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How to Edit PS3 Themes

Since version 2.0 of the Sony PlayStation 3 firmware, Sony has given you the ability to edit and create custom PS3 themes. The software package Sony provides includes a compiler, sample icons and backgrounds. Once you compile the theme on your computer and transfer it to your PS3, you will be able to have the background picture you want and all of the icons you created. Show off the theme to your friends and family or even consider selling the theme online.

Things You'll Need

PS3 custom theme download
PC
GIMP, Phototshop or Paint.net
USB thumb drive

Instructions

- 1
  Download Sony's PS3 custom theme compiler (see Resources).
- 2
  Right-click the downloaded file and select "Extract," which places the contents on your computer's hard drive.
- 3
  Double-click the first folder, "Step 1_Create," to open it. Icons in this folder will be saved as *.png files and backgrounds will be saved as *.jpg files. Keeping the names and dimensions of each file exactly as they are, open each one that you want to edit in your photo manipulation program and make your changes. Save each file by clicking "File" and "Save" when you are satisfied with the changes.
- 4
  Open the folder called "Step 2_Assemble" in a new window (do not close the first window). Left-click and hold to drag and drop "PS3Theme_template.xml" to "p3t_compiler.exe" in the second folder, releasing the mouse button once you are sure they are aligned. This will automatically open a new window with script running through it.
- 5
  Delete the new "*.gim" files that were created during the compiling process, right-clicking them and choosing the command "Send to trash." Plug in the USB thumb drive. It should open a window automatically with the contents of the drive. Right-click and create a folder called "PS3." Double-click the folder to open it and right-click again to create another folder called "THEME" (make sure to keep it all caps). Drag and drop the "PS3Theme_template.p3t" file to the "THEME" folder you just created. Safely disconnect the thumb drive from the computer.
- 6
  Plug the thumb drive into the PS3 and power on the PlayStation. Use the PS3 controller to select "Settings," "Theme Settings," "Theme" and "Install." This will install the contents of the theme on the thumb drive to your PS3.

PlayStation 3