If I were to delete an image from a theme, is it necessary to replace the image with a new one or will it just be ignored in the Metamorph process?
Also, some of the PNGs included with themes I download seem to be locked from editing, in photoshop at least, how do I overcome this?
Thanks. I am not new to themeing (long time Winterboarder), just needing some assistance reassurance with this new app/OS
i dont use metamorph for my themes.. i never took the time to try it..
but those images arnt locked there just in the indexed mode... change it to rgb
Related
im trying to make make my own theme, but i need some help. i dont know where to begin. i have a couple of themes out on the forum that i want to chop up to make my new theme. how do i package them all together?
also how to you change the taskbar icons and takebar drop down box?
i want these icons
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9821/devicew.png
i want this dropdown box for my notifications
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee97/atoz350/a9a98a9c.png
i want this rosie
http://i40.tinypic.com/mv26nr.png
and im trying to figure out how to package all my apks it to a zip
please someone help me out!!!
i looked at a couple how-to's and guides but still cant figure it out
Yay you want my Rosie haha. Basically everything you wanna change is it framework-res.apk and com.htc.resources.apk in /system/framework
Open the apk's, pull out the res folders, find the images you wanna replace and replace them. Then put the res folder back into the respected apk, and put them into an update.zip and sign it. If you dont know how to do the last part I can do it for you
take the files from the theme elements you like and then replace the ones in the rom youre using with the ones you like. There are many files to edit depending on what you are trying to alter. I suggest editing your own rom before attemting an update.zip theme for us.
Is it possible? I love the theme. Particularly in the notification pull-down thing with the wifi icons and such.
They are just png images in the framework. Depending on what other rom you are wanting to use it on you may be able to just swap out the framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk in /system/app. Otherwise you can just move the images into the new rom framework files (the ones used are in /res/drawable-hdpi usually). You might be interested in learning to create metamorph zip files as well.
Thank you. However, I extracted the framework-res.apk and I have found some image files, but I see none that are pull-down icons like the GPS, Wifi, Auto-rotate icons. Any help?
Not sure what you mean by metamorph.
Because they're not there.
They're in twframework-res.apk. And you have to edit the status_bar_expanded.xml to get rid of the text.
It is essentially "Gingerbread" with some minor tweaks.
The only issue you might have is when you copy all of the images out of the framework-res.apk -> drawable-hdpl folder that your menu buttons might be a little off. Unless you start out with a Dark theme that has already adjusted the menu to have a black background and white text...
I think there is a Gingerbread theme in the Theme/App forum that would be close to what your looking for.
I was trying to do a MetaMorph for this type of theme but I could never get the *.xml edits needed to overwrite using MetaMorph correctly. (Check the Q&A Sticky for MetaMorph)
... It can be done but it'd be a little more complicated
Okay, I am still trying to understand. I extracted the twframework-res.apk and took out the files from the Assonance theme. I extracted the twframework-res.apk from another theme that I liked, and replaced the Assonance parts I like into it. Now, can I just zip it back up and rename it to .apk? I'm not really sure what to do now.
Thanks for your help so far!
max
Hi Guys,
I'm coming from Windows Mobile 6.5 where theming was a bit different:
When I started with 6.5 I used to think the only way to change the look of my phone interface was to flash a custom rom, but then I realized I could theme individual components (6.5 theme, Taskbar, Icons, Start Menu, ect) and it turned out to be pretty easy.
With Android I'm begining to think the opposite exists, is it basically true that in order for me to change the colors of the taskbar, or menus, taskbar icons - I have to use a custom rom?
I have been reading over these threads for the past three days and I have learned a lot, but I'm still confused...
I used to do M2D themes and change the xml and such, but when I read the Android theming guides ALL of it seems foreign to me...does't seem like I can just swap out pngs for pngs I made in Photoshop Am I making this seem more difficult than it is?
Are there individual themes for my taskbar, dialer, ect (not roms)? And if so can a former Windows Phone user explain them in comparison to installing a cab?
I know I have a ton of questions so any help at all would be appreciated
Thanks
MEGA MAN
There are MANY apps out there that will allow you to make these changes. Do some searches on the market and you'll find them. Do some research into rooting your phone (at your own risk) which will allow even more options.
You do not have to use a custom ROM to theme your phone, but it makes it a lot easier overall. AFAIK, you still have to have your phone rooted to theme more than icons.
To theme images, it really is just swapping out your images for the images already there as long as they contain the same dimensions, format (pretty much always .png), and name.
The .xml files are easiest to edit if you have decompiled the apk with a tool call apktool, because then they are in readable format.
Apktool is also really great for getting .9.png's in decompiled format with the stock guidelines intact.
You can theme various different components with an app called Metamorph or Ninjamorph, otherwise, you're going to have all your different parts together.
I've been theming android for getting close to two years now, so if you would like more help, you can PM/email (david1667jones gmail) me for more specific answers.
megaman - ain't it a trip coming from WM to android? yeah...WM seems such a simpler way. especially CHT2...that is really the best modding system ever.
been experimenting for the past 2-3 weeks and have been successful. (even have a usable CM7 theme that i may post...)
so let's hash this out. maybe teach eacho other a thing or two. if i am being too basic, let me know.
apk - like a cab. tricky thing is that (i believe) if you edit an apk, you replace the entire apk. unlike a cab where you can replace 1 single file. there are theme programs (metamorph - haven't used it, ADW and others that allow replacement with a single file...but they take a little work. nothing easy like cabs for WM.)
to begin you need 7zip (or winrar i hear works.) this will allow you to open apks, replace files and restore them in seconds:
http://www.7-zip.org/
i assume your rom is rooted (i really don't understand the term, but it allows freedom to mod your phone. i am using an HD2 - WM phone - running nand android so by default my phone is rooted.)
let's explore - take any apk and open it with 7zip. you will see 3 files (this is off of memory as i am at work right now.) open them and look around. ((want to find your installed apks and back them up? search market for Astro. (settings> backup and save your apks to your sd card)))
under res you will see drawable folders - this is the jackpot. in there you will see your images. there is a lot of redundancy in apks. the trick is finding the right image. try changing some, etc. this is the most basic of theming.
before moving on to xmls, etc (which there are quite good guides for this) just try the above. when you replace the files move up the folder hierarchy and it will ask you something about saving/restoring - cilck yes. the apk is now modded.
install the apk and see the changes.
however, if you are editing the core apks - system and framework-res, we will need to talk about how to do that (i use clockworkmod flashing...easy to do.)
let me know if this helps.
Thank you guys so much for your knowledge!
I do have my phone rooted and I have bootloader installed
The one reason I thought that I had to download a "ROM" is because I keep reading about having to be deodexed in order to modify...and I was underthe impression that most custom roms provide this deodexing?
on to APK's...I do have 7Zip and I have opened some up and found where the graphics are...now I am actually extracting the apk so I can manually go through each folder and see whats there including graphics...there does seem to be another way of opening the APK with 7Zip and not actually extracting it, but I don't thing I can actually see the image previews this way. >>>so I extract, change my desired images, re-zip and change the file extention back to .apk - BUT then I read about signing APK's? ...and signing zips?
After some researching I found a thread in which someone posted something like they make a copy of there current ROM "theme?" and then copy it in zip form on to their PC where they goe through all of the desired APKs and then Zip it back together and install it from the screen that you get to after holding the power button and home (recovery screen maybe?) <<< Anyway is this possible? This seem most like what we did in windows phone...but again I think where I'm getting caught up is the signing aspect...I've seen auto signers, but I feel like the ones I've seen were only for XP and I have Windows 7.
Woo... ok wrote a lot there - if you have anytime to elaborate on anything, I'd be happy to hear.
...and jsmccabe - that HD2 is one awesome device...I remember everybody asking if Windows 7 would everbe available and now you guys are dual booting with WP7 and Android - AWESOME!!! (if I didnt have Verizon
megaman...sorry it took a bit. "real life" and all that...
megaman 2 said:
The one reason I thought that I had to download a "ROM" is because I keep reading about having to be deodexed in order to modify...and I was underthe impression that most custom roms provide this deodexing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- not sure what deodexed means. is your rom cm7? if so, tmobile themes is an "easy" way to make a theme.
- are you theming to share or for yourself? if the latter just replace the the files in your rom and flashe the rom. if the former, what type of rom?
megaman 2 said:
on to APK's...I do have 7Zip and I have opened some up and found where the graphics are...now I am actually extracting the apk so I can manually go through each folder and see whats there including graphics...there does seem to be another way of opening the APK with 7Zip and not actually extracting it, but I don't thing I can actually see the image previews this way. >>>so I extract, change my desired images, re-zip and change the file extention back to .apk - BUT then I read about signing APK's? ...and signing zips?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- you can extract to make life easier. but when you are ready to make the changes just drag the new icons into the original apk. it will update it for you and you can install it and done.
megaman 2 said:
After some researching I found a thread in which someone posted something like they make a copy of there current ROM "theme?" and then copy it in zip form on to their PC where they goe through all of the desired APKs and then Zip it back together and install it from the screen that you get to after holding the power button and home (recovery screen maybe?) <<< Anyway is this possible? This seem most like what we did in windows phone...but again I think where I'm getting caught up is the signing aspect...I've seen auto signers, but I feel like the ones I've seen were only for XP and I have Windows 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM themes are pretty easy to do. i started with this, the problem is it replaces the entire apk to replace 1 image. which if you are modifying systemui or frameworks, may overwrite other things (colors that you didn't want to.) easiest thing to do....find an already established CWM theme and keeping the same structure, replace the images and flash via CWM.
let me know if you want more details...cheers and good luck!
Can someone tell me where I can change the font of the notifications. They come out in black and don't go with my theme, I'd like to change them to white. Thanks
Also if someone can teach me how to get the words under the icons to show up (wifi, bluetooth, gps ... )
You'll be wanting to read how to theme, there are a few threads if you search. twframework-res.apk and framework-res.apk is what you'll be modifying.
Caution swyping! Read at your own risk.
cappysw10 said:
You'll be wanting to read how to theme, there are a few threads if you search. twframework-res.apk and framework-res.apk is what you'll be modifying.
Caution swyping! Read at your own risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I've modified both those files with all the images I need in those two folders. I just need someone to point me to the right xml file that needs editing for these two questions (and if you'd be so kind to point me to where in the xml file even better), thanks
Can anybody help me out... Pleeaase?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I think this is what you're looking for
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1007221
CuriousTech said:
I think this is what you're looking for
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1007221
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok that somewhat helped. I'm looking at the status_bar_expanded.xml file and the last three are already at #ffffffff for white (which is what I want) but my notifications are still coming up in black
I think that's in framework-res.apk/res/layout/status_bar_latest_event_content.xml
It looks like you're trying to change a heavily modified theme back to original. It would be easiest to look at a stock framework and use those values.
CuriousTech said:
I think that's in framework-res.apk/res/layout/status_bar_latest_event_content.xml
It looks like you're trying to change a heavily modified theme back to original. It would be easiest to look at a stock framework and use those values.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That should do it!
CuriousTech said:
I think that's in framework-res.apk/res/layout/status_bar_latest_event_content.xml
It looks like you're trying to change a heavily modified theme back to original. It would be easiest to look at a stock framework and use those values.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually status_bar_expanded.xml. I need to change the color from ff000000 to ffffffff, that will change it from black to white. So I decompiled framework-res.apk using apk manager. I edited the file, then when I try to compile, I get an error, even if I answer Yes Yes to the two questions and delete the resources.arsc file plust the xml file I edited. It creates an unsigned package but it's much smaller than the original. What am I doing wrong?
I'd prefer to learn how to change the font color to white, however if anybody knows which is the image file for the background I can also just change that to a white or light color that is not transparent like the current one is
What errors are you getting when you compile it? Are you trying to mod a already moded theme? It is most likely .9.png errors that you are getting and they will need to be fixed before it will recompile. Also make sure you are using apktool 1.3.1 as the newer version is known to cause recompiling issues.
The backgrounds are in framework-res
status_bar_item_background_normal.9.png
status_bar_item_app_background_normal.9.png
One is the title "Ongoing..." I think. The associated "pressed" or for when pressed.
The most significant error is the first one. Usually the ones below that are caused by it. Because of the .9.png errors, I always make xml changes to the original unthemed APK, compile it, then pull the compiled xml files out and drop them into the themed one or keep a copy of the drawable-hdpi folder with all the modified .9s (compiled) and drop them into the new APK each time. It's a pain but works.
Thanks guys. framework was previously themed, I'm trying to add my own flavor into the mix. I'll check into the .9.png files when I get home and report back.
A better explanation is that .9.png files that have an opacity set won't decompile so they're corrupt. They'll show up in the error log or show as default (cone, box, sphere) thumbnails when viewing the folder. So when you recompile, those corrupt files will throw errors.
There are a lot of other ways to get around it like keep a copy of all the problem files, and drop the stock images in the apk before decompiling, then after compiling drop the modified ones back in.
If you need to edit them it can get confusing though. They need to remain the same image size. If they're compiled, take the .9 off before modifying in draw9patch so it will add the 1px border back before compiling. Then it's back to the correct size. And since those aren't corrupt, they'll compile fine.
I dont mean to look for the easy way out but ive searched and cannot find exactly what i am looking for. I want to turn my AOKP theme into a flashable zip and im not sure where to start.
Ive already edited the pngs, .9 pngs, and xmls i want and turned out a pretty nice red theme with full colored icons. I used the common apks; contacts, phone, systemui, settings, and framework-res. Where do i go from here?
I have found some threads saying you use the entire apk and just copy it into another theme, but im looking to do it from scratch. Also, that doesnt seem right to copy the entire apk over because that would overwrite any changes made in the nightlies. Wouldnt you just take only the drawables, values, etc out and make that the theme?
thanks for any help.