CIA files are generic data containers that can be installed on a 3DS. In order to do this you need to have a 3DS below 9.2. The process of building a CIA is similar to building a.3DS file: arm-none-eabi-strip myproject.elf makerom -f cia -o myproject.cia -rsf cia.rsf -target t -exefslogo -elf myproject.elf -icon myproject.smdh -banner banner.bin. Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Mac OS X, iOS, Android Rate this page 4 / 5 based on 42 user ratings.
| makerom | |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | 3dsguy |
| Type | PC utility |
| Version | 0.15 |
| Links | |
| Download | |
| Source | |
makerom is a tool which can be used to create NCCH, CCI, and CIA files.
- 1Format Overviews
- 1.2CCI
- 1.3CIA
- 2Using Makerom
- 2.1Command line
Format Overviews[edit]
NCCH[edit]
The native format storing code binaries and data archives for the 3DS is NCCH. NCCH files are comprised of:
- code/exheader/plainregion (used for code execution) (plainregion just lists included SDK library add-ons)
- icon (app title text, icon, homemenu settings, see here
- banner (cbmd + cwav, i.e. the upper screen banner/sound shown on the homemenu)
- logo (the splash screen displayed after an application is launched from the homemenu)
- romfs (read-only filesystem used to store resources)
Typical uses for NCCH files include:
- Executable image (code+exheader+icon+banner+logo+romfs)
- e-Manual archive (accessed from homemenu) (romfs)
- DLP child CIA archive (accessed from application) (romfs)
- Update Data archive (romfs)
- Standalone data archive (romfs)
- DLC index archive (icon+romfs)
- DLC archive (romfs)
CCI[edit]
The native format for gamecard images is CCI and is a NCCH container format. CCI files are limited to containing 8 NCCH files, and can contain NCCH files for applications titles only.
NCCH configuration for CCI[edit]
| NCCH | Required | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Executable image | YES | 0 |
| e-Manual archive | NO | 1 |
| DLP child CIA archive | NO | 2 |
| Update Data archive | NO | 7 |
CIA[edit]
The native format for packaging NCCH files for install is CIA, which is also a NCCH container format. CIA files are limited to containing 65535 NCCH files and can be used to contain NCCH files for any title type. CIA files also contain signed data used by the 3DS for general title management and DRM. Installing custom CIA files on a 3DS which also uses eShop/SysUpdates is unwise as conflicts will likely occur.
NCCH configurations for CIA[edit]
Applications (Application/DlpChild/Demo/Patch/SystemApplication):
| NCCH | Required | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Executable image | YES | 0 |
| e-Manual archive | NO | 1 |
| DLP child CIA archive | NO | 2 |
System Applet/Module:
| NCCH | Required | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Executable image | YES | 0 |
System Data Archives:
| NCCH | Required | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Data archive | YES | 0 |
DLC:
The number of DLC data archives in DLC varies for each DLC.
| NCCH | Required | Index |
|---|---|---|
| DLC index archive | YES | 0 |
| DLC data archive | YES | Varies |
Using Makerom[edit]
Command line[edit]
General Arguments
| Argument | Acceptable values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| -f <format> | 'ncch'/'cxi'/'cfa'/'cci'/'cia' | Specify the output file format. 'ncch'/'cxi'/'cfa' has no affect, probably parsed without error for legacy support. |
| -o <path> | Valid file path. | Specify name/path for output file. Makerom will decided a name if this is not specified. |
| -v | not required | Enables verbose output. |
RSF Arguments
| Argument | Acceptable values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| -rsf <path> | Valid file path | Specify the path to Rom Specification File(RSF). See below for creating RSF. |
| -D<NAME>=<VALUE> | This is used to substitute where '$(<NAME>)' exists in the RSF files with '<VALUE>'. (Uppercase isn't a requirement) |
Crypto Arguments
| Argument | Acceptable values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| -target <target> | 't'/'d'/'p' | Specify key-chain. This affects encryption, signing and '-desc' template availability. t=test, suitable for homebrew. d=devkit(incomplete), suitable for devkits. p=retail(unusable), suitable for signing retail software? |
| -ckeyid <index> | Any value between 0-255 (inclusive). | Overrides the default common key used to encrypt CIA title keys. |
| -showkeys | none | Dumps loaded key-chain to stdout. |
NCCH Build Arguments
| Argument | Acceptable values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| -elf <file> | Valid file path | Specify ELF. See below for creating ELF. |
| -icon <file> | Valid file path | Specify icon. |
| -banner <file> | Valid file path | Specify banner. |
| -desc <apptype>:<fw> | <apptype>='app'/'ecapp'/'demo'/'dlpchild'. <fw>='kernel version minor'. | Use a template for exheader/accessdesc. These are hard-coded, so not all firmwares have a template. A value from 1-7 can be used in place of 'kernel version minor'. A template shouldn't be used if the title needs 'special' permissions, the RSF must be configured fully. |
| -exefslogo | none | Include logo in ExeFS. Required for usage on <5.0 systems. |
Arguments useful for rebuilding a NCCH file:
| Argument | Acceptable values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| -code <file> | Valid file path | Specify decompressed/plaintext exefs code binary. |
| -exheader <file> | Valid file path | Specify plaintext exheader binary. |
| -logo <file> | Valid file path | Specify logo. |
| -plainrgn <file> | Valid file path | Specify NCCH plain-region. |
| -romfs <file> | Valid file path | Specify an unencrypted RomFS binary. |
CCI Arguments
| Argument | Acceptable values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| -content <path>:<index> | <path>=Valid file path. <index>=Any value between 0-7 (inclusive) | Include a built NCCH file in the CCI container. '-i' can be used instead of '-content'. |
| -devcci | none | Build a debug CCI? |
| -nomodtid | none | Don't modify the TitleIds of NCCH files included to match NCCH0 |
| -alignwr | none | Align the offset for the Card2 writable region to the end of the last NCCH in the CCI. |
CIA Arguments
| Argument | Acceptable values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| -content <path>:<index>:<id> | <path>=Valid file path. <index>=Any value between 0x0-0xFFFF (inclusive). <id>=Any value between 0x0-0xFFFFFFFF (inclusive) | Include a built NCCH file in the CIA container. If <id> isn't specified, it will be generated randomly. '-i' can be used instead of '-content'. |
| -major <version> | Any value between 0-63 (inclusive) | Specify the version major for the title. This cannot be used with '-dver'. |
| -minor <version> | Any value between 0-63 (inclusive) | Specify the version minor for the title. This cannot be used with '-dver'. |
| -micro <version> | Any value between 0-15 (inclusive) | Specify the version micro for the title. |
| -dver <version> | Any value between 0-4095 (inclusive) | Specify the or '-minor'. |
| -dlc | none | Specify this flag when building a DLC CIA. |
| -rand | none | Use a random title key to encrypt CIA content. |
Examples[edit]
General examples:
Create CXI
Create CFA
Create CCI
Create CIA
Makerom supports building a NCCH file and including it automatically (as index 0) into a NCCH container:
Create CCI and CXI at the same time and include a CFA
Create CIA and CXI at the same time and include a CFA
Rebuilding CXI:
Creating RSF files[edit]
Inspired by Nintendo's format for their makerom, a yaml configuration file is required for creating NCCH files. CIA/CCI can be created without using a RSF file, but default settings will be used.
For CXI, RSF files can be used to specify permissions, and access control settings. Makerom can use default settings by use of the '-desc' option, which removes the requirement for specifying them in the RSF file.
Sample RSF to be used with '-desc': download (link broken)
Sample RSF to be used without '-desc': download
Creating ELF files[edit]
The latest devkitARM used in conjunction with ctrulib can create ELF files compatible with makerom.
ELF files that are created using the official SDK are also supported by makerom.
Compiling Source[edit]
For Windows a MinGW-W64/MSYS build setup is required.
For Linux, gcc/g++/make must be installed.
All additional libraries used by makerom (polarssl/libyaml) are included in the source, and are linked statically.
Many people share .cia files without attaching instructions on how to use it. Yet it isn’t evident for everyone which program a .cia file can be edited, converted or printed with. On this page, we try to provide assistance for handling .cia files.
1 filename extension(s) found in our database.
.cia - Nintendo 3DS CTR Importable Archive
The CIA data files are related to Nintendo 3DS. CIA file is a Nintendo 3DS CTR Importable Archive. The Nintendo 3DS is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. CIA stands for CTR Importable Archive. This format allows the installation titles to the 3DS.
- Application:
- Nintendo 3DS
- Category:
- Data files
- Mime-type:
- application/octet-stream
- Magic:
- - / -
- Aliases:
- -
- Nintendo 3DS CTR Importable Archive related extensions:
- .m77t
- GEODAS MGD77T Data
- .nx2
- NexusDB v2 Database
- .h77t
- GEODAS MGD77T Header Data
- .vsfx
- TriCaster LiveSet File
- .nxm
- Nexus Mod Manager Link
- .xff
- NiceLabel Form Data
Naturally, other applications may also use the .cia file extension. Even harmful programs can create .cia files. Be especially cautious with .cia files coming from an unknown source!
Can't open a .cia file?
When you double-click a file to open it, Windows examines the filename extension. If Windows recognizes the filename extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that filename extension. When Windows does not recognize a filename extension, you receive the following message:
Windows can't open this file:
example.cia
To open this file, Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select one from a list of programs that are installed on your computer.
To avoid this error, you need to set the file association correctly.
- Open Control Panel > Control Panel Home > Default Programs > Set Associations.
- Select a file type in the list and click Change Program.
The .cia file extension is often given incorrectly!
According to the searches on our site, these misspellings were the most common in the past year:
ca, cai, ci, ciq, ciw, cix, cka, cla, coa, dia, fia, ia, ica, sia, via
Is it possible that the filename extension is misspelled?
Cia To 3ds Converter Mac
Similar file extensions in our database:
- .ciw
- EndNote Web of Science Export
- .via
- ARM Compiler VIA Data
- .xia
- Chiasmus Encrypted File
- .cla
- Java Class Data
- .ca
- Initial Telnet Cache
- .sia
- Silo 3D Model
Operating systems
DataTypes.net currently supports the following operating systems:
Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7/8, Windows 10, CentOS, Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, iOS, Android
If you find the information on this page useful, please feel free to link to this page.
If you have useful information about the .cia file format, then write to us!
3ds To Cia Converter Macbook
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