Sony makes official PS3 theme creation walkthrough

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 7th 2008 at 4:30PM }

For those with the time and ambition, the PlayStation Blog has posted a how-to guide on making themes for the PS3 XMB. Written by Noel Silvia, a graphic artist on the PSN team, the guide explains everything that users need. The required software for the task is an image editing application and extracting the files from HowToMakePS3Themes.zip.

We've yet to try making a custom theme ourselves, but we'd certainly like to know how people make out. For those considerably less ambitious, themes are also available by checking the PSN Store.

Tags: cross-media-bar, ps3, theme, xmb

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 7th 2008 4:46PM

Sony, stop trying to pussyfoot around, where in the god damn world is the in-game XMB!?

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 7th 2008 4:57PM

Probably coming this thursday. Why else would MGS 4 release on a thursday, which just so happens to be update day for PSN?

xFenixKnightx @ Jun 7th 2008 6:50PM

God, I hope so! So anybody know if all games will have trophies or just certain ones? After beating Ninja Gaiden 2 I'm thinking of picking up Sigma since its so cheap and replaying it. Haven't played it since it first came out on Xbox and would like to replay it in glorious 1080p...FTW!

Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 7th 2008 9:06PM

Yeah, I'm sure the graphic artist that made this tutorial is also responsible for in-game XMB.

Alistair judson @ Jun 8th 2008 4:58PM

@tmacairjordan87 they would relase on a thursday because its exactly 10 years after mgs was released

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 7th 2008 4:49PM

But this is pretty cool though. : )

BananaBoat @ Jun 7th 2008 4:52PM

People already make their own PS3 themes. From the number of awful themes out there, it's pretty apparent that the process isn't that involved.

If only they would make a "How to make a GOOD PS3 theme" tutorial....if only....atleast we'll always have 10 versions of the Jessica Alba theme to peruse.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 7th 2008 4:55PM

I'd rather leech off of other people's creations. Got a nice DBZ, MGS 4, and megan fox theme from a playstation website :D

Binaryfiend @ Jun 7th 2008 4:57PM

It is very easy if you follow the directions. I've made a couple already.

Whoppy @ Jun 7th 2008 5:10PM

I've yet to find one that rivals the default theme, all the ones I've found on the net are cluttered and a bit ming.

Stoo @ Jun 7th 2008 5:54PM

Agreed, I just use the default theme with my own choice of wallpaper.
The only annoying thing is there doesn't seem to be a way to change text colour, so I find I have to use dark wallpapers.

JetPogi @ Jun 7th 2008 5:55PM

makes a lot of sense if its the first theme you got used to.

Whoppy @ Jun 7th 2008 6:13PM

I don't even like changing the background image, I like the animated line thing and just occasionally change the colour (I am that exciting :P), would be nice if we could use animated pictures/movies as the background image. Changing the colour of the font would also be nice :D

David @ Jun 7th 2008 7:12PM

@stoo

you could always change the brightness of your background. That way you can use any image and not only dark ones (although reducing the brightness will make them look darker but still it's something).

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jun 7th 2008 9:55PM

i normally use the default wallpaper with a custom theme i found that just turns the icons on an angle. they look exactly like the default icons (in dark blue like i like) but are just turned on an angle. just adds a little flavor i think. but lately i have been using this Graffiti official theme but the lack of movement is making me not like it.

i wish they would let us use animated backgrounds.

JetPogi @ Jun 7th 2008 5:52PM

this is one of the best things ps3 have. the power to customize your theme.

OTAM @ Jun 7th 2008 6:44PM

I have a pretty cool South Park theme on my PS3. I love the little icons of all the different people from the show (like Butters with the ninja star in his eye).

Maverick Saturn @ Jun 7th 2008 6:44PM

Theres nothing better then having Jessica Alba in Bikini as your background, one thing I wish my Xbox had, see the green theme is nice and all, but it doesn't compare to the great and happy feeling I get when I turn on my PS3 to play some Resistance online and there she is, the object of pure beauty as my wallpaper in full HD.

I had to change it to my GF recently though, she moaned that she should be the only object of my desire, so I groaned a bit and changed it, oh well, I must admit the pic of her I replaced it with is even better :)

Booxatron @ Jun 7th 2008 7:01PM

I can't quite tell what's going on in your avatar but I think I like it =).

west43rd @ Jun 7th 2008 8:08PM

Once again, Sony shows no love for the Mac.

Kspraydad @ Jun 7th 2008 11:20PM

You choose an operating system that, at best, is 10% of the market and then complain that you don't get software? Are you going to bitch and complain when Apple launches non-power pc OS and leaves you behind too?

ill trooper @ Jun 8th 2008 3:34AM

Yes, it's a disappointment that there's no package for the Mac. Really lame, I would love to try it at least. Nearly every theme I looked at on that above link is not something I want.

And since we're going gutter combat, Kspraydad, you sound like a little hater bi**h yourself.

Why don't you keep stickin' with what everyone else tells you... Live your life on percentages and metareviews.

Playboy X - PSN: ummfada @ Jun 8th 2008 8:13AM

Kayspray...

chill the fuck out... he wasn't bitching, i understand what you're saying but you are crushing him for no reason

Kspraydad @ Jun 8th 2008 9:18AM

@ill tropper...

Nice...I didn't call anyone anything...I said they were bitching not that they were a bitch...subtlety lost on you?

And yes, it IS about numbers. Why should SONY bust their ass on Mac compatibility when they need to focus on their largest user group first? If you own a recent Mac, dual boot the damn thing...if you don't own a recent Mac, Apple is going to leave you behind by dropping PowerPC support in their next OS...so why the hell should SONY program for it?

@Playboy...since YOU are the one using explatives, why don't YOU 'chill the fuck out' mkay?

Tiptup300 @ Jun 7th 2008 11:27PM

Once again, Sony shows no love for Windows 3.1.

CarpeD1em500 @ Jun 7th 2008 11:42PM

hahahaha

Kspraydad @ Jun 7th 2008 11:59PM

EXACTLY. Well done and much less wordy then me.

KiraXD @ Jun 8th 2008 12:13AM

heres a Death Note Theme i did a few months ago... rated 8.8/10 on PSU with over 3ooo+ downloaded

its what i currently use as well... (although i did it before we were able to change the sounds as well... now... when will MS let me customize my 360... wtf do i have to pay for shitty themes for when its just 3 different BG pictures)