Dressing Up the Town: A Comprehensive Guide to Styling NPCs in The Sims 4

So, you’re tired of seeing the same old outfits on the townies in your Sims 4 game? Want to inject a little more personality (and perhaps a little less questionable fashion sense) into the lives of your non-player characters? You’re in the right place! Dressing NPCs in The Sims 4 is surprisingly easy once you understand the basic mechanics and the power of cheats. The most straightforward method involves utilizing testingcheats and cas.fulleditmode to access Create-A-Sim (CAS) for any Sim in your game. Once there, you have complete control over their wardrobe. Let’s dive into the details!

Method 1: The Cheat Code Power-Up

This method offers the most comprehensive control over an NPC’s appearance. It allows you to change everything from their hair and makeup to their outfits for every occasion.

Step 1: Enable Testing Cheats

First, you need to open the cheat console. On PC, press Ctrl + Shift + C simultaneously. On Mac, press Command + Shift + C. A text box will appear at the top of your screen.

Step 2: Activate Cheats

Type testingcheats on into the cheat box and press Enter. You should receive a message confirming that cheats are enabled.

Step 3: Enter Full Edit Mode

Next, type cas.fulleditmode into the cheat box and press Enter. This cheat unlocks all CAS features, allowing you to edit aspects of a Sim that are normally restricted.

Step 4: Access Create-A-Sim (CAS)

Now, you can access CAS for the NPC you want to style. There are a few ways to do this:

• Shift-Click Method: Shift-click on the Sim you wish to edit. A menu will appear. Select “Modify in CAS”.
• Household Management (If the NPC is in your Household): If you’ve added the NPC to your household (even temporarily), you can access CAS through the dresser or mirror by selecting “Plan Outfits”.

Step 5: Unleash Your Inner Fashion Designer

The CAS screen will open, and you can now customize the Sim’s appearance to your heart’s content. Change their everyday, formal, athletic, sleepwear, party, and swimwear outfits. Modify their hair, makeup, accessories, and even their body shape.

Step 6: Save Your Changes

Once you’re satisfied with the makeover, click the checkmark in the bottom right corner of the screen to save your changes. The NPC will now sport their new look in the game!

Method 2: The Clothing Rack Method (Limited Control)

This method is slightly more limited but can be useful if you only want to change specific outfits and have the City Living Expansion Pack.

Step 1: Acquire a Clothing Rack

Purchase a clothing rack from the Build/Buy mode. You can find it under the “Misc” category, then “Wardrobes”.

Step 2: Set the Rack for NPC Use

Click on the clothing rack and select “Set Clothing Categories”. This will allow you to specify which clothing categories NPCs can change into using the rack. Enabling all categories will give you the most control.

Step 3: Add the Rack to a Buy Queue

Also on the clothing rack menu, you can “Add to Buy Queue”. This allows NPCs to purchase clothes directly from the rack, and automatically change their outfits on the spot.

Step 4: Direct the NPC to use the Rack

Your Sim can suggest using the clothing rack to other Sims. If the NPC is amicable, they will proceed to change clothes according to your parameters.

Method 3: Modifying Career Outfits

This method focuses specifically on the work outfits of Sims who have jobs.

Step 1: Open the Cheat Console

As before, open the cheat console by pressing Ctrl + Shift + C (PC) or Command + Shift + C (Mac).

Step 2: Enter the Career Outfit Cheat

Type sims.modifycareeroutfitincas into the cheat box and press Enter.

Step 3: Customize the Work Outfit

CAS will open, allowing you to modify the Sim’s work outfit. This is particularly useful for ensuring that your Sims’ colleagues aren’t wearing the same hideous outfit all the time.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

Click the checkmark to save your modifications. The Sim will now wear their customized work outfit whenever they’re on the job.

A Note on Custom Content (CC)

If you use custom content (CC) in your game, be aware that NPCs might randomly generate wearing it. This can sometimes lead to bizarre or unwanted outfit combinations. If you want to prevent NPCs from wearing your CC, you can use a mod specifically designed for this purpose. A search for “Sims 4 disallow CC on NPCs” will turn up several options. The modding community is vast, and there are tools to help you control every aspect of your Sims 4 experience. Remember to always download mods from trusted sources! The GamesLearningSociety.org often discusses modding and game customization as a form of learning and creativity. Check them out!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I change an NPC’s name in Sims 4?

Yes, you can change an NPC’s name by using the cas.fulleditmode cheat. Once in CAS, you can edit their name just like you would for your own Sim.

2. How do I make sure NPCs don’t wear the same outfit all the time?

The best way to achieve this is to give them multiple outfits in different categories (everyday, formal, etc.). Sims will typically cycle through these outfits randomly.

3. Can I edit the appearance of service NPCs like the mailman or repair person?

Yes, you can edit any NPC in the game using the cas.fulleditmode cheat. This includes service NPCs.

4. Is there a way to prevent NPCs from wearing ugly randomly generated outfits?

While there’s no foolproof method within the base game, using custom content filters or mods that prevent NPCs from wearing certain items can help. Manually editing their outfits is also effective.

5. How do I change the clothing style of an entire neighborhood?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single button to change the style of an entire neighborhood. You’ll need to edit NPCs individually. Some mods, however, may offer broader control over NPC fashion.

6. Can I change an NPC’s traits after they’ve been generated?

Yes, you can change an NPC’s traits using the cas.fulleditmode cheat. In CAS, you can access and modify their traits.

7. How do I edit an NPC if they aren’t currently on my lot?

You can find NPCs throughout your game world. Use the cas.fulleditmode cheat. Search for them using the map and visit them. You can then edit their appearance using the shift-click method.

8. What do I do if the “Modify in CAS” option doesn’t appear when I shift-click an NPC?

Make sure you’ve successfully enabled testingcheats and cas.fulleditmode. If the option still doesn’t appear, try restarting your game.

9. Can I make an NPC look exactly like one of my Sims?

Yes, you can save a Sim’s appearance in CAS and then load that appearance onto another Sim. This is a great way to create clones or siblings.

10. How do I remove custom content from an NPC that I don’t want them to wear?

Enter CAS using the cheat method and manually remove the unwanted CC items from their outfits.

11. Is there a way to automatically generate more stylish NPCs?

Some mods exist that aim to improve the algorithm that generates NPC outfits. These mods often focus on creating more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing looks.

12. Can I change the outfits of Sims in other households that I’m not actively playing?

Yes, as long as you use the cas.fulleditmode cheat and find the Sim in the world, you can edit their appearance regardless of whether they are in your active household.

13. Does changing an NPC’s outfit affect their relationships with my Sims?

No, changing an NPC’s outfit does not affect their relationships with your Sims. It’s purely a cosmetic change.

14. Can I create entirely new outfits for NPCs using custom content?

Absolutely! Custom content expands the clothing options available in CAS, allowing you to create unique and personalized outfits for your NPCs.

15. What happens if I delete the custom content that an NPC is wearing?

If you delete CC that an NPC is wearing, the game will typically replace those items with default, base-game clothing. This might result in some unexpected outfit combinations.

Styling your Sims 4 NPCs can be a fun and rewarding way to personalize your game and make your world feel more vibrant and unique. Whether you prefer using cheats for complete control or leveraging the clothing rack for more casual changes, there are plenty of options to explore. So, go ahead, unleash your inner fashion designer and give those townies a makeover they’ll never forget! Understanding the creativity and problem-solving involved in game customization can be further explored through resources like the Games Learning Society.