Bypass the launcher (http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Bypassing_the_Launcher) and try using Super CAW (http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=468279) as mentioned here. (http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=4771962&highlight=Go+Social#post4771962)
Odd hex numbers in the metadata list:
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/5/2/8/4/8/MTS_simsample-1225738-TreesError.jpg
A couple of causes for this:
Out of date or incompatible CC- test with your game Mods folder AND your CAW Packages folder removed. Also clear your game and CAW caches as above. Use the 50% Method (http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Finding_Problem_Custom_Content#The_50.25_Method) to help you to find the problem files.
You have CC which depends upon objects from Store Worlds, when the Store World has been uninstalled. Reinstall the relevant Store World to test this.
Are you still reading? Good, I sometimes fear I'm talking to myself. Am I going mad, or is this usual for someone of my age?
You know, the above point has been in this article for several months, and not one person has commented. I am definitely talking to myself!
Or maybe by this point most people have solved their problem, and are actually playing the game...?
Computer performance:
Improve your computer performance by shutting down unnecessary tasks and optimizing your system. Some hints and tips here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Optimize-Windows-7-for-better-performance
http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Improving_Sims_3_Performance
http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Checkup
Steam Users:
Thanks to auntielynds for indirectly reminding me of this! ;)
If you have purchased and installed The Sims 3 through Steam, you will find that CAW will not work correctly. This is because the Steam version of TS3 has a different file structure and uses different registry keys, so CAW is not able to correctly read the game data. To solve this, use your Steam license keys to download TS3 from EADM (now known as Origins) instead of through Steam:
I completely uninstalled the game from Steam.
Then I used my Steam CDKeys for the game, all of the expansions, and all of the Stuff packs to activate them with the EA Download Manager. (Note, activating keys in the EADM does not give you a positive response that the key was registered but after entering it, when you close the dialog the Sims game will show up in the EADM)
Once EADM had all of the games recognized I downloaded and installed them from there. After each one, I ran it and did the updates, I'm not sure of the required order or if it needed to be patched each time but I did them in order of release and it worked. At this point in my Sims frustration I didn't mind any little extra steps.
Everything installed fine and patched up and I installed the Create A World tool.
Now the Create A World tool loads right up with no problems!
I don't really do any social stuff on Steam so I don't know how this might be seen as negative to other players by not having any Steam features but I figured since it doesn't have any achievements anyway that it's no big deal. Personal choice I suppose but hopefully my experience can help some people. At the very least you could install the game twice
Source for this:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1746411
Check out the CAW troubleshooting thread on the official Sims 3 forum also:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/417418.page
Thank you to all who have contributed to this article! Please feel free to add any more suggestions to this thread, or you can PM me to advise me of any errors or additions. It would be much appreciated!