Database Develop

How to theme android

I'm trying to theme android.
I know that I can extract the APK's and edit the images, but what do I do after that?
how do I pack them back into APK files?

Learn to use either metamorph or ninjamorph. Their both apps by stereicson that let you change every image from an apk from within the phone.

what I meant was how would I create my own theme.
I'm not trying to apply themes that were already made, I'm trying to create a new theme.
but I've found that ubuntu lets me edit the images without extracting the apk

swee08315 said:
what I meant was how would I create my own theme.
I'm not trying to apply themes that were already made, I'm trying to create a new theme.
but I've found that ubuntu lets me edit the images without extracting the apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
creating your own theme is very really easy. but it can be very time consuming depending on what you are trying to accomplish and edit.
After you edited your .png file (NOT .9.ping because that requires a much more advance and complicated method) simply sign the apk file, create the update-script to place in the /META-INF/com/google/android directory and then sign the update.zip file. You will need to use the search feature to lookup.
"update-script"
"signing tool"
Good luck

mejorguille said:
Learn to use either metamorph or ninjamorph. Their both apps by stereicson that let you change every image from an apk from within the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest the metamorph as well instead of flashing. Flashing seems like it would just take too much time.
Also, Android Commander and Droid Explorer (maybe a few others) offer easy signing tools/transferring the apk without the need of any metamorph or flashing.

Thank you Binary100100
that's exactly what I needed
and also to r3s-rt:
I need to create an update .zip for this task.

swee08315 said:
Thank you Binary100100
that's exactly what I needed
and also to r3s-rt:
I need to create an update .zip for this task.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For ANY themeing, you don't need an update.zip. I'm just saying look into metamorph a bit; it really is easier than flashing and reflashing if it doesn't come out right. If updates are easier for you, though, go for it. =]

thanks again.
but where exactly would I look to modify the widgets?
specifically the music and clock widgets?

swee08315 said:
thanks again.
but where exactly would I look to modify the widgets?
specifically the music and clock widgets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Music widget is in Music.apk. Clock widget is in DeskClock.apk.
Though metamorph is convenient, in my opinion it is a better tool to test parts of a theme. Learn how to sign update.zip files (with ubuntu it is as simple as a right click), there will be less errors this way (and you can theme the market,....).
p.s. Do learn metamorph also, it is great.

thanks, but where is the search widget?
and yes, I will learn

swee08315 said:
thanks, but where is the search widget?
and yes, I will learn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
launcher.apk

creating a black softkey menu pop up with white text.
Hello everyone! I posted something like this and got no real answers. I'm not trying to create a full theme just edit what I already have. I'm trying to change the stock cyanogenmod softkey menu pop up. If gotten my images in place and got the background and icons the way I want them but I don't know which values XML file I need to edit in order to change the text color. Does anyone have any insight on which file I need in order to edit the menus text to white? Already decompiled the framework-res.apk.

Thanks
This is awesome, I'm just trying to get started with customizing android and theming seemed like the logical starting point. Thanks for the input guys/gals.

[Q] How to mod framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk

Hi guys,
Wondering if someone can give me some clear directions how to add battery icons (knowing that the resource IDs of the images are not stored in public.xml - it doesn't exist in samsung's framework-res.apk) and how can I change text colors (basically replace black with white and vice versa) and where should I change these values.
Thanks a lot!

Common themers, I know you know, you just don't wanna share
Joking I would really like to start themeing as well and these are the only 2 issues that I have at the moment.

icezar1 said:
Common themers, I know you know, you just don't wanna share
Joking I would really like to start themeing as well and these are the only 2 issues that I have at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=724778
Get apk manger.I'm trying to do this too.

Hm, I did, I de-compiled the apk but did not want to compile back. Probably the images are not Draw 9-patch-ed. However, I still need to find out how to change the text color...

icezar1 said:
Hm, I did, I de-compiled the apk but did not want to compile back. Probably the images are not Draw 9-patch-ed. However, I still need to find out how to change the text color...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
find you find out before keep me updated, and i'll do the same.

icezar1 said:
Hi guys,
Wondering if someone can give me some clear directions how to add battery icons (knowing that the resource IDs of the images are not stored in public.xml - it doesn't exist in samsung's framework-res.apk) and how can I change text colors (basically replace black with white and vice versa) and where should I change these values.
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can change the battery icons in the framework-res.apk [look in the res/drawable hdpi/stat_sys_battery_x.png
and to change the text color: I was trying to figure that one out last week....From what I figured out you need to modify:
res/layout/status_bar_latest_event_content.xml
Which is found in your framework-res.apk aswell....Decomplie-edit-recomplie....
Good luck

what program are you using to edit your xml's?

chaosjh said:
what program are you using to edit your xml's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apk_manager_4.9 to decomplie-recomplie. Then use notepad to edit

i change icons and stuff in framework by just using 7zip. No need to decompile or sign, or any of that. Super easy. Not sure about changing text color, tho.

If your just wanting to do simple changes (no .xml edits)
You can use WinRar to open the framework-res.apk and find the *.png's you want to replace.
Then copy/paste the new images over the old ones inside of WinRar.
Close.. and install.
But thats for quick and dirty changes. For more intricate stuff - animations etc. that require *.xml edits - do what the above folks say

No way..
OK, just decompiled-added icons from other decompiled framework-recompiled, no xml edits-installed. Look is changed, battery icons now displaying fine but... force closes and restarts the shell in less than 20 secs...

yup try the winrar method - there is no decompiling.. just copies the images into the *.apk
And shouldn't have any FC's if you try that method.

avgjoegeek said:
If your just wanting to do simple changes (no .xml edits)
You can use WinRar to open the framework-res.apk and find the *.png's you want to replace.
Then copy/paste the new images over the old ones inside of WinRar.
Close.. and install.
But thats for quick and dirty changes. For more intricate stuff - animations etc. that require *.xml edits - do what the above folks say
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i changed icon with winRar, and all kinds of crazy stuff happed. Loop boots,and Fc

Have you guys figured out the text color yet? If you haven't let me know what text you're trying to change and I'll write something up in a few hours when I get off work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

fritzgerald said:
Have you guys figured out the text color yet? If you haven't let me know what text you're trying to change and I'll write something up in a few hours when I get off work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have tried for to days now to get these android faces icon for the battery.I've use winRar and it worked good for a few hours, but when i used cwm to backup my system on reboot it boot loop. I got apk manger and everytime I try to compile the apk there is a error.Oh changing the text color would be cool too!

dfuse06 said:
i have tried for to days now to get these android faces icon for the battery.I've use winRar and it worked good for a few hours, but when i used cwm to backup my system on reboot it boot loop. I got apk manger and everytime I try to compile the apk there is a error.Oh changing the text color would be cool too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shoot me a link to the icons you're trying to use. What ROM are you using(name & version). What text are you looking to change? There's not one global change to make all the text different I'll need to know what specifically you're trying to change.

I use the uot kitchen you get the icon on perception 7,but im on 8 now. I'm running perception 7 darknees 2.3 theme, and that is what i'm trying to get the icons on its the battery icon of the android smiley faces it is version j with white numbers. i'm going to look for a link for them.i have the framwork-res.apk with them in it.

When you recompile with APK Manager, a couple of things are very important to do:
1. Hit yes to "system app".
2. Hit yes to restoring the files:
-Open the "keep" folder and delete resources.arsc. Then delete anything you changed (if it's there).
3. Do NOT sign it.
It should work.

PuffinNugz said:
i change icons and stuff in framework by just using 7zip. No need to decompile or sign, or any of that. Super easy. Not sure about changing text color, tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you just individually edit each icon? Cause I can't find a way to copy in a folder. I'm pulling the icons from the 2.3 framework, but i just want to copy over the drawable folders for now.

TheEscapist said:
Do you just individually edit each icon? Cause I can't find a way to copy in a folder. I'm pulling the icons from the 2.3 framework, but i just want to copy over the drawable folders for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just dragged the images from a particular themes framework and dropped them to the new one all within 7zip.

Empty 9patch (*.9.png) file request

I know there are tons of tutorials out there on how to edit .9.png files, but for some reason, I cant get the SDK to install..
I'm trying to mod a couple of apps that use .9.png images, and I want to make them absolutely transparent. Since ninepatch files are made for stretching, I really don't care about the size.
Can someone please upload a blank, transparent .9.png so that I could rename them and make my mods?
Thanks in advance!

Here you go, this is already compiled.

dully79 said:
Here you go, this is already compiled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot...now I can finish up my mods!

Your welcome
I forgot to say its compiled to display fully top to bottom and left to right.

It works! Ahhh!! I cant believe it actually works! Thank you!!
check out my mod here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10552463#post10552463
More to come later!

[Q] [HELP]-MetamorphingGingerbread. REWARDS!

Ok guys, I am totally new to theming and what not, and akoe101 and I are deciding to release a theme under metamorph, called MinimalMechanics, this is what the status bar looks like
So far, everytime i try to create a morph, it gets rejected. Heres the steps i have taken
1. Downloaded a template morph
2. extracted the .zip
3. Opened the .xml with notepad, edited the path like so...
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<themename>MinimalMechanics</themename>
<themeversion>1.0</themeversion>
<author>mkcm97 and akoe101</author>
<phone>Motorola Droid</phone>
<rom>?</rom>
<themedescription>Changes status icons</themedescription>
<item>SystemUI.apk</item>
<path>/system/app/</path>
<description></description>
4. I then saved the .xml
5. I added the icons in the correct folder.
6. renamed the .xml to MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
*side not, in reality, i'd prefer to add other paths, to framework-res.apk, gmail.apk, and vending .apk. If this is possible let me know, or do I have to make a seperate .zip?
7. I renamed the zip to MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
But as I said earlier, when I try to apply it, it gives an error. Could anybody give an insight on this, if you have any you get an early theme release and some extra GOODIES!. If you need the actual .xml, i can upload it for you.
Thanks for taking the time for reading and answering
- Matt.

You want Notepad++ on a windows machine. Windows notepad screws up the EOL sequence.

<themename>MinimalMechanics</themename>
MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you rename the zip, you must change the <themename> too.
As 3rdstring says, I use Notepad++ to edit.

Dont Panic said:
If you rename the zip, you must change the <themename> too.
As 3rdstring says, I use Notepad++ to edit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. wow i didn't release that a version of notepad would make a difference. I'll give it a shot and get back to you guys.
thanks a bunch.

ok i owe you guys big time! notepad ++ did the trick. so now for the next question, can i add a path to framework-res and system ui in the same .xml?

mkcm97 said:
ok i owe you guys big time! notepad ++ did the trick. so now for the next question, can i add a path to framework-res and system ui in the same .xml?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can, but you will get FC loops that are a pain with metamorph. If you do it, use ZipThemer to install instead, great program. Myself, I don't put SystemUI.apk or Phone.apk in the same morphs as framework-res.apk.

Dont Panic said:
You can, but you will get FC loops that are a pain with metamorph. If you do it, use ZipThemer to install instead, great program. Myself, I don't put SystemUI.apk or Phone.apk in the same morphs as framework-res.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok. so i will just release the theme in seperate morphs. but when i applied just the systemui.apk, i got fc loops anyway, but a battery pull fixed it and it was all okay.

I agree with Dont Panic, ZipThemer is an excellent tool. It will take your morph(s) and build a flashable update & as a super cool added bonus an undo file so when things go wrong you have an easy road back.
The XDA thread.

3rdstring said:
I agree with Dont Panic, ZipThemer is an excellent tool. It will take your morph(s) and build a flashable update & as a super cool added bonus an undo file so when things go wrong you have an easy road back.
The XDA thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so could i build a morph and put it in zip themer, and release it as a .zip? and it will still have the same concept as a morph. ie only change the icons that you want..?

mkcm97 said:
so could i build a morph and put it in zip themer, and release it as a .zip? and it will still have the same concept as a morph. ie only change the icons that you want..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but it will be device/ROM specific.

3rdstring said:
Yes but it will be device/ROM specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks for the help guys. feel free to pm me if you would like anything.

cant wait for you to drop this, ive been eying it since you first started posted screens with it. i check customandroid all the time in hopes its been released lol.

mbh87 said:
cant wait for you to drop this, ive been eying it since you first started posted screens with it. i check customandroid all the time in hopes its been released lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha thanks. almost done

mkcm97 said:
haha thanks. almost done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If for some reason you are feeling generous or need someone to test on a Thunderbolt, shoot me a pm

Toggle Buttons in Statusbar

Hi, I've searched thoroughly through this and other forums, but this topic doesn't seem to interest many people...and even when there are questions, answers are often imprecise and evasive.
I'd like to know how to modify the toggle buttons in my statusbar. I want to remove the orientation switch (who uses it, seriously?), and add (for a total of 6 buttons), toggle data and 2G/3G switch...is that possible? Yes it is, it's Android
But how to do it? Is there a guide or even some files ready for flashing? I'd like to get rid of Extended Controls once and for all...
Thanks in advance, looking forward for an answer

Unfortunately it's not possible to edit those buttons on the Stock LG ROM.

remczar69 said:
Unfortunately it's not possible to edit those buttons on the Stock LG ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another good reason to switch to a cooked ROM
Anyway, can you post anything you are willing to (links to guides, files...) for doing this on other ROMs? And maybe a list of ROMs that allow this operation (or, at least, the characteristic they need to have, for example a certain kernel or other stuff).
Thanks in advance

I know for sure that CM 7 has that possibility. I use CM7 it is pretty stable for me.

it it possible to hide the buttons?
(using modaco r19)
thx

lixeira said:
it it possible to hide the buttons?
(using modaco r19)
thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cook rom without buttons, you can choose in kitchen

75markus said:
cook rom without buttons, you can choose in kitchen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know ... dont have modaco premium account

you can use apk manager to decompile the framework-res.apk file
then modify a file called status_bar_expanded.xml (found in /res/layout)
then compile it
i have made the edits to the files, but i cant get it do compile again
(attached the xml file, rename the file back to .xml)

Mjuksel said:
you can use apk manager to decompile the framework-res.apk file
then modify a file called status_bar_expanded.xml (found in /res/layout)
then compile it
i have made the edits to the files, but i cant get it do compile again
(attached the xml file, rename the file back to .xml)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that skilled yet still learning ... but thanks

i'm not that skilled either so don't mind it
i just can't get it to recompile