Content packing tools
choose your software based on what you think it’s better for your goals.
The following table explains every image/sound conversion tool on their pros and cons.
| tool | pros | cons |
|---|---|---|
| Fast XNB Builder The ol’ reliable | ✔ Also converts sound files ✔ Pretty fast (3rd in speed) ✔ Works with command line | ❌ Doesn’t have an easy UI ❌ Will always export in the default folder |
| PNG to XNB MVP for updating hitboxes | ✔ Blazing fast (1st in speed) ✔ Easy to use ✔ Can export images anywhere ✔ Works with command line | ❌ Not made for mass-converting ❌ Converts one PNG only at a time |
| XNBCLI The mass-converting tool | ✔ Packs/unpacks images ✔ Really fast (2nd in speed) ✔ Can export in a different folder *¹ ✔ Works with command line | ❌ Can’t convert anything else than images |
| TConvert One tool that does everything | ✔ Easy to use ✔ Converts everything | ❌ Can be unstable *² at times ❌ Not so fast (4th in speed) ❌ Doesn’t have any command line support |
| MonoGame Pipeline Roleplay as Nexile | ✔ Converts everything | ❌ Needs way too many dependencies ❌ Not fast at all (5th in speed) ❌ Hard and long installation process |
*¹ - XNBCLI can export in a different folder if set by editing the “pack.bat” and “unpack.bat” files. This might require a bit of command line knowledge.
*² - TConvert sometimes can be unstable both on the “Extract” tab (XNB to file) but also “Convert” tab (file to XNB), especially with sounds.