CAW unable to load file.

[Riptide651]

I just installed showtime and uninstalled CAW and reinstalled it just like it told me to, to update it. I saved the .world and .settings files for a world I was working on. After reinstalling, I placed the files back into the UserToolData/Worlds folder and ran CAW, but it says it is unable to load the file.

[simsample]

Can it load it if you remove the settings file? What is the exact error, could you post a screenshot? Will it open and save another world, or a new world?

[Riptide651]

I cant load it if I remove the settings file.

I cant seem to get a screenshot but it basically says this:

Unable to Load. 'C:/Users/Mark/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3 Create a World Tool/UserToolData/Worlds/Sturgeon Bay.world': Could not Load File. C:/Users/Mark/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3 Create a World Tool/UserToolData/Worlds/Sturgeon Bay.world

I can open and save other worlds. I don't know if this is the problem, but I seem to be missing the Global Layer in the Layers folder.

[simsample]

That will be the problem, then. Do you have an older backup?

[Riptide651]

Nope. I'm currently trying out this method: http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3572593&postcount=3
I'll report whether it works in a few minutes :)
Because I'm not to fond of a fresh start.

[Riptide651]

OK, now its working, everything is as I last saved it :)

[simsample]

Hehe, that's what I was going to suggest next! Well done for fixing it, please make some safe backups now!

Well done. :)

[Riptide651]

Now to learn how to make Chocolate-Stout brownies for St. Patricks Day :)

[Daniel]

Is there another method I can try? The one linked above didn't work for me.

[simsample]

Are you getting the exact same error message, Daniel? If so then you could try the first method, here:
http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3572586&postcount=2

[Riptide651]

Yes, just as SImsample said, what error are you getting, and exactly what have you done in CAW recently that may possible make it happen.

[Daniel]

I am getting the exact same message. I recently had to do a fresh install of Windows so I reinstalled all of my sims stuff. It was working fine before that. I'll give the other method a shot :)

[Riptide651]

First of all do you have global layer for that world within it's file?

[Daniel]

First of all do you have global layer for that world within it's file?

Yes, in the layers folder correct?

Another person (Rian90) was able to open it normally in her version of CAW so I need to figure out what is wrong with my setup. I hope I don't have to get Showtime just to open the world

[Riptide651]

Also, you have the settings file right? Just checking

[simsample]

Delete the settings file, it only specifies which layer was active on last save and can cause problems if it is corrupt.

[Daniel]

@RipTide
I do. I believe everything is intact. Layers folder, lots folder, settings file, and world file.

I will try that. Thanks Simsample

[Daniel]

Okay so I've fully updated, I've deleted the settings file, I've taken out my cc and my custom textures, and it still won't load. It's not corrupt however as Rian90 has successfully loaded it on her PC.

Is there some kind of end-user screw up that can cause this issue because I have to think it's something I am doing wrong, but I can't figure it out :faceslap:

[Riptide651]

I don't know what to say then, maybe corrupt lots? But thats normally when you save not when you load.

[simsample]

Okay so I've fully updated, I've deleted the settings file, I've taken out my cc and my custom textures, and it still won't load. It's not corrupt however as Rian90 has successfully loaded it on her PC.

In that case then it must be something in your user data. Test the world with a fresh set of user files, both in CAW and Sims 3.

To do this, drag Documents/ Electronic Arts to the desktop and run CAW to generate a fresh set. Then close CAW, copy over your world file into the fresh CAW worlds folder, and try again.

Also test with your CAW custom content removed- so drag [Game Install Location] \Electronic Arts \The Sims 3 Create a World Tool \Packages to the desktop.

If it works then you know that something in those folders was causing the problem, so you can work to determine what.

@Riptide- it's not corrupt lots as someone else can load it okay.

[Daniel]

Okay, did that and it still won't load. Might this occur if my EP's are not fully updated. I updated them to the latest patches I could find (corresponding of course).

Do they even make EP patches past 1.22.9?

[simsample]

If you had your basegame or any of the EPs patched to a higher level when you last worked on the world than you have now then that could possibly cause the problem. You can get all of the archived patches from links in our wiki:
Game Help:TS3 Patching/Archive

And here's the patch table that shows the latest patches for the EPs:
Game Help:Patch Table

[Daniel]

Okay, well then everything is fully patched up. The last time I worked on it, I was patched up to 1.29. After I reinstalled, I patched up to 1.33 and downloaded the newest CAW.

I am at a complete loss...

[simsample]

Just to check, you verified the gameversions of your EPs (WA 2.17, AMB 4.10 etc.)? And you can open other worlds successfully? You have all CC you used in this world installed in your game/CAW?

Another thing you could try is to delete the _KEY file; that can sometimes cause the world to stall loading. Otherwise, if you want to send a link then I could look at it to see if I can spot anything.

[Daniel]

Thanks so much Simsample. I did check them all. I actually was doing that last night as well but did a double-check with the link you provided. Yes, all the cc is installed. If I somehow messed up my resource file, would it account for this issue?

Oh and yes, I can open other worlds (SV and Riverview, I have no others). I'll try the _KEY file thing and if not, I'll send you my stuff. What all would you need?

Edit: Does the CC have to be in my regular sims 3 folder (Documents/EA/Sims 3) as well as my CAW? I don't have them installed in my regular game but I don't remember that being an issue in the past...

[Riptide651]

The CC is in that folder in a folder you make yourself called mods, check to framework guide for instructions:http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Setup_and_Files

The above is for Sims 3, the link below will be for CAW, both require 2 separate methods.

http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:CAW_Framework

and when it says append framework.cfg it just means add it to the bottom and save. I was confused a little too so I had to do a little research.

[Daniel]

Thanks. I understand how to set up my framework and all that though, I was just wondering if I had to have the CC installed in the Sims 3 folder as well as CAW. I didn't make the link in the CAW resource file so I didn't think it mattered.

[Riptide651]

Nope sims 3 cc goes into the sims 3 folder CAW cc goes into the CAW folder :)

[simsample]

Oh and yes, I can open other worlds (SV and Riverview, I have no others). I'll try the _KEY file thing and if not, I'll send you my stuff. What all would you need?

Just the world file and the corresponding folder (containing the layers and lots) from your CAW folder.

[Daniel]

Just the world file and the corresponding folder (containing the layers and lots) from your CAW folder.

Here is the file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?n4n5bw9r74uar56

[ellacharmed]

Did you try it without the NY CC stuffs?
The world by itself loads in CAW for me. Just the files as provided in the .rar.

[Daniel]

Did you try it without the NY CC stuffs?
The world by itself loads in CAW for me. Just the files as provided in the .rar.

Yes. I've tried it several different ways. Another member has reported it opening fine for them as well. It's so strange that I cannot open it while others can just fine

[simsample]

I can't test it- it says it's set to private. :(

But from what Ella is saying, it seems as though some of the CC you are using is causing the issue.


EDIT: Scratch that, it's downloading now- will test ASAP!

[Daniel]

...But from what Ella is saying, it seems as though some of the CC you are using is causing the issue.


I've tried though to load it without the packages folder installed. And I get the same non-descript message 'Unable to load file' etc.

[simsample]

No, I can't load it either. I have the latest CAW, set to LAA but no luck. I've tried splicing in a new global layer, deleting the _KEY, replacing the various resources that have a file path reference but nothing helps. Just the 'cannot load file' error.

For information, your Lots folder has a copy of the world file and the settings file in it, so it might be worth you trying with those removed. Didn't help for me, though!

Perhaps Ella or someone else who can get this loaded could save the world and upload it again, to see if you can open that?

[ellacharmed]

Oh, I'm not saying the NY CC has issues. It's just that my CAW is currently not setup to have any CC. And the world file did load with no issues, other than the blank spots where the CC are supposed to be.
I suppose I could test again once I go hunt down the NY CC stuffehs. The last Beta file has it, right?

[eta]
Forgot to mention I did manually create the NewYork folder under \Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Create A World Tool\UserToolData\Worlds\ as the rar file appears to have them loose.
And added piccies!

[Daniel]

Oh, I'm not saying the NY CC has issues. It's just that my CAW is currently not setup to have any CC. And the world file did load with no issues, other than the blank spots where the CC are supposed to be.
I suppose I could test again once I go hunt down the NY CC stuffehs. The last Beta file has it, right?

Yes, just click on my signature. It'll be in the '4th beta' download. Thanks:)

@Simsample
I noticed those in the lots folder as well. I wasn't sure if that was normal or not.

[PoisonFrog]

I'm set up for CAW cc and did get it to load(EIG too). It took longer than usual to load. It did give me low frame rates though, which doesn't happen very often. I did notice many red chunk boundaries, also.

Anyway, let me know if you want me to re-save and upload to the web...
:duck:

[Daniel]

@Poison Frog
Sure, I'd love it if you could. I'll be away from the computer for a few hours so no rush but I'll be eager to try it out :up:

EDIT: Just another quick thought, what tool did you all unpack with?

I used winrar and I notice Ella has used 7-zip. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

[PoisonFrog]

I'm on it, but it will probably take me a while anyway...and I used winrar.


Edit:
Sorry, I don't think I can help. I re-saved, but 38 lots were lost. Maybe because I don't have showtime?

[simsample]

Forgot to mention I did manually create the NewYork folder under \Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Create A World Tool\UserToolData\Worlds\ as the rar file appears to have them loose.

Ah, you know what? I never twigged that! If I do that I can open it just fine, how long have I been using CAW? :rofl:

I noticed those in the lots folder as well. I wasn't sure if that was normal or not.
They shouldn't be there, but they shouldn't stop the world loading as they won't be read by CAW. It looks like you just copied the files there by mistake.

Can you check that you have the Lots and Layers folders in a 'New Your' folder as in Ella's picture?

[rian90]

Like Ella, I had spots where lots were missing. I suspect that the errors are in one of those lots. Because I didn't have them, the CAW file loaded just fine for me and for Ella, who obviously was missing them as well. In your email, you said you embedded them into the metadata without placing them as lots. Could this be the problem? One of those could be corrupt. Otherwise, it is probably something in your userfile that one of us does not have.

Sorry you are still having problems opening the file! It is so annoying when things like this happen...they just seem to make no sense sometimes.

[ellacharmed]

Mediafire upload @10% ... done - http://www.mediafire.com/?y18h53mul00mjvo
Are there stuff missing in that? Lots folder's items listed in Windows Explorer in the resaved version has 155 items versus the rar I download has 191 items (excluding the .world & settings file already deleted). But the .world Save in CAW reports all successful, go figure. That probably explains the 38 files @PoisonFrog reported as "lost" during their Save.

... your Lots folder has a copy of the world file and the settings file in it, so it might be worth you trying with those removed. Didn't help for me, though!@simsample, well...I missed this. So go us! :D


In the meanwhile, EIG loads fine too.

[PoisonFrog]

Are there stuff missing in that? Lots folder's items listed in Windows Explorer in the resaved version has 155 items versus the rar I download has 191 items (excluding the .world & settings file already deleted). But the .world Save in CAW reports all successful, go figure. That probably explains the 38 files @PoisonFrog reported as "lost" during their Save.


Your version is a hair bigger than the one I did, but the lot count is the same. More data is probably a good thing though. It would be 36 lots as I missed the 2 dupe files, too :rolleyes:

The part that still confuses me is what rian90 said about embedding lots in metadata...that would be in S3PE? I'm not up to speed on that or C# yet. Could that account for the missing 36 lots?

[rian90]

The part that still confuses me is what rian90 said about embedding lots in metadata...that would be in S3PE? I'm not up to speed on that or C# yet. Could that account for the missing 36 lots?

That part confused me too. :) Maybe he meant he merged them?

[Daniel]

OH MY GOD, IT WORKED!!!!

If I could hit that 'love' button 50 times I would. Thank you all so so much!

For the record, I don't notice any lots missing in this version. But looking at some pics that Rian90 sent me, she had at least 1 or 2 missing lots (the Empire State lot is the one that was most obvious to me). So, if anyone would mind indulging me, what might cause the lower lot count? corrupted cc or just some other unexplainable CAW 'feature'?

About the 'embedding lots' thing (which I don't think I worded in that way :P ), I just meant I enabled some rabbitholes to show up in CAW so I could place them without a lot, Just like you would with trees or streetlights. Those are all showing up fine too, at least in mine.

@Rian90
I don't know why so many things are missing from your file. I'd say check your resource file but obviously some stuff did show up. Have you tried again with the new 'packages' folder I sent you? If not, I can send you the new world files to try...

Again, Thanks so much SimSample, EllaCharm3D, Poison Frog, Rian90, and Riptide. Earlier this morning, I was ready to give up on this thing. And I would have if not for you meddling CAW pros :lol:

[simsample]

Hurrah! :D

[rian90]

Just sent you another email with some pictures. I now have almost all the lots, minus a few which are probably the rabbithole lots you placed in CAW. If you could tell what ones they are, I bet I could find them and place them myself. I think maybe they do not show up in Edit-in-Game but might export okay? Not sure. When I go back and look at the missing lots, they are obviously not really lots, but blank spots for the rabbitholes.

I downloaded Ella's copy and still do not see those rabbitholes so they are not, for some odd reason, showing up. Might be a problem for other users too.

Here is an example picture. Anyone else seeing this?

[Daniel]

Well, I'll respond to your email but just for everyone elses (is that even a word?) sake; There are places empty of any deco buildings or anything else because I do the city planning as I go through each district. The area in the pic you provided is blank because I wanted to put a school there. But, I wanted to place the ambitions one and I have to find it in the delta build first and unlock it for CAW.

[simsample]

So Daniel, you don't see any lots missing in CAW?

[Daniel]

So Daniel, you don't see any lots missing in CAW?

I don't. It's just that because it's a WIP and I kind of skip around the map when working, it looks like stuff is missing.

I should note though that I haven't opened it since earlier, so if you see something that looks odd, please let me know:)

[rian90]

Oh..replied to you but forgot to tell you that I have the Empire State Building. :)

[smithk287]

Hey Simsample, i tried your second method and got my world file to open, however all the lots i've built with no CC disappeared, all that is present is the landscape of the map with roads. All my bridges are missing as well. Would the lots and bridges have something to do with the .SETTINGS file ?

[CassieJ]

Hi sorry to just tag on the end but I've been searching round the interwebs for ages now - my CAW will open new worlds but it refuses to open ones that I've already made. I saved the world as something and then accidentally deleted an (enormous) layer of trees, so I exited without saving to bring them back. However, now although the program opens and new worlds open, it still won't open old ones, AND on top of that it seems like my custom worlds have just vanished into thin air. I've looked everywhere where they normally are and none of the backups or anything is still there...! Does anyone have any idea how I might get them back and open them again because I've spent at least a month and a half on it already...! :O

[simsample]

@smithk287: Please check the solutions in this thread:
http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=469942
And post there if you still can't solve it.

@CassieJ- Please try the solutions in this thread:
http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=441595
And make a new thread about your problem if nothing works.

[nataodzanata]

HI!
I have problem with caw too, I was making new world, and was saving during time. Now, when I want to continue working in caw I cannot open my last save, actually I can open 1, 2. and third save, but 4,5 and 6 can`t!!! I`m mad because I don`t want to start from beginning, which third save almost is!!!! With my sixth save I was half way there to be done!! I don`t understand why I can`t open 5. save, because when I was saving, caw said Save was succesfull!

I found out that in my UserToolData/Worlds/Magnolia6/Layers Global layer is missing!! Has that something to do with that I can`t open my saved world? What can I do about that?

[SharaRose]

HI!
I have problem with caw too, I was making new world, and was saving during time. Now, when I want to continue working in caw I cannot open my last save, actually I can open 1, 2. and third save, but 4,5 and 6 can`t!!! I`m mad because I don`t want to start from beginning, which third save almost is!!!! With my sixth save I was half way there to be done!! I don`t understand why I can`t open 5. save, because when I was saving, caw said Save was succesfull!

I found out that in my UserToolData/Worlds/Magnolia6/Layers Global layer is missing!! Has that something to do with that I can`t open my saved world? What can I do about that?That could be it. You could use the instructions from simsample's great Cleaning the Global Layer (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=473791) thread to restore it. You can get the file name you'll need from one of the older saves.

My first save is usually taken before I do anything in Edit in Game. If the same is true for yours, then your first save's Global Layer would already be clean and you could try just plopping it into Save 6 (backing up that save first). That would only work if you're sure it's clean, though.

[nataodzanata]

That could be it. You could use the instructions from simsample's great Cleaning the Global Layer (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=473791) thread to restore it. You can get the file name you'll need from one of the older saves.

My first save is usually taken before I do anything in Edit in Game. If the same is true for yours, then your first save's Global Layer would already be clean and you could try just plopping it into Save 6 (backing up that save first). That would only work if you're sure it's clean, though.



THANKS!! I just copy paste Global layer from previous save and now it`s working again!!
But how in first place Global layer is missing?

[simsample]

nataodzanata, perhaps you have an antivirus program which is identifying it as a threat and quarantining it? Or, perhaps your computer did not complete the save correctly? Either way, be sure to make a safe backup so that you won't lose your work if it occurs again.

Thanks for the help, SharaRose!