Talk:Homebrew Format

It might be a bit early, but I think we can plan the homebrew format for the 3DS now.

Here we can discuss and plan the format (e.g:)

• file extension (.3ds?)
• structure of the format

• header, banner (icon, 3d model, description...)
• header and executable areas

...and so on.

I think we should make it similar to the CXI format, that flashcards can run both: commercial and homebrew files.--Lazymarek9614 16:17, 11 September 2011 (CEST)

According to the decisions here I create a tool to create homebrew (3dstool?).--Lazymarek9614 17:13, 11 September 2011 (CEST)

Do you have any experience in making such files and tool? --Elisherer 19:02, 11 September 2011 (CEST)

Well, I know about the elf, afx, bmp, 3ds, obj, nds format. I also have read the sources of tools like ndstool (used for creating nds files).

Let's discuss the format!--Lazymarek9614 19:33, 11 September 2011 (CEST)

Ok, i just wanted to know if it's somebody who knows what he talks about, You could never know... I was wondering, because I watch this wiki a lot maybe we wanna make this discussion on another forum like gbatemp so it won't notify us for every post. Because these wiki pages weren't made for big discussions, just on stuff that we aren't sure about... --Elisherer 20:04, 11 September 2011 (CEST)

Wouldn't we just use CXI or CCI? I don't see why we'd need to make a new format. Any flash carts made for the 3DS would boot files in the CXI or CCI format, since that's the format commercial ROM images use, and the primary goal of flash carts is to boot commercial pirated content (unfortunately). CXI is also the 3DS's native format, and has space reserved for code, the banner, etc. Not trying to be rude, but I don't think we need to make a new format for 3DS homebrew, or really discuss it for that matter. And we're spamming the crap out of the changelog, so... --CHR15x94 21:00, 11 September 2011 (CEST)

.3ds is used as 3DCG file extension.I want homebrew like linux application. License would be GPL.we could update automatically via spot pass! --Matyapiro31

I Agree. it's imprtant that the format would be GPL because otherwise we will be called outlaws...the Wii's homebrew channel clearly was legal. We need to use a wrapper structure (like the CXI) to have an icon, 3d model (based on an existing one) & data (elf binary file). we can add stuff like structure version for future extensions... --Elisherer 08:30, 12 September 2011 (CEST)

We can't deside that the person who make the first homebrew loader can deside that because if you have a format that nobody can lunch nobody will use it. I think the first will be an elf loader because you can just copy the code for loading the elf and lunching it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executable_and_Linking_Format) --ichfly

"I Agree. it's imprtant that the format would be GPL because otherwise we will be called outlaws..." What? Nintendo's .srl/.nds format is used for DS(i) homebrew as well, and many other hb formats... --Yellows8 19:40, 12 September 2011 (CEST)

OK, to summarize the hole thing a bit:

• we have to think about a legal file extension (not .3ds!) and its GPL license
• the homebrew format will have a structure similar to CXI
• elf binary file for the executable area

What about the encryptions made in the CXI file? Will our format encrypted too and what about the model, icon and executable data, are those only file formats like obj /3ds, bmp and elf saved in the homebrew file?

I will start coding the "3ds homebrew tool" soon and publish it on my dropbox folder. @ichfly: The first loader will be sure an elf loader, but for the programmer made this loader it wouldn't be much of work to launch an executble area in the homebrew format (so far it will contain an elf).

Maybe we could use elf as-is and add the media stuff at the end. (every thing has offset so it wont clash with other elf loaders). we can also use the SHT_NOTE section to add the offset to the media_struct.. Elf Format --Elisherer 16:24, 12 September 2011 (CEST)

Don't waste your time writing a "3ds homebrew tool". Don't be concerned about the hb format, the people who write the first hax decide that. "What about the encryptions made in the CXI file?" CXI supports cleartext *FS etc, no need to encrypt those for a hb format. --Yellows8 19:40, 12 September 2011 (CEST)

Do you think writing a hack would be more useful, Yellows8? However, before we can run hacks we have to find an exploit. Also writing a hack is complicated (for example we now zero about the GPU). What is your plan? @Elisherer: the link "Elf Format" seems to be dead.--Lazymarek9614 20:35, 12 September 2011 (CEST)

Sorry...fixed both links.. --Elisherer 20:51, 12 September 2011 (CEST)

"Do you think writing a hack would be more useful" Sure. "for example we now zero about the GPU" Homebrew doesn't *have* to use the PICA200 IMO, unless ds-mode gfx is disabled in 3ds-mode. "What is your plan?" Well, what I'm doing ATM is working on DSi stuff while waiting for someone to get a ramhax rig going, then RE 3DS code once that's possible. --Yellows8 21:45, 12 September 2011 (CEST)

we must use UTF-8 and universal true type font.Various language can be expressed.