This one is a bit dated, but while we’re on the subject of PSP theme authoring, I’ll hit ya with another… Check patpat’s CTF Tool GUI v3.1. Break down CTF themes into their respective counterparts (.rco/.prx files), put ZiNgA BuRgA’s Rcomage to work, and then piece ‘em all back together again.

CTF Tool GUI v3.1 Changes:

• Fixed a bug in extracting files from themes 5.03GEN
• Fixed more bugs related to the function of extracting files from CBC
• Improved file conversion vshmain.prx
• Improved file conversion topmenu_plugin.rco
• Improved file conversion htmlviewer_plugin.prx

Download:
CTF Tool GUI v3.1
PSP Themes

- source: l-patpat.cn

Rcomage v1.0.1:

• fix crash with WAV -> VAG conversion
• fix sound clipping issues with WAV -> VAG conversion (fix appears to work, but I really haven’t looked at it much)
• added ability for compile function to read from stdin
• use \ for directory separators on Windows
• slight speedup with gimconv (no longer invokes the cmd shell)
• ‘–xml-only’ switch for dumping removed, use ‘–resdir -’ instead
• fix bugs relating to handling XML files with resource dumping disabled
• minor changes to messages
• GUI will attempt to use relative paths instead of always relying on absolute paths
• fix folder creation bug in GUI

Returning to the top of the PSP theming game is ZiNgA BuRgA with Rcomage v1.0.0. You have probably seen or used custom PSP themes created with this tool; however, its public release was postponed due to conflicting schedules, you know how it is…

ZiNgA notes –

…since this is a bit of a rushed release, there’s a number of “suboptimal” things done here, such as me not really checking stuff (so if you find issues, please report so I can fix). Sanity checking in the code really sucks, so it should be easy to stuff up the program too, but please still report these so that I know where to prioritise checks.

I reckon you should probably report issues via the source link.

It’s also mentioned that Rcomage, some day, will ultimately replace RCO Editor, another tool used for RCO manipulation. So if you wanna get your hands dirty and experiment with PSP theming; I suggest you check RCO Editor out too.

Download: Rcomage v1.0.1

- source: endlessparadigm

Maybe you don’t need to upgrade to Custom Firmware 5.50 GEN-B2 after all… Read the title; follow the instructions (see screenshot). But before you dance; thank mc707 for EBOOT Patcher v1.0.

Thanks mc707!

Download:
EBOOT.BIN Patcher v1.0
5.55 & 6.00 Games Decrypter V2
PRXdecrypter v2.3

- source: pspx

Crack, crack, crack the egg into the bowl… Easier than baking a cake with PaRappa is creating homebrew with cbarox’s PSPConstructor.

With little or no programming knowledge you can point-and-click your way to homebrew heaven. Drag this, drop that, click, click, and compile. You just built your first homebrew app/game using the JGE++ engine.

Watch:

PSPConstructor Features:

• This program uses Visual Studio 2008’s devenv command line to compile your game under the Visual Studio 2008 environment. It uses the JGE++ to be able to run your created game under windows first before you transfer it to the PSP. The JGE++ engine also features:
  • Hardware accelerated 2D rendering including scaling, rotations and colour blending.
  • Geometry shapes rendering, including rectangle, circle, polygons and thick lines.
  • Loading PNG, JPEG and GIF.
  • Advanced multiple emitter and key frame based particle system.
  • Bitmap fonts.
  • Stereo WAV playback.
  • Hardware MP3 decoding on PSP.
  • Port of HGE helper classes: hgeParticleSystem, hgeDistortionMesh and hgeFont.

Download: PSPConstructor

- release / discussion thread -

Once again it’s on Quake and Extreme Link. This time you’re downloading 1.6.3 v6, which is mostly comprised of Guide+ changes and tweaks. To sample what Guide+ can do for you, check out this comprehensive Final Fantasy 7 walkthrough, courtesy of Quake himself.

  

1.6.3 v6
Extreme Link: Guide+
ADDED: PNG ReNamer Controls v1.0
ADDED: Last Color Button
Fixed: PNG Snap RTB Focus

1.6.3 v5
Extreme Link: Setting
ADDED: Counter Value Changer

1.6.3 v4
Extreme Link: Setting
ADDED: Small Image Placement
Extreme Link: Guide+
ADDED: Small, Large Menu Inserts
Fixed: Disappearing text on insert background image load

1.6.3 v3
Extreme Link: Guide+
ADDED: Bold, Italic, Underline buttons
ADDED: Short cuts ctrl-b, ctrl-i, ctrl-u
ADDED: Short cut help
ADDED: Clean Paste - No thrills text paste.
ADDED: Lock Ability
Fixed: Disappearing text on background image load

Download: Extreme Link v1.6.3 v6

- source: trading-post

Quake sent word late last night with Extreme Link 1.6.3 attached, which boasts an all-new feature called Guide+. This new Extreme Link counterpart replaces PNG Imager allowing you to create fashionable guides for use in PSOne/POPS emulated games. And Extreme Link 1.6.3 v2 arrived this morning correcting a minor bug as detailed in the change log below. Good lookin’ out, Quake.

1.6.3:

• Extreme Link: Main
  • FIXED: ReName Error 52 – Displays bad file name Error message for \ / : * ? ” < >
• Extreme Link: PNG Imager
  • REMOVED, DELETED, 86′ed, No longer Available
• Extreme Link: Guide+
  • ADDED: ALL NEW Features and Abilities
  • Easily make professional guides with these new features.
• Extreme Link: Options
  • FINISHED: Opacity, Main – Explorer – Records – Ciso – Guide+

1.6.3 v2:

• Extreme Link: Guide+
  • Fixed: Fontstyle replace bug

Download: Extreme Link v1.6.3 v2

- source: trading-post

With the file ID 971 you know its been around for awhile… Far improved from the earlier versions it’s Quake’s PSP Extreme Link. It’s pretty much the all-in-one app for any PSP owner who runs Windows. Use Extreme Link as a front end for Ciso, NetHost and USBHostFS. Keep track of game records. Convert PSX titles to a POP-compatible (PSOne emulation) image. The list goes on… Just download and check it out.

Extreme Link v1.6.2 changes:

Download: Extreme Link v1.6.2

- source: trading-post

Happy [belated] birthday Jpcsp! The talented team behind the Java PSP emulation effort has officially shared their latest — Jpcsp v0.3 (REV. 1105). Again, plenty of improvements since their March release have been packed into this one. Check the Google Code project page if you’re interested in the nitty-gritty. Otherwise download Jpcsp 0.3 below and try it out leaving your experience via the comments.

I’ll tell you now; many games aren’t functional or playable at all. Some load, some bail immediately. However, a select few — mostly older titles — are in fact playable in a stable state and at a decent speed, like Puzzle Bobble Pocket for example.

Download:
Jpcsp v0.3 (REV. 1105)
Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE).

- source: jpcsp

I just tried this out [converting a CTF 5.00 theme to 5.50] with patpat’s new CTF Tool GUI v2…

My PSP: an all-capable Slim running 5.50 GEN-B; I’m also using this modified version of CXMB for 5.50 GEN.

The CTF theme: Nothingface420’s Grand Theft Auto IV for 5.00.

Now patpat warns the conversion process from 5.00 to 5.50 is beta and may not always work. In my case with said theme, it worked perfectly.

Download:
CTF Tool GUI v2
CXMB for 5.50 GEN
PSP Themes

- source: pspgen

Nick has released a new version of his free PSP Video Converter for Windows — PSPVC v3.72. You know what’s up… Convert just about any video format to a compatible PSP format. PSPVC v3.72 is primarily a maintenance release correcting the odd bug here and there.

PSPVC v3.72 changes:

• Fixed the DirectX check-bug that was introduced in the previous version for Windows 7;
• Fixed the issues with the pad/crop features effecting the “original” view when previewing the video before conversion;
• Fixed the YouTube video downloader.

Download:
PSPVC v3.72
CCCP Codec Pack (Required)

- source: pspvc.nswardh.com