Clicking the wiki just now gave me a 404 error and the sticky is a bit long and just a bit outdated in terms of the links.
What programs, apps, vids, etc do I need in order to make themes?
I have been flashing themes left and right and each have their goods and bads. The biggest bad is there doesn't seem to be a well done red theme which I would like to do. I have tried enamored but the notification icons kill it for me.
So again, are there any up to date tutorials on making themes? Thanks in advance for any help.
+1 to that
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
A quic and dirty how to
lovethyEVO said:
Clicking the wiki just now gave me a 404 error and the sticky is a bit long and just a bit outdated in terms of the links.
What programs, apps, vids, etc do I need in order to make themes?
I have been flashing themes left and right and each have their goods and bads. The biggest bad is there doesn't seem to be a well done red theme which I would like to do. I have tried enamored but the notification icons kill it for me.
So again, are there any up to date tutorials on making themes? Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shanesol said:
+1 to that
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
heres the How to
An apk is really just a zip file... apk stands for android package (if i remember correctly). So treat it like a standard zip file.
Youll need a pint program to make changes I use gimp its free so get it here
TIP: Your first theme should really just be a mixing and matching of other themes to get use to the process.
TIP: d/l and look at other themes and see what the have done, using the same process below you can port and mash themes. To see what is themed go to the res/drawable-xxx folders and sorte the png's in there to newest at the top and you'll see what they have changed.
TIP: system/app/xxx.apk are where most apps that are themed are contained in these apks you'll find a res folder and in there you have a bunch of folders. you really on need to look in the drawable-xxx ones mdpi, no-dpi, land and so forth. these pngs make up the apps look and feel changing them will theme the app.
You'll need apk manager this will allow you to sign zips which makes them flashable. get that here
Now get your favorite Rom and make a folder. In that folder make 2 folders one called packed the other called packed. Take your rom and unzip it in the unpacked folder. and then take the original zip and move it to the packed folder.
Next go into the unpacked folder and nav to system/framework.framework-res.apk (this holds the bulk of the android png that make up all the stuff most people change to make a theme) take this apk and unzip it in this folder and then make a copy of the apk and move the copy to the packed folder.
Now when you want to make a change to the framework-res.apk use the unpacked as a reference. us the packed as the change dir, you do this by opening but not unzipping the apk you want to change and just dragging the files you are replacing into the apk, this will replace them. You might want to make a a 3rd folder sorta of a master copy if you ever mess up the packed roms. Remember that in all three of the dirs created you want to keep the dir structure the way you extracted it from the rom and theme.
Now that you have an altered framework-res.apk you can just push it to system/framework folder (i think) and reboot and your changes are in. I never do this since flashable is easier to manage I make a flashable.
A flashable is like a rom but allot smaller, so d/l one of my themes and take the zip file and place in in a folder next to the packed and unpacked folder call it something like staging. now unzip apk manager into the top dir next to 4 other folders you just made.
Now my theme zip can be renamed to whatever you want, your going to use it as a place holder for signing flashable zips. go into the theme zip and delete ever thing in the system folder except the framework folder then go into the frame work folder and delete everything, if you have apps your theming just make the system/app.
Your flashable zip folder should only have a a meta-inf folder and a system folder, the system folder should only have a framework and or app folders. Now drag your altered framework-res.apk into the flashable zip system/framework folder you just cleaned out.
Ok now you have to sign it, copy that flashable zip to the place-apk-here-for-signing folder, this should have shown up when you unzipped apk manager into the folder the also contains unpacked and packed folders.
Now click on the script.bat and you'll see a bunch of option you can do option 16 to sign your zip. it takes a second or two and the date should get updated on the flashable.zip file in the place-apk-here-for-signing folder.
Now you have your new them ready to install. if your changing something else find the apk and replace framework-res.apk in these instruction and it works the same. note that most app reside in system/app so you next to take that into account.
Keep the questions reasonable and I'll answer then.
Thanks simmons. For the most part I have been doing the open apk without extracting and replacing png files. The one thing that I cant seem to get is changing the battery icon...it never sticks. Anyways, do the themes always have to be signed? I know amon 1.8 can flash unsigned zips but do the themes have to be signed always? I will be taking my laptop to work tonight to practice what you outlined. Thanks again.
EDIT: I noticed some themes have com.htc.resources.apk alongside framework res and some have services.jar. What are these for?
No they don't have to be signed but people will complain cause most people don't have the eng spl, it all so protects you from flashing bad stuff. If your only changing the standard 5 battery icons thus method always works.
The services.jar usually room specific and changes things like lock screen behavior mixes These with other roms will cause boot loops be careful.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Simmons thanks for answering so far.
My last question is to theme the entire phone is it basically the resources, framework, and services.jar files that need to be edited? I understand the apps would be themed themselves and then just included as part of the zip file right?
lovethyEVO said:
Simmons thanks for answering so far.
My last question is to theme the entire phone is it basically the resources, framework, and services.jar files that need to be edited? I understand the apps would be themed themselves and then just included as part of the zip file right?
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Click to collapse
well the service.jar is compiled and therefore can't necessarily be themed you can't hack it or mod it by decompling it or you can change it by compiling changes you made from source but for the sake of normal themes its not needed.
as for the resources I assume your referring to the resources.arsc which is basically a set of compiled xml files. In here it where you can change stuff like how many pngs are associated with the battery status icons (think of circle batter mod which has one icon per percentage instead of the 0 10 20 40 60 80 100 ? icons in the normal aosp rom) changing this can be done with the apk manage by decompiling the framework-res.zpk, making the change and compiling back. but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner.
The problem with the above is you take the chance of the theme not be cross-rom compatible. For you normal theme all you need to change are the pngs in the res folder of the framework-apk, however somethings like the launcher or the dialer still reside in the app folder and have there own apk.
Oh and I have no question limit.
ASimmons said:
well the service.jar is compiled and therefore can't necessarily be themed you can't hack it or mod it by decompling it or you can change it by compiling changes you made from source but for the sake of normal themes its not needed.
as for the resources I assume your referring to the resources.arsc which is basically a set of compiled xml files. In here it where you can change stuff like how many pngs are associated with the battery status icons (think of circle batter mod which has one icon per percentage instead of the 0 10 20 40 60 80 100 ? icons in the normal aosp rom) changing this can be done with the apk manage by decompiling the framework-res.zpk, making the change and compiling back. but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner.
The problem with the above is you take the chance of the theme not be cross-rom compatible. For you normal theme all you need to change are the pngs in the res folder of the framework-apk, however somethings like the launcher or the dialer still reside in the app folder and have there own apk.
Oh and I have no question limit.
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Click to collapse
Simmons, thank you very much. Every answer you give is clearing things up more and more for me. I have decompiled a frameworkres before when I was trying to get the circle batt mod onto the odex stock rom so I am not too unawares there. What I want to do is theme the colors on anything and everything along with making the transparent windows such as when you confirm actions and the transparent notification pull down. Are these really accomplished with simply changing the pngs or do I have to edit the xml files? If I must edit the xml files, are there key files to edit or would editing one xml affect another?
lovethyEVO said:
Simmons, thank you very much. Every answer you give is clearing things up more and more for me. I have decompiled a frameworkres before when I was trying to get the circle batt mod onto the odex stock rom so I am not too unawares there. What I want to do is theme the colors on anything and everything along with making the transparent windows such as when you confirm actions and the transparent notification pull down. Are these really accomplished with simply changing the pngs or do I have to edit the xml files? If I must edit the xml files, are there key files to edit or would editing one xml affect another?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The xml files really just hold names for the pngs. So for example the pngs for the battery have there names store in the xml (cant remember off hand which one of the decompiled xml from the resource.arsc.. strings??) file and then as the value value next to that filename for what percent to show that specific png at.
But 95% of your theming only involves changing the png files. So to have a clear notification back ground look in the framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi/status_bar_background.png or you want to change the button to unlock your phone framework-res.apk/res/ic_jog_dial_unlock.png or to change the status bar framework-res.apk/res/statusbar_background.9.png
TIP: if you see a png with 9 in the name like xxxx.9.png its basically a stretchable png where the side that you want stechable has a one pixel wide line running the length of the png as a border this tells android that the png should stretch that side until it fills the screen.
9 patch explanation
So aside from editing the xmls for the battery percent everything is just replacong pngs? Thats awesome.
When it comes to apps like the internet browser for example, where would I find the apk? I'm assuming theming the apps is just like themeing the phone in that I just replace the .pngs right? Again your answers are very much appreciated and definitely making things seem easier. Thanks.
Hiya all.
I'm a noob at this too and I want to change the icons of some of the apps installed on my phone and theme a couple of widgets that am using. I have two questions:
1) In the system/app folder of the phone almost all the apps have a xxx.apk and a xxx.odex file. In order to change the png files in the apk does something need to be done with the odex file too?
2) Can I change the png files in the apk files in data/app the way you described above?
Sorry if the questions are noobish
From my Galaxy S loonie-phone
lovethyEVO said:
So aside from editing the xmls for the battery percent everything is just replacong pngs? Thats awesome.
When it comes to apps like the internet browser for example, where would I find the apk? I'm assuming theming the apps is just like themeing the phone in that I just replace the .pngs right? Again your answers are very much appreciated and definitely making things seem easier. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To theme the browser you can alter the Browser.apk in the system/app and using the direction I posted it works the same way.
And if you make a theme pm me so I can check it out.
Fireloon said:
Hiya all.
I'm a noob at this too and I want to change the icons of some of the apps installed on my phone and theme a couple of widgets that am using. I have two questions:
1) In the system/app folder of the phone almost all the apps have a xxx.apk and a xxx.odex file. In order to change the png files in the apk does something need to be done with the odex file too?
2) Can I change the png files in the apk files in data/app the way you described above?
Sorry if the questions are noobish
From my Galaxy S loonie-phone
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Click to collapse
1. My theming expertise is more with AOSP roms but its my understanding that you should be able to theme a sense rom in the same way by de-odexing a rom. And yes any and all apps are themable if it has a png files in it you can unpack it alter the png's and put them back in the original apk, which overwrites the original png's and resign it and then flash or reinstall it.
2. Yes you can. any and all apks can be themed in the manner I described. for odexed roms search the forum for de-odexing techniques.
Thx for the answer. I'll search about deodexing
From my Galaxy S loonie-phone
Thanks for all the great tips I just got finished porting a theme thanks to all the help!
shanesol said:
Thanks for all the great tips I just got finished porting a theme thanks to all the help!
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Click to collapse
awesome pm some screenies or the op here I'd like to check it out.
ASimmons said:
awesome pm some screenies or the op here I'd like to check it out.
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Click to collapse
It's a simple black/white matte theme called Invertnito. It was made for Sapphire but I like CM too much to give it up lol
ASimmons said:
awesome pm some screenies or the op here I'd like to check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking to have some sort of base by this weekend. I have just been mix/matching pngs I like from other themes as well as trying to make my own pngs and figuring out the transparency/borders effect. Taking my time but still want to come out with something for critique.
shanesol said:
It's a simple black/white matte theme called Invertnito. It was made for Sapphire but I like CM too much to give it up lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice Job.
lovethyEVO said:
Looking to have some sort of base by this weekend. I have just been mix/matching pngs I like from other themes as well as trying to make my own pngs and figuring out the transparency/borders effect. Taking my time but still want to come out with something for critique.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm not much of a critiquer since most of the themeing stuff I've done doesn't go over so well around here (I dont like dark colors, black, dark blue blah blah) really its up to what you like, I made a couple of themes based on what I liked and left it at that. But I'll be glad to look at it and dont forget to make sure that if you use some elses stuff you give them there props in your ops and pm them a warning you going to use it, unless they specify different this is all you should need to do..
ASimmons said:
Nice Job.
Well I'm not much of a critiquer since most of the themeing stuff I've done doesn't go over so well around here (I dont like dark colors, black, dark blue blah blah) really its up to what you like, I made a couple of themes based on what I liked and left it at that. But I'll be glad to look at it and dont forget to make sure that if you use some elses stuff you give them there props in your ops and pm them a warning you going to use it, unless they specify different this is all you should need to do..
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Click to collapse
Definately making note of whose work I use. Though it's kind of hard because my favorite notification icons I have seen in two diff themes and neither one of them mention who was the artist for them. But still keeping at it. And like you I dont care about dark colors unless its used to contrast the main theme color. I'm working on a red theme and there will be some parts that will have a darkish background to help the red border colors and/or text pop more. In time though. Your first post here was definitely a great shove in the right direction.
how difficult is it to port a theme over? i really like Reefermattness's Darkness theme (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=813497) - but with as vivid as the colors on this phone are, i love the dena994 theme ANDRODeNa GaLaSSiA - (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=770507) - but its an i9000 theme.
i want to take the dialer, the semi-transparent notification background with the Galaxy S symbol, and maybe even the dark look in menus and such, from the Darkness theme, but the notification pull-down look and the icons from the ANDRODeNa GaLaSSiA theme, and combine the two. im using the Perception ROM, which is i9000-based, so i'd assume id be able to use elements of the ANDRODeNa theme.
how difficult would it be to do so, or an even better question, what would be the steps to do so? (if anyone wanted to take the time to do so, i wouldnt mind that at all either - and donate even).
Since your using an i9000 rom, you'd be able to just use the second theme as is, but the darkness theme would be complicated and I'm not entity sure how you'd do it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
DAGr8 said:
No I can try to explain better tho
1 grab the theme you want
2 extract the apk using 7zip
3 Keep only Res folder
4 using winsows's search search for ' XML 'and del them all
5 put Res folder in a folder called the same as the apk you extracted (without the extension)
6 grab any metamorph theme for sgs captivate and replace the folder you just made and using metamorph apply 'sub theme'
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Click to collapse
there you go .
If it's a metamorph theme - it should probably work.
But I would back up your framework-res.apk and wherever the dialer theme is pushed too before attempting it.
Worse case scenario is your phone will boot but will "boot-loop" when attempting to go to your home screen or go to a black screen.
You'd have to re-copy over the *.apk's affected and you would have your phone back.
Another way to do it is before flashing to your latest and greatest (or copying over the *.apk's) you could open up the APK files using WINRAR or your fav zip program and copy the *.png's into them overwriting the existing ones then flash or copy the modified APK files back into your system.
It's a pain... but it does work I've done it many times with positive results.
Hey,
can someone tell me how i get the white notificationbar like in the older versions (froyo, eclair...)
i can´t find any post on the internet about that and an old theme does´nt work work for me...
sorry for my english
IF you are using CM based roms, the option is inbuilt to change your status bar colours.
IF you want to do it in a stock rom, you need to replace the png file "statusbar_background.9.png" in the /res/drawable-hdpi folder in the Systemui.apk app. You will also need to make xml and smali edits to make your text black so that it shows up on the white statusbar.
Here's my blue themed systemUI.apk, framework_res.apk and swype.apk for Continuum v6.1.
UOT cooked framework and systemUI with some icons for the pull down menu and text changed in the systemUI and framework files too. Modded lock screens for the rotary, android, puzzle, R2D2, and Four Tab unlock screens. Animated Blue Battery version M, animated pull down drawer background, Android Bubbles boot animation, blue icons everywhere.
The wallpaper, home screen icons, etc. are not part of this. They are parts of GingerFire's Blue Icon Pack along with Launcher Pro Plus and Continuum wallpaper.
Install through the recovery menu.
Clear the dalvik cache.
Be sure you go to "mounts and storage" and mount system and data or you won't get any changes.
The boot animation file will not overwrite the stock one, you have to extract sanim.zip from system, media in the dl'ed zip then go to system, media and paste it in overwriting (unless you change the originals name) the original sanim.zip
This is a work in progress.
Don't change the name of the zip or it won't flash!
Screenshots:
Disclaimer
Flash at your own risk!
I am in no way responsible for damage to your phone, social standing, relationship or mental health!
Changelog:
First release
Known issues:
None
The file:
Taz's Blue
Credits:
Cezar of course for Continuum
DAGr8 for the original 4-tab designs
UOT Kitchen for making this even easier
shoman94 for his help even though he's always busy
nice work!!
what did u modify to get the animated notification pulldown? I would like to create my own. thanks
mpanary_fako said:
nice work!!
what did u modify to get the animated notification pulldown? I would like to create my own. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually an option when using UOT Kitchen to mod the framework_res file, there are quite a few animated notification backgrounds in the list.
This is just a test from my messing around with the theme files and trying to learn to theme. It is mostly miui v4 but with a black status bar and black fade launcher theme.The biggest change is a vertical battery from light coloured business version miui theme and I have made white coloured ICS icons from Galnet Miui theme and different desktop dots. It also uses a galaxy S style unlock screen and Ubuntu fonts.
Thanks for the help to bring theme format up to date.
http://www.mediafire.com/?tmi2zzv7ckyssxq
If any of it looks good, feel free to use it. I will try to find links to the original threads for the themes I have poached from so authors get their due.
I will likely keep playing with this so will try to keep this updated.
Mostly based off this thread so far:
http://forums.miui.us/showthread.ph...the-easy-way!-9-guide-now-up!!!-Questions-Ask!
Old format means you didn't take the .zip extension off the directory folders and you didn't change the whole themes extension to .mtz
Cheers, changed format to MTZ, but didnt realise folders inside needed to be zipped too.
*edit*ok, some previews work, naming is obviously important*, zipped internal folders and it all seems to have not applied, hmmmmm, try again.
OK, helps if you zip all the right files properly. All working now.
Make sure you zip the contents of the folders in your directory. Because when you zip the folder the compression app places it in it's own folder. Hence causing an extra folder.
Don't zip the preview folder though ok.
Don't you have any other miui themes you can dissect to see how it's formatef.
I've downloaded your theme but i haven't looked through it yet.
Thats what I ended up doing. Having a 3 week old baby is impacting my ability to think clearly! figured out the second time I had zipped them wrong and not zipped framework-res and one other folder by comparing to another theme. Latest link all works well now.
that looks great!!
Updated a couple of signal status icons that had the wrong shade of grey in the background.