| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Portable | No installation required; run from any storage medium. |
| Bidirectional Conversion | Convert CIA → 3DS and optionally 3DS → CIA. |
| Drag & Drop Support | Simply drag a CIA file onto the executable to start conversion. |
| Batch Processing | Convert multiple files in one session. |
| Integrity Check | Verifies CIA signature and decrypts encrypted titles if a valid movable.sed or seed database is provided. |
| Trim Support | Removes empty padding from the output 3DS file to save space. |
| Metadata Stripping | Removes title metadata not required for cartridge images. |
| Cross-Platform Ready | Compiled for Windows (exe), Linux, and macOS (via Mono/.NET Core or native CLI). |
Example command-line pattern (tool-specific; replace with actual tool name/flags): cia to 3ds file converter portable
converter.exe --input game.cia --output game.3ds
Using a typical portable converter is straightforward: Using a typical portable converter is straightforward:
To achieve a portable workflow, you need three portable executables housed in a single folder on your USB drive: To achieve a portable workflow
Below is the step-by-step guide for a portable conversion process.