Are you tired of spending hours scrolling through the endless options in The Sims 4 Build/Buy mode? Is the sheer volume of categories and items overwhelming you? Well, fear not, fellow Simmers! In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the secrets of streamlining your Build/Buy experience, enabling you to create your dream homes and neighborhoods in a fraction of the time. So get ready to declutter your Build/Buy mode and unleash your creativity like never before!
Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room: the sheer number of categories in Build/Buy mode. While the variety is commendable, it can also be daunting. To tackle this, we recommend utilizing the filter options to narrow down your search. The “Style” filter allows you to focus on specific aesthetics, such as Modern or Rustic, while the “Function” filter helps you find items based on their intended use. By using these filters, you can quickly eliminate irrelevant items and streamline your search process.
In addition to filtering, custom content can be a double-edged sword. While it offers endless possibilities for customization, it can also significantly increase the number of items in your Build/Buy catalog. To manage this influx, consider using a custom content manager like Sims 4 Studio. This tool enables you to organize your custom content into separate folders, making it easier to find and select the items you want. Furthermore, you can use the “Ignore Custom Content” option in Build/Buy mode to temporarily hide custom content, providing a more focused browsing experience.
Declutter and Remove Unwanted Items
Decluttering the Build Buy catalog is essential for streamlining your building experience. Follow these detailed steps to eliminate clutter and enhance your gameplay:
1. Identify and Remove Unneeded Custom Content: Custom content (CC) can significantly bloat the Build Buy catalog. To declutter, open your Sims 4 game and navigate to the “Manage Worlds” screen. Select “Load Game” and click on the “Custom Content” tab. Uncheck the boxes next to any CC items you no longer use or want. Remove downloaded CC mods and objects that you don’t plan to use in your builds. Delete any unnecessary meshes, textures, and other files associated with CC. By removing unwanted CC, you can significantly reduce the size of the Build Buy catalog and improve loading times.
2. Disable Unwanted Packs: If you own multiple Sims 4 packs, you can selectively disable those that you don’t use frequently. To do this, open the Origin client and navigate to the “My Games” library. Right-click on The Sims 4 and select “Game Properties”. In the “Expansion Packs” tab, uncheck the boxes next to any packs you want to disable. By disabling unused packs, you can further declutter the Build Buy catalog and free up space.
3. Utilize Build Mode Filter: The Build Mode filter is a powerful tool for decluttering the Build Buy catalog. When browsing objects in Buy Mode, use the filter options to narrow down your search. Select specific categories, styles, colors, or even search for specific keywords. By filtering your results, you can quickly find the items you need without scrolling through endless options.
Utilize Sorting and Filtering Options
The Sims 4 offers a robust set of sorting and filtering options that allow you to narrow down your search and find the items you need quickly. To access these options, click the “Filter” button in the top right corner of the build buy catalog.
Sorting Options
The “Sort By” dropdown menu allows you to sort items by various criteria, including:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Sorts items alphabetically by their name. |
| Price | Sorts items from least to most expensive. |
| Newest | Sorts items by the order in which they were added to the catalog. |
| Most Popular | Sorts items based on their popularity among players. |
| Custom | Allows you to specify a custom sorting order using the “Set Custom Sort” button. |
Filtering Options
The “Filters” section allows you to refine your search by applying various criteria, such as:
- Item Type: Filter by object type, such as furniture, appliances, décor, or lighting.
- Style: Filter by style category, such as modern, rustic, or traditional.
- Room: Filter by room type, such as kitchen, bedroom, or living room.
- Price Range: Filter by price range to find items that fit within your budget.
- Pack: Filter by game pack or expansion pack to find items from specific DLC.
By combining sorting and filtering options, you can quickly and easily locate the perfect items for your Sims’ homes.
Disable Certain Categories
By disabling certain categories, you can effectively shorten the Build Buy catalog. This will make it easier to find the items you need and reduce clutter. To disable a category, follow these steps:
- Open the Build Buy mode.
- Click on the “Filter” button in the top-right corner of the screen.
- In the “Categories” tab, uncheck the boxes next to the categories you want to disable.
- Click on the “Apply” button to save your changes.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Build Buy mode |
| 2 | Click on the “Filter” button in the top-right corner of the screen |
| 3 | In the “Categories” tab, uncheck the boxes next to the categories you want to disable |
| 4 | Click on the “Apply” button to save your changes |
Create Custom Filters
Custom filters are a powerful tool for organizing and quickly finding the items you need in the Build/Buy catalog. To create a custom filter, click on the “Filters” button in the upper-left corner of the Build/Buy panel. This will open the “Filter Panel.” From here, you can select from a variety of options to create a filter that meets your specific needs. Here are the steps to create a custom filter.
1. Select a filter category.
The first step is to select a filter category. This will determine the type of filter you are creating. The available categories are:
2. Set the filter criteria.
Once you have selected a filter category, you can set the filter criteria. The available criteria will vary depending on the category you have selected. For example, if you select the “Furniture” category, you can filter by style, material, color, and size.
3. Save the filter.
Once you have set the filter criteria, you can save the filter. To do this, click on the “Save” button in the Filter Panel. You will be prompted to enter a name for the filter.
4. Apply the filter.
To apply the filter, simply click on the filter name in the Filter Panel. The Build/Buy catalog will be updated to show only the items that match the filter criteria. You can apply multiple filters at the same time to further refine your search.
Use the Search Bar Effectively
The search bar in the Build/Buy catalog is a powerful tool that can save you a lot of time. To use it effectively, simply type in the name of the item you’re looking for. The search bar will automatically filter the results to show you only items that match your search query.
Here are some tips for using the search bar effectively:
- Use specific keywords. The more specific your keywords are, the more likely you are to find the item you’re looking for. For example, instead of searching for “chair,” search for “modern dining chair.”
- Use the “AND” and “OR” operators. The “AND” operator allows you to combine multiple search terms. For example, the search query “chair AND leather” will return only chairs that are made of leather. The “OR” operator allows you to search for multiple terms. For example, the search query “chair OR sofa” will return both chairs and sofas.
- Use the asterisk (*) wildcard. The asterisk wildcard can be used to replace any number of characters in a search term. For example, the search query “table*” will return all items that start with the word “table.”
- Use the “NOT” operator. The “NOT” operator allows you to exclude items from your search results. For example, the search query “chair NOT leather” will return all chairs that are not made of leather.
- Use the “advanced search” options. The “advanced search” options allow you to filter your search results by a variety of criteria, such as price, style, and color.
Remove Sims 4 Mods and CC
Mods and Custom Content (CC) can significantly clutter up the Build Buy catalog. Removing them can drastically simplify the menu and improve performance.
To remove mods and CC, follow these steps:
- Move the Mods folder from My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4 to a temporary location.
- Move the Tray folder from My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Tray to a temporary location.
- Move the Cache folder from My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Cache to a temporary location.
- Start The Sims 4 and check if the Build Buy catalog has been simplified.
- If the issue persists, move the Mods, Tray, and Cache folders back to their original locations.
- Identify and disable or remove any problematic mods or CC that may be causing the issue. Use the 50/50 method by re-enabling half of the mods/CC at a time to isolate the culprit.
Pro Tip: To make this process easier, consider using a mod manager like Sims 4 Tray Importer.
| Mod Manager | Features |
|---|---|
| Sims 4 Tray Importer | Manages CC and mods, allows for easy installation and removal. |
Reset the Build Buy Catalog
If your Build Buy catalog has become cluttered or disorganized, you can reset it to its default state. To do this, follow these steps:
- Exit the game and close the Origin client.
- Open your Documents folder and navigate to the Electronic Arts folder.
- Open the Sims 4 folder and delete the following two files:
- localthumbcache.package
- last_ui_buildbuy_effort.setting
- Start the game and reload your save file.
Additional Tips to Shorten the Build Buy Category:
Remove Unused Content
Go through your Build Buy catalog and remove any items that you don’t use. This can be done by clicking on an item and selecting the “Delete” option.
Create Custom Filters
You can create custom filters to narrow down the items that appear in your Build Buy catalog. To do this, click on the “Filter” button in the top right corner of the catalog and select the “Create New Filter” option.
Use the Room Sort Function
The Room Sort function allows you to sort items in your Build Buy catalog by room type. This can be helpful for finding items that are specifically designed for a particular room.
Use the Search Bar
The Search Bar allows you to quickly search for specific items in your Build Buy catalog. This is a great way to find items that you’ve lost or forgotten about.
Use the Favorites List
The Favorites List allows you to save your favorite items in one convenient location. This can be helpful for quickly finding and using items that you use frequently.
Use the Decorator Mode
Decorator Mode allows you to move items in the Build Buy catalog around without placing them. This can be helpful for planning out your builds and making sure that items fit together correctly.
Organize Items with Subcategories
The Sims 4 offers a vast library of items, which can make the Build/Buy catalog overwhelming. To tame this clutter, consider organizing items using subcategories. This feature allows you to create custom categories and subcategories to group similar items together. For example, you can create a “Kitchen” subcategory within the “Appliances” category to house all kitchen appliances, or a “Modern” subcategory within the “Furniture” category to curate contemporary furniture pieces.
Creating Subcategories
To create a subcategory, select an existing category in the Build/Buy catalog, right-click it, and choose “Create Subcategory.” Give your subcategory a name and click “OK.” You can then drag and drop items into the newly created subcategory.
Customizing Subcategories
You can customize subcategories by changing their names, icons, and colors. To edit a subcategory, right-click it and choose “Edit Subcategory.” Here, you can modify its name, select an icon from the available options, and choose a color to distinguish it from other subcategories.
Nesting Subcategories
You can further organize your items by nesting subcategories within other subcategories. For instance, you could create a “Kitchen” subcategory within the “Appliances” category and then create a “Major Appliances” subcategory within the “Kitchen” subcategory. This allows you to create a hierarchical structure that reflects your item organization preferences.
Managing Subcategories
To manage subcategories, right-click any subcategory and select “Manage Subcategories.” From this menu, you can rename, delete, or sort subcategories. You can also use the “Reset” option to restore the default subcategory structure.
| Subcategory | Parent Category |
|---|---|
| Modern | Furniture |
| Kitchen | Appliances |
| Major Appliances | Kitchen |
Utilize Tab Mods
Using tab mods is a convenient way to condense the Build/Buy catalog. These mods allow you to add secondary tabs to the category buttons, effectively organizing objects and reducing scrolling. One such mod is the “More Tabs” mod by SoS4. This mod introduces a user-friendly interface where you can create and customize tabs, assign objects to them, and then toggle them on or off in-game. With its flexibility and customization options, this mod offers a comprehensive solution for managing the ever-expanding Build/Buy catalog in The Sims 4.
The “More Tabs” mod, created by SoS4, enhances the Build/Buy catalog with a user-friendly interface. It enables you to establish secondary tabs beneath category buttons, effectively arranging objects and minimizing scrolling. The mod introduces a customizable interface that allows you to create tabs, designate objects to them, and toggle their visibility. This mod is particularly useful for organizing large object collections, enabling you to access specific items more quickly and efficiently.
Advantages of Tab Mods
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Optimize Cache Files
The Sims 4 caches game files to improve loading times. However, over time, these cached files can become corrupted or outdated, leading to longer load times and other issues. Regularly optimizing your cache files can help to resolve these issues and improve the performance of your game.
To optimize your cache files:
- Quit The Sims 4 and any other programs that may be running.
- Navigate to the following folder:
- Delete the following files:
- Restart The Sims 4.
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| \Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Cache | /Users/[your username]/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Cache |
| File Name | Description |
|---|---|
| cache.package | The main cache file |
| cachestr.package | The cache file for strings |
| compositorCache.package | The cache file for the compositor |
| floorPlansCache.package | The cache file for floor plans |
| scriptCache.package | The cache file for scripts |
| simCompositorCache.* | Cache files for Sims |
| socialCache.package | The cache file for social interactions |
| tuningCache.package | The cache file for tuning data |
How To Shorten The Build Buy Category Sims 4
If you’re like me, you probably have a lot of custom content for The Sims 4. And if you’re also like me, you’ve probably noticed that the Build/Buy category can get pretty long and unwieldy. This can make it difficult to find the items you’re looking for, especially if you have a lot of different types of custom content installed.
Fortunately, there’s a way to shorten the Build/Buy category and make it easier to find the items you want. Here’s how:
- Open the Sims 4 game and go to the Build/Buy mode.
- Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner of the Build/Buy panel.
- Select “Options.”
- In the “Options” menu, click on the “Game Options” tab.
- Under the “General” section, uncheck the box next to “Show Custom Content in Separate Tabs.”
- Click on the “Apply Changes” button.
- Disable custom content. Custom content can slow down your game, especially if you have a lot of it installed. Try disabling all of your custom content and see if that makes a difference.
- Reduce the number of items in your library. The more items you have in your library, the longer it will take to load the Build/Buy catalog. Try deleting any items that you don’t use.
- Clear your cache files. Cache files can also slow down your game. To clear your cache files, go to the Sims 4 folder on your computer and delete the “cache” folder.
Once you’ve done this, the Build/Buy category will be much shorter and easier to navigate. All of your custom content will be merged into the regular categories, so you’ll be able to find everything you need in one place.
People Also Ask About How To Shorten The Build Buy Category Sims 4
How do I make my Sims 4 Build/Buy faster?
There are a few things you can do to make your Sims 4 Build/Buy faster:
How do I use filters in Sims 4 Build/Buy?
You can use filters to narrow down the items that are displayed in the Build/Buy catalog. To use filters, click on the “Filter” button in the upper-right corner of the Build/Buy panel. You can then select the filters that you want to apply.
