Database Develop

General Questions about Themes GO HERE!!!!!

Hello, I am a little new here. I am kind of a newb with a lot of things. I did root my device and replaced the boot images.. but i do not know how to make themes. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to help by making a theme for me?
I added some images as to what i am looking to have done, that is of course anyone is willing to help. it is fairly simple i am looking to get the color scheme and kids icons if possible... maybe have a little fun with the clock or not if its too much work.
If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it... i am a graphic designer more than a programmer.. a lot of this is confusing to me.
I really like this site and hopefully i can be of some help at some point. This is my first post but i plan on posting a lot more.

Nice concept...but I`m not sure if you have looked at this topic http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=467639 It describe how to make a theme and stuff, good starting point anyways. Hope it helps!

Yeah ive seen that thread but it scares me...lol
I really dont know what I am doing with all that stuff. I dont really know if I understood everything in it either :-\
thanx though I will try to follow it and make a theme myself but it might take me a while...lol

RandumAccess said:
Yeah ive seen that thread but it scares me...lol
I really dont know what I am doing with all that stuff. I dont really know if I understood everything in it either :-\
thanx though I will try to follow it and make a theme myself but it might take me a while...lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahaha I would offer help but unfortunately I am no programmer

Im teaching myself how to make themes as well. I have found it best to read through that walkthrough a million times and then PM a couple of the dev guys to answer specific questions.
Basically this is the process:
- Take a theme that you like for RC30 or ADP1 or whatever you wanna make it in
- Extract 2 folders inside, app, and framework into a new folder on your computer
- Rename add a .zip to the end of the apk files and extract them all so you have a bunch of folders with your app names
- Go into res and find any folder that says drawable and inside of there are the files to edit for your theme. Make sure not to edit the .9.png files.
- Once all your editing is done get into linux and turn all the folders back into zip files, then turn them back into apk files.
- Then take your app folder and framework folder that contain the new files and in linux create it into one zip file.
- Then you send the file back to windows, get the SignAPK files, put your zip in the folder with the SignAPK files and run some commands in the CMD to resign the file.
- Then rename that file update.zip and put it on the SDcard and give it a whirl.
This is how I understand the process after talking to a couple people for the last few days. I am hoping to release my own theme soon and if it works you will know that these steps are right. LOL And dont follow those directions, they are just to give you an idea of the steps involved.

Agusta - haha s ok thanks anyway :-D

@brandenk
why do we need to zip the files in linux? By the way thanks for the theming for dummies guide.

trying it out
brandenk said:
Im teaching myself how to make themes as well. I have found it best to read through that walkthrough a million times and then PM a couple of the dev guys to answer specific questions.
Basically this is the process:
- Take a theme that you like for RC30 or ADP1 or whatever you wanna make it in
- Extract 2 folders inside, app, and framework into a new folder on your computer
- Rename add a .zip to the end of the apk files and extract them all so you have a bunch of folders with your app names
- Go into res and find any folder that says drawable and inside of there are the files to edit for your theme. Make sure not to edit the .9.png files.
- Once all your editing is done get into linux and turn all the folders back into zip files, then turn them back into apk files.
- Then take your app folder and framework folder that contain the new files and in linux create it into one zip file.
- Then you send the file back to windows, get the SignAPK files, put your zip in the folder with the SignAPK files and run some commands in the CMD to resign the file.
- Then rename that file update.zip and put it on the SDcard and give it a whirl.
This is how I understand the process after talking to a couple people for the last few days. I am hoping to release my own theme soon and if it works you will know that these steps are right. LOL And dont follow those directions, they are just to give you an idea of the steps involved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey thanks... i am gonna try it now

Geo411m said:
@brandenk
why do we need to zip the files in linux? By the way thanks for the theming for dummies guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know why, something about how linux packages zip files opposed to windows, and yes once I figure it out and find all the problems people can have I am going to make up a nice walkthrough on making themes. But I wouldn't be surprised if there were already some theme manager apps in the works to make this whole process easier.

to tell everybody the truth i do all my themes in windows lol and only windows and it has worked on other peoples devices but shhhh thats out lil secret

package it for me?
Hey I was wondering if anyone could package my files for me?
I don't know linux commands at all and am lost... I did manage to edit the files but I can't put them back together.
If anyone could help with my New problem I would be very grateful!
randumaccess.com/r.a%20rc30.zip
That is the zip with the folders I edited.
Thanks
RandumAccess

Dave Da illest 1 said:
to tell everybody the truth i do all my themes in windows lol and only windows and it has worked on other peoples devices but shhhh thats out lil secret
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can make the update.zip in Windows as long as you have the update script I wrote in linux and you do not edit, or open it in Windows. If you do it will get corrupted.
Stericson

Stericson said:
Yes, you can make the update.zip in Windows as long as you have the update script I wrote in linux and you do not edit, or open it in Windows. If you do it will get corrupted.
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So as long as we take that empty update.zip and just throw the apk's in their respective folders and resign the zip when we are done it should be good to go?

brandenk said:
So as long as we take that empty update.zip and just throw the apk's in their respective folders and resign the zip when we are done it should be good to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct it should be good to go.
Stericson

I guess I need to start learning how to create some themes

I did something wrong (theme newb)
Dave Da illest 1 said:
to tell everybody the truth i do all my themes in windows lol and only windows and it has worked on other peoples devices but shhhh thats out lil secret
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do you do the themes in windows?
heres what i did:
1. I unzipped a theme
2. renamed apk's to zip's
3. unzipped each folder
4. edited the drawable files
5. zipped the folders with winrar
6. renamed them back to apk's
7. then i took the update script from Stericson and opened it with winrar and threw them in the app/framework folders
it didnt work for me.
I dont know linux and use windows, i am a newb with a lot of this stuff. I would like to know so i can create themes to my liking.
any help you could give me would be great!
i have all the files edited i just need to package them now.
thanks,
RandumAccess

make sure you zip the folders inside the main folder. If you're working on launch folder, zip the folder inside the folder named launch not the launch folder itself.

Dave Da illest 1 said:
to tell everybody the truth i do all my themes in windows lol and only windows and it has worked on other peoples devices but shhhh thats out lil secret
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about a how-to using the Windows only method??

Geo411m said:
make sure you zip the folders inside the main folder. If you're working on launch folder, zip the folder inside the folder named launch not the launch folder itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that didnt work either :-(
I would like to see a "Windows Only Theme Tutorial: Super-Newb Edition" ...lol

did you sign each of the edited apk's? and your update.zip file?

[help] how to make a update.zip???

hey does anyone know how to make a update.zip for a apk???

you need to create an update-script that basically tells the flashing app where the file of your apk goes in the live system.
zip and sign and you're done.
if your next question is "how do I write an update-script" I would suggest you download any of the roms available, extract their script and have a look at it.
its quite basic, not much more difficult than writing a batch file on DOS.
there are a couple of threads that give a few pointers as well but they are somewhere in xda, not necessarily in the nexus section.
search for update-script and you'll see.

nmesisca said:
you need to create an update-script that basically tells the flashing app where the file of your apk goes in the live system.
zip and sign and you're done.
if your next question is "how do I write an update-script" I would suggest you download any of the roms available, extract their script and have a look at it.
its quite basic, not much more difficult than writing a batch file on DOS.
there are a couple of threads that give a few pointers as well but they are somewhere in xda, not necessarily in the nexus section.
search for update-script and you'll see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks mam ill give it a try

Remove the .txt extension or use the META-INF folder in the .zip that already has the same update-script in it or finally, you can use the empty update.zip which already has all the components in it, you just need to add your .apk's and .jar's to it.
This is a basic update script that works well for themes (or at least for me it does). In your .zip have META-INF (for the update-script) folder (take one from a ROM or theme) and an app and a framework folder and it will work.

Help combining framework apks

What I am trying to do (on DC v1.1b5) is combine 3 (or more) signed zips (espresso, clear notification bar, and a taskbar) into an unzipped rom so I can sign it later and flash the whole rom with my changes. (NO I'M NOT GOING TO POST IT AND SAY ITS MY ROM lol)
All of these modifications each change framework-res.apk and com.htc.resources.apk in their own way.
Would I have to figure out every single change to each individual apk and merge them into one file? Or is there another way?
I am not only doing this for my phone, but I am doing this to learn.
Any help would be appreciated

Yes, since there's really no way to tell which files were edited in each theme, you have to go through and find it.
Honestly, the easiest way to do this that I've found is to unzip the archive and scroll through the folders with thumbnails enabled so you can quickly see what they all look like.
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
EDIT: I would also recommend creating a MetaMorph theme when you get all the files you need. (I'm not sure if it works on 2.1/Sense ROMs, I'm about to use it and find out though) that way you can apply the themes while your phone is on, you can easily transfer it between ROMs, and you only need to use the files that you've changed, instead of the entire .apk. For instructions on creating a MetaMorph theme: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329

on windows 7 you can make one folder called NEWframeworkapk paste all the original file to it, then copy and paste all the files from the others. it will say "do you wish to move and replace "jpg" say yes for all and then you have the changed files.
haha thats what i do? prolly some super easy way though.

Gregalous said:
Yes, since there's really no way to tell which files were edited in each theme, you have to go through and find it.
Honestly, the easiest way to do this that I've found is to unzip the archive and scroll through the folders with thumbnails enabled so you can quickly see what they all look like.
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
EDIT: I would also recommend creating a MetaMorph theme when you get all the files you need. (I'm not sure if it works on 2.1/Sense ROMs, I'm about to use it and find out though) that way you can apply the themes while your phone is on, you can easily transfer it between ROMs, and you only need to use the files that you've changed, instead of the entire .apk. For instructions on creating a MetaMorph theme: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avalaunchmods said:
on windows 7 you can make one folder called NEWframeworkapk paste all the original file to it, then copy and paste all the files from the others. it will say "do you wish to move and replace "jpg" say yes for all and then you have the changed files.
haha thats what i do? prolly some super easy way though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you both for the input.
now to go find EVERY change they all make lol
if anyone has an easier way, PLEASE don't hesitate to post lol

regaw_leinad said:
thank you both for the input.
now to go find EVERY change they all make lol
if anyone has an easier way, PLEASE don't hesitate to post lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gregalous said:
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a headstart

Gregalous said:
Here's a headstart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

I actually prefer MetaMorph over doing a zip file because all you need are the files that have been changed. However, in 2.1 a lot of files are scattered around or in different places and once the Sprint update comes through who knows where everything will be. Once I finally figured out how to set up the folders the rest I have done became easy...and no need to turn off your phone.
Edit: You can also combine more than one folder at a time
HTC HERO
DamageControl V1

&RoidRage said:
I actually prefer MetaMorph over doing a zip file because all you need are the files that have been changed. However, in 2.1 a lot of files are scattered around or in different places and once the Sprint update comes through who knows where everything will be. Once I finally figured out how to set up the folders the rest I have done became easy...and no need to turn off your phone.
Edit: You can also combine more than one folder at a time
HTC HERO
DamageControl V1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, MetaMorph is pretty cool.
but my problem was actually FINDING the changes in already made zips lol
but I think I got it, well most of the changes (hopefully all)

[Q] How to change default contact picture

Hi,
I need to change default contact pictures. Its for our customer who finds the green droid infinitely iritating . Anyway, I rooted the Desire HD and did s-off, Clockwork recovery is in place. Bud I didnt find any themes or even adress where those pictures are in the phone.
I will be happy for any advice what image to create, how big, format etc...
And ofcouse where to flash it.
Update:
Actually, no one solved it, i found numerous questions about this and no definitive answer. So any pro here who wants to get extra thanks ?

This is my exact wish!
Fullscreencaller works as windows... unusable

I know where the Dancing Android lives
You need 7zip installed and your chosen ROM saved on your PC.
Right click on ROM and choose
7zip>Open Archive (don't just double click to open it)
Now browse to:
\system\app\
Right click on Phone.apk and choose:
Open
Now browse to:
\res\drawable-hdpi\
Extract the folder so you can view them all as thumbnails. Then you will see 4 files called:
phone_default_270.PNG
phone_default_300.PNG
phone_default_incall_270.PNG
phone_default_incall_300.PNG
There are other contact pictures in there too, as it's the dialler so just have a look and see what you want to change.
Now, for the contact picture that appears in your contact list in HTC People, follow the same as above but go to:
\system\app\HtcContacts.apk\res\drawable-hdpi\
Then look for:
people_home_defaultphoto.PNG
It might also be worth a look in:
\system\framework\framework-res.apk\res\drawable-hdpi\
Now for the disclaimer:
This is all at your own risk. I'm not sure what limitations / consequences there are for modifying these files as I have only used this method to swap icons from other ROMs into my own. You might need some kind of special editor for the PNGs, but at least you now know where to look

@sviftcz: If you need help with creating a flashable zip, you could upload your Phone.apk and the pictures you want and I'll make one for you.

sigurd_LU said:
@sviftcz: If you need help with creating a flashable zip, you could upload your Phone.apk and the pictures you want and I'll make one for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the missing steps from my post above? I'm keen to do this myself now we're speaking about it!
Do the pngs have to be saved a specific way or is it simply a case of creating a file with the same dimensions and swapping them over? As I said, I've only ever swapped over files that were from one ROM into another rather than adding in files I've created myself.
Thanks

Your guide is awesome! But it misses the steps how you get it on your phone
You'll have to take your original phone.apk, open it with winrar or 7zip (don't extract, just open it), and drag and drop your edited images from the previously extracted apk in the right folders.
When you're done, exit winrar/7zip and put the phone.apk into system/app of this flashable update zip: http://www.multiupload.com/THCTLMRDBU
And that's it. If you want more details or if I didn't explain it well, just tell me.

Haha, yeah... I forgot to say that I do it before I flash the ROM!
Using your flashable zip is way easier though.
The only other thing is, do you have to save the PNGs with specific settings, other than them being the same size obviously?
Cheers

CitizenLee said:
Haha, yeah... I forgot to say that I do it before I flash the ROM!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay
The color depth (expressed in bits) doesn't matter as long as the png has the right dimensions, as you said.
btw, I didn't make this zip, it's from he_stheone64.

IS there any temporary rooting available for the new version of Desire HD?
I dont want to update any FW, nor root image. Thanks the help!

[guide]easy apk modding (linux)

Most of the guides ive read on XDA say you have to decompile and recompile APKS just to make a couple of modifications to the images. Well I dont believe this to be true. I have tested my method on ubuntu 14.10 and with my nexus 5.
This guide is specifically for modifying images inside of the apks, not the code, or xml itself.
- ADB pull the APK file you want to modify (i chose SystemUI.apk)
- Double click it in File Manager on ubuntu, this should open it up in the archive manager. If not, manually open it up in archive manager
- Click on the "Add Files" button and select which files you want to replace. It will automatically overwrite the current ones.
- Make sure that you are keeping the proper directory structure and are putting the images in the proper place with proper names.
- Copy the new APK file back to your device on /sdcard/file.apk
Then, to get the APK file back on your system without causing problems, I rebooted into TWRP, mounted system and went into the file manager and copy/pasted the APK in the appropriate folder. When you get back into android, chmod 644 new-file.apk. I would not suggest trying to copy the modified APK file into your system while android is running live. Thats why I did it in TWRP. It could cause system unstability, crashing, etc... Im sure that I am not the first person to realize this could be done, but I did discover this on my own because I like to try things. PLEASE, make a backup in case something doesnt work correctly after your mod. Good luck!

bynarie said:
Most of the guides ive read on XDA say you have to decompile and recompile APKS just to make a couple of modifications to the images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine doesn't.

XperienceD said:
Mine doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, not to be rude but the guide on your signature shows using apktool to decompile and recompile. Soo....? Unless its another guide. And Im not saying ALL guides are, but some, and thats ok. Could you link me to your guide please? I would love to take a look at it. Thanks
EDIT - woops im sorry i didnt really read it... i do see where it says drag and drop the images... good deal. sorry

bynarie said:
Um, not to be rude but the guide on your signature shows using apktool to decompile and recompile. Soo....?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: No need for my original reply as you found it.

XperienceD said:
Edit: No need for my original reply as you found it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and your guide is very good. Thank you for that.