How to extract romfs and exefs and recompile them into .3DS and .CIA files?

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JohnIsAnIdiot

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I've been trying to mod a few 3DS games, one in particular is Fire Emblem Awakening, with Mangs CMU.

I have all the necessary files.

I've used multiple different applications like HackingToolkit9DS and CTR-tool and none of them have worked properly.
CTR specifically would not open at all, even when running as administrator.
 
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JohnIsAnIdiot said:
I've been trying to mod a few 3DS games, one in particular is Fire Emblem Awakening, with Mangs CMU.

I have all the necessary files.

I've used multiple different applications like HackingToolkit9DS and CTR-tool and none of them have worked properly.
CTR specifically would not open at all, even when running as administrator.
Click to expand...
Did you install the SetupUS.exe that's inside the PackEnglishV12 -> PackHack folder? If you didn't install it, you won't be able to extract the contents of the 3ds/CIA/CXI file with the HackingToolkit9DS.exe
 
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anotherthing said:
By CTR Tool, do you mean this?:

https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/Project_CTR_3DS

If so, what command line were you trying to use to extract the files?
Click to expand...
Yes, the application itself just wouldn't open at all
Post automatically merged:

drag4you said:
Did you install the SetupUS.exe that's inside the PackEnglishV12 -> PackHack folder? If you didn't install it, you won't be able to extract the contents of the 3ds/CIA/CXI file with the HackingToolkit9DS.exe
Click to expand...
Yes, I did.

It's able to extract and compile fine, it's just that the compiled CIAs won't install on my 3DS and on the rare chance they do, they either don't appear on the Home Menu, crash when opened, or the edits weren't applied.
 
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No, it has a lengthy list of arguments that you have to use in the command line. I honestly don't know what half the terms mean in those arguments, though, but I did manage to get a cia down to several files that ended in a bunch of 0s.
 
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anotherthing said:
No, it has a lengthy list of arguments that you have to use in the command line. I honestly don't know what half the terms mean in those arguments, though, but I did manage to get a cia down to several files that ended in a bunch of 0s.
Click to expand...
I see, how do I actually open ctr tool with a command?
 
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In Windows, Start Menu->Accessories->Command Prompt

"cd" changes directories. "dir" gives a directory listing. To get to a specific drive, type the letter of the drive followed by a colon and hit <enter>, i.e. C: would be the default system hard drive for most configurations of Windows.
 
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Honestly, when I want to mod a 3ds game I use New Super Ultimate Injector's Extract/Rebuild CIA options.

First I dump my game from the cart or digital installation with gm9, And sometimes even the files I want to edit by mounting the game and copying the files I need so i check them out while the CIA is being created.

Then with NSUI I extract, then put the modded files on the right folder, and then rebuild. It's so painless compared to other processess that tend to have errors or crashes for me.

The only issue I find is that NSUI creates a cia file that is a bit less of a megabyte larger, so I don't know if I could make bps patches out of it without being large, but for personal use? Works well.

Of course, the changes I make tend to no alter the size of the files.
 
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    Do I restart now using what i've learned on the EU version since it's a better overall experience? or do I continue with the US version since that is what ive been using, and if someone decides to play my hack, it would most likely be that version?
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    @TwoSpikedHands, I'll preface this with the fact that I know nothing about the game, but, I think it depends on what your goals are. Are you trying to make a definitive version of the game? You may want to refocus your efforts on the EU version then. Or, are you trying to make a better US version? In which case, the only way to make a better US version is to keep on plugging away at that one ;)
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    I'm not familiar with the technicalities of the differences between the two versions, but I'm wondering if at least some of those differences are things that you could port over to the US version in your patch without having to include copyrighted assets from the EU version
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    @Sicklyboy I am wanting to fully change the game and bend it to my will lol. I would like to eventually have the ability to add more characters, enemies, even have a completely different story if i wanted. I already have the ability to change the tilemaps in the US version, so I can basically make my own map and warp to it in game - so I'm pretty far into it!
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    I really would like to make a hack that I would enjoy playing, and maybe other people would too. swapping to the EU version would also mean my US friends could not legally play it
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    I am definitely considering porting over some of the EU features without using the actual ROM itself, tbh that would probably be the best way to go about it... but i'm sad that the voice acting is so.... not good on the US version. May not be a way around that though
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