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How to Create Your Own Theme on the PS3

When you first turn on your PS3, you see the graphics (icons, colors and fonts) common for every PlayStation. This is Sony's default theme and it's similar to the theme on your personal computer. Technically, your PS3 is a computer built for a special purpose: gaming. Unlike your personal computer, the makers of the PS3 didn't plan for you to customize the theme, which means the task requires research.

Things You'll Need

USB drive

Instructions

- 1
  Download the "HowToMakePS3Themes.zip" file from Mediafire. Double-click on the .zip file to choose a location on your computer to unpack the files.
- 2
  Double click on the folder labeled "Step1_Create." These are the icons and graphics for the default PS3 theme.
- 3
  Right-click on the graphic you want to replace and click "Open With..." Click on the graphic editing program you are familiar with and click "Open." Edit the file by changing the color, pattern or effects. Do not change the size of the image. Alternatively, replace the image with another graphic or photo.
- 4
  Save the file (click "File," then "Save"). Select "Yes" to overwrite the original file. Repeat steps 3 to 4 for each icon you want to edit. Make sure each file is saved with the same file extension. Save icons as "PNG" and the wallpaper as "JPG."
- 5
  Double-click on the file named "Step2_Assemble" This file contains the compiler ("p3tcompiler.exe") that puts your files together as a theme the PS3 reads. Both the "Step1_Create" and "Step2_Assemble" folders must be open.
- 6
  Click and drag the "PS3Theme_template.xml" from the "Step1_Create" folder and drop it on top of the "p3tcompiler.exe" file (located in the "Step2_Assemble" folder). The compiler opens a window and assembles the theme file. Read the status, which indicates errors with any file. If there are errors, make sure the file has the same dimensions as the original file -- if the original image is 140 x 140, your edited images must be the same. Press "Enter" when the compiler finishes.
- 7
  Insert the USB drive into the computer and then double-click on its icon. Right-click in the folder and select "Add Folder" from the menu. Name the folder "PS3." Double-click the "PS3" folder and add a file called "THEME."
- 8
  Copy the newly created "PS3Theme_template.p3t," the result of the compiling process, from the "Step1_Create" folder and paste it into the "THEME" folder on the USB drive.
- 9
  Eject the drive and insert it into the PS3 USB port. Turn on the PS3 and use the controller to browse to "Settings," "Theme Settings" and "Theme."
- 10
  Click "Install" and follow the on-screen instructions to install the theme from the USB drive. Select the new theme from the "Theme List" in "Theme Settings."

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