Sims 3 Package Reducer (S3PR) by OhRudi - Update (03/06/2026)

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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 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 mod size drastically and lets CC load faster into the game
  • DO NOT compress mods (like NRaas and other Script-Mods), only compress CC
  • 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 ".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.[/i]
  • 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.[/i]


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 can take pretty long, but it will be worthwhile for your Game/CC-Experience, especially if you have tons of it, like me

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 "Reduce"
  • 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


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
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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