Using Sandbox Mode in SimNation
The SimNation Sandbox is an incredibly useful tool for anyone wanting to test features of the game (such as rare items) or wanting to design a lot with unlimited money. While in Sandbox, you can control anything, from the in-game time to the gameplay speed, your needs, your money, etc. Note that anything you build in Sandbox will exist in Sandbox only - there is no way to transfer your creations from Sandbox to the live game. But it's still a very useful tool if you want to build without having to worry about your needs or money, and once you're ready to bring your creation to life, you'll know how much money you'll need, and you'll at least have a lot you can "copy" into the live game by rebuilding what you built in Sandbox.
Accessing Sandbox
In order to access Sandbox, load the SimNation game, but don't log in. You'll see a blue button on the upper left corner that says "Modo Sandbox," which is Portuguese for "Sandbox Mode":
If you log in out of habit, you can just log out and be taken to the login screen. Once you click on Modo Sandbox, Sandbox will want to know which build you want to play in. If you want an empty lot, you can just double-click on "empty_lot." You will instantly join an empty, flat, fully upgraded lot. You'll also have an item limit of 10,000 and $1 million simoleons to start. The time will be midnight, so it will be dark. If you want it to be daytime, you can just enter the following in the chat to instantly change the time to noon and make it bright and sunny:
/time 12 00
The Omni-Argon
You'll also join Sandbox with your needs only half full. This can be problematic if you want your sim to do some activities, such as farming, as they won't be in the mood. In order to fix this, you'll need the most powerful item in the game: The Omni-Argon. With this object, you'll be able to fill all your needs, make them static so they don't decay, give yourself millions of simoleons, etc. In order to get this and other rare items, go to Build Mode and shift-click on the Terrain Tool. You'll see a large list of items, but we'll get to that later. What you are looking for (and you can use the search function) is The Omni-Argon:
Sandbox Catalogue
But let's go back to that magic, hidden Sandbox catalogue. Again, you just need to go to Build Mode and shift-click on the terrain tool. You'll find anything from crafted items (including muffins and nectar) to rares (yes, the Mystic Tree, The Cow Plant, everything!) and even gameplay items such as the check that's given to patrons during a diner shift, the newspaper, fire, etc. It really is surprising how many items you'll be able to find in this catalogue.
Object Debug
Sandbox gives you the power to alter objects in order to test them out. For example, if you buy an empty nectar bar, you can click on it, select Debug..., and then stock your bar full of nectar with just a click. No need to harvest grapes and press them in order to fill your nectar bar in Sandbox!
Importing Lots to Sandbox
As said in the beginning, any lots you build in Sandbox cannot be "transferred" to the live game, but lots in the live game can be imported to Sandbox. Say you have a lot, and you want to remodel it. You can simply save it, open it in Sandbox, and work on any remodelling you want without having to worry about needs, money, or visitors. And once you're happy with your work, you can just do the same in the live game, just without the trial and error.
Thumbnail Preview
Now, if you are like me and you care about what your lot will look like in the thumbnail, you can see a very nice preview of it by pressing F11. For example, here is the preview of a quick lot I made to look like a present for this post:
I'm not a roof artist! I just wanted something quick I could screenshot.
That's all I can think of for now about Sandbox, but if there's anything else, I'll come back here to add it. Happy Sandboxing!