How to Edit Blacked Out Rooms in Sims Late Night

"The Sims 3: Late Night" expansion pack introduced many new features -- not the least of which is apartment living. Unfortunately, by default, apartments cannot be changed once sims move in to the lot. Non-playable areas are blacked out entirely, and you cannot enter Build/Buy Mode. The only way to edit blacked-out rooms in Late Night is by using cheat codes.

Instructions

1. Load "The Sims 3: Late Night," and play the family living in the apartment building where the rooms are blacked out.

2. Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the cheat window. Type "testingCheatsenabled true" and hit "Enter" to enable cheats.

3. Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the cheat window again. Type "RestrictBuildBuyInBuildings False" and hit "Enter."

4. Enter Build Mode. The apartment's rooms are no longer blacked out. You can access building objects in the catalog, and enter Buy Mode to add furniture and other objects. You'll see a strange ball object -- or Hidden Room Marker -- designating the apartment as a non-playable area. Delete the Hidden Room Marker, if you want to make the area playable. You also have the option to designate a room as a public space open to all visitors. For instance, if you want to create a workout room that all residents and visitors can use, place a Public Room Marker there. Open the cheat window and type "BuyDebug on" and hit "Enter." The Public Room Marker can be found in the BuyDebug catalog in Buy Mode. Make any other changes you want, then exit the lot.

5. Open the cheat window, type "RestrictBuildBuyInBuildings True" and hit "Enter."

Tips & Warnings

• Add space to your apartment by deleting the Skip Level Marker, and connecting two or more apartments with stairs or elevators.

• You are allowed only one playable family per apartment lot. Deleting Private Room Markers does not allow you to move other families into the building.

Resources

• "The Sims 3 Late Night - Prima Essential Guide"; Catherine Browne; Prima Games; 2010