Quick Links
InThe Sims 4there are many different ways to play the game. While many people love to play out the lives of their Sims, for others the fun in the game is in building and creating. The sandbox mode allows you to create a huge range of buildings and there are many different styles of decor to utilise.
One of the most useful aspects of building in The Sims 4 are the build mode shortcuts, cheats and tricks. In this guide we take a look at how to quickly unlock all the building tools you will ever need, as well as listing all those hot keys you always forget.
All Basic Build And Buy Hot Keys
There are many different build features that are accessed via clicking themenus at the top of the build screen.However, many of these features also havehot keysto enable you to navigate them faster. Here are the mostcommon shortcuts for builders.
Opens Hand Tool (Grab and move objects)
Opens Sledgehammer (Deletes items)
[ and ]
; and :
, and .
- (numpad)
Z and X
Zooms Camera In and Out
Hold Shift + Click
Decorate An Entire Room With One Click**
*Build items are increased and decreased in size only after the move objects cheat has been enabled. Terrain tool must be selected before using this hot key to change its size.
**If you are holding a floor tile then the entire floor will be covered with a click while a wallpaper will cover the walls. If a room is open with an archway the pattern will continue into the next room.
Floor tiles can also be placed on the ceiling.Check out our guide onHow To Paint Ceilingsto find out more.
PlayStation 4 / 5
Swap Between HUD and Cursor
Press L+RT+D-Pad
D-Pad Will Resize Items - Right Larger, Left Smaller*
*Build items are increased and decreased in size only after the move objects cheat has been enabled. Keep the triggers held down while using the D-Pad to resize.
How To Rotate Floor Tiles
One of the more complex aspects of building that requires shortcut keys isflooring. Once you haveselected your floor tile,then you can press the following buttons to rotate it:
To get thetriangular bracket keys < and >on PC or Mac you’ll need tohold down shift while pressing , or .
Some floor tiles won’t look any different, but this is a great shortcut forchanging the direction of wooden flooring, or makingpatterns with ornate tiles.
How To Select Quarter Or Half Tiles
If you want to placehalf or quarter sized tilesthen you first need toselect the tileyou want. While hovering over the place you want to place it press:
This willturn the tile into a quarter tile. You can leave it this way or keep hold of the keys to place a second quarter tile next to it and make ahalf tile.
All quarter and half tiles aretriangular. There iscurrently noway to place arectangular-shaped half tile.
How To Enable Cheats On PC, Mac And Console
Whatever platform you use, you’ll need to open a text box into which you cantype your cheats.To bring up this menu,press:
You should then see awhite bar appear in the top-leftof your screen.
Typetestingcheats true or testingcheats oninto this box and hit enter/select/confirm to enable cheats in the game.
Once this is done, you can then bring the box back up if needed and add any other cheats you wish.
Basic Build Mode Cheats
There are also afew basic cheatsyou’ll want to utilise in build mode. These are the most commonly used ones with links to more in depth guides where available.
How To Enable Free Build
The free build cheat allows you tobuild on any lot, including locked lots. The current locked lots includes all active career lots:Hospital, Police Station, Lab, as well as both sets ofUniversity Dorms.
Simply use the cheat:
To visit thePolice Station and Science Labyou’ll need tojoin the associated careerand go to work. Thehospital has more optionswhich you can find out about inour quick guide.
How To Enable Move Objects
Moving objects is a core build cheat.By default, items will snap to the gridto ensure there are no routing issues. However, often you may want to move items to place them in slightly different places and create a more natural look. Tounlock the ability to place objects anywhere, simply use the cheat:
bb.moveobjects on
With this enabled, you can alsohold down alt to freely place an item. Hold alt and press therotate key to change the angle.
How To Enable Hidden Objects
You can unlock extra items in the build menu using thehidden objects cheat. Once you have your text box open, simply enter the following:
bb.showhiddenobjects
This will show a variety ofdifferent objects that are usually hidden. It includes things like bottles, chopping boards, glasses, collectibles, etc.You cansearch the word debug to display the items.
Since many of these items arelinked to gameplaysuch as cooking, crafting, or collecting, Sims may wash up dishes or put items away.
How To Enable Live Edit Objects
Live edit objects areenvironmental objects not usually accessiblein build buy mode. They include a wide variety offoliage, rocks, trees and other shrubbery, as well as non-functionalshells for buildings and cars.Essentially, almost anything that decorates a world in the game can be accessed. Simply use the cheat code:
bb.showliveeditobjects
This will allow you to use a lot ofenvironmental decorations at no cost.This is particularly helpful if you are making ahouse on a budgetbut would like to still have a nice looking garden.
How To Unlock Career Items In Build Mode
The final lot of items not usually accessible in build and buy mode straight away are thecareer reward items.These items are specific to careers and includeskill building itemssuch as a paint easel. To access these enter the cheat code:
bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement
You should now be able to gain access tonicer cameras, laptops, and other itemswithout having to level the corresponding career. Just remember that you will only gain items from DLC careers if you own the pack the careers are from.
