Database Develop

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)

Evdo icon to 3G

I have a (Sprint) HTC Hero rooted, running Fresh rom 2.3.3. I have read somewhere that people have managed to change the Ev-Do icon in the taskbar to say 3G. I know that it does not make a difference, but i would like to know if someone can post a step by step guide on how to do this.

It depends on the ROM. There is no other way of changing it unless there is a kernel out there that changes it. I have never heard of it.

Hi, I have managed to build a theme for this exact purpose. The attached file I posted is to be used with MetaMorph, which is downloaded from the Android Market, and you place the file onto your sd card, and choose new theme, and select it. Hit apply all and your EV-DO Icon will be changed to 3g, and the 6 Bars used to display signal will be reduced to 4 for a nicer appeal. I have tested it on Fresh 2.3.3 and it works great.

this should be in Q&A
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Thank you! Exactly what I needed. Had to install 3 times before it showed 3g icon but worth it. Can you show me exactly how you did it?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Well I'm not much of a developer, but all I did was modify a metamorph theme for the sense taskbar. I made it into a zip file, and replaced the EvDo taskbar icons and the Status icons with the 3g ones, and then repacked it, so the 3g bars show up. Its pretty simple, glad I could help

jpp44345 said:
It depends on the ROM. There is no other way of changing it unless there is a kernel out there that changes it. I have never heard of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wut?
OP,
The icons are in com.htc.resources.apk in the res/mdpi folder. I also believe the 3G icons are in there as well, but you just have to pull them out and change the name. This also belongs in Q&A.

There is a metamorph on here in themes that will change nothing but the evdo to 3g. I can't upload the file from the phone but will try to upload it in a little while.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

VinceOB said:
Wut?
OP,
The icons are in com.htc.resources.apk in the res/mdpi folder. I also believe the 3G icons are in there as well, but you just have to pull them out and change the name. This also belongs in Q&A.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like vince said, that is where the icons are stored at. Once in there, all that's needed is a simple renaming. Rename the 3G icons to the EvDO icons, and the EvDO icons to the 3G icons. Now Android thinks it's displaying 3G icons, but it's really displaying the EvDO icons. Just think of it as fooling Android.
1. Unzip com.htc.resources.apk
2. Navigate into res/mdpi
3. Rename the 3G and EvDO icons as stated above
4. Drag them OUT of the unzipped folder.
5. Find the original, untouched com.htc.resources.apk (NOT unzipped)
6. Open com.htc.resources.apk as an ARCHIVE (not unzipping it!)
7. Navigate to res/mdpi inside of the archive
8. Drag the changed files into there
9. adb push the modified com.htc.resources.apk to your phone.

nilemann said:
There is a metamorph on here in themes that will change nothing but the evdo to 3g. I can't upload the file from the phone but will try to upload it in a little while.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you not see my post for that file already?

mrinehart93 said:
Like vince said, that is where the icons are stored at. Once in there, all that's needed is a simple renaming. Rename the 3G icons to the EvDO icons, and the EvDO icons to the 3G icons. Now Android thinks it's displaying 3G icons, but it's really displaying the EvDO icons. Just think of it as fooling Android.
1. Unzip com.htc.resources.apk
2. Navigate into res/mdpi
3. Rename the 3G and EvDO icons as stated above
4. Drag them OUT of the unzipped folder.
5. Find the original, untouched com.htc.resources.apk (NOT unzipped)
6. Open com.htc.resources.apk as an ARCHIVE (not unzipping it!)
7. Navigate to res/mdpi inside of the archive
8. Drag the changed files into there
9. adb push the modified com.htc.resources.apk to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could yall elaborate on how to execute the above instructions? Do I need something more than my phone and a computer? The instructions seem easy enough. Is it a matter of pulling files? Im new at that.
Id like to do this by the instructions above. Thank you.

tailsthecat3 said:
Could yall elaborate on how to execute the above instructions? Do I need something more than my phone and a computer? The instructions seem easy enough. Is it a matter of pulling files? Im new at that.
Id like to do this by the instructions above. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need sdk installed on your pc the open terminal go to where the androidb files are installed and type adb remount hit enter type adb pull system/framework/htc.resources. apk to where you want to file to go. Once you pulled the files you want to modify then follow the prior post steps.
Ex:
Adb remount
Adb pull system/framework/htc.resources.apk c:\desktop\themes\

chubbzlou said:
You need sdk installed on your pc the open terminal go to where the androidb files are installed and type adb remount hit enter type adb pull system/framework/htc.resources. apk to where you want to file to go. Once you pulled the files you want to modify then follow the prior post steps.
Ex:
Adb remount
Adb pull system/framework/htc.resources.apk c:\desktop\themes\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! How is easy is this?! Im gonna try this out as soon as I finish dl'ing some updates. Had to do my semi-annual xp pro reinstall...

tailsthecat3 said:
Thanks! How is easy is this?! Im gonna try this out as soon as I finish dl'ing some updates. Had to do my semi-annual xp pro reinstall...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you could install xp or use a pc should be a piece of cake.
Check out how to create themes in the sticky should guide you better.

chubbzlou said:
If you could install xp or use a pc should be a piece of cake.
Check out how to create themes in the sticky should guide you better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, i pulled comhtcresources but thats as far as ive gotten...any help is appreciated, ill check that guide to see if the answer is there...thank you

tailsthecat3 said:
well, i pulled comhtcresources but thats as far as ive gotten...any help is appreciated, ill check that to see if the answer is there...thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All it takes is a basic knowledge and understanding of how to work with files.
Now that you've pulled it, I'd recommend downloading a program called 7zip. It is an EXTREMELY lightweight, fast, and flexible archive manager. It also integrates with Windows Explorer in the right-click menu (very useful).
With 7zip, extract the com.htc.resources.apk file just like you would a .zip file. Once inside, navigate to res/mdpi or similar folder (I'm not sure how HTC arranges their files... haven't used an HTC ROM in ages!). Once inside, look for the icons that you want to mess with. Copy the icons out, and then do your editing to them. Once they are edited, you need to find the ORIGINAL, unzipped com.htc.resources.apk file. Right click that, and then go to 7zip, then go to Open Archive. The file will now be OPEN, but not unzipped. Navigate in there to the folder location where you got the files that you modified from. Now drag the modified icons into that folder location. Congratulations, you just modified your phone by yourself!!
Now all that's left is to push the file back to your phone.
Code:
adb remount
adb push com.htc.resources.apk /system/framework
Some things to keep in mind, are that you must use the Open Archive method to modify the .apk itself, otherwise you will have to resign the file (pain in the ***). Every graphic -MUST- be a .png file. That's all I can really think of. Have fun

thank you veryvery much. im rebooting now. i hope i did it right. i have to go out now but ill be back for some more hacking. and questions if i messed it up. again, thanks all

Well, it worked. Thank you!
It really couldnt have been easier.
I prefer to change things like this within the system rather than having an app or something or other... what else can we change this way??

tailsthecat3 said:
Well, it worked. Thank you!
It really couldnt have been easier.
I prefer to change things like this within the system rather than having an app or something or other... what else can we change this way??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could create a whole new theme all the status bar icon, clocks, dialer ect. What ever you like to change just pull the apk's edit the png's and push them back. You can also pull all the apk's and edit them create a signed zip and load them via recovery.
Check out this Post it will help you out creating themes. Glad it worked out for you.
HAVE FUN

chubbzlou said:
You could create a whole new theme all the status bar icon, clocks, dialer ect. What ever you like to change just pull the apk's edit the png's and push them back. You can also pull all the apk's and edit them create a signed zip and load them via recovery.
Check out this Post it will help you out creating themes. Glad it worked out for you.
HAVE FUN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
another question... is there a way to change the signal bars to the fatter, fewer, shorter variety? is there the files already in there like the 3g files? thank you thank you

[Q] Custom XML documents in APK files

Please read this whole thing before you reply!
I am trying to edit the battery icon XML files in framework-res.apk. Awhile ago I found a tool that would convert from binary XML to human-readable XML and back again, but for the life of me I cannot find it again.
Anyway, I opened stat_sys_battery_charge.xml with it and all was good, except it mentioned weird names for filenames. Eg instead of 'res/drawable-hdpi/stat_sys_battery_0.png' it was '89845b4jrqyuq34gy34q89tyq34' (or some gibberish like that).
I understand everything up to this point. I understand why those names are encoded like that. What I don't understand is how people figure out these codes. I have been using someone elses framework-res.apk as my base, and they use "v4" folders. Eg 'drawable-hdpi-v4' instead of 'drawable-hdpi'. These filename codes in the XML value were generated for this V4 folder, correct? How did they do that?
I do not want to use a V4 folder in my theme if I can avoid it. If I have to, I still have a problem as to how to correctly point to my battery icons. And no I cannot just replace the PNGs because my changing icons have more frames than the stock XML allows.
Any help would be extremely appreciated. Thank you.

TheLynxy said:
Please read this whole thing before you reply!
I am trying to edit the battery icon XML files in framework-res.apk. Awhile ago I found a tool that would convert from binary XML to human-readable XML and back again, but for the life of me I cannot find it again.
Anyway, I opened stat_sys_battery_charge.xml with it and all was good, except it mentioned weird names for filenames. Eg instead of 'res/drawable-hdpi/stat_sys_battery_0.png' it was '89845b4jrqyuq34gy34q89tyq34' (or some gibberish like that).
I understand everything up to this point. I understand why those names are encoded like that. What I don't understand is how people figure out these codes. I have been using someone elses framework-res.apk as my base, and they use "v4" folders. Eg 'drawable-hdpi-v4' instead of 'drawable-hdpi'. These filename codes in the XML value were generated for this V4 folder, correct? How did they do that?
I do not want to use a V4 folder in my theme if I can avoid it. If I have to, I still have a problem as to how to correctly point to my battery icons. And no I cannot just replace the PNGs because my changing icons have more frames than the stock XML allows.
Any help would be extremely appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm using apktool for decompiling and I'm also trying to add some icons so maybe the help Daneshm90 has given me can help you Apkmanager
EDIT: Lol you didn't even write you were trying to add icons It is seriously stuck to my brain xD

Does apktool let you change the paths for the filenames in XML files, and correctly re-encodes it when you compile it back? I have been trying desperately to get apktool to work for me, but it just refuses. I'll have to try it on another computer or perhaps a VM then.
If apktool does not correctly handle paths, is there any tool that can? From what I've read, its impossible, but there must be a way!

TheLynxy said:
Does apktool let you change the paths for the filenames in XML files, and correctly re-encodes it when you compile it back? I have been trying desperately to get apktool to work for me, but it just refuses. I'll have to try it on another computer or perhaps a VM then.
If apktool does not correctly handle paths, is there any tool that can? From what I've read, its impossible, but there must be a way!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "paths in XML files"? Apktool decompiles XMLs fully, so you could do everything that you could do with your own app/sources.

[Q]Anyone tried to theme the new market?

I am trying to theme the new 2.2.7 market apk but I can't find the .png that corresponds to the green background on the top half of the screen. Anyone know where that is? I've looked all through the drawable-mpdi folder.

PMDColeslaw said:
I am trying to theme the new 2.2.7 market apk but I can't find the .png that corresponds to the green background on the top half of the screen. Anyone know where that is? I've looked all through the drawable-mpdi folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all in the values /colors.xml when you de-compile it.
Use the attached image and run a Hue/Saturation on it until ypou get the color you want. Then use the dropper tool to get the colors and add those to the colors.xml file in the correct places (Which should be easy since I have the original color codes on it).

JAguirre1231 said:
It's all in the values /colors.xml when you de-compile it.
Use the attached image and run a Hue/Saturation on it until ypou get the color you want. Then use the dropper tool to get the colors and add those to the colors.xml file in the correct places (Which should be easy since I have the original color codes on it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very cool, thank you!

JAguirre1231 said:
It's all in the values /colors.xml when you de-compile it.
Use the attached image and run a Hue/Saturation on it until ypou get the color you want. Then use the dropper tool to get the colors and add those to the colors.xml file in the correct places (Which should be easy since I have the original color codes on it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not seeing a colors.xml in the apk. Where is it locatated? I searched the whole res folder and had no results
I don't even see a Values folder in the apk.

PMDColeslaw said:
Im not seeing a colors.xml in the apk. Where is it locatated? I searched the whole res folder and had no results
I don't even see a Values folder in the apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all in the values /colors.xml when you de-compile it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use apktool.

JAguirre1231 said:
Use apktool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I just realized my ignorance an few ago

I saw this and have edited the colors via the xml files after de-compiling but no change. I edited all colors for the header background. Thanks in advance.

Edubyah said:
I saw this and have edited the colors via the xml files after de-compiling but no change. I edited all colors for the header background. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same results. I de-compile, edit the colors.xml file, compile, sign and flash. Still shows the green header

I used ninjamorph tried to Change the new market's stat_notify_market_update
& stat_sys_install_complete
Icons with the custom icons from my macnutR14 rom. It says successful but I reboot & nothing still green
vibrant rooted
macnutR14
super io kernel+OCLF
QS 1998
2.2 froyo

please share your works, if successful...

PMDColeslaw said:
I'm having the same results. I de-compile, edit the colors.xml file, compile, sign and flash. Still shows the green header
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you flashing it to? Make sure that there's no com.android.vending-*.apk in /data/app/
Also, I was able to do it just fine right now. Made everything a blue color.

JAguirre1231 said:
Where are you flashing it to? Make sure that there's no com.android.vending-*.apk in /data/app/
Also, I was able to do it just fine right now. Made everything a blue color.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there was a com.Android.vending-1.apk in there so I deleted it and reflashed mine. Now I get a bunch of fc's. You mind posting the one you made so I can take a look?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

PMDColeslaw said:
Well there was a com.Android.vending-1.apk in there so I deleted it and reflashed mine. Now I get a bunch of fc's. You mind posting the one you made so I can take a look?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adb shell pm uninstall com.android.vending
adb remount
adb shell rm /system/app/Vending.apk
adb push <name of attached> /system/app/

JAguirre1231 said:
adb shell pm uninstall com.android.vending
adb remount
adb shell rm /system/app/Vending.apk
adb push <name of attached> /system/app/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get failure on that first command "adb shell pm uninstall com.android.vending"
EDIT: I went ahead and comleted the other staeps after the failure and I was able to get yours to load. I'll decompile yours and see if I'm doing something wrong with the hex color codes or something.
Thanks for all your help!

[Q] Changing font color

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.