A Beginner's Guide to XNB Editing in Stardew Valley

So, you want to tweak Stardew Valley’s sprites and textures? This guide will walk you through editing .xnb files, the game’s primary format for storing this data. We’ll focus on using XNB Node, a tool that simplifies the process of unpacking, editing, and repacking these files. Get ready to customize your farming experience!

Understanding XNB Files and Why Edit Them

Stardew Valley uses .xnb files to store various game assets, including character sprites, building textures, and item icons. Editing these files allows you to:

Personalize your game: Change the appearance of your farmer, tools, buildings, and more.
Create custom content: Design entirely new items, characters, or environments.
Fix visual issues: Correct any graphical glitches or inconsistencies.

Before we dive in, remember to always back up your original .xnb files before making any changes. This ensures you can revert to the original state if something goes wrong.

Step 1: Setting Up XNB Node

XNB Node is the key to unlocking and modifying .xnb files. Here’s how to get it set up:

Download XNB Node: You can usually find a working version through Stardew Valley modding communities. A popular source used to be the “Modding Guides and General Modding Discussion–REDUX” thread. Look for a link to Draivin’s XNB Node (0.2.1) or a more recent version.
Locate your Stardew Valley Folder: This is usually found in one of these locations:
- C:Program Files (x86)SteamSteamAppscommonStardew Valley (64-bit Windows)
- C:Program FilesSteamSteamAppscommonStardew Valley (32-bit Windows)
- C:GOG GamesStardew Valley (GOG Installation)
Extract XNB Node: Unzip the downloaded file and place the contents of the “XNBNode” folder (the xnb_node.cmd file and the application itself) directly into your Stardew Valley folder. Do not place the “XNBNode” folder itself into the Stardew Valley folder.

Step 2: Navigating the Command Prompt

We’ll be using the command prompt to interact with XNB Node. Here’s how to get started:

Open the Command Prompt: Press the Windows key, type “cmd,” and press Enter.
Navigate to Your Stardew Valley Folder: Use the cd command to change directories to your Stardew Valley folder. For example:
```
cd C:Program Files (x86)SteamSteamAppscommonStardew Valley
```
If your Stardew Valley folder is on a different drive (e.g., K:), use the cd/d command:
```
cd/d K:Stardew Valley
```
Alternatively, you can copy cmd.exe into your Stardew Valley folder and open it from there.

Step 3: Extracting .XNB Files

Now that you’re in the correct directory, you can extract the .xnb files you want to edit.

Locate the .xnb File: All .xnb files are located in the Content folder within your Stardew Valley directory (e.g., Stardew ValleyContent). For example, farmer hairstyles are located in Stardew ValleyContentCharactersFarmerhairstyles.xnb.
Extraction Command: Use the following command to extract a single .xnb file:
```
xnb_node extract <xnb_file_name> <output_folder>
```
For example, to extract hairstyles.xnb, you would use:
```
xnb_node extract hairstyles.xnb hairstyles_unpacked
```
This will create a folder named hairstyles_unpacked containing the extracted files, including a .png (the image you’ll be editing) and a .yaml file (which contains data about the image). Important: Keep the .yaml file with the .png file as it is needed to repack the .xnb file later.

To extract all .xnb files in a folder, use:
```
xnb_node extract <input_folder> <output_folder>
```
For instance, to extract all files from the Content folder:
```
xnb_node extract Content Content_Unpacked
```

Example of using the command prompt to extract an XNB file using XNB Node.

Step 4: Editing the Extracted .PNG File

With the .png file extracted, it’s time to unleash your creativity!

Choose an Image Editor: Select an image editor that supports transparency. Do not use MS Paint, as it does not handle transparency correctly. Good options include:
- GIMP: (https://www.gimp.org/downloads/) – A free and powerful open-source image editor.
- Paint.NET: (http://www.getpaint.net/index.html) – A free, user-friendly image editor with a good balance of features.
- Adobe Photoshop: (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopfamily.html) – A professional-grade image editor with a wide range of tools (paid, with a free trial).
- GraphicsGale: (https://graphicsgale.com/us/) – Excellent for pixel art editing.
Edit the .png: Open the extracted .png file in your chosen image editor and make your desired changes. Remember to save the file in .png format with transparency enabled.

GraphicsGale is a popular image editor specifically made for pixel art.

Step 5: Packing Your Modified Files Back into an .XNB

Once you’re happy with your edits, it’s time to pack the .png file back into an .xnb file.

Packing Command: Use the following command in the command prompt:
```
xnb_node pack <input_folder> <xnb_file_name>
```
For example, to pack the files in the hairstyles_unpacked folder back into hairstyles.xnb, use:
```
xnb_node pack hairstyles_unpacked hairstyles.xnb
```
Replace the Original .xnb: Copy the newly created .xnb file and replace the original .xnb file in the Content folder.

Example of using the command prompt to pack an XNB file using XNB Node.

Step 6: Testing Your Changes

Launch Stardew Valley and check out your modifications! If something doesn’t look right, revert to your backup and try again.

Alternative Method: XNBExtract

XNBExtract, created by Drogean, offers a simplified method for unpacking and repacking .xnb files. It essentially automates steps 2, 3, and 5.

Download XNBExtract: Find a reliable source for XNBExtract.
Follow the included instructions: The package typically includes batch files and a README file with detailed instructions.

While XNBExtract is quicker, understanding the command prompt method provides a better understanding of the underlying process.

Important Considerations

Cursors.xnb Issue: Older versions of XNB Node may corrupt the .png in cursors.xnb. Use an updated version of XNB Node to avoid this issue.
Anti-Virus Warnings: Some anti-virus programs might flag XNBExtract’s .bat files. These are generally harmless and simply contain commands used in this guide.

Conclusion

Editing .xnb files can greatly enhance your Stardew Valley experience. With XNB Node and a little patience, you can customize almost any visual aspect of the game. Remember to back up your files, experiment, and have fun! Now go forth and create the Stardew Valley of your dreams!

A Beginner’s Guide to XNB Editing in Stardew Valley