3DS custom theme FAQ

There seems to be a lot unclear about this subject, so I thought it could be useful to make a FAQ about it.
If you have any questions ask them here, if you have an answer for a question you've seen a lot also post it (with the question) and I will add it to the list!

Q: How do I install a theme?
A: Download https://github.com/yellows8/3ds_homemenu_extdatatool/releases
Copy the body_LZ.bin (and bg.btstm) from the theme into /3ds/3ds_homemenu_extdatatool or to the root if you're using gateway.
Use the tool to enable cache (If you had a DLC theme selected it's already on but it doesn't hurt to check!) and then copy SD theme cache to extdata.
You can now go to the menu and the theme should appear

Q: Do I need a DLC theme for this?
A: No, but having one does have benefits! If you have a DLC theme selected and then install a custom theme it will stay after a reboot without it you'll have to enable the cache and re-install the theme every time. If you're using a gateway it should't matter as soon as gateway allows for unsigned cia's!

Q: What files should be included with a theme?
A: Most themes will come as body_LZ.bin and if it has background music with a bg.bcstm file (but they can have a ThemeManager.bin file though not common nor needed)
Cache dumps (most likely for pirated themes) will have 3 files:
- BodyCache.bin
- ThemeManager.bin
- bg.bcstm
Cache dumps of mulitible themes at once (9.3+) will have these files:
- BodyCache_rd.bin
- ThemeManger.bin
- bg.bcstm
Gateway themes will be in .cia format (but won't work unless signed!)

Q: Does this overwrite my theme?
A: No, you can choose another theme and then the original one and it will turn back to normal. This is because the tool (by Yellows8) only overwrites the cache witch is replaced when another theme is chosen!

Q: Can you pirate themes with this tool?
A: Yes. (Anyone's cache dump of a DLC theme will work (They are not version specific but BodyCache_RD.bin only works on 9.3+ all others work with any 9.x+ firmware))

Q: Are themes region locked?
A: No.

Q: How long will it keep my own custom theme?
A: If you have a DLC theme (and have it selected) before injecting cache it will stay until you either replace it or load another theme, if you don't it will stay until you close your 3DS, open a game/app or reboot your 3DS (basically useless).

Q: Can I make my own themes?
A: Yes, if you want to know how here is a simple guide by ChrisCerne:

If anyone of you is having trouble making your own theme, here's how.

1. Download the tool here (https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-theme-customization-tools.374206/)
2. Create a new BLANK BMP image with the dimensions 512 x 256 pixels for the top screen.
3. At the coordinates (0, 0) of that new image, insert the picture you want with the dimensions of 400 x 240. This will be the top screen.
4. Create a new BLANK BMP image with the dimensions 1024 x 256 pixels for the bottom screen.
5. Starting at coordinates (0, 0) of that new image, insert the three different images you want to transition on the bottom screen.
6. These three images should be each 320 x 240 pixels, and at coordinates (0, 0), (320, 0), and (640, 0) respectively.
7. Remember that these images will not fill up all of the white-space within the container BMP images. This is supposed to happen.
8. In the 3DS Theme Editor that you downloaded in step one, import the default theme by pressing File>Open and navigating to data/body_BZ.bin.
9. For slide 0, press File>Import and select the BMP Image you need for the top screen.
10. For slide 1, press File>Import and select the BMP Image you need for the bottom screen.
11. Once you're done importing, press simulator to do a test-run of your theme thus far.
12. If you're happy with your results, press File>Save to save your body_BZ.bin file.

Q: How do I add sound to my theme?
A: First make a .wav file with a piece of music (The file must have a size of 0x337000 or 3.371.008 bytes you can fill up extra space with 0 bytes using a HEX editor)
Use Every File Explorer (https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-every-file-explorer.373615/) to convert it to .bcstm (File -> New from File -> Nintendo 3DS Plugin -> CTR Stream -> open .wav -> save icon -> save as bgm.bcstm)

Q: Why do some themes have a white box at the top left?
A: This is most likely a small bug in the theme maker! You'll probably have to live with it for now.

Q: Why do many themes have folders with a mario bullet on them?
A: This is the default folder for the custom theme tool, this means that many theme makers didn't change it.

Q: Can themes have custom icons for games?
A: Most likely yes, but none have at the moment (and it's unsure when the tool will support this (and if we can even do this!))
For documentation on the cached icons that could be edited: http://3dbrew.org/wiki/Home_Menu#Cache.dat_.26_CacheD.dat

Q: Does this mean NINJHAX has kernel?
A: No, however it is able to read and write both NAND and SD extdata which is still cool (and might be useful)

 

[weatMod]

Not trying to confuse you. I don't know which guide told you to use the other files, I haven't seen a guide like that.

i linked it right here
https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-how-to-make-a-custom-3ds-theme.377533/

this^^ says to rename the files as
bodycache.bin and bgmcache.bin on the SD first
that is what i did ,and now i have the sound working fine but no images top screen=black , bottom screen= same bottom screen from the theme before i added my custom bottom image

so do i delete the thememanage.bin on my SD YES OR NO????????????

what do i don now? can i mix and match ,i mean leave the bgmcache.bin as that same name since it is working and just rename the bodycache.bin to body_LZ.bin

or do i have to rename both files now?

to bgm.bcstm and body_LZ.bin?

and do i need to delete the thememanage.bin file from my SD?

 

[tyons]

we said multiple times to delete thememanage.bin.
we both made our themes work with bgm.bcstm and body_LZ.bin. the choice is yours. I really don't know if the other names can work fine (the sound does, as you confirmed).

 

[weatMod]

we said multiple times to delete thememanage.bin.
we both made our themes work with bgm.bcstm and body_LZ.bin. the choice is yours. I really don't know if the other names can work fine (the sound does, as you confirmed).

ok i deleted the thememanage.bin and left everything else the same it still didnt work

then i deleted the bodycache.bin and replaced it the body_LZ.bin

now it works

so you can mix and match i left the sound as BGMcache.bin and it works i didn't have to rename it to bgm.bcstm

also i think it is easier to just use an .mp3 file for input in the brstm converter if anyone else is having problems,
like i said when i tried to use a .WAV file for input file with brstm converter it kept crashing halfway through creating the file
saves time if you have an mp3 no need to convert it to WAV first
not sure why it keeps crashing for me im using it on win 8.1

 

[tyons]

oh ok I didn't try with an mp3 because I had already converted it into wav.

 

[MarioBrosThe]

Hardstyle, Rawstyle, Hardcore and so on-Fan

I like happy hardcore/ uk hardcore, don't really like hardstyle tho.

 

[Reecey]

I like happy hardcore/ uk hardcore, don't really like hardstyle tho.

Shame you never grew up in the UK then m8, you missed out there used to be some great raves on back in the day all over the midlands, Total Kaos, Vibealite, Kinetic, Dreamscape, Hysteria & Purex, Helter Skelter, Hardcore till I Die, Hardcore Heaven, the events were in the masses from like 1991 onto 1997 after that the hardcore scene took a nose dive and went a bit crap and Drum & Bass took over which now is at its pinnacle with the Likes of Andy C, Hype, Ed-rush & Optical (Virus Crew), Grooverider, Friction, Loadstar, Wilkinson, the list goes on and on the tunes are proper heavy in the clubs, if you like hardcore you would of loved living in the midlands at the time, we have The Que Club, Rainbow Venue the new gatecrasher Club which holds massive DnB events, we have nottingham, Leeds, Lecister, Stoke, all the great raves all around me! Yeah its proper I have been DJing DnB in many clubs all over the country for many years now! also I produce DnB as well, that is what I mainly do as a living. Bought me first set of belt drives back in 1993 and progressed on from there really First tune I ever bought was on vinyl, ram Valley of the Shadows/Truly One back in 1993, never looked back since, still got it as well!!!

 

[MarioBrosThe]

Shame you never grew up in the UK then m8, you missed out there used to be some great raves on back in the day all over the midlands, Total Kaos, Vibealite, Kinetic, Dreamscape, Hysteria & Purex, Helter Skelter, Hardcore till I Die, Hardcore Heaven, the events were in the masses from like 1991 onto 1997 after that the hardcore scene took a nose dive and went a bit crap and Drum & Bass took over which now is at its pinnacle with the Likes of Andy C, Hype, Ed-rush & Optical (Virus Crew), Grooverider, Friction, Loadstar, Wilkinson, the list goes on and on the tunes are proper heavy in the clubs, if you like hardcore you would of loved living in the midlands at the time, we have The Que Club, Rainbow Venue the new gatecrasher Club which holds massive DnB events, we have nottingham, Leeds, Lecister, Stoke, all the great raves all around me! Yeah its proper I have been DJing DnB in many clubs all over the country for many years now! also I produce DnB as well, that is what I mainly do as a living. Bought me first set of belt drives back in 1993 and progressed on from there really First tune I ever bought was on vinyl, ram Valley of the Shadows/Truly One back in 1993, never looked back since, still got it as well!!!

Lel. I listen to Monstercat for some EDM, you should check the channel out if you already haven't. All the artists on the Monstercat label are really good.

 

[sanin6]

If anyone wants and likes sword art online I made a theme you can use


I Moved Link Here

 

[Xenon Hacks]

If anyone wants and likes sword art online I made a theme you can use

Spoiler: SPOILS!

A thread for themes can be found here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/custom-theme-thread.377399/page-30#post-5276296

SAO Theme

 

[Reecey]

Lel. I listen to Monstercat for some EDM, you should check the channel out if you already haven't. All the artists on the Monstercat label are really good.

I'm on about proper Hardcore m8, where it originated from in the UK, from the likes of Slipmatt, Vibes, Dougal, Seduction, Hixxy & Co. etc.. not, Who? Monstercat??? Never heard of....

 

[MarioBrosThe]

I'm on about proper Hardcore m8, where it originated from in the UK, from the likes of Slipmatt, Vibes, Dougal, Seduction, Hixxy & Co. etc.. not, Who? Monstercat??? Never heard of....

It's an EDM record label on YouTube that promotes artists. That has 2.5 million + subs

 

[manu-m3]

Sorry if this was asked x-times. But: I am using a Sky3DS with 9.2FW, and wanted to use custom themes. Now my question: Is it possible to get a DLC-theme without updating to 9.4? Because Ninjhax won't work after the update, and if i can't get a DLC-theme, i always need to set the theme again and again.
Thanks in advance guys!

Edit: Ok i saw, you already answered this.

 

[Chelsea_Fantasy]

Did anyone knows how to create a theme without the white mark at the left of the top screen

 

[Intronaut]

Did anyone knows how to create a theme without the white mark at the left of the top screen

with YATA

 

[Chelsea_Fantasy]

thanks
やった!!!!!

 

[Chelsea_Fantasy]

another question
how can I change the buttons colors?
no the pictures of the buttons and folders, I know ho to do that.
I mean the "Open" / "Manual" and the color of the folder's 3D model

 

[dani4ever]

just a little question. it's possible to inject theme with bowser exploit???

 

[DoJo_Master]

just a little question. it's possible to inject theme with bowser exploit???

Possibly, it edits the ram currently the way we inject themes (unless its a .cia) is adding images befor the ram kicks in or something like that... I would think of it as possible

 

[Kartoffel]

Could somebody explain how to add custom sound effects? I can't find any tutorials about it ;_;
(for example selecting a title/starting a title/pressing B to close the folder...)

 

[Eddypikachu]

Can someone help? What am I doing wrong? How can I fix this?