Database Develop

Menu pop-up buttons - theme

How do you theme the (6) icons that pop-up when you press the Menu button ? I'm referring to Settings, Search, Add, Wallpaper, etc, etc. The images don't appear to be in framework-res.apk. I've looked in a few other folders/files with no luck so far.
And if anyone knows where to get replacement images, can you please point me in the right direction ?

hallstevenson said:
How do you theme the (6) icons that pop-up when you press the Menu button ? I'm referring to Settings, Search, Add, Wallpaper, etc, etc. The images don't appear to be in framework-res.apk. I've looked in a few other folders/files with no luck so far.
And if anyone knows where to get replacement images, can you please point me in the right direction ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe they are in the vendor.apk and if you have a launcher like launcherpro you'll also have to them those as well.
No idea where to get custom images except from other ROM's or themes from those that have taken the time to colorize or otherwise theme the menu options. Hope it helps some.

I found a "vending.apk" but not the images that I was looking for. I'm using ADW too, by the way.

hallstevenson said:
I found a "vending.apk" but not the images that I was looking for. I'm using ADW too, by the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry my bad, vending is for the settings menu, the images you are looking for are in the framework-res.apk, they begin with "ic_menu_", sorry for the mis-info

No need to apologize I'll look through there again. I've found "ic_menu..." images in there before (in 'drawable-mdpi' ?) but not ALL of them. Of course, there's over 700 to look through.

hallstevenson said:
No need to apologize I'll look through there again. I've found "ic_menu..." images in there before (in 'drawable-mdpi' ?) but not ALL of them. Of course, there's over 700 to look through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Other apk files contribute to that menu, depending on the app you have open. They all should start with ic_menu... Are you wanting to theme just the home screen? If so, some are in framework, settings and adw. If you need some help, send me a pm...
Sent from my Froyo Tazz using XDA App

Yes, just the home screen at this point. I did find some of the images in framework-res.apk and I suspected the the launcher app must change things too. That's disappointing because when ADW updates, I have to change/update the image(s) again.
With your experience Macrodroid, how practical is it to take the existing images and edit them with The Gimp, for example ? Can I change the 'object' color and the background (easily) using that ?

hallstevenson said:
Yes, just the home screen at this point. I did find some of the images in framework-res.apk and I suspected the the launcher app must change things too. That's disappointing because when ADW updates, I have to change/update the image(s) again.
With your experience Macrodroid, how practical is it to take the existing images and edit them with The Gimp, for example ? Can I change the 'object' color and the background (easily) using that ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use paintshop pro to edit images. Gimp should work about the same. I also use 7-zip to edit the apk's.
As far as updates for adw goes, just save the images you change in a folder on your PC. When they update, pull the apk from your phone, open the drawable folder for the images, copy your images to the apk and save it. Resign the apk when your done and push it back to your phone. Or, if they don't change the filename on you, you can create an mm theme with a lit less hassle. If you need some help setting anything up, drop me a pm... I'll be more than happy to help you out...
Sent from my TAZZ FROYO using XDA App

[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

[Q] how to locate, create & change icons

Hello - trying to search, but only getting search down error. I have the captivate with root and am trying to locate where the icons are kept. I would like to keep the 4 programs on the bottom dock, but want to change the icon. I wanted to go into Photoshop, but I can't find where the icons are kept. Any help or advice would be great. I prefer not to use another launcher to change icons as I like the screen the way it is.

vtmorp said:
Hello - trying to search, but only getting search down error. I have the captivate with root and am trying to locate where the icons are kept. I would like to keep the 4 programs on the bottom dock, but want to change the icon. I wanted to go into Photoshop, but I can't find where the icons are kept. Any help or advice would be great. I prefer not to use another launcher to change icons as I like the screen the way it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an app called apk editor. Its on the i9000 themes and apps forum I believe.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

Thanks! Going to check it out now.

OK, I'll admit it - I have no idea what I am doing. I do not know how to use the edit apk or apk manager. Is there any way to mount my phone, open photoshop, find an icon and edit it? I really am most wanting to edit the app icon on the dock. Does any one know where to find this icon? Also, where are the other icons - are they in each individual program? Thanks. Peace. Michele

vtmorp said:
OK, I'll admit it - I have no idea what I am doing. I do not know how to use the edit apk or apk manager. Is there any way to mount my phone, open photoshop, find an icon and edit it? I really am most wanting to edit the app icon on the dock. Does any one know where to find this icon? Also, where are the other icons - are they in each individual program? Thanks. Peace. Michele
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. extract the app with root explorer to the sd card,
2. put it on your computer and change it to a .zip file
3. extract the res folder and go into the drawable-hdpi
4. replace the current icon with the icon that you want (should be named something similar to "homescreen_icon_musicplayer.png" which is the stock music player icon) it shouldnt be to hard to figure out which one it is. just make sure the names are the same when you replace it.
5. replace the original res folder inside the zip file with the modified version
6. cange the zip back into a .apk and put it back onto the sd card
7. Finally using root explorer replace the old apk with the new one from the sd card.

vtmorp said:
OK, I'll admit it - I have no idea what I am doing. I do not know how to use the edit apk or apk manager. Is there any way to mount my phone, open photoshop, find an icon and edit it? I really am most wanting to edit the app icon on the dock. Does any one know where to find this icon? Also, where are the other icons - are they in each individual program? Thanks. Peace. Michele
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes each app icon is built into the app. If all you really want to do is change the bar icon on your main screen then I would grab Launcher pro or another launcher that allows for custom Icons and use that or you will be editing each app one by one

[Q] Changing icons in Notification bar (Miui)

Hi,
Can anyone explain how one changes the icons in the notification bar?
More specifically, the 3G icon, Signal Strength, and the notification for a new text message?
Also, I know you can change the carrier name to whatever you like with apps like "CCname" and etc. but I've also seen that people have changed it into actual pictures or .png. Any help?
Thanks

I'd like to know more about this too!

The icons are usually found in framework-res.apk/res/drawable*** and begin with "stat". The email notification depends on what app your using but is also found in res/drawable***. You can change them using metamorph.
Hope this helps.

So do you mean I should use a program like APK Manager, and open up the framework apk? What does metamorph have to do with it? Sorry, don't know anything about this.

Unzip the theme you're using, and navigate your way through the SystemUI folder.
If your theme doesn't come with custom icons, download a theme that does (I use Buuf as a base, because it effectively themes /everything/) and see what naming scheme you require for your custom icons.
Replace the icons in the theme you're using, in the correct folder, and rezip as an .mtz.
Not sure if it's the /best/ way to be doing things, but is working well enough for me. I'm finding it rather easy to create a whole custom theme by simply replacing elements from buuf, with my own, and removing those I want as default.
Edit: I too would like to know about carrier icons, however! haha.

Antennas said:
Unzip the theme you're using, and navigate your way through the SystemUI folder.
If your theme doesn't come with custom icons, download a theme that does (I use Buuf as a base, because it effectively themes /everything/) and see what naming scheme you require for your custom icons.
Replace the icons in the theme you're using, in the correct folder, and rezip as an .mtz.
Not sure if it's the /best/ way to be doing things, but is working well enough for me. I'm finding it rather easy to create a whole custom theme by simply replacing elements from buuf, with my own, and removing those I want as default.
Edit: I too would like to know about carrier icons, however! haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is how i was told to do it by another extremely helpful gentleman, the carrier icon i would like to know as well

Does anyone know what a sms notification is called? Can't find it in any of the themes for miui. The closest I find is "chat" and i'm assuming thats for google chat

Easiest thing to do is get your rom zip and unpack all the frameworks and apks in apps using 7zip.
Then do a search for "stat" you'll be presented with the icons that appear in your status bar, then you can highlight them to see what apk they came from and edit as you please.
You don't need to use apk tool/manager as your only doing simple edits.
Metamorph will only replace the images you want so you dont need to flash/push a full apk.
Theres threads how to use metamorph, I think one might be a sticky at the top of this section. Its childs play to use it.

jeffng09 said:
Does anyone know what a sms notification is called? Can't find it in any of the themes for miui. The closest I find is "chat" and i'm assuming thats for google chat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends what app your using for SMS.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

the way i have done it today was to take the theme file and open it with 7zip(i just opened the archive, i didnt extract it) and go to folder systemui>res>drawable hdpi>stat_notify_sms.png or whatever file you want to change, then i would delete the file that i wanted to change and add the renamed file that i wanted to the archive. it has to match the stat_notify_sms.png name, or whatever the image is that your changing, or it will not work. then i just put it into dropbox and dl'd it to my phone and installed it
the only downside for me was that i couldnt change that image to the little ribbon that i wanted to. other than that i was able to change the signal bars, the wifi bars, and the 3g bars, but the sms wouldnt change for me, neither would the gmail.

I'm using the stock sms from miui.

bodybombs said:
the way i have done it today was to take the theme file and open it with 7zip(i just opened the archive, i didnt extract it) and go to folder systemui>res>drawable hdpi>stat_notify_sms.png or whatever file you want to change, then i would delete the file that i wanted to change and add the renamed file that i wanted to the archive. it has to match the stat_notify_sms.png name, or whatever the image is that your changing, or it will not work. then i just put it into dropbox and dl'd it to my phone and installed it
the only downside for me was that i couldnt change that image to the little ribbon that i wanted to. other than that i was able to change the signal bars, the wifi bars, and the 3g bars, but the sms wouldnt change for me, neither would the gmail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Gmail notification you will have to put
stat_notify_email.png here
com.google.android.gm->res->drawable-hdpi
if these folders do not exists create them.
For changing SMS notification icon changing stat_notify_sms.png under
com.android.mms->res->drawable-hdpi
will change SMS notification icon
Hope this helps.

Ok, Just to be clear.
First, I find a pre-made theme, and change the .mtz to .zip so I can open it.
Then I find the icon i want to replace and change it with the exact name.
Then I compress it back to a .zip.
Then I rename the .zip into a .mtz.
Should that work?

jeffng09 said:
Ok, Just to be clear.
First, I find a pre-made theme, and change the .mtz to .zip so I can open it.
Then I find the icon i want to replace and change it with the exact name.
Then I compress it back to a .zip.
Then I rename the .zip into a .mtz.
Should that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no,
find theme
right click>7zip>open archive
find the icon you want to replace and change it with the exact name
i have to delete the icon im replacing from the archive before i put the new icon in its place first

smokin901 said:
For Gmail notification you will have to put
stat_notify_email.png here
com.google.android.gm->res->drawable-hdpi
if these folders do not exists create them.
For changing SMS notification icon changing stat_notify_sms.png under
com.android.mms->res->drawable-hdpi
will change SMS notification icon
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the gmail still didnt work for me

jeffng09 said:
I'm using the stock sms from miui.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your on stock odds are its in the framework, never ran miui so I'm not too sure.

Where can I find the battery icons at? I like in the systemui and framework-res folders and I can't find anything

bodybombs said:
the gmail still didnt work for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried "stat_notify_gmail.png" in the framework?

dully79 said:
Have you tried "stat_notify_gmail.png" in the framework?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i themed everything i could find relating to gmail lol

SubyWill said:
Where can I find the battery icons at? I like in the systemui and framework-res folders and I can't find anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
systemui>res>raw should be it

Make your Apps e-ink friendly

I've been playing around alot with my nook simple touch and one of my biggest issue is that there isn't a complete theme that i like... I've never been very good at making them apk.
You'll need to use astro or titanium backup to back the apps up so you can download them to your computer.
Then the simple solution to the problem if found... Use APK Edit to change the icon in the apk file. Now i realize that this is not permanent solution because when you update to a newer version of the app it will erase the new icon.
One positive this does have over using a theme is when you customize the quick menu that pops up when you press the N button your new icon will show up.
The app will also let you change the displayed name of the app. so if you have a long app name you can shorten it.
You can also open the APK file with a program like Winzip or 7z replace the any of the images and then re-sign the apk with App Manager.
I've used this app to replace all the image files with ones I've make b/w with photoshop so they are nice an crisp on the e-ink display.
once you replace all the files you want to change you place your Apk in the folder called place-apk-here-for-signing
run script.bat and enter option 16
give it a few seconds and its resigned..
Once you've made your changes just sideload your new apps and install.
Hope this helps others make there Nook Simple Touch more theirs.

Think you post is a bit misnamed.
You can change the name and icon of the app in nearly any launcher. Even hide the name. You can achieve your goal much quicker than tearing up the apk...

ace7196 said:
Think you post is a bit misnamed.
You can change the name and icon of the app in nearly any launcher. Even hide the name. You can achieve your goal much quicker than tearing up the apk...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not only the name and icon but you can also change any of the images that the app uses once your in it. You can change the background image to a white one or make the buttons a more contrasting black and white.
Plus if you add any app to the quickmenu it uses the default name and app icon regardless of what you have changed it to.Changing it in the laucnher only changes the in name of the app and the icon in the launcher and the quickmenu is complete separate and the launcher has influence on it.