Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need help with?
Quick Start
What are the best theming tools?
- Usagi: a good for beginners to medium experienced users;
- Kame Editor the most advanced editor;
- Anemone3DS for installing themes, splashes, and badges.
How do I install/update Anemone3DS?
View the Anemone3DS releases page, then either:
- Scan the remote install QR code with FBI, or
- transfer the
.ciato your SD card and install it with FBI.
What should my theme preview include?
Make sure the preview shows the User Interface, Files, and Folders.
Fix an issue
I am getting an HTTPC error. How do I fix it?
- Common HTTP error endings:
0x...3c: TLS failure, often from a bad HTTPS link or unsupported network setup.0x...46: poor reception, no Wi-Fi, or custom DNS issues.0x...49: initial connection timeout, which can just be a weak connection.
- If the issue persists, try updating Anemone3DS (see above).
My 3DS crashes on boot after installing a theme
This is fixable. The theme is probably corrupted. Try these steps:
- Insert the SD card into your computer.
- Open
Nintendo 3DS/(32 Character ID)/extdata/00000000/. - Delete the folder for your region:
- US:
000002cd - EU:
000002ce - JP:
000002cc
- US:
- Ensure Anemone3DS is up-to-date.
- Reinstall the theme or try another if the issue persists.
Why does Anemone3DS say splash is disabled?
Enable splash in the Luma3DS configuration menu first. Once it is enabled, the splash can be used. This slightly increases boot-time.
I am getting a mono warning when installing.
Replace the mono BGM with a stereo BGM file. The warning is there because the 3DS is unstable with mono audio.
Why do my file and folder icons look glitchy?
That usually means the file or folder texture was enabled without importing both textures required for that option.
Theming questions
How do I make a BGM?
There’s a great guide over on Reddit on how to make the perfect BGM, and what the limitations are.
Does badge support work like Badge Arcade?
No. These are custom badges, and they are installed differently.
Can I make a splash screen with a GIF or movie clip?
No.
Do I need an `info.smdh` file for a splash?
No. For a local Luma splash, you just use the bin files in the Luma folder. That splash also will not show up in Anemone3DS.
What other tools are commonly used for 3DS theming?
The commonly mentioned tool groups are:
- Image editors: Krita, GIMP, and Paint.NET.
- BGM tools: Looping Audio Converter, Audacity, and related BRSTM / BCSTM conversion tools.
- Audio helpers: modified Audacity forks and Cwav dumper / 3DS audio ripper tools.
What dimensions should my images be?
The sizes called out in the history were:
- Normal top screen:
412 x 240inside a512 x 256canvas. - Normal bottom screen:
320 x 240inside a512 x 256canvas. - Scrolling top screen:
1008 x 240inside a1024 x 256canvas. - Scrolling bottom screen:
1008 x 240inside a1024 x 256canvas. - Flipbook bottom screen:
960 x 240inside a1024 x 256canvas. - File large:
36 x 72inside64 x 128. - File small:
25 x 50inside32 x 64. - Folder closed:
74 x 64inside64 x 128. - Folder open:
82 x 64inside64 x 128.
What do the sound effect options mean?
The options mentioned in the history were:
- Cursor - cursor movement.
- Launch - when software opens.
- Folder - when creating folders.
- Close - when software closes.
- Frame 0-2 - for flipbook themes and page scrolls.
- OpenLid - when opening the 3DS from sleep.
Why can't I exceep 1000 badges?
This is due to a memory limitation of the old 3DS.
Where can I find the exported files?
- In Usagi, they appear in the folder where you saved the theme.
- In Kame, they are inside the zip after deployment.