Programs

This is a list of commonly used programs in the Sims 4 Modding community, with a brief description of what they do. You can follow the link to download it, or read the full wiki page about the program.

You can also browse Category:Tools

## Tuning Mods

### TDESC Browser

* **Used for:**
	+ Understanding what different XML tags mean and what options are available for different file classes in XML editing
	+ Supplimentary tool for tuning mods - like a dictionary or directory
* **Download at:** https://modthesims.info/download.php?t=618199
* **Created by:** Scumbumbo (discord)
* **Tutorial:** 101 - What is the TDESC Browser

### Sims 4 Studio

* **Used for:**
	+ custom CAS objects, Buy Mode objects, Build mode walls and floors
	+ Tuning mods, and viewing/extracting tuning files for use elsewhere
* **Download at:** https://sims4studio.com/
* **Created by:** Andrew and Orangemittens

### Mod Constructor

* **Used for:**
	+ Tuning mods, such as traits, careers, events, holiday traditions, basic interactions
	+ Perfect for beginner modders; still useful for advancing modders when used in conjunction with other programs, to make subcomponents quickly
* **Download at:** https://zerbu.tumblr.com/post/181782526135/the-sims-4-mod-constructor-v4
* **Created by:** Zerbu (discord)

### SHAM/Sims Hash Assistant to the Modder

* **Used for:**
	+ Editing Tuning Files, like in Notepad++
	+ Editing String Tables and creating custom name hashes
	+ "a mixed version of Auto Hash GUI and Auto STBL GUI that comes with many more features than the previous programs (check the download page for details). If you work frequently outside of S4S, or even just want some extra features to make modding life a little easier, this might be a program for you."
* **Download at:** https://triplis.github.io/tools/SHAM.html
* **Created by:** Triplis (discord)

## Subcomponent Tools

### Auto-Tuning Reference

* **Used for:**
	+ "a tool that is useful for people with a lot of files they need to reference. After choosing your settings from the dropdown menu and selecting the files (outside of S4S in a folder), it generates a list that you can easily copy/paste into your file, such as trait\_remove in a loot or an AffordanceList. Note that if you aren't working with a lot of files, S4S's Local Tunings section at the bottom of the window has a list of the currently available files and their tuning ID's in the correct format for easy copy/paste."
* **Download at:** https://triplis.github.io/nav/tools.html#subsection-auto-tuning-ref
* **Created by:** Triplis

### Image Viewer

* **Used for:**
	+ Image Viewer is a program that sees all the image files from the game. Useful for extracting buffs, traits, aspiration icons, maps, UI, etc. If you just want a list of trait, buff, etc. icons, use Sims4Studio's cheat list.icons to generate a .html list of them.
* **Download at:** https://luniversims.com/files/file/649-visionneuse-dimage-pour-fichiers-packages/
* **Created by:** LuniverSims

### TS4 Sound Tool

* **Used for:**
	+ Creating sound file packages, such as game music, radio music, sound effects or Simlish
	+ To be added to the game with a different tool, such as S4S
* **Download at:** https://modthesims.info/d/639090/ts4-sound-tool.html
* **Created by:** denton47

### TS4 VFX Tool

* **Used for:**
	+ Creating custom visual effects (particles, fire, etc)
	+ To be added to the game with a different tool, such as S4S
* **Download at:** https://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=639339
* **Created by:** denton47

### Auto Hash GUI

* **Used for:**
	+ "Auto Hash GUI will automatically hash files in your folder of choice. This means once you type in a unique name and run the program, the files will instantly be given a new instance inside and out. Can also be used on multiple files. A console version is available as well."
* **Download at:** https://triplis.github.io/nav/tools.html#subsection-auto-hash-gui
* **Created by:** Triplis

## String Table Tools

### EasySTBLManager for TS4

* **Used for:**
	+ Creating and adding strings; batch copying strings from one package to another
	+ "allows you to open your packages and type in the name of your string and it's text, resulting in the creation of a string table and string for you to use, instead of using S4S and having to manually create the string table and string and the hash. It also allows you to easily update strings in case you get translations, plus a few other features like searching for a string."
	+ We think it's a bit faster than S4S's equivalent tool
* **Download at:** https://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=596197
* **Created by:** CmarNYC

### DP STBL Editor

* **Used for:**
	+ focused on translations; merge a string table from two different packages, compare string tables, extract all string table languages at once, search for a string, etc."
* **Download at:** https://deaderpool-mccc.com/#/downloads/stbl\_editor
* **Created by:** Deaderpool

### Sims 4 Translator

* **Used for:**
	+ "a new tool for translators to try out that allows you to save dictionaries of translated text, which is useful for when a mod adds new strings. It also has other features coming in the future, as right now it is in alpha testing."
* **Download at:** https://modthesims.info/d/644008/the-sims-4-translator-alpha.html
* **Created by:** voky

### Auto STBL GUI

* **Used for:**
	+ "Auto STBL GUI will automatically take your written string in your file, hash it, replace it in the file, and will create, or add-on to, a String Table for you. If you hate creating String Tables this is the program for you. A console version is available as well."
* **Download at:** https://triplis.github.io/nav/tools.html#subsection-auto-stbl-gui
* **Created by:** Triplis

### Tool to Work With UI Textures

* **Used for:**
	+ "If you want to make basic changes to the UI"
	+ Examples of this include the custom wrench mods, and edits to the world map view
	+ Advanced mods of this kind are sparsely documented, and need **JPEXS**
* **Download at:** https://modthesims.info/d/581475/tool-to-work-with-ui-textures-new-version-8-17-16.html
* **Created by:** CmarNYC

## Non TS4-Specific Tools

### Blender

* **Used for:**
	+ Editing or making meshes (3D objects) for Sim clothes or Buy Mode objects
	+ Blender can be downloaded through Sims 4 Studio, in a way that specifically interacts with Sims 4 game files correctly.
* **Download at:** https://www.blender.org/ but better to download through S4S.

### Gimp

* **Used for:**
	+ Editing textures - colours and patterns - of Sim clothes or Buy Mode objects
	+ Any good quality image editor, such as Photoshop, will work as well.
* **Download at:** https://www.gimp.org/downloads/

### Notepad++

* **Used for:**
	+ Editing code, either for scripts (Python) or tuning (XML)
	+ You will need to extract Sims 4 files to study and edit using another program.
	+ Notepad++ is a text editor designed for programmers; any other program of this kind which you prefer will work as well
* **Download at:** https://notepad-plus-plus.org/