DSMapStudio is the original integrated modding tool, created in 2018. Smithbox is a direct fork of DSMapStudio by vawser that receives active updates for the latest game patches and DLC. For Elden Ring with the 2024+ patches or Shadow of the Erdtree, use Smithbox. For older titles (DS1, DS2, DS3, Bloodborne, Sekiro) DSMapStudio works perfectly well.
This error typically appears after a game update when the DCX compression format changes. The fix is to use the latest version of DSMapStudio (v1.11.1) or, for the most recent Elden Ring patches, switch to Smithbox which has updated DCX support. Make sure your game files are from a supported game version.
Yes. Download the "Low Requirements" executable from the releases page. This version gives you full access to the Param Editor and Text Editor without the 3D Map viewport. It works on Intel integrated graphics and any GPU that lacks Vulkan 1.3 support.
Yes — for most games you need to unpack the game data first. Use UXM Selective Unpack for Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3, UDSFM for Demon's Souls, or Yabber for Bloodborne and Sekiro. Once unpacked, point DSMapStudio at your game directory when creating a new project.
Make sure you downloaded a release build — not the "Source code" zip from GitHub. Go to the Releases page and download the file named DSMapStudio-vX.X.X.zip (not "Source code"). Extract the zip fully and run DSMapStudio.exe from the extracted folder.
Yes, via Wine 9.0 or later. Several users have confirmed this in GitHub issue #858. Install Wine 9.0+, then run DSMapStudio.exe through Wine. Note: the Vulkan renderer requires Vulkan support in Wine (provided by recent Mesa or DXVK-native setups).
In Param Editor, use File → Export All CSVs to export each mod's params. Then use File → Import CSV to import them into your base regulation.bin. For a more automated workflow, use DSMSPortable (the CLI tool) or AutoModMerger (GUI wrapper). A video guide is also available on YouTube.
DSMapStudio v1.11.1 (June 2024) was the last release. It does not support Elden Ring patches released after that date. For the latest patch support including Shadow of the Erdtree, use Smithbox instead, which is kept up to date with each new patch.