Database Develop

Someone? Anyone? A good task manager that looks good too?

V bar--- Awsome app, great menu, very fast
downfall ---- The right side is the wrong color unless you use the original windows mobile 5 home screen! We all know that most of use are running windows mobile 6 or dont use the simple blue homescreen
(ive already tried to make a new .bmp image, it doesnt work good at all.)
Magic Button --- I love the top bar icons. Great app
downfall -- The whole top of the screen is a different color! Thats ridiculous.
Pbar --- Easily the best menu.
downfall --- you have to start the program to use the app! Its not like vbar and magic button where you can access the menu from the top right of the screen
help me guys, i want a good task manager

I use Magic button as I love the simplicity of it. I do find the odd colors in WM6 weird, but have gotten used to it.
A lot of people swear by Wisbar. I put it on and it does look very cool, but its VERY different' than magic button and I didn't have time to try to figure it out. I'll probably give it a try again soon. But I'm not sure it does the active icons in the top bar like Magic Button (and I love that feature).

Have you tried InClose Mobile??
http://insoftwarehouse.com/

newbie2 said:
Have you tried InClose Mobile??
http://insoftwarehouse.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats not good till tommorow, is it free? even the new one?

little bump

mfrazzz said:
But I'm not sure it does the active icons in the top bar like Magic Button (and I love that feature).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean running program icons, it does.

I had no problem making vbar use bmps. I configured it to look like my WM6 theme. Maybe you could try it again?

BBowermaster said:
I had no problem making vbar use bmps. I configured it to look like my WM6 theme. Maybe you should try it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh no, it worked, it just looked horrible. Apparently im not that good with the paint program lol

jawnsixteen said:
oh no, it worked, it just looked horrible. Apparently im not that good with the paint program lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What theme are you using? I can try to make it for you. I made mine by taking screenshots of the screen before installing vbar. I took one with no button, one with the "X" and one with the "OK". Use the blank for the background, then draw a small triangle on it for the context menu. The other two are self explanatory.
See the attached screenshots.

oh ok i see what you're saying. i didnt take any screen shots so i was just making a picture myself. I was using the green homescreen that comes with windows mobile 6. It even looked bad with the blue one.

vBar background image
jawnsixteen said:
V bar--- Awsome app, great menu, very fast
downfall ---- The right side is the wrong color unless you use the original windows mobile 5 home screen! We all know that most of use are running windows mobile 6 or dont use the simple blue homescreen
(ive already tried to make a new .bmp image, it doesnt work good at all.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love vBar! And you can make it match whatever theme you are using:
Go to vBar Setup, click on "Show background image" and use the appropriate little menu bar piece - try this file, vbar Crossbow Turguoise.bmp, provided below - place it in \Windows.
If you are using a different Crossbow version, (for instance true WM6, that has the two-tone menu-bars), do a screen capture of your Today screen while vBar is disabled, then edit it in your favorite photo editor, cropping out just the upper right section of the screen, from the date over (be sure to get the whole bottom line of the menu bar). Name that little .bmp appropriately, copy it to \Windows, and then set it as the vBar background image, as above.
Try the file below before you go to a lot of trouble, and make sure that it works for you. Works for me! I like the "Cyclic Black Bars" theme, so I created a little .bmp so vBar will have the right background for that (also attached below).

vBar appearance tweak
BBowermaster said:
What theme are you using? I can try to make it for you. I made mine by taking screenshots of the screen before installing vbar. I took one with no button, one with the "X" and one with the "OK". Use the blank for the background, then draw a small triangle on it for the context menu. The other two are self explanatory.
See the attached screenshots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like you beat me to the reply by about half an hour, while I was composing my reply! I use Adobe Photoshop Elements to crop the little bits of my screen shot - what do you use?

Photoshop.

[Q] ?s about themeing

I really want to theme my phone, is there any tips to make it easyier
an also theres no meny png files that im not sure what changes what, is there a guide of any sort for that or anything.
I got editing images down but im still gettin lost on changing things
an out of curioisy is there a good themer out there that would be willing to work with me personally so im not gettin mixed results

here ya go..this should get you a start
http://www.google.com/cse?q=how+to+...ub-2900107662879704:fs7umqefhnf&ie=ISO-8859-1

Great resource here

im not sure if im wording this right, but to theme an app u open that apps apk. to theme a widget u open that widgets apk. right?
So what all does framwork control?
still tring to get it togather what png's edit what on my phone

Essentially yes. Most of the app's .png's will be in the respective .apk, although if it's a Sense ROM then a lot is stored in the 'com.htc.resources.apk'
The 'framework-res.apk' holds all the files for like the notification area, the pull down menu, status icons, buttons, tick boxes, radio buttons etc...
The best way to familiarise yourself with it all is just to have a look through the image folders and see what you see.

not much luck, im gettin lost, so ill be back in a cuple days let u knw if i got it yet, if i cant come up with it, ill just make a list of things i want done an see where it goes.

Are you on a Mac or PC?
Keep in mind, you have to sign it to get it to install if you unpack it. After weeks of failed signing attempts (I still cant get them to sign) I found a way around this though...just don't unpack it Use 7zip on PC or I am on a Mac so I use Springy. Replace what you want and you are good to go.
Let me know if you need more help with this method. It isn't the way everyone else does things, but it works for editing things and making it what you want.

@reanger91878 I was just looking into start some theming and was trying to figure out if using a Mac put me at a disadvantage... but I guess since I found you I'll know who to ask if I run into a problem. So I guess I'm gonna get Springy and see what I can figure out. (I've never done this crap before).
:edit: boo it costs money, any free options? or will the non-licensed version work for me?

Alright
heres what i want done
I have NFX Sprint 2.31.651.7 STOCK Odex Update3.
Lock screen bar where its grey i want black
All screens under settings an phone options like device1 pic 1 want there its white to be black an the black letters white with a green boarder.
Device2 pic: want top an bottom where its grey to be black save with bookmark widget an calander app
Device3: white section black an the letter white
Device4: change all screens from white to black an white lettes an the grey buttons at the bottom to green same with clock, messages, music and photos
Device5: i want the ui buttons at the bottom like that but for it to be Phone in the middle app drawer on the left an add to home on the right
Invert all menus uder browser
so if some one would be willing to help with what xml an pic files i edit to do it, or some one helps me put it togather it would be awsome an id be very thankful

BuddahWolf01 said:
@reanger91878 I was just looking into start some theming and was trying to figure out if using a Mac put me at a disadvantage... but I guess since I found you I'll know who to ask if I run into a problem. So I guess I'm gonna get Springy and see what I can figure out. (I've never done this crap before).
:edit: boo it costs money, any free options? or will the non-licensed version work for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using a Mac does not put you at a disadvantage per se...kind of, but there are workarounds
You don't have to use Springy, that is just what I use. The key is to find an Mac application that can open up a .zip file without extracting it, because once you extract, you need to resign (no big deal really, but for whatever reason my computer won't properly sign). I think the free version of Springy lets you open up a ROM of a certain size? Can't remember...but if you are editing a theme, they should open, because most are under 15MB. You can also just search around for other Mac apps that handle zip files and find one that does not extract. Let me know what you come up with and what you need help with...I gained much knowledge here, and will gladly pass on what I have gleaned.

DubsideWICKED said:
heres what i want done
I have NFX Sprint 2.31.651.7 STOCK Odex Update3.
Lock screen bar where its grey i want black
All screens under settings an phone options like device1 pic 1 want there its white to be black an the black letters white with a green boarder.
Device2 pic: want top an bottom where its grey to be black save with bookmark widget an calander app
Device3: white section black an the letter white
Device4: change all screens from white to black an white lettes an the grey buttons at the bottom to green same with clock, messages, music and photos
Device5: i want the ui buttons at the bottom like that but for it to be Phone in the middle app drawer on the left an add to home on the right
Invert all menus uder browser
so if some one would be willing to help with what xml an pic files i edit to do it, or some one helps me put it togather it would be awsome an id be very thankful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Big tasks Don't know if anyone will actually be able to do it for you, but check the resources above to get an idea where to start. It's the whole "give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime" idea.
Open up your ROM and check the framework-res.apk and see what you find...but you are looking to do more than just framework edits...

ranger61878 said:
Big tasks Don't know if anyone will actually be able to do it for you, but check the resources above to get an idea where to start. It's the whole "give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime" idea.
Open up your ROM and check the framework-res.apk and see what you find...but you are looking to do more than just framework edits...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of what all i want edited what is controlled by frame work an then would the rest be Apk files in the system app
my biggest problem is im not understanding what xml files change what an some of the pngs idk what they change
edit: I found post that said this, is that a pretty good way to descride it.?
app folder - This folder contains all of the apps that will be installed during an update or wipe. You will need to extract only the apks of the apps you wish to change the icon and graphics for.
-Launcher.apk - This file is in the app folder and contains the menu launcher tab, clock, google search widget, wallpapers and some other things.
framework - This folder contains framework-res.apk, this is where the bulk of your editing will take place.
When you open a apk you will see:
assets - This will contain images, sounds and other content used by the programs. Not always used!
META-INF - This contain the encryption data of the update.zip.
res - This folder contains all of the png and xml files. The xml files are used to format the UI, these can be used to change the locations of things on the screen. The xmls need to be unencrypted first. Depending on the apk there can be a bunch of folders under the res folder but we will only concentrate on the drawable ones.
-drawable - The png files in this folder are displayed wheather the keyboard is open or closed. The majority of the files are here.
-drawable-land - These are the files that will show when the keyboard is open. There won't be as many files in these folders. Most of the time the programmer will re-organize the layout with an xml file.
so basically everything is a picture that i want changed an xml files control text color an placement of where things are or what?,
im try my best to but thoes darn xml files are messing with me lol

To start, don't mess with the XML files. Just make changes to the PNG files. Once you get familiar with changing icons and status bar colors, then you can start messing with XML files. Let's say you want a different alarm icon.
Look in the DeskClock.apk under res/drawable-mdpi. You would find an icon(PNG) you want to substitute with, size it to the same size as ic_launcher_alarmclock.PNG, name it the same name and replace the original in the apk.
Use adb to push the apk back to your phone. I would then reboot and then enjoy your new icon.
Some icons will be in drawable-mdpi and some just in drawable. No need to change hdpi on our phones.
The majority of your status bar icons and base OS icons will be in framework-res.apk.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

poashll said:
To start, don't mess with the XML files. Just make changes to the PNG files. Once you get familiar with changing icons and status bar colors, then you can start messing with XML files. Let's say you want a different alarm icon.
Look in the DeskClock.apk under res/drawable-mdpi. You would find an icon(PNG) you want to substitute with, size it to the same size as ic_launcher_alarmclock.PNG, name it the same name and replace the original in the apk.
Use adb to push the apk back to your phone. I would then reboot and then enjoy your new icon.
Some icons will be in drawable-mdpi and some just in drawable. No need to change hdpi on our phones.
The majority of your status bar icons and base OS icons will be in framework-res.apk.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said.
You can also do it on your computer...don't extract, just open, replace, close, put on SD and flash (after you nandroid...just in case )

iv been looking an looking, but cant seem to find a black stock theme
with stock htc green when a button is pressed, any one kno off a stock black theme i might be over looking

still havent figured ths out, an im having problems because im odexed?

DubsideWICKED said:
still havent figured ths out, an im having problems because im odexed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes more than likely your only have trouble theme and odexed rom. Try a rom that is deodexed or I heard the have some deodex sripts that will do it.

ASimmons said:
Yes more than likely your only have trouble theme and odexed rom. Try a rom that is deodexed or I heard the have some deodex sripts that will do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright is there a performance or memory difference between odex an deodex

Does this same process apply with adw? If so, does that mean theming aosp and cm6 are equally as easy?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Gloss Icon Buttons

Ive been learning how to do my own PS type work and have come up with a couple sets of glossy button icons with text. So far ive only been a consumer in the Android world and thought it was time to offer a little something should anyone be interested.
The two zip files contain 43 button icons each. One set is a glossy carbon look while the other has a carbon fiber infield with red boarded text. Both sets are .PNG files and if you have any software which will open them feel free to make some more and or change anything you wish. I made these from scratch based upon a tutorial I found on the internet and from hear on place them in the public domain so have at them.
Here are a couple screen of then on my phone. I havent fine tuned the background but you can get the idea of how they look. Using Virtual Desktop you can scale them to any size you wish as well as link them to whatever application your prefer.
Seems im too new here to attach photobucket images.

thanks very nice work.. will look good on my DINC...

Very nice work, you earn my respect, I can just dream of something like this made by me...

Hope those who have DLed these icon buttons have liked them. Im a bit of a noob at the PS aspect of things and noticed that if I were to export the icons they will retain the same qualities yet are substantially reduced in file size. Example being one of them went from 55KB to 9KB and the zip files were 1/10th of what i offered originally. So, if you feel like it grab another set and lessen the load on your CPU.
Im working on a set of small normal size icons that match and offer system setting functions so check back in a day or so.

Added a set of matching smaller icons to the original post list. They are a little larger than normal sized icons and fit 5 across on a Droidx. Remember you can adjust the number of columns and rows in LP to best suit your layout needs.
I guess a word on what to do with all of these...
Use LP Plus allows you to resize all that you add. Download "Desktop Visualizer" from the market and install. You will find DV when you long press for widgets on the home screen.
Ive been using the 3x1 for the larger buttons but found the 2x1 works as well. For the smaller icons use the 1x1 (not the first listed 1x1ss). Once you have them extracted to a folder all you need to copy the folder to your SD card. Ive been putting them in the DCIM/Camera folder. Then when you have chosen the icon size to use you simply browse to the image and then select a function.
Some of the smaller icons need to be associated with an event rather than an application. Instead of tapping Application, choose Other and then "Activities". A new list of options become available to map the icon to whatever you want. Just take a little time and read the smaller print listed under the activity. Some of the display and sound related items are found in the Settings folder.
Ive also found that DLing an app called "Blocco" (free @ Market) and a few of their plug-ins are useful as well. There are plug-ins for Airplane mode and wifi toggle etc. If what you selected doesnt work just drag it to the trash and take another stab. I figured it out so you should be able to as well.

Added the psd file for both types of the carbon button icons. Feel free to make your own by using photo shop or similar software. Just edit the text, reposition it if needed and export the new image. Exporting the image will reduce the file size a lot and help with phone performance.
Included buttons say Market

greavous93 said:
The two zip files contain 43 button icons each. One set is a glossy carbon look while the other has a carbon fiber infield with red boarded text. Both sets are .PNG files and if you have any software which will open them feel free to make some more and or change anything you wish. I made these from scratch based upon a tutorial I found on the internet and from hear on place them in the public domain so have at them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wanted to THANK YOU for posting your work here...great stuff!!
Was wondering if you might tell us what text icons you are using for your dock?? I am talking about the dock in the 3rd and 4th image you posted in the original/first post...
THANKS!!

Those are called "Manup's Simple Word Icons"
Im not established here enough to post links but if you google it you will find it. there are 116 in the pack

greavous93 said:
Added the psd file for both types of the carbon button icons. Feel free to make your own by using photo shop or similar software. Just edit the text, reposition it if needed and export the new image. Exporting the image will reduce the file size a lot and help with phone performance.
Included buttons say Market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all....VERY nice work. Nice and clean. Second..I downloaded the .psd zip and when I opened it, I didn't find the .psd....only the market.png files (one red and one black). I assume this was an accident, but I wanted to make an icon for TapaTalk. So far your one of the very few that have done TechBuzz and I thank you for that. If you would be so kind to either verify the .psd file and re upload it or make a TapaTalk icon, I would be very greatful. Thank You.
lilcdroid

These are beautifull! Some green one would be cool too.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

These look sick! Do you mind if I use some of these in my theme? I might alter them a little to match. Good job!

no problem, do as you will. I put them here for anyone who can use them.
Chris

[Lockscreen] Touhou - Utsuho Reiuji

Well I made a lockscreen with my favorite Touhou character <3
The artwork is made by walfas himself~
That's how it looks.
I hope you like it~
PS: It's a transparent PNG so you have to send it via Mail to your phone or use the Windows Phone Device Manager.
Edit: Made a new one. I will update this thread with new lockscreens
I like the fact, that the transparent stuff is black at first. So I made this cute one with little Okuu and Orin~
Edit2: I just noticed, that my PNGs get converted into JPG when I upload them here D: I added links to them. You can treat the attachments as thumbnails
Fly-Satori-Fly~
Komeji-family
Okuu-Lockscreen
OkNuclearLockscreen
EDIT:
Since transparent PNGs aren't working in Mango anymore I'll post my current Utsuho Lockscreen ;P

xshunin said:
Well I made a lockscreen with my favorite Touhou character <3
The artwork is made by walfas himself~
That's how it looks.
I hope you like it~
PS: It's a transparent PNG so you have to send it via Mail to your phone or use the Windows Phone Device Manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now thats Cool.... Any More?

where is the file

m_mansour2 said:
where is the file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's a transparent png.... attached in the first post save the file, send it to phone and use it wallpaper in lockscreen....

m_mansour2 said:
where is the file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here is another full transparent png....
save the image to phone and use it as lockscreen wallpaper....

Musashi Lock Screen
So i am a bit of a Japanese culture fan and love my Samurai so i made this one based on an illistration of him. I cannot attach it though, how did you get the jpg uploaded and avoid the file type check?
(for now i have zipped it up, just save, unzip and email it to your phone)
The attached png is for preview only, hope you like

For some reason I can't get the lockscreens to work, I did everything as it said, did I miss anything or am I supposed to do something else to the phone before I set the lockscreens? If I could get some help I would really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

PrometheusUnbound said:
For some reason I can't get the lockscreens to work, I did everything as it said, did I miss anything or am I supposed to do something else to the phone before I set the lockscreens? If I could get some help I would really appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have to either email the png( image) or copy to device through windows device manager.... and set it as lockscreen... and it is black but when you touch the screen you can see through it....

THANKS!!!
Thanks. I'll go back step by step, see if I did anything wrong if not, I'll have to do it through WDM. Also can regular pics be turn into see through lockscreens? I got a couple that I would like to see as transparent in my lockscreen. Thanks again

In PhotoShop anything is possible lol if you post them to a pm I'll have a go at tweaking it.
Sent from my HD7 T9292 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Bingo!!
I just figured out why the screens didn't want to work. Apparently taking my pasword lock off was the solution. If I put the password lock back on it doesn go transparent. I guess that's the price you pay for having a great looking screen

Excuse my ignorance, but how do you go around saving this thing anyway? It only allows me to save in .jpg format when i open in my browser i.e. chrome, IE mailing the jpg to my phone doesn't seems to have the transparent effect

/b/-TarD said:
Excuse my ignorance, but how do you go around saving this thing anyway? It only allows me to save in .jpg format when i open in my browser i.e. chrome, IE mailing the jpg to my phone doesn't seems to have the transparent effect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Save the jpeg on your desktop. Now right click on it, and open with paint (The windows paint program.) Once its open, click the file/save as, and change from jpeg to png. Now email it to your self. Open the attachment on your phone, and save as wallpaper.
Job done.
FPM

FlowerPotmen said:
Save the jpeg on your desktop. Now right click on it, and open with paint (The windows paint program.) Once its open, click the file/save as, and change from jpeg to png. Now email it to your self. Open the attachment on your phone, and save as wallpaper.
Job done.
FPM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done that, but still it doesn't gives the transparency effect =S, it just came up with white b/g. I use win 7 default paint program to convert

Windows Paint doesn't support the 6bit transparency of a 32bit png. You have to use either Photoshop, GIMP, paint.NET, etc. When you save it it has to be a 32bit PNG. Also you have to send it via mail or use the WP Device Manager. ZUNE doesn't support PNGs. The transparent stuff is black unless you touch the lockscreen.

RE: Help
Hello Everyone,
I am using paint.net software and I can't seem to get it right. Please teach me on how to do this!!!

Don't bother with it when you plan to update to Mango since it doesn't support translarent PNGs anymore. I'll post my current Lockscreen in my first post instead

RE: Transparent Lock Wallpapers
Hello Everyone...I can confirm that transparent Lock Wallpapers still work for Mango...I used paint.net to edit the wallpaper and emailed it to myself and the transparent wallpaper works...Oh and I can also confirm that using a password works with transparent wallpaper as well...

How do you create Androids App icons?

I downloaded an icon set (IDroid) from deviant art and the developer gave his PSD file so we could make our own. I want to make a Tumblr icon using his settings, any way I could go about going that? I use Adobe Photoshop btw.

Copy and paste the image you want to use in the clipping mask then size it down if you need to then nudge it to your preferred center.
Or you can draw one using the pen tool. And fill your paths with disired gradients and overlays etc...
save as Web or device

I did that but when I saved it aand tried to use it as an launcher icon on my phone it had a white background around the edges. How do I get that cut that off? And also save the icon as 72 x 72 to fit the icon sizes like on my phone. Thx in advance.

You saved as png right?
If so maybe you had a "background" layer still selected when you saved it. That happens to me sometimes and i don't realize it till its on my phone..pisses me off.
Anyhow try it again and let me know.