What does it do?
Merlin is a Sims 3 File Management utility meant to assist you with quickly installing custom content you download from any website. This includes .Sims3Packs and .Package files. Once the custom content is installed, you can also use Merlin to view, delete, rename, and move files around.

What Merlin does NOT do:
Merlin is not a custom content creation tool. You cannot, currently, create or edit Sims3Packs with it, though you can pick and choose which items from the Sism3Pack file to install.

In this initial beta, Presets (AKA recolors or styles) cannot be installed. They will instead be “held back,” stored in a folder inside the directory where the program is installed. A future version will be able to install the presets properly, which is why they’re being saved.

How to start it:
The tool is built in Java 6, a version of Java that was previously unavailable on the Mac. However, as of a few months ago, you can download and install Java 6. Get the update from here: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macos...05update1.html

Note that this installs Java 6 but does NOT make it your default Java installation. You will have to set it as the default yourself. Once that’s done, you should be able to launch the program by double clicking TSRWizard.jar. At this time, you cannot associate .Sims3Pack or .package files with Merlin.

NOTE: Due to the protection of the The Sims 3.app folder, Java cannot directly access its contents. It is recommended that you select an alternative directory (such as a folder on your desktop or elsewhere in your home directory) as your "Game Data" folder when prompted to set your options when you first run the program. From there, you can then move the extracted files to the Mods/Packages folder manually. I'm currently looking into other ways to access the folder so this won't be needed in the future.

Installing Custom Content:
If you’ve associated the Sims3Pack or Package files with the utility (see above), then you can just double click a .Sims3Pack or .package file to launch the program. Merlin will appear, showing you any preview images that are available. (Note that there will not always be a preview. Some files do not contain thumbnail images.) If you’re dealing with a .Sims3Pack file, you can click the “Advanced Information” tab to see all the files contained in the bundle and remove those you don’t want to be installed.

Once you’re satisfied, simply click the Install button (located at the bottom near the TSR logo) to install the content. The status bar will let you know what the result was.

Managing Installed Content:
You can launch Merlin’s custom content manager by clicking the button furthest to the left in the bottom strip. Once the window appears, you’ll see a label that says “File Browser.” Below that is a white area containing a single item that says “root.” Click the add folder button located in the gray area beneath this to begin. Once you’ve selected a folder, Merlin will load all the packages in the directory (and subdirectories should you so choose. This is enabled by default.)

Once loaded, you can manage each file simply by clicking on it in the list. Options to move, rename and delete will become available.

And You’re Done!
Those are the basics to using Merlin! If you encounter any bugs, please report them in this thread.

Thanks and acknowledgments:
- A huge thanks goes to Echo, who created the Postal API used to access .package files,
- To Thomas, who made the images for the UI,
- and to those FAs and mods who took it on an early test run when it was even rougher around the edges.

I've been trying to make Java 6 the default on my mac but it doesn't seem to be working. All I see of Merlin is the background...

If you get the program to run at all, then you succeeded in making java 6 the default.

The graphic problems seem to be affecting all Mac users (at least I haven't heard any success stories yet) and you can read more about it in this thread, if you're interested.

This may sound silly, but how can I locate game data path? I am new to Mac and Program Files are confusing me

Well, paths are determined the same as in Windows, the path is the map you take to navigate through folders, to end up where the final file resides. One thing that might help is that where Windows calls the folder Program Files, on Mac those programs reside in the Applications folder.

But as far as Sims 3 and mods go, the path is extremely long and windy. It involves right-clicking (or control-click) on the actual Sims 3 app icon to delve deep into the bowels of the app to get to the place where mods need to go.

So far, Merlin and other apps are not able to perform that "right-click" action that would allow them to install CC where it needs to be. They can't get past the point where the right-click takes place. So you should set Merlin up to install into a folder to some other place of your chosing (like the desktop) and then manually move the files where they need to go.

So you'll also need to manually set up the proper folders for mods & packages the first time yourself. Or use Marhis' handy TS3 Framework tool, which will do it all for you, plus put an alias on your desktop, so you never need to navigate your way deep into the proper sims 3 folders.

For reference, or if you want to do it yourself, the path for placing a mods folder is this:
Applications/The Sims 3 (here is the point at which you must right-click on the app and select "show package contents", then you'll be see a "Contents" folder, from there navigate: /Contents/Resources/transgaming/c_drive/Program Files/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/and here is where the Mods folder goes that contains folders for, Files,Mods, Packages, and Probation. It is also the spot where the special resource.cfg file goes. (Note: the resource.cfg does NOT go inside the Mods folder, but outside it, at the same level)

The other path where EA places your saved games and all that is defined as /Users/<put your user name here>/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3

Well, hope some of that helps and answers your question, Newtico. If not, please post back.

I actually did the same yesterday.I right-clicked and go to the transgaming - bla bla - then The Sims 3 folder.I right-clicked again to get info.I saw the path there.And I wrote it to the Merlin.But it did not install my package files.
I thought it was the main problem that I might have written the path wrong.I will try these steps thank you sooo much It is such a good explanation

-luws is a hero! Yay, it did work well, thankies a lot!

You're very welcome. Glad it helped.

(Not to double-post but I'm too late to edit.)

I just tried your tip of using "Get Info" to define the path, and I love that! I've never done it that way and it's so simple. Very cool.

I am so glad that it is useful for you.I have explored it accidentally indeed

Originally Posted by jfade

NOTE: Due to the protection of the The Sims 3.app folder, Java cannot directly access its contents. It is recommended that you select an alternative directory (such as a folder on your desktop or elsewhere in your home directory) as your "Game Data" folder when prompted to set your options when you first run the program. From there, you can then move the extracted files to the Mods/Packages folder manually. I'm currently looking into other ways to access the folder so this won't be needed in the future.

If you creat an alias for The Sims 3 and you can access the folder .

i've been trying to figure out why merlin doesn't open after i download it.. it starts to open but then it stops. i've already checked and java is updated so i don't know what i missed.. i own a mac and i noticed some users have the same problem so i was hoping someone knew what to do. thank you so much*

already update to 10.6
It doesn't show good, lots of parts missing!