This works on JPY/JS3, and ought to work on any other i9000 ROM, with a bit of ingenuity.
Download the Home_Haptic_Editing.zip at the end of this post. Extract the files to somewhere of your choosing.
Now, look at the theme package. The file you'll need is android.policy.jar.
Open android.policy.jar inside a .zip program, such as 7-zip or WinRAR. Extract the file "classes.dex" to the same folder as baksmali.jar and smali.jar.
Open a command prompt and navigate to that folder. (Or, hold Shift and right click inside the folder and hit "Open command window here").
Enter into that command prompt the following:
Code:
java -jar baksmali.jar -o classout/ classes.dex
This will create a folder called "classout" filled with .smali files.
Delete the classes.dex file.
Replace the PhoneWindowManager.smali with the uploaded one.
Back inside the command prompt, enter the following:
Code:
java -Xmx512M -jar smali.jar classout/ -o classes.dex
This will generate a classes.dex file.
Delete the classout folder.
Using 7-zip or similar, replace the classes.dex inside the android.policy.jar.
Put the android.policy.jar back inside your theme, and you're done.
It compiled. Will test tomorrow, as I don't feel like dealing with forces closes if I ****ed up tonight.
x3nhydr4lutr1sx said:
It compiled. Will test tomorrow, as I don't feel like dealing with forces closes if I ****ed up tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My first victim tester.
Works on JS3 and JPY.
can u explain more what should this mod does exactly ?? and ought to work on any other i9000 ROM, with a bit of ingenuity?? is that mean if i try to replace ur PhoneWindowManager.smali with mine could break my phone ???
ingvay2009 said:
can u explain more what should this mod does exactly ?? and ought to work on any other i9000 ROM, with a bit of ingenuity?? is that mean if i try to replace ur PhoneWindowManager.smali with mine could break my phone ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It means that it adds haptic
feedback to the home key.
It means that if you try it on non-JPY/JS3, I don't know what will happen.
Sent from my Captivate.
Compilled, now testing... AFAIK it shouldn't **** up.
But it's android - sign for that file is now bad, so it will recompile dalvik-cache (yeah, crazy i know)
Edit: **** up DID not occured, replaced file via recovery and adb. JS3 firmware
So I take it it worked?
Yep, but feedback on home is a bit stronger than other buttons.this is weird
ive tried multiple times but the windows phone 7 theme woll not work
As always tha.ks for the guide. Think we might need to make a roll up of your guids so they are easy to find.
As far as the windows theme what is the theme built off?
Thanks for posting this info. Keep up all your great work my cappy would be bone stock if not for you
Can you point me in the direction in how to add haptic feedback for jvp or even jvq, I'm trying to port a I9000 to tmobile vibrant.
jrafael said:
Can you point me in the direction in how to add haptic feedback for jvp or even jvq, I'm trying to port a I9000 to tmobile vibrant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the same.
Sent from my Infuse 4G
Let's face it, Swype is ugly and there are not many HVGA themes out there, so I made a Gingerbread-inspired HVGA Swype theme for our Arias.
First off, I am greatly indebted to Marurban, who set me on the right path, as well as provided the inspiration in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=930306
But I want to emphasize, all images in this theme are 100% created by me.
Installation is a little complicated and is pretty much the same as for Marurban's theme.
Stuff needed:
apk manager (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701)
ADB pull your Swype from /data/app/
HxD if you want to modify the color of the tracer line (http://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/)
Swype GB theme files (attached -- download and unzip)
How to:
in apk manager, place Swype apk into folder place-apk-here-for-modding
run Script.bat
choose 19 (-Select compression level for apks-)
choose 0 for compression level
choose 22 (-Set current project-)
choose the number corresponding to your Swype file
choose 9 (-Decompile apk-)
go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > assets > keyboards and overwrite Swype keyboard PNGs with themed files.
go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > res > drawable and overwrite Swype horizontal selection highlight files with themed files. (these are for landscape mode word suggestions -- see screenshot#5)
go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > res > drawable-hdpi and overwrite Swype voice input files with themed files. (see screenshot#4)
if you want to change the color of the Swype trail:
go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > lib > armeabi
open libSwypeCore.so in HxD
CTRL+F (search) for DD A2 5B
find a color you want to use and note it's HEX value. (IIRC, I used #ffba00)
switch values around so that it is B-G-R (mine would be 00 BA FF)
replace values and save
a .bak file will be created in the directory -- delete it
when you are finished with all mods, go back to console window and choose 11 (-Compile apk-)
choose Y (-is this a system apk-)
followed by N (-would you like to copy over any additional files-)
choose 12 to sign your apk
signed apk is in place-apk-here-for-modding folder
uninstall your previous version of Swype before installing this one!
License It:
If you just start using Swype, it will only let you tap type and will say "Swype is not configured for this device," IIRC.
License your modded Swype by running the Swype Installer app. It will guide you through the steps and generate a license.
Enjoy!
Dealing with Swype updates
I'm glad so many people are trying out my theme! Apologies to those that are having problems--I have been busy and not been able to update this thread recently.
So, some people are having problems as of the new Swype Installer (1.1.20186) and Swype version (2.29...)
If you have applied my theme to a previous Swype version, and try to license it via the Swype Installer (after flashing a ROM, for instance), you will run into problems when the installer updates itself, and consequently fails to generate a license for your old version of Swype.
To fix this:
uninstall any versions of Swype you may have, themed or not.
download and install the newest official Swype from the installer (installer may want to update itself first)
ADB pull Swype and apply the theme as above
uninstall the official Swype
install the themed Swype (via sideloading, DropBox, or whatever)
license it, as above
Just to clarify, you won't have to do this every time Swype releases a new beta. But you will have to do this workaround whenever you try to theme the lastest Swype. Seems the Swype Installer only recognizes the latest and greatest, and will fail to license prior versions of Swype.
Here is the Swype beta changelog for the recent update:
http://forum.swype.com/showthread.php?2865-Swype-BETA-for-Android-UPDATE-March-2011
this is pretty cool. good jorb!
Can someone just Make an apk and post please?
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Javi97100 said:
Can someone just Make an apk and post please?
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not allowed.
Sent from my cm7 Aria using XDA App
Yeah, but if someone wanted to help me make a flashable update.zip, that would be cool.
From the screenies it appears the popup word suggestion box also behaves as it does in the regular GB keyboard (across the top of the keys, rather than the vertical box in regular swype). Is this actually the case, and if so, does it behave like this in portrait as well as landscape?
Either way, excellent work - now I have a little project for tonight
Edit: Tried to work through your steps on my linux machine: The APKManager script I am getting (not sure if this is due to linux vs. windows discrepancy, or being a different version for Linux, or both) only 17 options for selection. This means options 19 and 22 (steps 3 and 5) in your instructions are unavailable to me. Could you please post the text related to those options in the script so I can determine the correct options in linux? Unfortunately I don't have a windows box available to play with right now.
Thanks.
Think I'll take a WAG at it in the meantime though...wish me luck.
Edit 2: I think I have it mostly working - can't figure out how to get APKmanager to find java on my linux machine to get it to sign the zipped apk. Not sure what I need to add to the path for it to be found. Out of time screwing around at work now...will be back at it later maybe.
dandrumheller said:
From the screenies it appears the popup word suggestion box also behaves as it does in the regular GB keyboard (across the top of the keys, rather than the vertical box in regular swype). Is this actually the case, and if so, does it behave like this in portrait as well as landscape?
Either way, excellent work - now I have a little project for tonight
Edit: Tried to work through your steps on my linux machine: The APKManager script I am getting (not sure if this is due to linux vs. windows discrepancy, or being a different version for Linux, or both) only 17 options for selection. This means options 19 and 22 (steps 3 and 5) in your instructions are unavailable to me. Could you please post the text related to those options in the script so I can determine the correct options in linux? Unfortunately I don't have a windows box available to play with right now.
Thanks.
Think I'll take a WAG at it in the meantime though...wish me luck.
Edit 2: I think I have it mostly working - can't figure out how to get APKmanager to find java on my linux machine to get it to sign the zipped apk. Not sure what I need to add to the path for it to be found. Out of time screwing around at work now...will be back at it later maybe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you're trying it out.
#19 is set compression level for .zips and you want it to be 0. #22 is choose current project, and you just want to navigate to the Swype file (in case you have a bunch of other APKs you are working on. Later, when I am on my PC, I will transcribe the more detailed text choices and edit first post.
Also, I should have put in a screenshot of the word choice window. Swype functionality is 100% the same as normal. In landscape you get the bar atop the keyboard, and in portrait, you get the squareish pop-up. I made the pop-up grey so it looks good with the theme, but it's still there.
stone_ship said:
Glad you're trying it out.
#19 is set compression level for .zips and you want it to be 0. #22 is choose current project, and you just want to navigate to the Swype file (in case you have a bunch of other APKs you are working on. Later, when I am on my PC, I will transcribe the more detailed text choices and edit first post.
Also, I should have put in a screenshot of the word choice window. Swype functionality is 100% the same as normal. In landscape you get the bar atop the keyboard, and in portrait, you get the squareish pop-up. I made the pop-up grey so it looks good with the theme, but it's still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for getting back to me. Neither of those options exist in the linux version of apk manager (or I don't know how to find them if they do). I'm going to guess I'll be ok once I figure out the java/path issue.
Thanks.
Sent from my Liberty using Tapatalk
Thanks
stone_ship said:
Let's face it, Swype is ugly and there are not many HVGA themes out there, so I made a Gingerbread-inspired HVGA Swype theme for our Arias.
First off, I am greatly indebted to Marurban, who set me on the right path, as well as provided the inspiration in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=930306
But I want to emphasize, all images in this theme are 100% created by me.
Installation is a little complicated and is pretty much the same as for Marurban's theme.
Stuff needed:
1. apk manager (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701)
2. ADB pull your Swype from data/app
3. HxD if you want to modify the color of the tracer line (http://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/)
4. Swype GB theme files (attached -- download and unzip)
How to:
1. in apk manager, place Swype apk into folder place-apk-here-for-modding
2. run Script.bat
3. choose 19
4. choose 0 for compression level
5. choose 22
6. choose your apk for current project
7. choose 9 to decompile
8. go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > assets > keyboards and overwrite Swype keyboard PNGs with themed files.
9. go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > res > drawable and overwrite Swype horizontal selection highlight files with themed files. (these are for landscape mode word suggestions -- see screenshot#4)
10. if you want to change the color of the Swype trail:
a. go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > lib > armeabi
b. open libSwypeCore.so in HxD
c. CTRL+F (search) for DD A2 5B
d. find a color you want to use and note it's HEX value. (IIRC, I used #ffba00)
e. switch values around so that it is B-G-R (mine would be 00 BA FF)
f. replace values and save
g. a .bak file will be created in the directory -- delete it
11. when you are finished with all mods, go back to console window and choose 11 (compile)
12. choose Y, followed by N
13. choose 12 to sign your apk
14. signed apk is in place-apk-here-for-modding folder
15. uninstall your previous version of Swype before installing this one!
License It:
1. If you just start using Swype, it will only let you tap type and will say "Swype is not configured for this device," IIRC.
2. License your modded Swype by running the Swype Installer app. It will guide you through the steps and generate a license.
3. Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used ANY of these programs, and was able to follow this tut 100%. Thanks
This is gorgeous! Can you build a WVGA version? Would love it for my DInc.
Love swype and now even more so, thanks.....
nerdBrain said:
This is gorgeous! Can you build a WVGA version? Would love it for my DInc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this one by Marurban is pretty similar and has a WVGA. For now, it's just going to be HVGA. You big screened people get all the good themes and such anyway
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=930306
Thanks. I actually knew about that one...I just think yours looks better . Let me know if you change your mind.
I used Root Explorer to find the name of the Swype app to pull in ADB (com.swype.android.inputmethod-1.apk). However, when I issue the adb pull command, it can't find it.
This is what I get:
C:\android>adb pull data/app/com.swype.android.inputmethod-1.apk c:\android\
remote object 'data/app/com.swype.android.inputmethod-1.apk' does not exist
What am I doing wrong?
I ended up using Root Explorer to copy the APK to the SD card, then followed all the steps from there. However, after compiling the new signed APK, the file size is way off - does that matter? Original file is 2,266KB, New file is 1,911KB. When I try to license the new one it says Registration of Swype failed. Rebooted and tried again with same result.
No help? Anyone...?
911jason said:
No help? Anyone...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had a chance to get back to troubleshooting my linux issues with getting this done, but wanted to mention there is a new version of swype installer available through the beta program - you might want to give that a shot for licensing if you haven't yet...
Sent from my Liberty using Tapatalk
(then)
i believe it should start out "C:/Android/tools>adb pull. . .after that im confused on where to have it pulled to, since it keeps giving me the "it does not exist crap"
No, I've added adb to my environmental variables so I don't have to be in the tools folder to use the adb command. It works from any location.
Hi there.
The greatest thing about Android is that you can change just about every element of the U.I, and if all you want to do is change a few images it's as simple as copying and pasting, but this guide will teach you how to...
[*]Use ADB Commands
[*]Deodex
[*]Decompile
[*]Recompile
[*]Sign
[*]Zipalign
...in an easy to follow manner that will have you theming your own apks in no time. There are many many GUI programs which I'll link to below that automate the following process but experience has taught me that it's important to know the basic process for when those programs don't work, are no longer maintained or you just don't like them for whatever reason etc, and to be honest command line editing for me is just as quick, and I personally prefer the ability to have everything in one folder. So lets begin.
Some Requirements:
A Rooted Phone.
A BACKUP OF YOUR PHONE!
Java - Do this first if you don't have it installed already.
Notepad++ - An essential program for xml editing!
Photoshop or Gimp - You'll need one of these for image editing.
7-Zip or WinRar - Required for apk editing.
Patience. :silly:
Use Linux or a Mac? See the following threads for more information on using apktool on other Operating Systems...
[WIN/LINUX][Decompile/Compile] Quick Mod Tool 4.0 [decompile and compile with speed]
APK Manager for Mac OS X
[Linux][UTILITY][TOOL] APK Multi-Tool
[tutorial] decompiling,recompiling and signing in linux (27-01-2013)
How to install and use Apktool with Ubuntu
Quick Tips;
.apk files are applications on your Phone, but when they''re on your computer you can browse them exactly like you would a .zip file, so set your default zip program as the default program for handling apks which will makes things much easier when working with them.
Download themes for your Phone, for other Phones too even and compare the res folders and screen shots of the theme as that will give you a good idea of what image you need to look for when modding your own apks.
If all you want to do is change images then you don't even necessarily need to decompile, you can just drag and drop images in to an apk to replace a stock image so long as they have the same file name.
For more complex mods like changing text colors and layouts (.xml files) and editing .9 png images then you will have to decompile.
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Most of us will have Java already installed, but if you don't then get it installed before doing anything else. To save you the time and hassle of figuring out what else you need to download etc I've made a zip for you to download which contains Apktool and ADB.
Download APKTool_CMD.zip to a location of your choice, preferably the C:\ drive which will give you a folder to work from. This is how mine currently looks...
Once your folder is setup, java and other tools installed, you're going to want to get any apks you want to theme off your Phone and there are numerous different ways to this, but we're going to use adb commands to pull files to your computer so we need to open a command prompt window in your Apktool folder. To do this simply hold the shift key then right click your mouse in the Apktool folder and select "open command window here", or just click on the included command prompt.bat.
I like to pull the whole system as soon as I'm rooted as it gives me a backup of stock files which I can then copy and deodex to be themed.
The command to pull your whole system is...
Code:
[B]adb pull /system/ Z1C_368[/B]
...you can choose something other than Z1C_368 as your folder name but it will create that folder in your Aktool folder. Alternatively you can just download individual folders, the commands are as follows...
Code:
[B]adb pull /system/app/ Z1C_368 app
adb pull /system/priv-app/ Z1C_368 priv-app
adb pull /system/framework/ Z1C_368 framework[/B]
...or pull individual files...
Code:
[B]adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk[/B]
...so now you should have a APKTool_CMD folder with another folder within it and at least your app, priv-app and framework folders in that, which we can use for the next step.
The tool I use is this - [Tool/Utility] JoelDroid Lollipop Batch Deodexer. While I will deodex all the files I've pulled to my computer experience and battery life has taught me to only deodex the apps I've themed on the phone, rather than run a fully deodexed ROM.
Before you can do anything else you need to install your framework-res.apk and SemcGenericUxpRes.apk/twframework.apk, which will put two apks at C:\Users\YourPCName\apktool\framework which are the resources apktool uses to work its magic. The two commands to install your two resource apks are...
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool if SemcGenericUxpRes.apk
The command for decompiling is...
Code:
[B][U]apktool[/U] [U]d[/U][/B] framework-res.apk
...which will create a folder named like for like except for the .apk extension, and in this folder is where you'll find a couple of folders, the main one always being the res folder as it's in this folder that you'll find your images and xmls to edit. First glance of a decompiled res folder can be overwhelming, 596 folders in my frameworks, but we only need to focus on a handful in the majority of apks, and they are...
drawable
drawable-xhdpi-v4 (drawable-xxhdpi-v4 depending on your device)
layout
values
...you may need to delve into others sometimes but it's very rare that I've had to.
Once you've finished making your mods you need to recompile your apk using the following command...
Code:
[B][U]apktool[/U] [U]b[/U][/B] framework-res
...notice you only use the folder name here. If you get any errors here due to a bad edit apktool will usually tell you, in a roundabout way, you just need to read the code it throws up then retrace your steps, correct any bad edit and try again. If all goes smoothly you'll now have a new folder called dist, which contains your newly modified apk, but you can't use that just yet.
This is where 7-Zip or WinRar comes in to play. We need to extract from the original apk the Android.Manifest.xml and META-INF folder, into the dist folder, then from the new apk extract the resources.arsc also into the dist folder, then drag and drop all three files back into the new apk, but NOTE, it's important that you choose store as the compression method, any other will break the apk, and if you replace a broken framework-res.apk you will bootloop.
And signing is as simple as that. Alternatively you can use the following command...
Code:
[B]java -jar signapk.jar testkey.x509.pem testkey.pk8[/B] framework-res.apk.apk framework-resS.apk
...notice the extra "S", the output name has to differ from the input name otherwise it will give an error, if done right it will create a new apk called framework-resS.apk, just remember to rename it back to the original before using it on your Phone.
[TOOL] pySignare - Quickly Sign APKs [Windows]
Signing For The Play Store
If you plan on Publishing a Theme or any other app/apk to the Play Store then using the above method to sign your apks just wont work because you need to give it an individual signature that is unique to you, thankfully @AndroidGraphix has written a great guide that will show you how, it's a bit more fidgety than the above method but simple enough to follow...
AndroidGraphix said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Noobs guide to signing an APK with a Private Key
DISADVANTAGES OF UNALIGNED APKs
Quite understandably, situation would be reserved for unaligned application packages. Resource reading would be slow and memory usage would be on the higher end of the spectrum. It would also depend on how many unaligned applications are present. For example, if less number of applications with an unaligned home application, you’d see slower application launch times. This is the best case scenario. For a worst case scenario, having a number of unaligned applications will result in the system repeatedly starting and killing processes, struggling with lags and huge battery drain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- SOURCE
Move your new signed apk into your APKTool_CMD folder, you can overwrite your original if you want, and use the following command...
Code:
[B][U]zipalign -v 4[/U][/B] framework-res.apk ZAframework-res.apk
...notice the ZA, zipaligning creates a new apk which has to be named different from the original, but use what you want, it'll need renaming again before you use it.
So now we need to transfer your apk back to your Phone, you can do it by copying to your SD, then to your system, change permissions, then copy to the right folder, but that's not only time consuming but highly tedious too, so a simpler method is to use adb using the push command as this allows us to push straight to the system overwriting the original with the correct permissions too. To use this method you'll need you'll need an unsecure kernel and/or Chainfires adbd Insecure app. Try the app first but if you still can't mount and push files read this thread - [HOW TO]Make your favorite kernel adbd insecure to run ADB as root on /system and try again.
Rename your zipaligned apk to it's original name, then we need to mount the system before we can push direct to the the system, and the command for that is...
Code:
adb remount
...then we need to make sure we're pushing our apk to the right folder on the Phone, so for the framework-res it's...
Code:
[B][U]adb push[/U][/B] D:\Xperia\Z1C_368\APKTOOL\framework-res.apk /system/framework
...yet for the SystemUI it's...
Code:
adb push D:\Xperia\Z1C_368\APKTOOL\SystemUI.apk[B][U] /system/priv-app/[/U][/B]SystemUI
...if it's any one of those two then generally you need to reboot, so just type...
Code:
adb reboot
...your Phone will restart and if you've done everything right your new mods should be displayed, happy days. So that's it for how to use command prompt for modifying apks.
So now you know how to prepare an apk for editing your going to want to theme it obviously, and the following links will help you with that.
XML 101 - XML Modding Made Easy!
How To Edit Resources
The Ultimate Android Themeing Guide
[GUIDE] Smali coding guide for beginners
[Reference] Interactive Phone Modification [GUIDE]
[TOOL] Android Drawable Resizer Tool
[GUIDE] Want to learn how to theme?
[Guide] demystifying build.prop [Valid entries]
General Questions about Themes GO HERE!!!!!
[INFO] Custom framework-res.apk resources.arsc using vendor overlays
[Tutorial][NICS Themer] Create Your Own Themed apk & Become a Themer
U.I Modding
Tutorial :- Changing App Icons
[TUTORIAL]How to Theme Your MMS
[How-to] Edit the "About Phone" display
[Tutorial][VIDEO] Add/integrate apps into Settings app!
[TUTORIAL] Where to find the colors for making a theme
[MOD][GUIDE]LockScreen Clock with seconds[ANY ROM]
[TUTORIAL] How to add various framework/Settings mods
[TUT][JB] HOW TO THEME SystemUI.apk for TOTALLY newbie!
[HOWTO] Integrating/Adding applications to the settings menu
[TUTORIAL][ICS][GB][JB]How to change Android's black background
[GUIDE][Ultimate]Theme Apps To Dark Theme | Theme Whole System | Newbies Here! 12/11
Text...
Text Color Guide
[GUIDE] Tips for themers
[GUIDE][REF]Changing System Text Settings
Statusbar...
[MOD][TUT] Merge The WiFi And Signal Icons
[GUIDE][MOD][SYSTEMUI] How to add 0.00KB/s meter on statusbar GB/ICS/JB
[TUT] How To Center The Clock On The Statusbar..And Move Other Icons As Well!
[How-To]Removing Battery Percentage, Adding Toggles,Battery Circles to Statusbar
[GUIDE][Mods][All Devices]How to add/ Change Clocks to Analog/ Digital with Seconds
The three best/most popular GUI programs are...
@Diamondbacks - Virtuous Ten Studio
@Ticklefishs - [TOOL] Tickle My Android
@BDFreaks - [Tool]Advanced ApkTool
...there are others but these are I what I tend to see referred to the most.
TIP:
Restoring modified files if you mess up is easier and quicker with a CWM.zip, especially if you're modifying any framework apks! Just because an apk might build with no errors doesn't mean it won't give you any when installed to the Phone.
I hope after reading this explanation you're left wondering what all the fuss is about, as it really is quite simple. I'll use the following two images, btn_default_pressed_holo.9 & status_bar_close_off.9 to illustrate the basic point of the borders...
Decompiled .9pngs:
Recompiled .9pngs:
Those borders control which part of the image is stretched (Left & Top) and where on the image content will be displayed (Right & Bottom). We'll use Draw 9-patch which is for editing the borders of decompiled .9pngs and lets you see how the image, when stretched, will be displayed on the Phone. Notice that the borders are different sizes, well that's because I only want/need a certain part of the image to stretch to get the desired look on the Phone.
...in the image below the left side shows the stretched image and desired effect should look on the Phone and the right side shows how it would look if I had edited the borders incorrectly or used none at all...
You can get away by not using a border but you would need to edit your image to specific dimensions to accommodate for the stretching, for example it might look fine for a simple OK button but it might not look right if you used the same .9png for a screen press which stretches the whole length of the screen, so you're better off just using them to begin with, plus you'll more than likely get errors down the line while decompiling or recompiling your apk.
The use of the border is made even more clear when you add text to an image. For my status_bar_close_off.9 I've filled all four sides of the image (except for an empty pixel in all four corners as that is the max amount of border you can use) as I need it to stretch the image just how I've edited it...
...but if I used the same sized left side border as the btn_default_pressed_holo.9 then this is how it would look on the Phone...
...which is obviously not the look I'm trying to achieve, as the left side border is causing the image to stretch incorrectly.
So that's basically it, depending on the image you're editing you can usually leave the borders alone but if you create one from scratch then you might need to play about with them if your images doesn't look quite right when used on the Phone. Here's a few links that will assist you further, especially the batch editing...
How to edit .9.pngs
[TUTO] Create your 9.png !
[UTILITY][TOOL] 9patchPngSuite [Windows&Linux]
How to draw NinePatch images with Photoshop - .9.PNG
[TOOL][Multi-Platform][.9.png][ALL DPIs] Android Resizer Tool
[Tutorial][Commentary] How To Batch Edit .9PNG/PNG Images
[tool] 9compiler - batch process for themers android
ClockworkMod Recovery zips are used for flashing individual files to whole ROMS and can be a life saver if you push a badly edited apk to your Phone that results in a bootloop. There's also a few programs that can assist you with that too, but if all you're doing is replacing a few files all you really need is a template, then it's just a matter of creating the Phones folder setup in the zip which is simply creating folders: system\app - system\media\audio etc then dragging and dropping your files into it. A basic understanding of the updater script is essential, a ROM.zip will more than likely wipe your Phone whereas a Theme.zip may just replace files but it might delete some also.[/QUOTE]
See below for a CWM.zip Template but first some helpful links...
[Tool]easy flasher v4 (ur own update.zip)
[Tool][Windows/Linux] Android Flashable Zip Creator
[Utility-Tool][DEVandThemers]CWMflashpack.zipCreatorV1{TheCollective}w/EdifyScripting
ERRORS encountered in CWM Recovery
[TUT] [for NOOB] editing updater-script for noobs!
[TUTORIAL] Making Flashable ZIPs, EDIFY Script, ZIP Signing & Key Creation
This is my Restore_zip which is set up so you can add your own files to the framework and apps folders in the main system location, but you can easily add other folders to it if you want to add things like fonts, tones or anything else, just remember to add folders within folders if that's where the files you want to include are such as tones, media\audio\alarms for example.
If you navigate to META-INF\com\google\android you will find the updater-script which controls how the zip works and the text you see when you run it in CWM. As this zip is just for basically over writing files you don't need to edit anything except for a few lines...
...this is how I've edited it for my theme...
...so just edit it using Notepad++ to your liking.
When adding files to your zip add them using Normal as the Compression Method...
...Remember to remove the text files I've added otherwise they will be flashed to your folders too.
And that's pretty much it, the only way you're really going to learn is by reading then putting into practice what you've read and picking stuff up along the way, fortunately there are numerous guides for numerous mods and tools to help with a variety of tasks.
Notable credits and thanks to @iBotPeaches and @Brut.all for making it possible with - Apktool
Useful Suff...
rovo89 said:
In this thread, I'm presenting a framework which gives you the possibility to modify your ROM - without modifying any APK (developers) or flashing (users)!
...
Advantages:
No need to modify any APKs. This means:
No need to decompile, change things in smali, compile, sign, ...
It will work for odexed and deodexed ROMs.
Your mod is not bound to a specific version of the ROM. Unless there is a major change in the methods called for a certain functionality, your mod will continue to work even when you upgrade your ROM. Hell, it will probably even work with different ROMs.
Multiple mods can be installed at the same time, even if they change the same package. So you can use these battery icons and those quick toggles. Even hooking the same method twice is possible. Of course, this only works properly if the mods are not trying to do incompatible things.
It does its magic at runtime. That means you can implement options to let the user decide if they prefer the bikeshed to be painted in red or blue. Or you can have some extra logic for certain ROMs without building different mod versions.
It can be disabled easily without having to reflash.
It's open source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- [FRAMEWORK ONLY!] Xposed - ROM modding without modifying APKs
Annex1 said:
CM10.1-THEME_BOOK
Theme book was created by Annex and Ebs512. I've been asked alot of questions from how to get started? what do I need to get started? to What Graphics program do I use? etc. We made a real simple theme guide to help get you started. This is in Layman Terms.. Nothing fancy.
ONLY THING FANCY IS MY FLASH BOOK
YOU MUST HAVE A FLASH PLAYER INSTALLED TO VIEW THIS!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- [GUIDE] HOW TO THEME CM10.1 - Animated Book
[Guide] Porting XTheme themes
[How to] XMLGenerator.jar + batch script v2.0
[Guide] Xposed Framework/TabletUI (Noob-Friendly)
[Tool] Drawable XML generator for CM7 theme chooser
[Guide] How to port themes to T-Mobile Theme Chooser
[Tool] [Theme Creator] [CM/Avatar] Theme creator tool
[INDEX][WiP] List of APPs & MODs that use XPOSED Module
[Tool] nhnt11's XML Generator Revived V2+Extended UPDATED!
[DEV/GUIDE]Creating APKs for use with TMobile Theme engine
[Tool][PortCx] Port CM Themes to Xtheme Engine in One Click!
Theme-Porter [v1.0] [Any Firmware / Rom Compatible] [WINDOWS]
[GUIDE] T-mobile theme engine for the faint at heart (non-linux users)
[1/30/2013] Mega 4.2.1 BlackBean Theme Template [XXHDPI/XHDPI/HDPI/TVDPI]
[MOD][XPOSED][4.0+] XThemeEngine beta5 - Theme engine for any rooted phone
[APK][Xposed] ResXploit : Theming your android the easiest way! No decompiling APKs!
-·=»‡«=·-[JB][CM10] Theme Engine Template Updated To V4 [8-7-12][XHDPI/HDPI]-·=»‡«=·-
Hi Guys, I tried to do a small tweak to my ROM like just a color change to signal bars, as mentioned in the XDA university, but once the apk is pushed to system/app and restarted, it went to bootloop. I just changed the color of a image file using GIMP (as mentioned), then dint work, so just tried decompiling SystemUI.apk and then recompiling then folder without any changes and push to system folder, even that dint work, then i saw this thread, i tried the replacing the resources.arsc from old apk (opened using winrar, and dragged to my folder), the opened my new recompiled SystemUI.apk with winrar and added this resources.arsc file which i extracted with compression option as Store, then pushed it bcak to /system/app folder , every time i pushed i connected the phone in recovery mode. But still in bootloop, the moment i replace the apk with original one, it works, can some one pls point out what am I doing wrong ?
Hardware - I9100 - galaxy S2
ROM - JellyBAM 3.3
Kernel - Siyah 5.1+
thanks,
merin
merin_83 said:
Hi Guys, I tried to do a small tweak to my ROM like just a color change to signal bars, as mentioned in the XDA university, but once the apk is pushed to system/app and restarted, it went to bootloop. I just changed the color of a image file using GIMP (as mentioned), then dint work, so just tried decompiling SystemUI.apk and then recompiling then folder without any changes and push to system folder, even that dint work, then i saw this thread, i tried the replacing the resources.arsc from old apk (opened using winrar, and dragged to my folder), the opened my new recompiled SystemUI.apk with winrar and added this resources.arsc file which i extracted with compression option as Store, then pushed it bcak to /system/app folder , every time i pushed i connected the phone in recovery mode. But still in bootloop, the moment i replace the apk with original one, it works, can some one pls point out what am I doing wrong ?
Hardware - I9100 - galaxy S2
ROM - JellyBAM 3.3
Kernel - Siyah 5.1+
thanks,
merin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There
Try using 7zip to update the apk instead of winrar. if that doesn't work, post your logcats,
Thanks
trevd said:
Hi There
Try using 7zip to update the apk instead of winrar. if that doesn't work, post your logcats,
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try that when i get back home today, and is there any option i need to set when using 7zip like store mode ?
thanks,
merin
hi, I tried with 7zip, 1st i just opened the recompiled zip with 7zip and dragged and dropped the resources file from original apk to this archive, and pushed to phone , still boot looping, and then tried to right click on the resource file from original apk, and selected add to 7zip archive, and changed the archive format to .zip/compression mode to Store and saved, then pushed to phone, still boot looping. So here i have attached the logcat, hope that is correct how i have done it, after rebooting the phone, i typed in consle logcat > log.txt and it was waiting for device, once in boot loop i did ctrl + c, then it exited. Please let me know if you need more info, do i need to attach my original SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk ??
Happy New Year !!!
thanks,
merin
Nice tuts I will try at home :thumbup:
Sent from my ST18i using xda premium
merin_83 said:
then i saw this thread, i tried the replacing the resources.arsc from old apk (opened using winrar, and dragged to my folder), the opened my new recompiled SystemUI.apk with winrar and added this resources.arsc file which i extracted with compression option as Store, then pushed it bcak to /system/app folder , every time i pushed i connected the phone in recovery mode. But still in bootloop, the moment i replace the apk with original one, it works, can some one pls point out what am I doing wrong ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
Are you copying the AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF folder from the original to the new apk too?
Actually i did the exact thing you said yesterday, when i found in the youtube, and it worked thank you!, but dint copy the resource file (but had some fc's when opening camera 1st time), may thats the reason,,, so i should copy AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF and resource file ?, and is this a standard procedure when we do a recompile every time ? or it varies with situation ?
thanks,
merin
Hey hi guys....can any 1 tell me how to set boot image which i want hmmmmm
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda app-developers app
merin_83 said:
so i should copy AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF and resource file ?, and is this a standard procedure when we do a recompile every time ? or it varies with situation ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's how I do it every time and never have an issue (unless I've screwed up somewhere), so yes.
sagar4all007 said:
Hey hi guys....can any 1 tell me how to set boot image which i want hmmmmm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh okey thank you XperienceD, does it make a difference if we just use apktool or Androidsuite for decompiling and building ?
thanks,
merin
merin_83 said:
oh okey thank you XperienceD, does it make a difference if we just use apktool or Androidsuite for decompiling and building ?
thanks,
merin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think androidsuite uses apktool for its decompiling and build it just uses it through a ui as apktool is command line so its more a preference of use for you
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA Premium HD app
ttibbetts83 said:
I think androidsuite uses apktool for its decompiling and build it just uses it through a ui as apktool is command line so its more a preference of use for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said. I've set this up for when such programs don't always work.
How about some links for how to guide for Ubuntu user and some links on .XML file editing I was doing .apk mods on windows then started messing around with Ubuntu and find its I little more work to get it setup but all an all it to me is a better environment for android then windows IMOA
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA Premium HD app
ttibbetts83 said:
How about some links for how to guide for Ubuntu user
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a quick search for android theming ubuntu there doesn't seem to be a lot of information for it, and this post...
Nikkopt said:
What and where have you heard about Ubuntu helping on theming? It depends on personal taste and choice. You also have much more tools to help you graphically on windows and mac os.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from this thread - Which version of Ubuntu is recommended for theming? suggests why.
here are some links for ubuntu installs that will help with .apk modding on ubuntu for those who want it
how to setup apktool on ubuntu
http://my.opera.com/ubuntunerd1/blog/2012/08/20/how-to-apktool-with-ubuntu-under-construction
ubuntu version of paint.net
http://pinta-project.com/
xaraxtreme looks to be a good program from what i have read but i have not tryed it out yet
http://www.xaraxtreme.org/download.html
gimp is avalable through ubuntu software center and for .xml ubuntu has built in editer software just by right click and open with text editer
hex color website http://www.procato.com/rgbfind/
Nice guide my friend :good:
if anyone get apktool doesn't work on apk JB 4.2.2 ROM you can use this Latest apktool http://d-h.st/cze
Rizal Lovins said:
Nice guide my friend :good:
if anyone get apktool doesn't work on apk JB 4.2.2 ROM you can use this Latest apktool http://d-h.st/cze
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Rizal.