Sims 3 Package Reducer (S3PR) by OhRudi - Update (03/16/2026)

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🌈👩‍💻Overview👨‍💻🌈
  • This software reduces the size of Package-Files drastically, very usefull if you have tons of CC
  • It removes thumbnails (THUM) and icons (ICON) resources from Package-Files and compresses or decompresses them
  • Thumbnails are safe to remove, the game regenerates them (see image explenation)
  • Icons are safe to remove, the game doesn't use them, nor does CC-Magic
  • Compressing reduces the Package-File size drastically, but it's no performance gain for your game, because your game has to decompresses them while playing
  • Decompressing expands the Package-File size by three times. It's a performance gain while playing, cause your game needs them decompressed anyway
  • I'd recommend compressing your individual CC files, but decompressing the merged CC files, such as the builds from CC-Magic
  • DO NOT compress mods (like NRaas and other Script-Mods), only compress CC
  • You can use S3PR via console. Use .\S3PR.exe --help to get the list of possible arguments
  • Works only for Package-Files, not for Sims3Pack-Files
  • Works only for Windows (did test for Windows 10 & 11), not for Mac, did not test on Linux


🤔 How to install? 🔧
  • Just download and open the S3PR.exe file, you can move it anywhere, nothing else required
  • Works only for Windows, not for Mac, did not test on Linux
  • The warning message "Unknown Publisher" comes up, cause Microsoft wants me to pay, just so this popup won't appear
  • You can just tick the "Always ask before opening this file" and it won't appear anymore
  • (Optional) Technical Detail why this happens: You can sign software with a certificate by Microsoft, so windows knows it can be trusted. But this costs $70/year (minimum) and has no other effect than removing the warning.
  • If you're unsure if you can trust me, you're free to look at the source code on GitHub
  • I added explanations in the code and how to compile it yourself
  • (Optional) Technical Detail: It's just around 500 lines of code and parts of it I copied from other very successful Sims 3 Tools. If you're keen in coding, you'll find your way in the codebase pretty easily.

🤔 How do I use it? 🙆‍♀️

Important Notice: You don't have to use it repeatedly. The changes to the files are permanent. Once you finished, you only have to do it for new Package-Files.

1. Click "Browse", choose one or multiple folders that contain Package-Files
  • You can enable "Include Subfolders" and it will look at the subfolders as well

2. Check the boxes, choose what it should do with the Package-Files
  • "Remove Thumbnails" removes all Thumbnail (THUM) resources in the Package-Files
  • Thumbnails are safe to remove, the game regenerates them (see image explenation)
  • Some CC (mostly hair and clothes) has custom thumbnails, these will be removed, cause those images tend to be pretty big in file size
  • "Remove Icons" removes all Icons (THUM) resources in the Package-Files
  • Icons are safe to remove, the game doesn't use them, nor does CC-Magic
  • "Compress Files" uses the Sims 3 Recompressor (S3RC) Tool by J. M. Pescado to compress the Package-Files, it's a well known tool
  • DO NOT compress mods (like NRaas and other Script-Mods), only compress CC
  • Compressing reduces the Package-File size drastically and but it's no performance gain for your game, because your game has to decompresses them while playing
  • Compressing can take pretty long
  • "Decompress Files" uses the Sims 3 Recompressor (S3RC) Tool by J. M. Pescado to decompress the Package-Files, it's a well known tool
  • Decompressing expands the Package-File size by three times. It's a performance gain while playing, cause your game needs them decompressed anyway
  • I'd recommend compressing your individual CC files, but decompressing the merged CC files, such as the builds from CC-Magic

3. Reminder: Do you have a backup?
  • You'll be reminded to have backups
  • You can disable the warning by unchecking "Remind me to have backups"

4. Click "Edit"
  • Now you can make yourself a coffee, some tee or take a bath :D
  • Depending on the amount and size of the files, this can take a while (especially if you enabled compressing)
  • But trust me, it will be worth it

5. If you click "Stop"
  • It will not stop immediately, it will finish the file it currently edits and than stop

🙋‍♂️FAQ❓

What files I do use S3PR on?
  • Only CC, never mods (such as NRaas and other script mods). But there's one exception: The better ingredient thumbnails Mod, because removing the thumbnails from this file, would render it useless. This is actually the only exception I can think of right now. The rest is safe.
  • A simple rule of thumb if you’re not sure: Open the Package-File with S3PE (Sims 3 Package Explorer) and check if there are any thumbnails inside. If so, do you want to keep them? If so, don't select the “Remove Thumbnails” option for this particular CC. If you don't need these thumbnails, then you can safely remove them with S3PR.

Can I use it on merged files as well?
  • Yes, you can. There's no problem with that. Just keep in mind that large files may take a bit longer. Everything else is the same for merged and unmerged Package-Files.

Can I use this on my Sims3Pack-Files?
  • No, sorry. Only Package-Files. However, if you dearly need it for Sims3Pack-Files as well, leave a comment on the download page. I might include it in an update then.

Why should I compress my CC?
  • Compressing your CC means, that your CC takes up far less space. This is useful if you have limited space on your computer. The only problem is that the game has to decompress them while you play. I’d recommend compressing your individual CC files, but decompressing the merged CC files, such as the builds from CC-Magic.

Why should I decompress my CC?
  • Decompressing your CC means, that your CC takes up about three times more space. The positive about this: Your game doesn't have to decompress them while you play. This is only useful if you have an SSD-Drive (most computers have them nowadays). I’d recommend compressing your individual CC files, but decompressing the merged CC files, such as the builds from CC-Magic.

Does it harm my safe files in any way?
  • Editing your CC with this S3PR won’t affect the way your CC works in your safe files. Don't edit your safe files with S3PR. Use it only on your CC. Just as a side note: If you want to clean up safe files, use Regul Save-Cleaner.

What if a file or folder is not accessible for S3PR (no read or write access)?
  • In this case, S3PR will skip the inaccessible files and folders. You will then receive a summary of the files and folders that were skipped.

But I want to keep some Thumbnails?
  • Put those package files in a separate folder, select the folder in S3PR, then uncheck “Remove Thumbnails” before clicking “Edit”. Don't worry. If you uncheck “Remove Thumbnails” no thumbnails will be removed.

What happens if I run S3PR repeatedly on the same files?
  • Nothing. If you run it on the same files repeatedly, with the same settings, everything stays the same.

What’s the difference between this S3PR and the Sims 3 Recompressor (S3RC, by J. M. Pescado on MATY) or the Compressorizor-Tool (by JFade)
  • S3PR removes thumbnail and icon resources and compresses/decompresses your package files.
  • The Recompressor and Compressorizor-Tool does only compress your files. Just read the short overview for a clearer picture.

🤔 How do I use the Console Application? 🙆‍♀️

Important Notice: Everything is the same, but if you're into automation, you can use S3PR via the console.
Code: 
Usage:
S3PR.exe [options] <paths to folders or files...>
Options:
-r, --search-recursive     Search directories recursively when looking for Package-Files.
-t, --remove-thumbnail     Remove thumbnail resources from Package-Files.
-i, --remove-icon          Remove icon resources from Package-Files.
-c, --compress-file        Compress Package-Files.
-d, --decompress-file      Decompress Package-Files.
-s, --silent               No Console Output.
-h, --help                 Show this help message and exit.
Arguments:
<paths to folders or files...>    One or more files or folders to process.

⚙️ Technical Details 💡
  • You can find the source code on GitHub
  • It's published under the GNU General Public License (GPL-3.0)
  • Feel free to fork the code and change it any way you like, this source code meant to be public, free and open
  • The README-File contains instructions on how to compile the code yourself
  • I used Visual Studio 2026 with .NET 10.0 and WinForms API to create the GUI

🕑 Changelog 🔁

16.03.2026 - Version 2.0.0
  • New Feature: Decompress Package-Files
  • New Feature: Use S3PR via Console
  • No failure if folder is not accessable
  • Shows a summary of skipped file and folder names at the end
  • Completely rewritten most of the code

06.03.2026 - Version 1.0.1
  • No Failure if file is not accessable
  • skips if file is not readable or writeable
  • shows summary of skipped files at final success and stopped popup messageboxes

⭐ Big thanks to ... 💐
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