A new version of CTFTool GUI has been released recently. CTFtool is a Windows-based utility that allows you to create or convert your own PSP Themes (CTF) for your PSP. This handy homebrew tool can also for the extraction of resources inside CTF packaged theme files. Additionally, it can convert theme data across multiple formats for rebuilding and modification purposes.

This latest releases has added brand new features and more stable than previous version. Notable features of the latest release includes - added toolbar mode, right click history and drag and drop. It also includes rewrite conversion module, support conversion between 5.00/5.03/5.50 and more. Check the changelog listed below.

CTFTool GUI v.4.4

1. Rewrote CTFtoolMenu with VC, current version is 2.0, support 32-bit and 64-bit systems
2. Integrated PRXeditor v1.1
3. Add a water wave model.
4. Subject conversion failed when converting the prx will be deleted or rco, converted part of the theme of reducing the case of crash.
5. Right image index to increase coverage of the source file prompt.
6. Right click menu of the second additional layer icon of the ptf format.
7. Pspboot_plugin.prx plug-Fixed some BUG.
8. Fixed various bug.

Download CTFTool GUI v.4.4

To create PSP themes using CTFTool you must understand the CTF theme components

• The XMB on the PSP is known internally as the "VSH" and since the advent of homebrew is highly customizable. The firmware files vshmain.prx and paf.prx contain the main positioning of the icons and the layout of the XMB.
• Topmenu_plugin.rco contains the menu icons as well as the glow and shadow icons for each menu icons (3.52 and below firmware), and for 3.70 and above firmware, it is named Topmenu_icon.rco. Topmenu_plugin.rco also holds the names of any of the icons in the XMB (on 3.52 and below), and for 3.70 and above it only stores text.
• System_plugin.rco file stores components such as XMB sounds and the busy icon and system_plugin_fg.rco contains the battery icon. Impose_plugin.rco in the other hand, holds the sound volume icon.
• System_plugin_bg.rco contains the background animated wave. Before the firmware update 2.70 was released, it was very easy to edit the menu background colors by just editing the BMP files at FLASH0:/VSH/RESOURCE files 01.bmp to 12.bmp, but after the update all the background BMPs were held in a single BMP file named 01-12.bmp. The files were added after each other in the BMP file by simple HEX editing. That way opening the file in Paint for example, the user would just see the first month background color which is grey.

Related posts: How to make your own PSP themes

Bored of your old PSP themes? This is the right place for you to update yourself on the latest PSP themes on the net and learn how to install your PSP themes and also customize your own PSP themes.

Please take note that if your PSP firmware is not match with the PSP themes version, then you might experience error. For example, my PSP custom firmware is 5.00 M33 and my themes are for 4.01. Only the wallpaper will be applied but the rest remains the same and not changed.

In case you didn't know the PSP custom theme or CTF theme, you can read my previous post about The Difference Between .PTF and .CTF Theme.

Before we start, I'll tell you what you need:
- The PSP Theme you desire
- PSP Firmware 5.00 M33 or higher
- USB to connect to your computer

Now you can have custom themes without flashing. The steps are exactly the same as when you're installing CTF themes only that you need to download an additional plug-in.

1. Download the CXMB plug-in.
2. After you have unzipped the file, copy the CXMB folder to the root of your memory stick "MS0:/"
3. If you already have a seplugins folder and vsh.txt inside, open vsh.txt in seplugins, add this line (ms0:/cxmb/cxmb.prx) and save. If you don't have, just copy seplugins folder and its contents into the Memory Stick root directory.
4. Add themes by putting CTF files in MS0:/PSP/theme/
5. Now you need to enable CXMB (the plug-in) in your PSP Recovery Mode (boot holding down the building onto R). In the recovery mode click on plug-in and enable CXMB.prx

Here is an example of a CTF Theme:

Download the CyberTech PSP Theme	Download the AppleCor PSP Theme

If you're looking for some cool themes to put on your PSP device, check out the site below. You'll find thousands of backgrounds that you can download for free after you join as a member. You'll also get unlimited access to download PSP movies, music, videos, software and much more.

On hacked and Custom Firmwares for the PSP, aspects of the XMB can be customized such as the icons, battery and volume meters, the text displayed under each menu item, the animated wave in the background, and the bitmap for each month can be changed. The PSP contains 27 backgrounds, instead of the original 12, varying from color to color. On the original firmware, only the menu icons themselves can be customized via themes.

PTF is the official theme of the original format, more stable, simple.  PTF will only change your icon and wallpaper and it does not need custom firmware whereas CTF needs it. CTF is a very interactive theme because it changes the whole layout of the PSP including the PSP startup. CTF is by the players to produce their own format, gorgeous. Changeable, the most splendid of its characteristics. The effect of PTF theme by direct PTF file copy of the Memory Stick, PSP will be able to read. CTF format and will need CXMB this through a powerful plug-ins to achieve. CXMB is a brush-free F0 can be made the subject of the effect of F0 plug-in.

PTF will only change your icon and wallpaper.	CTF changes the whole layout, wallpaper and icon of the PSP

PTF not change the Gameboot screen	CTF change the Gameboot screen

PTF not change the PSP Startup	CTF change the PSP Startup

If you're looking for some cool wallpaper and backgrounds to put on your PSP device, check out the site below. You'll find thousands of backgrounds that you can download for free after you join as a member. You'll also get unlimited access to download psp movies, music, videos, software and much more.

As with its two highly regarded predecessors, Patapon 3 follows the rhythmic pursuits of a belligerent tribal warband intent on slaying beasts as mythical as themselves, using a variety of primitive weapons. Gameplay is heavily influenced by the rhythm genre, in that actions in the game--such as advancing, retreating, blocking, and attacking--are accomplished by hitting an appropriate combination of buttons in time with the in-game soundtrack.

Patapon 3 will allow players to participate in musical battles, thrashing through opponents with rhythm based attacks. Players can also choose the multiplayer Quest option to discover the game with their friends, or go against rival tribe in a four vs. four battle. The network can handle up to eight players.

The game is designed to allow players to quickly switch between multiplayer and single-player options. You can play in solo mode, then switch to online if you get stuck or need a bit of backup. Playing alone will give you three automated partners, but multiplayer is certainly a better option for formulating strategies.

RPG element in Patapon 3 Game

Don’t let the 2D simplicity art fool you. Patapon 3 has more original graphics and drawing than the majority of 3D strategy games on the PSP market. It uses a perfect clash of black, white, and deep colors to create attractive and captivating gameplay.

Available as both UMD and as a PSN download (wallet friendly price of 19.99), this new chapter in the patapon saga will throw you into massive online battles, cooperative and competitive, crazy single player adventures and some of the most intense rhythm/action warfare your PSP has ever experienced.

You can also customize the appearance of your PSP using this theme and wallpapers.

Wallpapers thumbnails preview

Theme preview

Click button to download

To gain more PSP Content visit this site:

PSP users have the ability to download themes for the Playstation Portable and apply theme to the Playstation Portable without hacking. There is also software that was released by Sony that allows any one person to create a theme.

These "official" themes can only change the looks of the XMB icons, but can not changes other resources, like the XMB wave or the position of the icons.

Here’s what you’ll be needing:

• a computer that runs Windows
• a digital image editing program
• the “PSP Theme Toolbox”
• a little bit of time

First thing you need to do is download the “PSP Theme Toolbox”. You can extract it anywhere, but if you’ll be doing a lot of Themes or want to use the pre-made default while going through this walkthrough, you’ll have to extract it directly to your C:\ drive (C:\PSP Theme Toolbox\).

In the “Toolbox”, you’ll find:

• Icons and Wallpaper templates
• “PSP Custom Theme Converter” program
• Default Project saved as a “.txt” file
• Layered PhotoShop template of icons
• Unlike for PS3 Themes, there is an actual program so you won’t have to be worrying about XML code or funky compiler programs.
• Open the program (PSPCustomThemeConverter.exe) and we’ll go though it, tab-by-tab.

NOTE: If you’d like to see a working example of each item, go to “File\Open” and select “PSPTheme_default.txt”. This will only work if you’ve extracted the Toolbox to your C:\ drive because of the way the project file links to the associated images.

PSPCustomThemeConverter User interface

The first tab is the “Information” Tab.

• Put the name of your Theme or its description in the “Title” space.
• The “Product ID” is where you assign what the Theme is associated to, e.g. Game, Anime, Movie, etc.
• The “Version” is helpful if you want to do keep track of multiple versions of a Theme, but isn’t necessary either.

The second tab is the “Wallpaper” Tab.

• Wallpapers have to be:  480 x 272 pixels, 24-bit Color Image, BMP files.
• Click on the “Folder” button to browse and select any image that matches the required size and format.
• If the image you select is not useable, an “Error” window will pop-up letting you know what needs to change.
• You can click the “Preview” button to preview your wallpaper once you’ve selected one that is workable.

Next tab is called “Category Icons”, and is for the main XMB Icons.

• These icons need to be: either 64 x 48 pixels or 48 x 48 pixels, 8-bit Index (32-bit Color), TGA, PNG, or GIM image files.

The “First Level Icons” Tab is for the icons that appear within a category on the XMB.

• These are the sub-icons that appear below the category XMB icons.
• Double click on the icon line or click the “Edit” button.
• You’ll see a request for two files: the “Icon Body” and the “Icon Focus”. The “Body” is the actual icon.
• The “Focus” is the glow that pulses around the icon when you highlight that icon. If you’d like to keep things simple, or not worry about having a pulsing glow around your selection, you can either use the default focus image or leave that space blank.
• The icons need to be: 32 x 32 pixels (Body), 48 x 48 pixels (Focus), 8-bit Index (32-bit Color), TGA, PNG, or GIM image files.

The “Second Level Icons” tab is for the “Settings” Icon. That’s right; the “Settings” wrench gets its very own tab!

• Just like the First Level Icons, these need to be: 32 x 32 pixels, 8-bit Index (32-bit Color), TGA, PNG, or GIM image files
• Its focus needs to be: 48 x 48 pixels, 8-bit Index (32-bit Color), TGA, PNG, or GIM image files.

The last tab is “Others”.

• The “Preview Icon” is the tiny thumbnail that appears when you choose your Theme, and needs to be: 16 x 16 pixels, 8-bit Index (32-bit Color), TGA, PNG, or GIM image files.
• The “Preview Image” is the preview for the Theme, and needs to be: 300 x 170, 24-bit Color Image, BMP.
• The final option is “Theme Color”. Here, you can assign a particular highlight colour to your Theme, or have it change monthly automatically.

Once you’ve assigned all of the Icons to your images, go to “FILE” and select “EXPORT”.

• Name your file, click “SAVE”, and the program will create your PSP Theme File (.PTF).
• With your PSP connected to your computer in USB Mode or with a compatible Memory Stick connected, place the file into the proper “Theme” folder ( \PSP\THEME ).
• Disconnect your PSP or insert the Memory Stick in to your PSP.
• Under “Settings”, select “Theme Settings”, and then “Theme”.

Your new Theme should appear in the selectable list.

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Tricks and Tips:

• The PSP Custom Theme Converter can be really particular about the types and sizes of image files you use, so make sure to double check that your pixel size and file type are correct.
• Remember; your Wallpaper and Preview Image are 24-bit Colour Images.
• Remember; your Icons use an 8-bit Index colour profile.
• The text colour cannot be changed, so keep in mind that the text will appear white when designing your Theme.
• 8-bit Images can make an image look “jaggy” around the edges, especially on curved masks. To get rid of the “jaggies”, cheat by placing them a square background behind them. This way, the transparency masking is on the background, and not the icon. This tip works for all icons, not just the Category Icons.

Good luck and have fun making your own PSP Themes!