Perhaps one of the biggest tools for Sims 3 Modding would be The Sims Workshop (although many other fantastic tools exist if you don’t happen to swing for TSR).  Word got out (thanks to Sims3-Game.ru) that the latest beta release – version 0.8.7 – is now available to download from their site.

Version 0.8.7 brings many changes, check below for the details or just drop by and read them yourself 🙂

User Interface:

* A revamped more graphical GUI
* All unnecessary clutter and information removed
* New editor windows for patterns and textures with zoom and move functionality

CAS Creation support:

* Unique hair, accessories and clothing meshes, with the exception of morph states
* Flexible polycounts
* New bone assignments
* Animated hair

Object Creation support:

* Most of the object types available in the game can be cloned/used as a base
* Flexible polycounts
* New bone assignments
* Animated objects
* Adding/deleting variations
* Adjusting the footprint
* Changing the Normal Map
* Modular objects

Textures/Materials/Patterns:

* Ability to set final texture sizes with Material Editor
* Editing of Color and HSV patterns
* Exchanging patterns with WSP format between projects
* Possible to view and change material states (dirty and default)

Improved 3D preview:

* New higher resolution rendering
* Show/hide normals for the mesh
* Show/hide footprints/slots
* Show/hide all different LOD meshes
* Show/hide the mesh wireframe
* Improved shaders now supporting shadows, transparency and bumpmaps
* Preview wall visible when editing wallmasks for windows, doors and arches

Overall Improvements:

* Faster load times
* New and improved Milkshape plugins for mesh export
* Compression of .sims3package files
* Ability to import .package files
* A brand new Wiki section covering all creation processes and how to use the tool