So when I first started making .cia's for games, I was using the "Simple CIA Converter" tool to create the 'ncchinfo.bin' file, using that with Decrypt9 to make the "Xorpads", then using them with the first tool again to create the .cia's that I installed on the 3DS. Let's call this Method 1.
Method 2 was where I learnt you could simply drop all you .3ds games into your SD card and then use Godmode9 to create .cia's directly. This is more simple but slower (due to 3DS processor vs your PC). Plus this method creates perfect meta data for your .cia's with icon's, game title, and region info, where the first method just gave you a blank .cia.
Method 3 is something I haven't tried yet but discovered last night whilst browsing here. It's the .Net 3DS Toolkit.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-net-3ds-toolkit-extract-and-repack-3ds-roms-and-cias.444427/
From the sounds of it, it can take .3ds games and make .cia's on your PC alone without the back and forth between the PC and the 3DS (correct me if I'm wrong).
Method 4 is the lazy way of just getting your premade .cia's from somewhere else. My only issue with this is that you don't always know exactly what you're getting. What might say "Mario Kart 7 USA" might actually be the European version but region free. Which might create a problem when you're dealing with the saves later on down the line (like trying to inject a US save into a legit EU cart might not work).
Which now brings me to my questions, if someone can kindly help out with.
1. In method 1, why do I need to make xorpads on my 3DS to create these .cia's? Can't a PC make xorpads of it's own?
2. Is creating .cia's with my own xorpads more safer in the sense that they're more personal to your 3DS and therefore more undetectable by Nintendo? or is it all the same?
3. Method 1 is quicker than method 2, but method 2 creates the meta data that I like on my .cia's. Is it possible to somehow use method 1 to create the .cia's and then add in the meta data later?
4. Method 3 hasn't been tried yet. Is this any faster, seeing how I'm in theory creating everything from start to finish on my PC alone?
5. Is there anything else that I need to be aware of with the various methods, regarding online detection and avoiding bans, etc?
6. Is there any reason why I should or shouldn't just get my .cia's downloaded from somewhere online? am I wasting my time making my own?
Method 2 was where I learnt you could simply drop all you .3ds games into your SD card and then use Godmode9 to create .cia's directly. This is more simple but slower (due to 3DS processor vs your PC). Plus this method creates perfect meta data for your .cia's with icon's, game title, and region info, where the first method just gave you a blank .cia.
Method 3 is something I haven't tried yet but discovered last night whilst browsing here. It's the .Net 3DS Toolkit.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-net-3ds-toolkit-extract-and-repack-3ds-roms-and-cias.444427/
From the sounds of it, it can take .3ds games and make .cia's on your PC alone without the back and forth between the PC and the 3DS (correct me if I'm wrong).
Method 4 is the lazy way of just getting your premade .cia's from somewhere else. My only issue with this is that you don't always know exactly what you're getting. What might say "Mario Kart 7 USA" might actually be the European version but region free. Which might create a problem when you're dealing with the saves later on down the line (like trying to inject a US save into a legit EU cart might not work).
Which now brings me to my questions, if someone can kindly help out with.
1. In method 1, why do I need to make xorpads on my 3DS to create these .cia's? Can't a PC make xorpads of it's own?
2. Is creating .cia's with my own xorpads more safer in the sense that they're more personal to your 3DS and therefore more undetectable by Nintendo? or is it all the same?
3. Method 1 is quicker than method 2, but method 2 creates the meta data that I like on my .cia's. Is it possible to somehow use method 1 to create the .cia's and then add in the meta data later?
4. Method 3 hasn't been tried yet. Is this any faster, seeing how I'm in theory creating everything from start to finish on my PC alone?
5. Is there anything else that I need to be aware of with the various methods, regarding online detection and avoiding bans, etc?
6. Is there any reason why I should or shouldn't just get my .cia's downloaded from somewhere online? am I wasting my time making my own?
Last edited by Rune,