Hi,
I have now searched for over a week and I cannot find any information on hacking and customizing TouchFlo for Diamond.
I know there are lots of stuff there for customizing the look and also a few programs for tweaking it, but I want to delve into the files and make my own theme, customize the tabs for me and stuff like that.
Is there any program or thread on what fales do what, how to extract the original files for changin and how to convert them back, how to add tabs in touchflo and make changes to the interface of it.
I already know that I am going to get someone that says use search or "In 10 sec I found this", but I have been researching for a week now and I think that me not finding anything is more the fact that its called TouchFlo or Manila or Manilla or Manila2D or manila3D etc..... very hard to know what words to search for.
Please someone point me in the right direction.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=441
Well thankyou for pointing out 2132 threads of information. Why didn't I think to read thru all those threads?
I thought I made it clear that I didn't want to just customise the look of TouchFlo. I want to do it myself, making my own themse and making my own additions to the app.
I need to find out how to actually edit the app, as in what files do what and how to open and edit them to do what I want it to do and not what is already predifined from someone else.
Thought I made it clear in my initial post.
Stickies in this forum are too useful, read it...
Let me redo my original request in a manner that may be more understanding.
I HAVE read threads, posts, googled, search within these forums etc etc etc.
I DO find Tweaks, Config Programs, even found a program to convert the manila files to an imag and back (thou I don't understand how some of the animation files can't be exported as a gif animation (wiper blade for weather)..
What I DON"T find is information on what files to edit for differnet parts of the TouchFlo. I don't know what file to hack for adding another panel, I don't know how my images are suppose to be for themes (the program lets export to jpg, bmp and png, information on transparency and animation are no where to be found).
How much clearer can I be about this.
I have already gone thru 6 pages of the 2132 pages of threads available and still only premade themes and hacks are there nothing in terms of HOW TO HACK TOUCHFLO.
I don't want information on how to optimize TouchFlo and make it look pretty. I want to know HOW to hack it and do my OWN things to it.
Oh god...
I think u need to read more...
Or maybe u dont readed stickies...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=441
Dont read the 2132 pages, JUST ONLY THE STICKIES!
If u look there, u will find the MANILA EDITOR 0.2...
Either you DIDN'T read my posts or you have never used the Editor.
I DID say I found it. BUt it ONLY lets me edit the images. Nothing in there about adding custome tabs, renaming tabs or anything along EDITING and HACKING TouchFlo.
Also there is NO information on how to do the transparencies on some images, seeing all images can be exported in BMP, JPG or PNG, to my knowledge only PNG supports Transparencies but you can have transparency in BMP by making the transparent areas hot pink or some other bold color. And seeing that none of those image formats are animations, then how the hell do I edit things like the weather wiper blade.
I am not an idiot, I usually do find these things out myslef or work them out some how, but USUALLY I can find some small tidbits of information on what I am doing to point me in the right direction.
Manila Editor 0.2 doesn't do anything other then let me change the pictures.
eangulus said:
Let me redo my original request in a manner that may be more understanding.
I HAVE read threads, posts, googled, search within these forums etc etc etc.
I DO find Tweaks, Config Programs, even found a program to convert the manila files to an imag and back (thou I don't understand how some of the animation files can't be exported as a gif animation (wiper blade for weather)..
What I DON"T find is information on what files to edit for differnet parts of the TouchFlo. I don't know what file to hack for adding another panel, I don't know how my images are suppose to be for themes (the program lets export to jpg, bmp and png, information on transparency and animation are no where to be found).
How much clearer can I be about this.
I have already gone thru 6 pages of the 2132 pages of threads available and still only premade themes and hacks are there nothing in terms of HOW TO HACK TOUCHFLO.
I don't want information on how to optimize TouchFlo and make it look pretty. I want to know HOW to hack it and do my OWN things to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, I can't stop laughing Eangulus. I'm not laughing at you just the responses. I feel your pain, whenever I've asked for help I get the same kind of useless replies. A bunch of people who don't even read my post assuming they know what I want. Goodluck in your search!!
Great. Now I have someone that understands what I want, but can't help me...
I read somewhere that this forum was the be all and end all for all WM information, hacking tweaking etc.
Maybe all that info is in a special "HACKERS" area that the genral public can't see. Keeps all us "newbies" in the forums searching clocking up their advertising dollars....
There is no such complete HowTo (which would be pretty big and much to read btw.). The information is spread all over the threads. Download the cabs and stuff people provide and inspect what files are involved. Download the tools and go to the readme files. There's additional information inside.
Spend some time on testing and playing around (but remember: everything you do is on your own risk). And ask questions in the relevant threads.
Someone startet a diamond wiki some time ago, but I think it's not maintained anymore.
That's why people can only point you to the threads and as a starting point to the stickys. You have to pick up the pieces and build the puzzle. (If you get everything together you are ofcourse welcome to write a complete Diamond-HowTo)
cheers
Thankyou for a clear answer.
Im personally more annoyed at the fact that it does seem to be just a default respnse of read the thread, search is your friend crap.
If someone actually read my original post they would have known that was what I was doing.
Oh and I would read the readme. Only if they were included. there is none with the manila editor.
eangulus said:
Thankyou for a clear answer.
Im personally more annoyed at the fact that it does seem to be just a default respnse of read the thread, search is your friend crap.
If someone actually read my original post they would have known that was what I was doing.
Oh and I would read the readme. Only if they were included. there is none with the manila editor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow, pretty pissed I see...I get similar responses but you get used to it. As far as transparency, thats the png's effect. Use photoshop for this and to retain the trans effect, export it to png. Gif also does this being that gif's are not exclusively for animating, but for utilizing transparency at a smaller file size, but also at the expense of quality. As far as creating a tab of your own (like a cheetos tabs that predicts how many cheetos are eating every sec or something random), that you may have to just follow the threads and get information according to which step you're on. I would ask more along the lines of "what part of touchflo does this?" or "how to change blah blah" rather than "how to hack touchflo" cause someone would need to write an entire page of crap. Maybe one day, but I couldn't find it either. lol
I would first start with learning how touchflo works by inspecting the entire reg file for anything that says "manila" or "touchflo", start research on lua modding/changing (if necessary), crack open the tab cabs (i.e. calender, today, etc.) and start modding!
Related
..... or i have overlooked it.
i am starting this thread to find out how to change my icons, either a) without having to tamper with the registry b) what best registry editor to use if need be or c) am i being completely oblivious and i just need to drop the icl file into a specific folder.
i have come across many interesting icons that are said to be specifically made for WM5, and yet only one had an installer package, the rest or either a collection of seperate icon files or one icl file, and i am at a lost as to what to do with them on my mda (g3 wiza200), and i dont want to mess around and screw something up and have to do a complete restart for the third time.
any help would be appreciated, as i HAVE searched through the forums, googled, asked jeeve and what have you, and have not seen anything specific giving guidelines or directions so that i don't mess anything up.
i am trying to set this as an antimated wallpaper i dl the suu2 program but it only sets it as a screen saver.. i have also tried animated today and it doesnt let you import gifs... any suggestions?
thanks
Well there are threads in the WIKI to show you how to do it, but I will help you today. First you name the GIF file to "animated" WITHOUT QUOTATIONS. Second you need to copy the file to your DEVICE. Third use a registry editor to MOVE the file to the \Windows\ folder. I can already see there might be questions so I added some pictures below.
Here is the ACTUALLY WIKI LINK.... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=338779&highlight=boot+splash+kaiser
You will have to READ a few pages through it to get a link to GIF pages, but you know what, it will be good for you thats all part of being here. You are lucky I was bored, if you can't tell already.
**Also a picture tutorial in my signature under cab files called "How To Change Startup Screens"**
sorry.. that is not what i am wanting to do... i have a wall paper that is in gif format of blue flames.... i am wanting to set it as my wallpaper i seen a plugin for that but cant find it now... thanks for the info about change the start up animation..
Don't even bother, it's too much of a hassle. You'll need FlashThemes CE I believe, but I've tried it and all the GIFs turn out like crap. Avoid it like the plague. Plus, a GIF background may consume your battery faster.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=387667
also here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=364462
thanks for the info.. i was wondering about battery life
thanks again
I have searched and searched for a way to change the color on the my home page from black as best as I can tell please tell me if I'm wrong but I need to install a theme that has a different color text in order to do this.. Is this correct????
Now a few questions on the new themes... If I install a new theme on my phone am I stuck using the background that comes with the theme or can you change the background to whatever you like?
If you can change the background does anyone have a link to a simple theme that has white writing, Maybe the Buttons I saw one that was almost like the original just a little more 3 dimensional. I don't want anything to different just keeping it simple..
Now when you are talking about installing themes.. I have read many terms I do not understand and so I think if I understood them I might be better equipped to actually tackle installing a theme...
What does ROM stand for?
What is a .cad file?
Do you need anything special to install a cad file or does it do it on it's own?
This program I've read people say you have to use to install themes.. Total Commander. Do you install that on your computer or your phone?
I'm a total newbie to this and trying to sort through little bits and pieces everywhere is really overwhelming me.. I really want to get a grip on this phone..
Dancingwaters said:
I have searched and searched for a way to change the color on the my home page from black as best as I can tell please tell me if I'm wrong but I need to install a theme that has a different color text in order to do this.. Is this correct????
Now a few questions on the new themes... If I install a new theme on my phone am I stuck using the background that comes with the theme or can you change the background to whatever you like?
If you can change the background does anyone have a link to a simple theme that has white writing, Maybe the Buttons I saw one that was almost like the original just a little more 3 dimensional. I don't want anything to different just keeping it simple..
Now when you are talking about installing themes.. I have read many terms I do not understand and so I think if I understood them I might be better equipped to actually tackle installing a theme...
What does ROM stand for?
What is a .cad file?
Do you need anything special to install a cad file or does it do it on it's own?
This program I've read people say you have to use to install themes.. Total Commander. Do you install that on your computer or your phone?
I'm a total newbie to this and trying to sort through little bits and pieces everywhere is really overwhelming me.. I really want to get a grip on this phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out the link below. Also there is a thread in the Raphael/Rapheael forum for q&a like this.
Okay, first of it's a CAB file, in windows(desktop computer) it will be labeled as a cabinet file. copy it to your device, in any folder, open file explorer, and double click the cab file. it installs automatically.
And a ROM? you answer is HERE
Read it and read it closely. Also the wiki is a good place to read about the problems and solutions that can arise from flashing a new ROM.
Both those questions, shouldn't even be asked on the forum.
read here about font colors in TF3D
and remember always to search, i just don't feel like you had done enough. Hope these help you, and remember to read, read, read, read, search, read, search, read, then ask. Keeps the forum clean, and easier for the next person to find what they are looking for.
I wasn't sure where a good place to post this would be and haven't found a thread in the Raphael or Diamond forum on this topic so hopefully I don't get flamed for starting a new thread. I asked 4 days ago in "Let's see your ATT Fuze Screens" thread on how to edit my dialer skin to make the number keys transparent so I can view my wallpaper behind it so it flows with my theme (this was after a screenshot from someone with a dialer I want and have not been able to find). I did not get back a response. Maybe I posted in the wrong thread. I am a noob, but I am trying to learn how to do things for myself. I have read the wiki and countless threads (yes sometimes the entire 200 pages), used search function within threads, within the specific forums and within the entire xda site. Alot of results come up and none are helpful. Maybe I am not using the right search terms. In any case, I've tried to find a dialer I like, but to no avail, so I would like to try and create my own. Yes, I would like to just be able to install a cab and be done, but I am willing to try and figure it out on my own with some guidance. If someone could please point me in the right direction to do this (maybe the files I have to edit and I can try and figure out how to do that myself from other threads) I would be very greatful. I would like to have a transparent key pad on the phone screen and the screen when receiving a call and be able to place my own wallpaper behind it (Need landscape as well since I have the Fuze). I think this is something others would want as well to keep there personalized themes consistent. If this thread is redundent, please point me to the existing thread.
Thank you.
Since nobody else is replying, I will at leas share what I know. Using your phone's file explorer, navigate to the device's "windows" folder and look for the two dialer .bmp files named "Assets_dialer_Normal.bmp" and "Assets_Dialer_Pressed.bmp". Those are the two files that you need to edit or replace to get the dialer to your liking. Note: there are also other files named similarly "_Assets_dialer_Normal.bmp" etc. so don' mistake the files with the underscore at the beginning of the file name. I hope this points you in the right direction. Be advised that the biggest obstacle will be finding a way to overwrite those protected files. Good luck
IM ACTUALY IN THE PROCESS OF CUSTOMIZING MY DIALER..
IM SKINNING 'UGGALO_x WHITE S2A CDMA'
customizing the dialer is no problem. the same as skinning any of the rest of the display, to get around permissions issues just use Total Commander CE to overwrite the existing file.
transparency is a problem as the dialer pad is comprised of bmp files and as such there is no transparency like you would find with gif or png (unless someone has found a transparency color and i've just missed it).
it may be possible to use your current background image as the background of the bitmap to overlay the buttons onto, thus giving the appearance of transparency. this of course comes with the downside that if you decide to change your background you would have to change your phone screen to one that matched. in addition it would not be just the files mentioned by tx_dbs_tx that you would need to modify in this scenario as the dialer only takes up the lower... oh, 3/5ths of the screen? you would also need to modify the "Calls and Contacts" / "All Calls" / "Speed Dial" fields and the field where the number you are dialing is displayed. i am not presently aware if this has even been attempted yet.
personally, i have only attempted a color change to the dialer to date, but have been successful with that. if somehow nobody else responds before i can check on the unknowns above, i will come back and let you know what i find.
Thanks
Thanks to everyone who replied. I will try and see if I can mess around with these files. I found a dialer to use for now. See thread below. I need to figure out what files are for the slide to answer screen in portrait and landscape and the dialing screen (the screen when you make a phone call). I think that is all of the screens associated with the phone. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The Vista Abstract Dialer by [email protected] found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=463958
I can't upload the zip of the files. Just go to the thread above to download and break down CAB
hey peeps,
i've had my HD2 now for a week and well i'm getting itchy to customise some of the ui. well i've got some ideas for a full on theme, and the taskbar at the moment.
however i've googled myself close to death trying to find how to edit the files.
first i can't see how to assemble and disassemble CAB files, and probably DLL's aswell.
and where do i find the originals on the phone itself? Taskbar Icons?
I've downloaded the /Windows directory and found Lockscene buttons, and icons for different bits, but as i said above i have no idea how to assemble an CAB out of my edited files, and not just do an overwrite.
Im sure some people are reading this as a user who hasn't a clue as to what there doing but tbh this is the first WinMo phone i've had in probably 5 years, so i've forgotten most of what i know, but i'd really like to have a crack at making my own experience/community release.
One problem i've had is Total Commander can't see my phone, do i need to have total commander on both the PC and the Phone? or should it just see the phone? as i said i'm a little lost.
So if you can help me, i'll really appreciate the help
Many Thanks,
Luke.
come on guys, is this the secret society of something. either no one knows or you just cant be bothered. surely supporting a fellow modder isn't a hardship.?
Come on, I was able to figure everything out myself as well (or search!).
For editing CABs, the best way is to use WinCe CAB Manager. For DLLs and EXEs, you can use ResHack, Resource Tuner or the like... just search.
Then, take any theme you like, extract the files with a CAB and modify the grapics... Yes, you can !
thanks dude,
i've tried searching, but if you don't know what to search for your screwed.
now i've got a few apps listed i can look em up. Massive Thanks to you
Regards,
Luke.
ok well i just had a look at Brians V6 Taskbar Cab.
tbh I can see what needs to be done but it's not very simple. I've been iPhone themeing the past few years and it was no where near as confusing as this. tbh i think i'll leave it alone on second thought.
I thought it would be a case of redesign the images and bundling them into a cab for deployment, not registry entries, and random coding which to me meant nothing.
I think i'll stick to my overwriting files upposed to CABS. and hope some things i want turn up.
Well, you don't need to change any registry keys. Just put your graphics in a CAB and you're done .
ok maybe i'll have another go i guess.