S3 - Smooth Patch by Lazy Duchess

[MrsFlynn]

✽Updated: March. 2026✽

*Update: As of end of January 2026, the Smooth Patch is no longer being supported by Lazy Duchess.

I've decided to leave the notes, as they maybe helpful for others still using this mod.

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Wanted to share something MrsGoodWrench and I found.

S3 - Smooth Patch by Lazy Duchess  (MTS)
https://modthesims.info/d/658759/smooth-patch.html

S3 - Smooth Patch 1.2 by Lazy Duchess (Tumblr)
https://lazyduchess.tumblr.com/post/668615848676769792/the-sims-3-smooth-patch-12

The mod helps speed up loading of the game itself, Live mode, Build/Buy modes, CAS and CASt (Create a Style)

Review (and Show and Tell) of the Smooth Patch 1.0 by Lazy Duchess
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61qQ6ko0-Vo

  –-  You can find my review here of v.1.x

                 
Notes on the Smooth Patch:

I've been seeing reports of the Smooth Patch not working or downloading, for some players. I wanted to share some notes that may be able to help with that.

I wanted to first note the patch may get false-flagged as a virus. It is not a virus or malware. As stated by the creator in the description of the mod at MTS, under the Troubleshooting section. If you run into this issue, you may need to allow your antivirus program to download the program or tell the antivirus it's okay to have on your computer.

   ✽✽  It's my understanding that if you use any Nraas Mods, specifically MasterController, MC Cheats, and MC Integration - Do not add the package files (ld_SmoothPatch.package ; ld_SmoothPatch_MasterController.package) to your mods folder. They may cause the game to become unstable and is known to be not compatible with Nraas mods, according to those at Nraas.

    ––- Please understand that Nraas may not help troubleshoot issues with the Smooth Patch, due to conflicts with their own mod suite. Read more about it here.

 ▪︎ Knight over at Nraas kindly uploaded the older versions of the Smooth Patch in one archive, going back to the original patch.

Where's the older version of SmoothPatch?:
https://nraas.net/community/post95139#p95139

** Thank you Knight!! **

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  ~ There are two versions and an old 1.0 version:

–- Click the download button to the right of the patch file, or click the direct download link below for the file you need . - Saving to Desktop is recommended.

Download and extract with 7zip: https://www.7-zip.org/a/7z1900-x64.exe
 - Right-click on zipped folder and extract to (name of folder)

ld_TS3PatchEA.zip (Origin/EA App version) -- Updated: Jan. 2024
Direct Download Link: https://chii.modthesims.info/getfile.php?file=2125462&v=1706733367

ld_TS3Patch10.zip (Steam/Disc version) -- Updated: Jan. 2024 
Direct Download Link: https://chii.modthesims.info/getfile.php?file=2124160&v=1706733391

Or uninstall the current version and install the older 1.0 version.

Smooth Patch v1.21 (Steam/Disc) - Released July.2021

Origin/EA-App - Smooth Patch v1.21 - Released Feb.2022

  –- Posting an older version in case there are others who are having problems with the newer version and want to try the older version. I renamed the older v1.21 files linked above so you can better tell them apart. lol

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  ~ Installation of Patch:

✦ The install path may be different depending on where the game is installed.

  – For the EA App: the zip file (ld_TS3PatchEA.zip) provides these files: TS3Patch.asi; TS3Patch.txt ; TS3PatchLauncher.exe ; TS3PatchLauncher.cfg and a Package folder with ld_SmoothPatch.package ; ld_SmoothPatch_MasterController.package

Copy and paste these files:  TS3Patch.asi; TS3Patch.txt ; TS3PatchLauncher.exe into:
[C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 3\Game\Bin]

If you use Origin, open the "TS3PatchLauncher.cfg" file with a text editor and replace the "PlatformName = EADesktop.exe" line with "PlatformName = Origin.exe", then save the file.

You will need to run the game from "TS3PatchLauncher.exe" every time for the mod to kick in.

  – If still Rockin' Origin, I'm not sure exactly what to do other than it seems to have similar instructions, however the files get copied to:
[C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 3\Game\Bin]

  – For Steam/Disc: the zipped file (ld_TS3Patch10.zip) provides these files: ddraw.dll ; TS3Patch.asi; TS3Patch.txt - Copy and paste these files into:
Disc: C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin
Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Sims 3\Game\Bin

Nindigo share's how to launch it via Origin here.

Launch the game as you normally would -- If you have the Steam/Disc version.

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  ~ To Make Sure It's Working Correctly:

If you want to make sure it's working correctly, change the Debug option to 1 in the TS3Patch.txt file located in C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin.  It will give you a popup message after you start the game.

You would look for this option:

# If this is 1, show a message on startup to make sure the mod is working.
Debug = 0

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  ~ Uninstall the Patch:

I am not sure about the Origin/EA App version of the patch. The steps to uninstall maybe fairly similar to the Disc/Steam uninstall process. I've got the original 2009 Disc version of Sims 3.

As a test, I copied/pasted - ddraw.dll ; TS3Patch.asi; TS3Patch.txt into a temporary folder on my desktop and deleted the originals from [C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin].

Loaded my game. It loaded just fine and so did Create A style, Build and Buy mode, so I'd call that a successful uninstall of the patch.

You might consider keeping a backup copy of these files, just in case you want to use them later.

With the test I was able to do, my theory is those using the Origin/EA App version of the game should be able to successfully uninstall the patch.

1. Copy/paste - TS3Patch.asi; TS3Patch.txt ; TS3PatchLauncher.exe ; TS3PatchLauncher.cfg into a temporary folder on your desktop. You can also copy over the Packages folder if you used it that have the files - ld_SmoothPatch.package and ld_SmoothPatch_MasterController.package in it. Just so all the files are kept together.

2. Delete the original from [C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 3\Game\Bin].

3. Load your game to make sure Sunset Valley still loads fine, and Build/Buy Mode and Create a Style loads okay as well. Maybe a little slower to load, but it should still load.

Hopefully the uninstall went well. If it didn't, add back the files to where you deleted them from and re-test.

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  ~ Smooth Patch - Differences Between the Versions:

I saw a question asking about the Smooth Patch and the difference between v.1.21 and v2. I'm using the EA App version of Smooth Patch for my difference example and explain the differences as I understand them.

The basics of the mod is the same. The TPS ; FPS Limiter ; Borderless  and Debug parts are all the same. As you can see by the screenshots below.

––v1.21 version dated Dec. 2021 and Feb.2022

Files:


S3Patch.txt:


  ----

––v.2.x dated Oct.2022

Files:


S3Patch.txt:



Where the difference seems to be is that v.2 added a couple of .package files inside a Package folder that shouldn't be added if using Nraas Mods from what I understand and TS3PatchLauncher.cfg file.

v.2x is also known to be not as stable and can cause a lot of issues with the game and your computer. It is highly recommended to use the older 1.x version as it seems to be more stable.

[Nindigo]

I love the Smooth Patch. The speed of the user interface in particular has really improved.

[Lapaige46]

I've downloaded it but where do I find this? "Simply unzip the file into your “The Sims 3/Game/Bin” folder."

[MrsFlynn]

Oooh Thank you for asking!!

Default path to the installation folder for disc version is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin

There maybe a special way to launch the game since you use Steam. I don't want to share what my path is to launch the game for fear it might be confusing.

[Nindigo]

Once installed you need to always start the game by running/clicking TS3PatchLauncher.exe found in the Bin folder mentioned by MrsFlynn (you can right-click it and create a shortcut on your desktop) - instead of running the game from Origin as usual. This last part is very important, otherwise the patch does not take effect.

For Steam installations, it also goes into the Bin (not the Bin/bin) folder. Launch as normal.

[Lapaige46]

This is what my path looks like.
Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steamapps\Common\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\Bin\ - the patch is there but it's only a file folder. There's no launch. In the first Bin there are several launch buttons but none are the patch.

[MrsFlynn]

From what I understand you don't use the actual patch folder to launch the game.

I am testing out the mod myself and just launched the game as I normally do. It's too early to tell if it's really helping or not.

[Lapaige46]

I understand but I'm not seeing the launcher for it. I'm going to have some lunch and take a nap. 

[MrsFlynn]

I have a custom Sims 3 disc install: (My install path is a custom user made folder.)
C:\Games\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin

I unzipped the folder and copied the contents ddraw.dll ; TS3Patch.asi and TS3Patch.txt into the folder mentioned above.



Since I have the disc version I launched the game like I normally do - click the Sims 3 shortcut on my desktop.
("C:\Games\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe")

I'm definitely noticing quicker loading and exiting times. Cut by half or more. Same for loading a save file. I am really impressed with the quicker loading of Build/Buy, CAS and Create a Style.

It may make the computer run slightly warmer than it would without the patch. This seems to be expected.

   ✽ Running the smooth patch since end of July with most packs enabled (No Uni or ITF), plus 300 MB of mods and custom content installed is going well. Nice speed boost and still impressed with the quicker loading times of Build/Buy and CAS. It's like buttah!! lol

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Helpful Link:

The first post on the thread linked below has some really good information on this mod.

The Sims 3 Smooth Patch
https://www.nraas.net/community/chatterbox/topic10091

[Nindigo]

LaPaige, it is my fault that you are confused. I'm so sorry!

I corrected my previous reply to you: For Steam users, the smooth patch must be unzipped into the Game/Bin folder (not the Bin/bin one) and you just launch as normal from there. The new launcher. exe is just for us Origin users.

*sends 50.000 dark side cookies to Canada*