Sim3pack and Package question

[ProxyCat]

I'm not sure if anyone asked about this, and I did try to look for answers in Google but couldn't find any, so I might as well ask here.

I just want to ask about the difference between sim3Pack and Package files.
Are the sim3Pack files are like meshes or the base of a new item and the package is the skin?
Do I need to download them both when given in a download link for an item or just one of them?

I began to having these questions in my mind after getting to 1GB of mods and I still wonder if I need both files or am I just downloading extra Package files when not really needed (because I have Sim3Pack files ,for the same item, in the download zip package).

I'm just curious so thank you for any answer that will help me with my wondering, odd, thoughts. :)

[HystericalParoxysm]

Most of the time in TS3, meshes and textures are together in one. It's not really like TS3 where you have a mesh file and recolours separately (most of the time - there are exceptions to this).

A sims3pack usually just contains .package files in it. It's kind of like a wrapper for other content - usually just normal .package content, but sometimes other things like lots, worlds, or sims.

If a creator gives a link to a .sims3pack version of the content (like I did at the bottom of my Ektorp set (http://www.modthesims.info/d/429929)) then you do not have to download the sims3pack separately - it's the same stuff, just in different format, because some people prefer most content as .packages, and some prefer .sims3packs.

If someone uploads a house though as a .sims3pack, then if they link to places where you can download other content in .package format, it's usually not an alternate version, but required content to make the house look like they show it in the pictures (furniture, patterns, whatever they've used).

[ProxyCat]

So they are the same thing
for example: I download a zip file of an item and it has, let's say 6 package files and one sim3Pack file, so it means that the sim3pack file actually contains all the 6 package files? (or the other way around) and I just choose on of the formats?
So I was right? you should choose only one of the two?
Aw man, that means cleaning time for me D:

Oh! but sometimes I get something like this:
http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w346/ProxyKitty/untitled.jpg

I choose only one?

[HystericalParoxysm]

> so it means that the sim3pack file actually contains all the 6 package files?

Possibly... It depends on the specific case. The creator should really make this clear - if they don't, ask them. Usually, there would be one sims3pack and one package if they're the same contents.

And yes, in your pic there, that's one-to-one (that is, one package, one sims3pack) with the same names - choose only one format, whichever you prefer.

[ProxyCat]

Now it's a lot more clear for me, thank you. :)