The Sims 4 Building Tutorials:

Using Building Cheats to Enhance a Project

by Norma Blackburn

Sims 4 Building How-To's: enhancing builds with build mode cheats

There are a few cheats we can use while building in Sims 4. Usually very easy to use, they can enhance our builds and can help to make them look more realistic.

To use cheats, first you need to open the cheats console by pressing Control + Shift + C. Type the cheat in and press enter. To close the console, press Control + Shift + C again.

The Sims 4 Building Cheats for PC, Xbox and PS4

A Guide to using The Sims 4's building cheats, which includes controls that are easy to miss that let you resize objects and fine tune placement. Features the new live mode edit objects that were patched into the game in July 2019.

The Sims 4 Video

Move Objects Cheat

Possibly one of the most used cheats in building. To activate type bb.moveobjects on and retype to turn the cheat off. With this on, you will be able to place items in places that the game would not normally allow. You can place things closer together or even touching. With this cheat, you could combine two pieces of furniture to make one larger pieces, for example, two Unabashed Sofas at right angles to each other make a nice corner lounge. Join tables together to make larger tables. Be aware though, that combining items can affect your sim's ability to use part or all of the item or can cause strange visuals when they do use it. It's a good idea to test objects placed with this cheat, especially if you intend to share the build.

--> Sims 4 Building How-To's: moveobjects cheat
Click to Enlarge. Use the moveobjects cheat to combine furniture

The move object cheat does have some limitations. While it will allow two windows to be placed on one section of wall, it will cause some strange visuals. Sometimes too, the game will not acknowledge that an item is placed in an unusual place and again, some strange visuals could result when a Sim uses that item.

Sims 4 Building How-To's: game doesn't recognize when something is placed using a cheat
Click to Enlarge. The game doesn't always recognise when something is placed using a cheat

While the move objects cheat is activated, we can also adjust the height at which something sits. Pick up the item and press the 9 key, every time you press the key, the item will be raised a little. When it's at the desired height, release it and it will stay at that height. To lower something use the 0 key instead. This is useful for placing things on surfaces that the game would not normally allow.

Sims 4 Building How-To's: make cosmetic bunk beds
Click to Enlarge. Use moveobjects cheat and raise a second bed to make a set of bunks - unfortunately, they can't be used

Show Hidden Objects

Another well used cheat in building, this one allows us to use items that we normally can't buy. To activate, type bb.showhiddenobjects into the cheat console. For now, there seems to be no way to turn this cheat off other than exiting the game, so be aware, especially if you are playing a competition game where cheats are not allowed.

This cheat lets us select many items that we cannot usually buy, from full grown fruit trees to the little things our Sims use in everyday activities. Included in the hidden objects are lights. The hidden lights are particularly useful as they can make a room lighter without adding more conventional lights.

Sims 4 Building How-To's: Add extra lights with hidden lights
Click to Enlarge. Use hidden lights to add extra light to a room

Enlarging an item

Not really a cheat, the enlarging feature is still useful when decorating a house. In Build mode, pick up an item and press the ] key and the item will be enlarged a little. With each key stroke, the item will be made slightly bigger. While items can be made larger, they cannot be made smaller than the original size. To reduce the size of something that has been enlarged, hit the [ key until the required size is reached. While most items can be made bigger, a few do not enlarge well. While window and door frames will enlarge, the hole in the wall will remain the original size. Likewise mirrors do not enlarge well.

Sims 4 Building How-To's: plants enlarge well, other objects do not
Click to Enlarge. Some things like plants enlarge well - others like windows and mirrors do not

Free Placement and Rotation of Objects

Another trick that is not really a cheat is free placement and rotation of objects. Normally when you place an item, it will be locked to the grid. Pick up an item and go to place it somewhere. You will see it has a footprint. This footprint shows how many grid squares the item will need and when you place it the footprint will automatically lock to the grid on the floor.

By holding the ALT key when you place something, the grid will be ignored and you will be free to place it anywhere. Things moved this way will still have the footprint that says how many squares of floor space is needed. Unless you also use the moveobjects cheat, items cannot share the same space. Combining the moveobjects cheat and holding the ALT key will give more placement options.

Sims 4 Building How-To's: stop grid snap when making a lot
Click to Enlarge. Normally, objects snap to the grid. By holding the alt key they can be placed anywhere

Free rotation is similar to free placement in that we are not restricted in how we rotate an item. This trick is dependent on you using the Sims 3 camera mode. To switch into Sims 3 camera mode, select the Options menu in the top right hand corner of the screen. From there select Game Options and then Controls & Camera. Check the box that says The Sims 3 Camera. Apply the change and return to the game. Alternately, you can switch between the Sims 3 camera and the Sims 4 camera by holding CTRL + Shift + tab. With the Sims 3 camera, you will be able to rotate an item you are holding simply by dragging it instead of having to use the < or > keys. Rotating something this way, you will still be restricted to 45 degree rotations but by holding the ALT key as you drag, you will be able to rotate an item freely.

Sims 4 Building How-To's: hold alt and use the sims 3 camera mode to freely rotate objects.
Click to Enlarge. By holding the alt key and using the Sims 3 camera mode, we can freely rotate objects

Sharing houses and rooms built with cheats
If you share a house or room you have built using some or all of the cheats, there are a few things to consider. Not all things placed with the showhiddenobjects cheat will transfer through the gallery, some are just not designed that way. The invisible lights will only transfer if you save and share an entire lot. If you only share a room, hidden lights will not be included. Objects placed using the moveobjects cheat may transfer correctly, but there is a chance that they will not. Items transferring could also depend on individual games being up to date. In earlier versions of the game, some items did not transfer through the gallery the way they were intended to by the builder.

Other Building Guides

Sims 4 House Building
Building Cheats
Counters and Islands
Decorating Inside Homes
Decorating Outside/Landscaping
Island Living (Stilt Foundation, Glass Floors)
Roofs
Split Levels and Lofts
Stairs and Basements
Terrain Tools
Platform Tool


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Comments (113)

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Dontesays...
bb.moveobjects not working... please help!
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KawaiiKidsays...
Yeah, mine isn't working either. But pressing alt seems to work. I just want the bb.moveobjects to work
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Emilysays...
Have you tried typing in testingcheats true
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Izziesays...
Hey ! In regaurds to your problem the move object cheat definatly works in sims 4 but for sims 3 the cheat has a different code: moveobjects on. Whereas with sims 4 you need bb.moveobjects on make sure you do a space between objects and on ! Hopeit helps :)
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kirasays...
You do bb.moveobjects on
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kirasays...
You do bb.moveobjects on
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Paigesays...
type in bb.moveobject's then a space then type on
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Shannensays...
People It Is: bb.moveobjects on Smile
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Sophiesays...
yeah Wink
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Cookiesays...
I dont put the on at the end and it still works
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Micheal Bohmersays...
That's right, you don't need to type 'on' at the end of bb.moveobjects . If moo is on and you type bb.moveobjects it turns it off. There is no need to type 'on' or 'off'.
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crazy chickensays...
yeah same
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Villateensays...
Shocked I did not know this at all I only play sims 3

#old age 4 life
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Villateensays...
Shocked I did not know this at all I only play sims 3

#old age 4 life
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Admin
Carlsays...
I edited that in, think she forgot a word there :) Sorry about us not catching that sooner! Thanks for correcting it so people got the right syntax.
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Bellasays...
Do bb.moveobjects on
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Riasays...
bb.moveobjects onSmile
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maci harrissays...
there is no on and first you put in testingcheates true
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dinithasays...
bb.moveobjects on doesnt work
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brigilizsays...
First do testingcheats true and then bb.moveobjects
Smile
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Keelysays...

I've done that but still doesn't work

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Jiasays...
It updated so its moveobjects on LaughSmile
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Brooke kawaiisays...
Tonguetry using the cheat to turn on cheats just saying it might be helpful in my opinion Sleepthx if you read this
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Sofiesays...
It's not bb.moveobjects It's bb.moveobjects on ;)
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Hbrchmrcdsays...
It don’t have to have the on at the end
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Deidarasays...
How do i rotate freely?
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tonisays...
Did you type in bb.moveobjects on? Because if you just did bb.move objects, it will not work. I did it for myself and it works
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Tiffany Mayfieldsays...
Must do testingcheats on then bb.moveobjects. then it should work
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Regular
Hannahsays...
The command is- bb.moveobjects on
If you don't add the "on" then it won't work
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Destiny Fishersays...
Make sure you use
testingcheats true
before you use
bb.moveobjects
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kksays...
Tryed that and bb.moveobjects on stll doesnt work!
CryingCrying
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Star coolgamersays...
instead write bb.moveobjects on Cool
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Michellesays...
Try typing bb.moveobjects (on)
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kksays...
wont work tryed with and without on at end still wont work!Mad
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Admin
Playalotsays...
In live mode pause your game and press Control-Shift-C altogether to open up the cheats console.
Next type or copy testingcheats on and press enter.
Next type or copy bb.moveobjects on and press enter.
If you want to also freely rotate an object hold down the alt key while you are still holding the object and either use the mouse wheel down and pivot or the direction arrows.
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Hehsays...
For the bb.moveobjects to work you must have bb.moveobjects on
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Galaxy3967says...
you need to do first is testingcheats on then after that you type bb.moveobjects on
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Tenley Mariesays...
You have to do bb.moveobjects on
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Elisays...
you must do bb.moveobjects on not just bb.moveobjects Tongue
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Allison Butlersays...
well the code is bb.moveobjects on
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Merryn Rowlandssays...

Hold Alt

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tigasays...
the code of hidden item doesn't work for me
Admin: That cheat was added via a patch, are you using the latest version?
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Ariasays...
I don't think in the newest patch that it shows up that you successfully turned it on. I tried multiply but i did it right once and all the other times it said that it failed to do the cheats.
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Puppee101says...
Do these cheats work on the Mac version? Cuz the only one I know that works on Mac is the motherlode cheat Smile
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lilypad12says...
Yes you can, unless you downloaded it every cheat should work
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Puppee101says...
Thanks
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Pamsays...
Is there a way to make the lights brighter?
Admin: One solution is to use some of the hidden lights in order to brighten a room.
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Regular
Adriannasays...
Are there spawners using this cheat? I couldn't find them
Admin: I don't remember seeing them either. The closest are the plants, which I think come in wild variants.. but as for making dig site spawners, I don't recall them being there.
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Vicsays...
Where can I find the fully grown trees?
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Admin
Carlsays...
Think you just click the tree within build mode. Some of them are huge.
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Puppee101says...
Is there a cheat for simpoints?Blush
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Admin
Carlsays...
Do you mean satisfaction, which you get for completing aspirations/whims? If so, yes. I've recently added one to the regular cheats page.
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Haylei Rodriguezsays...

If you mean simoleons the yes, there is motherlode, rosebud, and kaching (I think)

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Josefinesays...
Is there not a cheat to unlock work stuff .
Admin: Yes, you can disable the career level requirements with the cheat

bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement


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Laurensays...
Bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement doesnt work
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Sashasays...
have you enabled the cheats yet? remember it's testingcheats true, not testingcheatsenabled true... I had that problem before, my mind still mixed up with sims 3 Grin
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aiobhlinsays...
is there a way to buy objects only available at worksites? IE the invention constructor or the surgery table?
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kianasays...
heySad this cheat isnt work on my sims4 help me
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Savannahsays...
Grin Smile This really helped, now my Sims can have a sectional couch by joining 2 couches with the move objects cheats on, and I just used most of the cheats. I didn't use all of them because I didn't really wanna, but I appreciate your help. One other cheat is, to rotate objects like beds and ottomans, use the keys , and . to rotate. Press either one of those keys during build mode until you have the object rotated in the way you want.
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ChipKinFLsays...
My only thing is this: Back in Sims3, when you put something in the ground, whether it was a hot tub, a fountain, or a pool, it wasted a single square on all sides, forcing the ground to buckle downward toward what you put into it. You had to cover it up with a foundation, a deck, or shrubs, etc.. In the Sims 4 it doesn't do that.. It's a straight wall, when you go down a layer. No wasted 'perimeter' around the pool or fountain.. SO... When I couldn't put a pool on the deck, and a fountain around it in Sims 3, to make it look like one cascaded into the other - I got it.. But in Sims 4, we don't have that wasted space, yet we're still not allowed to place one sunken object next to another (no fountain directly next to a pool).. I'd love... And I do mean LOVE to find a cheat that would let me overcome THAT.
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nikolasays...
It Dident Work On The Sims 4 Sad Why Dident It WorkCrying
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Normasays...
What didn't work?
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Sophiesays...
did you type on after??
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Anasays...
Is there a way to remap the cheat codes? my 9 and ] are in the same key -_-
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Skysays...

Hey I know its been a while in EU keyboards you must use the » and ? keys to resize

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Regular
Sashasays...
hey, is there any cheats that let's you custom the things you're not supposed to? like fence, foundation, etc? and I can't figure out how to customise the clothes like on sims 3, or is it not a viable option? Thanks for all the cheats by the way!
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Admin
Playalotsays...
There are various modders who have unlocked certain world items. I'll link you to one and let you search for more along the lines that you personally want. Smile
Unlocked lawn Parts
Carl's Guide to Using Mods and CC
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Susan Phillipssays...
where do i find the pond?
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Normasays...
To find the pond, first use the cheat bb.showhiddenobjects then in build mode, go to the right hand side of the catalogue and click filter items. From there select content and then check the box that says debug. Only debug iitems will now be displayed. I would suggest starting at the bottom of the catalogue and look for what appears to be just the greenery around the edge of the pond (no visible water) it's not named so mousing overit won't show what it is. In my game, it is between a fishing sign and a drink in a green stemmed glass.
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Keelysays...
My bb.moveobjects on does not work Sad
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Admin
Playalotsays...
testingcheats on first!
Carl's Guide to Cheats
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pcavenettsays...
Dear Carl,
Your cheats section is very well written. Thank you for helping so many of us. You must be an infinitely patient person hehe
Smile
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FinnyCallahansays...
This all makes me so happy.
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Charliesays...
Unsure The enlarging cheat doesn't seem to be working??
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Normasays...
You need to pick up the item, hit ] and then move the item. For some reason, if you don't move the item it doesn't take.
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Celestiasays...
Aw god! I mean't 19:22 on my last post >.< sorry Carl!
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HEIsays...
how to get/build the invention constructor into my house when i have a sim being scientist
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Admin
Playalotsays...
The only way I know is through a mod. Be aware that if you try to use a out of date Mod it can corrupt your file. Make sure all mods are up dated!
Here's the link... I haven't checked if this mod has been updated recently so user be ware!
http://modthesims.info/d/552579
Carl's Guide to Using Mods
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nellsays...
Sad
I don't know what I pressed but now in build mode I can only see my windows if im buying them. I am trying to delete one but I cant see it to click on it!!! Help please!
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Normasays...
Can you still see the walls though? You haven't lowered the walls have you?
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Krissysays...
Hi! Any idea how to get a window to not snap to the grid? Can only move it up and down but i want a two tile window to fit evenly in a 3 tile wall! Thanks! Oh and i have tried move objects and ALT. All it does is still move up and down! Ok thanks!
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Ingeborgsays...
Those lights that turn on whenever we get new stuff into the game: I think theu are annoying, and have tried to remove them by unlock entitlements and show hidden objects, but there are still some lights left in the activity section. Do you know where I can find them (to remove those lights)?
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Admin
Playalotsays...
Do you mean the flag that shows items are new in the build/buy section? Just click on the item as if you are going to place it while in build mode.
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Francessays...
Is there a cheat to increase the comfort level of chairs or sofas? I like a style but the comfort is too low.
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Admin
Playalotsays...
No but there are mods around that do something similar. Google and see what you can find. I know there is a mod for beds.
Using Mods and CC Guide by Carl
All beds The Same Energy Mod
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Mimkasays...
I wonder too about how you do if your ] and 9 key is the same! I really want to try and enlarge some items but all that happens is that they hover in the air! Mad
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Admin
Playalotsays...
Shift and ']' to enlarge. Smile 0 and 9 move the object up and down when using MOO cheat


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