Related
In the below thread, there is a Demo APK that Google used. In it there is an image viewer, that is pretty nice, and would, IMO, be alot nicer to have than the default viewer.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=453686
Where to find it:
1) Follow the instructions in the link above to get the apk (for those who dont alreay have it)
2) Open API Demos and scroll down to "Views"
3) Scroll down to "Image Switcher"
4) Admire the cool image viewer, while pretending that the pipsqueak shown wouldn't actually be just a snack for your own dog.
I would imagine that since there is a 'template' someone could re-create something similar, but better and more polished.
So, Astro File Manager has a built in image viewer, just like what I was talking about.... Its a temporary solution, but I'd still rather have a stand-alone app.
yeah the default image viewer definitely needs to be swipable or thumbnailable (word? LOL).
Image picking is a shambles in other apps too. Should be directory based rather than showing all images by default. or is that up to each individual dev?
I've been in touch with fabrantes, the dev for Rock On, and he and I and whoever else wants to join in, will be starting a viewer app (not sure how in depth we will go, as we haven't done any planning, but...) keep an eye on the forums for it.
I want to make a thread for both those that are already Dev'in themes, and those that want to start, can trade info and techniques. For example:
(Program)
Photoshop Editor:
Then a description of a given process...
Etc.
I know that there are How To's, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=471586 but I'd like a more direct, and detail orientated place to discuss the specifics. I've tried a few attempts myself and found that some programs work, some don't. Plus, since the prices of some of these programs are as high as $600, and the fact that there are thousands of web-based programs, it'd would be nice to see what works best for who, and how.
Hopefully, this will turn into a good resource, and we'll soon have a forum full of the most excellent themes.
MODS: Let me know if I'm outta bounds and I'll fix. This is my first time makin a thread so it ain't all that.
To Do:
*search and post Theme Developement info for Windows, Linux, and Mac
These are links to useful threads related to different parts of theme developement...
Key Files Chart:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=r_ua-t_U23ci5_oxwQ4mGrg
Creating your boot animation:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=527200
Progress circle style/color editing:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=540830
Editing .XML's:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=479019
How to use baksmali/smali:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537779
General Theme Developement:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=467639
Using DrawPatch-9:
http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/draw9patch.html
Signing made easy:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=473580
photoshop is my primary weapon of choice but I've also found that for minor edits like color changes touchups transparency changes and resizes photoscape and fotoflexer work pretty well especially when I'm at work and decide to mess around because I can't install photoshop on my work computer due to administrator locks I just downloaded photoscape and installed to the documents folder and fotoflexer is an online image editor and both are free
Okay... here is something very usefull...
You know those pesky indexed files right? they corrupt if you open them in photoshop?... I figured out how to remove the indexing... first you need to download and install Paint.NET off of the web... and then install(of course)... and then open any indexed file in Paint.NET... then save it... and it will be un-indexed... ... this will be very usefull for lots of people... cuz it is for me!
I like paint.Net myself. Its free and if you load the plugins available you can get a lot done quickly and easily.
Best tip is to make sure you save stuff in layers so that if you only need to edit part of an image you can.
Another tip is after you finish your edits you can expand the canvas on all sides by 1 pixel then use solid black for doing the .9 marks. Once done you can dump your files right into the latest eclipse and draw9 isn't even needed which saves a lot of time.
Also 7-zip is just amazing. You can use the file manager to move files between zip files and apk and even jar files without unpacking or packing over and over.
I agree with beagz 7zip is a must it makes it a hell of a lot easier when porting your themes for new builds another life saver is the android sdk lot s of useful information in there and eclipse for compiling .9 images which there are samples of in the android sdk to show you how to do the guides properly like beagz was talkin about in his previous post because if you mess one of those your phone can end up totally screwed
This is easy
Apps
.zip/.apk management: 7-zip (the most important part of theme development)
image manipulation: GIMP
Software
sign/resign files: Java JDK
.9.png editing: Eclipse to compile the apk
Pre-reqs
ADB working properly through the command prompt
Applications that make theming possible for Jonnybueno
I use Photoshop for images. Hue and Saturation(ctrl+u) is my best friend for changing the color of stuffs. For hex editing, I use HXD, outlined in this thread by Stericson: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=479019.
For signing, I use Stericson's Autosign.bat. If you don't know, you can double click on this to pull up the command prompt rather than launching the command line and then typing "autosign". Also, you can copy the file path by right clicking while holding the shift button on Vista.
And finally, for notification text, I use Ohsaka's colorChange.jar. Along with this really simple batch file.
White text:http://sharebee.com/b6b43290
Which is just one line(that I'm too lazy to type everytime I update)
Code:
java -jar colorChange.jar theme.zip ticker=FFFFFFFF clock=FFFFFFFF date=FFFFFFFF ongoing=FFFFFFFF latest=FFFFFFFF clear=FF000000 network=FFFFFFFF roam=FFFFFFFF
Resources
For viewing source to reference those xml files, I use these sites
Cyanogen source:http://github.com/cyanogen
Android reference (stock): http://developer.android.com/reference/android/R.attr.html
And then this website for finding just the right RGB codes: http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html
Tips
I've learned that it is totally possible to rotate .9.png files using windows without having to redraw them and that images don't have to be the original size. There is a limit to how big you can go... but i have no idea what that limit is.
Oh and for different colored(other than black) notification text for downloads, edit the only xml file in DownloadProvider.apk/res/layout. For example, 0800001C 000000FF becomes 0800001C FFFFFFFF. In case you're confused, whats happening is that you're changing an ARGB code (which is backwards, so you're looking at BGRA... see stericson's thread please) from black (000000FF) to white (FFFFFFFF).
Working from Linux (Ubuntu) I've found File Roller to work as nice and easy as 7zip in Windows for working with zip/jar/apk.
GIMP is my gfx editor of choice in both worlds. Glad I discovered you don't need draw9patch to put the .9 guides in - draw9patch is a pain to use!
In Windows I use XVI32 a hex editor, ghex in Linux.
testsign.jar is all you need to sign - very simple from command line in both Linux and Windows
/Mats
I use Adobe fireworks for image editing a little easier then photoshop and has styles for lazy ppl like me and winrar full version for managing the apk's and zips and png crush setup to right click and crush pngs for compression if your update is too big.
I know this thread has been dead for a while but I see new phones linking to it as a resource for themeing, so I wanted to let you know that I have compiled a huge amount of information into one guide, see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667951 for detalis
As a side note: you might want to note the fact that my tutorial for changing/creating boot animations is for pre-2.1 builds (unless someone really decides they want a pre-2.1 boot animation on their phone, of course). I havent got around to updating the boot animation tutorial for 2.1+, cause thats going to be a looooong post.
Hi all, i am trying to work on a theme for the Droid X. Can anyone tell me why some of the images open in photoshop incorrectly and more to the point how to fix them?
I cant post a link apparently to the image or a http link since i'm new but
You can view the image here. http:/ / dl.dropbox.com/u/6769503/8bit.jpg
Is there a setting or something I can change in PS to open these correctly?
Thanks for your time.
KraYzeE
krayzee said:
Hi all, i am trying to work on a theme for the Droid X. Can anyone tell me why some of the images open in photoshop incorrectly and more to the point how to fix them?
I cant post a link apparently to the image or a http link since i'm new but
You can view the image here. http:/ / dl.dropbox.com/u/6769503/8bit.jpg
Is there a setting or something I can change in PS to open these correctly?
Thanks for your time.
KraYzeE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the original file extension? .png?
I had this same problem with some .png files wich had transparency in windows image viewer, but not in photoshop.
My solution was to open it in Paint.net and save it, rewriting the original image. Please be sure to set the transparency correct whilst saving in paint.net.
Download Paint.net
Thanks for the reply, yes it was a PNG, ill try paint.net but i would really like to use Photoshop. I cant understand how it can mess up the transparency and anti alias like that.
Update: Paint.net does indeed open the file correctly... so while i do now have a solution. I would still like to find out why Photoshop (both CS4 & CS5) open it incorrectly ?
Well technically 8 bit pngs are indexed images with a varying amount of colored pixels and then varying amount of transparent and semi transparent pixels so some programs might not like this. I would recommend gimp over ps as its similar but doesn't have this issue.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
that image actually seems correct, can you post an image of the alpha channel? then we will know if photoshop is not reading the file correctly
As one poster said, it's because the images is indexed. If you do Image > Mode > RGB, it will un-index it. I must warn you though, PS is HORRIBLE with indexed images. Use GIMP/Paint.NET to un-index it to save yourself a headache
JAguirre1231 said:
As one poster said, it's because the images is indexed. If you do Image > Mode > RGB, it will un-index it. I must warn you though, PS is HORRIBLE with indexed images. Use GIMP/Paint.NET to un-index it to save yourself a headache
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh but then you lose the 8 bit optimization, even running optpng will not put it back to index png cause it will ossy optimize it. So just use gimp.
Thanks for the replys guys.
Here is an example image.
http:/ / dl.dropbox.com/u/6769503/btn_circle_pressed.png
If you open it in PS, you will see what i mean, changing it to RGB does not change the image. I can open it correctly it Fireworks, then save it without making any changes, and then i am able to open it in Photoshop correctly.
This will do for now in case anyone else runs into this issue. The file size isn't too much bigger this way, so it will work for now.
Thanks again to all that helped.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1631008/btn_circle_pressed_fixed.png
Here's the image fixed, it was indexed... all I did was open it up with osx Preview and save it again. Or you can try this gimp they all talk about but I think it's overkill to switch to another program just because 1 or 2 images are weird, especially after you paid for your copy of Photoshop.
DBBGBA said:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1631008/btn_circle_pressed_fixed.png
Here's the image fixed, it was indexed... all I did was open it up with osx Preview and save it again. Or you can try this gimp they all talk about but I think it's overkill to switch to another program just because 1 or 2 images are weird, especially after you paid for your copy of Photoshop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. I don't have OSX and i absolutely cannot get used to Gimp. but opening it in adobe fireworks and saving it again right away does the trick, so although it's a pain, its simple to do.
If anyone ever figures out a way to directly open these types of files in Photoshop i'd be glad to know.
Cheers
KraYzeE
krayzee said:
Thanks for your help. I don't have OSX and i absolutely cannot get used to Gimp. but opening it in adobe fireworks and saving it again right away does the trick, so although it's a pain, its simple to do.
If anyone ever figures out a way to directly open these types of files in Photoshop i'd be glad to know.
Cheers
KraYzeE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that works but your removing the indexing. Android uses indexed pngs wherever possible because this saves space and resources, if you changed every file in the android system to rgba your phone would be noticeably slower.
If you change it to rgba and then run optipng on it you'll see it will not index cause it can only lossy optimize, but if you set the mode to index and then optimize it you'll notice then file will be considerably smaller with little or no image quality loss. So in short your removing a vary important optimization feature of the android system.
If your looking for a quick image conversion tool try image magick, this will allow you to write scripts to convert them png24/32 to png8 and back whole folders at a time.
well as we do with video it's always better to work with uncompressed, high res images. Then when everything is done and set in stone we compress and optimize without loosing too much image quality.
If i had to start a theming project I'll probably do the same, convert everything to high res, work on it then compress to a more optimized format.
DBBGBA said:
well as we do with video it's always better to work with uncompressed, high res images. Then when everything is done and set in stone we compress and optimize without loosing too much image quality.
If i had to start a theming project I'll probably do the same, convert everything to high res, work on it then compress to a more optimized format.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah for video thats fine, but in theming and specifically for this file gimp will allow you to work on the indexed file and you literally can not tell the difference with the indexed file being atleast 50% smaller. Maybe this would make sense with an image that has alot of quality or is high res but in this instance it a loss of time and added steps when the same could be accomplished with industry standard tools.
Dear all my fellow android lovers.
I would like to present to you the alpha2 version of bootanimation maker:
http://aboota.devbro.com/
You can use any animated gif of your choice to create your very own bootanimation.zip to install on your very own custom boot animation.
you can look up fun gifs on sites such as 4gifs.com or senorgif.memebase.com
Current features:
1. upload any gif
2. rotate or flip the picture
3. stop on last frame
4. control animation speed
5. resize
future features:
1. browse section for all created bootanimations
2. add for custom initial animation
3. pre-made initial animations
4. see preview before downloading
5. a native android app to go with the site
6. add audio for boot
License:
It is free to use for everyone as long as my server doesnt crash
please do not use gif files that you do not own the license to.
notes:
1. I do not take any responsibility for any damage that using this site, or files generated on my site, may cause to you, your phone, your family, your cat(s), .... in short use it at your own risk
2. At this point I only support atrix phones, that is why I am posting here.
3. I use bootanimation utility for now to change the created aboota.
If you have any suggestions or found any bugs let me know please.
Some notes for some people that are interested to make their own aboota:
1.adobe flash can export gif instead of swf.
2.there are apps that convert avi to gif, just google
3.it is also possible to convert flv(youtube) to gif files
Hi, I noticed on your link that the "Terms of Service" do nothing. Is there a link this is supposed to got to? When clicking on it nothing happens.
Also, I think this is a good idea for boot animations, but looking through your previous posts, you seem to be requesting help a lot, (not that that is bad, but none of it is relative to this). How did you come up with this site, and where are the uploaded files going to?
CaelanT said:
Hi, I noticed on your link that the "Terms of Service" do nothing. Is there a link this is supposed to got to? When clicking on it nothing happens.
Also, I think this is a good idea for boot animations, but looking through your previous posts, you seem to be requesting help a lot, (not that that is bad, but none of it is relative to this). How did you come up with this site, and where are the uploaded files going to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reminding me about that link. I removed it
My background is mostly web development and system managements in php and linux(most redhat and suse). So making this site was not that hard. I had the idea for a while, I only decided to get it done about two weeks ago. I found a few documents describing the bootanimation.zip structure and found a very nicely detailed document inside the atrix bootanimation which gave me a lot of details I wanted. The rest was simply playing around in php and linux to create a simple version of aboota.
For now I am keeping the files on my server so in near future when search and browse are complete we can share our creations with others, and hopefully on other phones too.
Cool. Thanks. I'll try your site when I have time at my pc.
Beamed from WinBorg 4G via XDA Premium
Hi I' a web designer and graphic artist, not much android developer, I've made this intent of a bootanimation.zip, even make the zip with KEKA for mac osx ppc and photoshop, but somewhat it is just showing a black screen. I'm attaching the zip file, could you check it out and tell me what would be wrong with it?
I cannot attach the file, so I've uploaded, if someone can download it and check it, I would appreciate letting me know why this is only showing a black screen on my tablet.
Thanks.
Gus
p.s: here is the file http://gusduenas.leftandrightsolutio...tanimation.zip
any help.
;(
What device?
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I'm full of great idea's, but don't have the time to create them or learn the coding to create them. If you want to make one of my ideas a reality just message me and I will give you my idea as specific as possible.
ideas:
Spoiler
-launcher/lock screen
-line rider type game where you control the character
-2d fighting game like art of fighting for the SNES
-multiplayer fps where you create your own map with a creative mode (minecraft style)
-roller coaster tycoon style game
-many more!
Just message me which idea you want info on and I'll tell you!
----------------------------------------------
check on the link I've posted and see what would be the problem, thanks for your help.
gusduenas said:
check on the link I've posted and see what would be the problem, thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
link is broken...
Homebrew animation [SOLVED for Mac users]
Finally! I've just solved, many threads were correct the problem with the bootanimation.zip is the compression so I've downloaded the stuffit plus and I set the preferences to no compression and expert mode to the middle between faster and smaller compression level 8 and I've opened in the stuffit archive manage one of the many bootanimation.zip files I have from original and finally I got it good! :good:
Now it is working this solution is specially for all mac users (like me) with photoshop and stuffit archive manager. When in the window of the stuff archive manager, you are able to navigate the files inside the zip, so the better is to erase the originals and replace by yours, don't forget to have the desc.txt written good.
As an extra precaution, when you finally have all your files made in photoshop jpg, go and open preview and re-save them as jpg again in order to have a regular jpgs, maybe is nothing but I've just wanted to be sure since the bmp from photoshop is not read as a boot_logo by android, so my those are my two cents.