ROM Hack Using CTRTools to extract data from .3ds file?

[TheWeirdOtaku]

I've got a (presumably) decrypted .3ds file of Kid Icarus: Uprising. I've heard that all I need is CTRTool and Every File Explorer, but I can't seem to wrap my head around using CTRTool.
I've managed to open the program, but I don't know how to comprehend the UI and I can't seem to find any sort of tutorial on that matter, so I've compiled a list of problem I've run into:
- How do I input the commands correctly?
- Which folder do I put the rom in?
- Where do the extracted files end up?

Just as an FYI it's the models and sfx (walking, shooting ect. not the dialogue and music) I'm after.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I've got a (presumably) decrypted .3ds file of Kid Icarus: Uprising. I've heard that all I need is CTRTool and Every File Explorer, but I can't seem to wrap my head around using CTRTool.
I've managed to open the program, but I don't know how to comprehend the UI and I can't seem to find any sort of tutorial on that matter, so I've compiled a list of problem I've run into:
- How do I input the commands correctly?
- Which folder do I put the rom in?
- Where do the extracted files end up?

Just as an FYI it's the models and sfx (walking, shooting ect. not the dialogue and music) I'm after.

Not sure how to do it with just ctrtool, I use ctrtool+3dstool:

ctrtool.exe --content=Content inputfile.cia
3dstool.exe -xvtf cxi Content.0000.* --header NCCH.Header --exh DecryptedExHeader.bin --exefs DecryptedExeFS.bin --romfs DecryptedRomFS.bin --logo Logo.bcma.LZ --plain PlainRGN.bin
3dstool.exe -xvtf exefs DecryptedExeFS.bin --exefs-dir ExtractedExeFS --header ExeFS.Header
3dstool.exe -xvtf romfs DecryptedRomFS.bin --romfs-dir ExtractedRomFS

First line extracts the CXIs in the CIA.
Second line extracts the ExeFS, RomFS and other data. from the first CXI. Games will usually contain two CXIs, the second one is the manual (and firmware update data?) so it's usually not of interest.
3rd and 4th lines unpack the ExeFS and RomFS contents.
You should change "inputfile.cia" to match your CIA.

 

[TheWeirdOtaku]

ctrtool.exe --content=Content inputfile.cia

First line extracts the CXIs in the CIA.

I get a message saying "'--content' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file." when typing this in CTRTools.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I get a message saying "'--content' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file." when typing this in CTRTools.

You can't type it "in ctrtools", the entire line is one command.

 

[TheWeirdOtaku]

You can't type it "in ctrtools", the entire line is one command.

Ooooh, I see now, thank you so much for the help!

 

[JOJO999]

this is a .CIA file will a 3ds not work? I got abunch of ".bin" files instead of their model formats?

Post automatically merged: Jan 28, 2025

Not sure how to do it with just ctrtool, I use ctrtool+3dstool:

ctrtool.exe --content=Content inputfile.cia
3dstool.exe -xvtf cxi Content.0000.* --header NCCH.Header --exh DecryptedExHeader.bin --exefs DecryptedExeFS.bin --romfs DecryptedRomFS.bin --logo Logo.bcma.LZ --plain PlainRGN.bin
3dstool.exe -xvtf exefs DecryptedExeFS.bin --exefs-dir ExtractedExeFS --header ExeFS.Header
3dstool.exe -xvtf romfs DecryptedRomFS.bin --romfs-dir ExtractedRomFS

First line extracts the CXIs in the CIA.
Second line extracts the ExeFS, RomFS and other data. from the first CXI. Games will usually contain two CXIs, the second one is the manual (and firmware update data?) so it's usually not of interest.
3rd and 4th lines unpack the ExeFS and RomFS contents.
You should change "inputfile.cia" to match your CIA.

I got bunch of ".bin" files instead? instead of the model 3d formats?! what happened? and also wouldn't this work with just the (decrypted) .3ds format?