If you are using the PSP GTA eLoader v0.9.5 (Final), codenamed Brown Ale, or the previous Beta version by Fanjita and Ditlew, you may be interested in creating a custom background for the eLoader, and having seen the number of people customising the background for Homer’s RIN, I thought it might be a funky idea to create a custom background for the eLoader itself.

Click the image below to download the custom loadmenu.tga file, both work with either eLoader version…

The process for creating a background for the GTA eLoader is pretty much the same as creating a PSP background/wallpaper, or a background for Homer’s RIN. The only real difference is that you need an image file editor that will allow you to open and save tga format files.

For my editing, I used Photoshop, and saved the file as 24-bit when prompted (its important that you save it as 24-bit), and have had no problems using it on my PSP. There are a few things to look out for when creating a background, firstly the text is fixed on the left hand side and needs to be viewable, so the easiest thing to do is backup the original menuload.tga, create a new layer and reduce the opacity to 50%. You can then use this layer to create your background while being able to see where the contents of the screen will line up.

The second thing to note is that the text on the right crediting Fanjita and Ditlew for the eLoader cosmetically looks a little fussy. In the backgrounds I have created I’ve blanked this out by covering the area with a solid black fill, so the text disappears (you have to remember that this area is off limits for any colour other than black if you want to lose the text). Because I have removed the credits at the bottom, I then added a little Thank You to Fanjita and Ditlew on the left hand side.

Of course you are free to have whatever text you want on the background, but as a way of showing your appreciation to Fanjita and Ditlew’s for their hardwork its a nice touch to have something on there saying Thank You.

When you have finished creating your masterpiece, copy it over the original menuload.tga on your PSP memory stick and load up the PSP GTA eLoader. You should now have a customised eLoader background. The way the eLoader works means that the right hand side of the background (around 270 pixels in width) is available to use as you please if you are using the Beta version of the eLoader. If you are using the Final Brown-Ale release then the right hand side contains the icon/image of the homebrew application, if one is provided by the author. You will need to ensure that there is something within the correct area to cater for the icon appearing, or for a default if no icon is provided.

If you create a custom eLoader background, send it to me and I’ll put it up on this post for everyone to see.

Download Customer Loadmenu File for Brownale

Download Customer Loadmenu File for Beta