Database Develop

[Q] Getting started on making themes.

Clicking the wiki just now gave me a 404 error and the sticky is a bit long and just a bit outdated in terms of the links.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Clicking the wiki just now gave me a 404 error and the sticky is a bit long and just a bit outdated in terms of the links.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
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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!
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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..
Click to expand...
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.

One Click Theme Injector (Updated 11/15) With HDPI to MDPI resizing!! RE-READ THE OP

READ THIS FIRST:
The original post is here alot of questions have been answered, here browse around there first.
UPDATE 9 PATCH TWEAKS:
This new version will port your favorite hdpi theme to an mdpi rom... yes 9 patch resizing. I want to be the first to say this is not 100% and it probably never will be, and over the next couple of days we can discuss this.
What it will do is resize every 9 patch in a rom and move it over to the mdpi theme. Yes this is the same method I used for all my hdpi ports.
What it might not get is the 9 patching data correctly, which means that it might get stretched incorrectly, most times you won't noticed but others it will be obvious. This will happen anywhere from 1% to 30% of the 9 patch pngs in a port, but all you will need to do is redraw them using the 9 patch draw tool in the adb folder.
My next version will have this included along with some instructions, along with font and boot animation porting.
Please respect other peoples work. If you port a theme using this and repost it don't just link back to the op... mention the author and give them props.
Also want to say I spent a looooong time trying to figure this out, and I tried many different ways, and I'm open to others suggestion on making this better
Oh and don't forget to to install Image Magick, its included and the HDPI to MDPI will not work without this.
This tool will take your favorite theme and inject it into your favorite rom... provided they are compatible with each other (might work if they aren't but thats for later). I did this cause alot of themers and people who like themes are always waiting for the nightly theme to get applied, well this will do it for you.
You can think of this as almost a theme installer.
INSTRUCTIONS by Norm12:
1. Download and extract.
1.5 Install image magick from the image magick folder... just run the installer and its ready to go. This is important the hdpi to mdpi will not work without it.
2. Copy both the theme and rom into the 1 click folder---the extracted one.
3. Open the 1-click folder and you should see your theme, rom, lib folder, and the injector script.
4. Doubleclick on the injector script----if you did everything correct it will open a cmd prompt
5. Enter the names of the rom and theme when asked...I did use the exact names and added ".zip" to the end.
5.5 Answer y if this is an hdpi to mdpi port otherwise n.
6. Hit enter and wait. When it is really done it will auto-close the cmd prompt. This may take 15 minutes.
7. Your newly themed rom will be in the same folder as the unthemed rom and theme zips. If it worked it should be slightly larger than the original rom. Enjoy
!!!IMPORTANT... BECAUSE 7ZIP SHOWS OUTPUT IGNORE THE "EVERYTHING IS OK" LET THE SCRIPT FINISH WHEN ITS DONE IT WILL CLOSE ITSELF IF YOU DOUBLE CLICKED IT OR IT WILL RETURN TO COMMAND PROMPT!!!
Ignore any errors your seeing while it runs, this is normal like before let it run completely through till it closes out.
Run time could be up too 20 minutes (60 with HDPI to MDPI) on a big theme/rom, but faster that waiting!
You must now install Image Magick if you would like to use the hdpi to mdpi resizing!
ISSUES:
There also seems to be an issue with the gallery3d.apk and the differences in the mdpi and hdpi version. For now remove this from the theme your porting otherwise it won't come out right.
Update 4:
HDPI to MDPI porting!!!!!
Update 3:
Removed verbose but added optopng verbose just let it run. It works but you have to let it finish, the cmd window will close it self.
Update 2:
Added verbose output so that you guys will know to close it out before its done...even tho 7zip says everything is ok... just let it do its thing.
Update 1:
Had the optimization stuff commented out... sorry its back on.
Script will clean up now after it finishes.
JAVA CLASSPATH:
Its needed for the signer to work properly goto a command prompt and type in java -version. if you get and error back java is not in your classpath and needs to be.
just right click on my computer, then goto properties, then click on the advanced tab, at the bottom click on the "Environment Variable" button.
Now click on the new button... the one on the bottom for system variable and put in this
variable name: JAVA_HOME
variable value: C:\<path-to-where-java-is>
Now click ok and select the path system variable and then click edit. IMPORTANT only append to the end of the value this... ;%JAVA_HOME%\bin
then click ok and ok out of all those windows and open a new command prompt and type java -version you should get no error if you do your path to java was wrong follow the steps above again and make sure the path is correct.
WHAT THIS WON'T DO:
It won't port over xml or smali edits.
It wont port over what it can't find... so if your theme has a facebook widget or something but the rom does not then it will ignore that.
It will not port over fonts or anything other than the framework-res.apk and all the themes apks in the system/app folder. If this is popular Maybe other stuff can get included.
WHAT THIS WILL DO:
Shrink a 9 patch from HDPI size to MDPI size.
Push over all the themes pngs from the apk with it to the roms matching apk.
Optimize every png in the theme you are porting over.
Zip align all the apks in your newly themed rom.
Sign the newly themed rom.
Give me feed back.
I might make this easier and make the injector steal the apks for injection right from your phone and then inject and make a flashable to put right back on... tell me what you think.
New HDPI to MDPI version with 9 patch porting download

reserved 10char..

Nice work
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

TheRedDrake said:
Nice work
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. hasn't caught on in this forum yet i guess.

I'll try this out now, this seems easier than the theme porter that's already on the forum.

Looks promising! I will try it out right now!

dl and try after work

will this work for porting themes to the HTC Tattoo?? does it rescale the theme to suite the phone?

vura said:
will this work for porting themes to the HTC Tattoo?? does it rescale the theme to suite the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will port any theme to any rom... provided they are compatible. So while you can go from a sense theme and inject it into a AOSP rom, it probably won't catch everything since it works off of matches. It also does not have any scaling included.
The biggest thing with this is that the theme and rom have to have a same file structure so all rom come and the have the system/app folder and the system/framework/framework-res.apk, this is what the injector looks for. So honestly you could build a theme from a buncha different apks from other themes it will inject that into your rom and give you back a flashable zip. So a good theme structure example would be Gommarah's Black Mod in the HERO CDMA forum.
I do however have a way to port HDPI theme to and MDPI ROM but its not 100%... if I get enough request I'll put it in its just the process I use to accomplish this is very complicated and requires some extra software, its also adds a significant overhead to the script run time (and 3x longer to run) It works in the since the it will shrink the HDPI 9patch png but the 9 patch data is wrong about 10-20% of the time. This won't cause the roms to force close but will just make some of the 9patch pngs to stretch wrong and would require a simple edit in the 9patch draw to fix it.

+1 for hdpi to mdpi scaling!

Any others want the hdpi to mdpi scaling? I've considered releasing it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Just curious if I did this right as I am still fairly new to this whole scene and this whole process seemed to work way to easy. But basically I got both the rom and theme converted and then signed both zips. Does that mean that I can now successfully flash the new theme? Thanks in advance!

theu2621 said:
Just curious if I did this right as I am still fairly new to this whole scene and this whole process seemed to work way to easy. But basically I got both the rom and theme converted and then signed both zips. Does that mean that I can now successfully flash the new theme? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no need to sign anything, the injector will sign the final output zip. Take your theme zip and your rom zip and place it in the folder next to the script. Then just run the script when its finished you will get a a new zip called themed-<roms-name>.zip.... this is ready to flash (optoed, align and signed).

ASimmons said:
Any others want the hdpi to mdpi scaling? I've considered releasing it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I vote multiple times?

Ill try and get it ready for this weekend and see what you think.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

First of all,great software worked as a charm...
I subscribe to the resizing,all the best themes are for HDPI...would make this the best theming tool out there for android

thanks that did it!

what if the rom needs has a seperate gapps.zip with it? thanks!

theu2621 said:
what if the rom needs has a seperate gapps.zip with it? thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just put the gapps system/app files into your ROM's system/app files. Then inject your theme, the tool does the rest

thanks again for the help! yall really helped, and rather quickly too!

[Q] Question for themers (or just anyone who'd know)

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'
Click to expand...
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.

[GUIDE] Want to learn how to theme?

I'm asked all the time how to theme; what's the best way, the best tools, etc. Well, I'm going to compile the best resources that I think will get you up and theming. It's a process, and you'll need to have time and devotion, but these tools and tips will help
A general guide (MOD Info: The document seems to have been removed and there is no possibility to recover it)
This is the best guide that I know of out there for theming; it is comprehensive, and if you use it, you should give a big thanks to the makers of it.
Apktool or apk manager
I find both of these to be great; I have apk manager (windows and linux) on my pc, and apktool (windows, mac, and linux) on my mac. APK manager will likely be best for beginners due to its simplistic and user friendly UI, and it offers some more features then apktool, like zipaligning, optimizing, etc. Both are fantastic, and absolutely a huge help for theming and decompiling apps.
The android SDK
It's always helpful to know how to use the SDK for adb, zipaligning, and other tasks. Remember, even if you have other tools like apk manager to zipalign, it's always good to know how to do it by hand And you'll need tools in it like draw9patch for those pesky .9pngs
Notepad++ or TextWrangler
You will use this all the time. Editing files like decompiled XMLs on this is a breeze
A nice website for Hex colors
You'll use this every time you do XML edits; you'll need these color codes to tell the XMLs what color you want to show up
Photoshop or Gimp or Paint.net
Want to go all out? Go photoshop. Want a great, free tool to theme with? Gimp is the way to go. Either way, you'll want to use one of these tools for png edits when theming. Paint.net is also another good free tool for edits.
Hex Fiend
For you mac users like me, Hex Fiend comes in handy if you ever need to edit binary (non readable or decompiled) XML.
Update Zip creator/modifier
Fabulous tool on windows to create and modify elements of updates zips
ADW Themes
Want to make an ADW theme? This is a great tool to get you started on that
Knowledge
You'll want some general knowledge with terminal or windows cmd prompt. Because you will use it. Also, you'll need to know what to edit in a theme to change aspects of color and such correctly. Well, this is a great tool to find out what you need to edit
I'll be adding to this guide as needed. Please, feel free to ask any questions, and I'll be here to answer them Hope this helps everyone!

In Depth Look: XMLs
For the first in depth look, I'm going to focus on XML edits, as they are a major component to having a complete and thorough theme. Image edits are easy enough, but many don't know where to go when it comes to XMLs. Well, here's where I'll tell you
What is an XML?
Here's is a nice read on XMLs and what they are.
What do XMLs have to do with Android?
XMLs can control many functions in android apps. For the scope of this thread, we'll be changing binary XML into a readable XML file to make our edits, which will usually result in color changes in apps.
How do I edit an XML?
Make sure you have apktool or apk manager correctly set up. They'll make XML edits a breeze. If you need help setting them up, wither ask me or see their manuals.
Take the apk you want to edit, and decompile it with one of those two tools. Make sure if it's dependent on Sense resources or TW ones that you have those set up. (Again, either ask me or see instructions for apktool and apk manager)
Once decompiled, open the XML you'll need/want to edit. See the link I have above under knowledge for finding out what XML you may need to edit
For Windows, use Notepad ++ to edit, and for Mac, use TextWrangler (just suggestions, others work as well)
Use the Hex Color code link I have listed above in the OP to find the suitable code for the color you'll want if you;re making a color change. Remember, the color codes will be 6 digits, but there'll be 2 digits in the XML before the color code. 00 is transparent, and FF is the "regular" color for lack of a better term.
When done with the XML changes, recompile the apk
Sign if needed, and install to see if the changes you've made are worth it

In Depth Look: Using Apktool or Apk Manager.
What are they?
Apktool and Apk Manager allow you to decompile, reengineer, and compile apks after making changes to files in the decompiled apk.
Why would I need them?
These tools allow you to edit XMLs, edit smali files, and change many other aspects of the apk that you wouldn't be able to do without decompiling the apk.
Setting up apktool on a mac
If you have a mac like me, remember that apk manager doesn't work on macs. So, you must use apktool, which is absolutely fine, as in my opinion apktool is better than apk manager. To set up apktool, you must have root mode enabled on your mac. To do that, simply follow these steps:
Open system preferences
Open accounts
Go to login options
Hit join next to network account server
Select open directory utility
Click the lock at the bottom of the window that pops up and enter an admin password
Then, go to the top bar on your mac, hit edit, and select enable root mode
Once you have root mode enabled, you're ready to set up apktool:
From the apktool website, download apktool1.3.2.tar.bz2 and apktool-install-macosx-2.2_r01-1.tar.bz2
Next, open terminal
su
tar -C /usr/local/bin -xvf <zipped file name>
tar -C /usr/local/bin -xvf <zipped file name> (for the second file)
Now to confirm it worked, type "apktool" no quotes
You should get a help menu for apktool
If so, you're good to go!
Now, once you have it set up, you're ready to go! After typing apktool, you'll see the help menu which'll give you the commands available for apktool, but I'll go over the basic ones here.
apktool d "apk path here" will decompile the apk
apktool b "decompiled apk path here" will build an apk from a previously decompiled one
apktool if "framework-res.apk path here" will install a framework res or any app really to allow you to work with dependent apps. For example, if you want to modify an HTC sense apk, you'll need to install the htc.resources.apk first through this method before decompiling the sense apk.
What if I have windows?
The steps will be very similar. See the apktool website I have listed above for a bit more info, but as I said, it's not too far off minus the having to get root access part.
This seems to complex, and I hate using commands! I wish there were another way....
Oh, but there is! *ends cheesy infomercial voice* Apk manager will give you a simplified setup, and all of the same features plus more; all you need is windows or linux.
Great! How do I get that?
Download Apk Manager
Extract the zip
Open up the enclosed script
The rest is pretty self explanatory
Now, even will apk manager, you'll need to make sure you know how to set frameworks up and such, but it makes it much easier with its convenient scripts. If you have any questions, ask them here and I'll certainly do my best to answer them
Helpful Hint!
Remember, once you have an apk decompiled with apktool or apk manager, you have the best chance to correctly edit .9pngs!
If you open the .9png in the decompiled app and edit it with gimp or photoshop while leaving the pre-drawn boarder there, you'll be able to recompile the apk with a properly edited and themed .9png
Advanced Decompiling
Sometimes, you have that pesky app that just won't decompile correctly. Usually, it's an app related to others, like a proprietary system app based off framework-res.apks.
When this happens, you need to ensure that the frameworks are there to have the app's recourse tables properly compile.
For either apktool or apk manager, find a folder on your computer called "apktool."
The should be a folder in here called "framework," and inside that, a 1.apk.
For an app that is dependent on the framework-res.apk in a specific phone/rom, take the framework-res.apk for that rom and rename it 1.apk.
Replace the default one in the folder with yours.
If there's a second one, like the twframework-res.apk for Samsung phones, rename it 2.apk and place it in the "framework" folder.
Now, decompile like normal, and everything should be good

Editing Smali​
Right here, thanks to Yorzua

Cool, so what about theming market apps. I mean like changing the icon. I know how to change them individually but what about changing them in bulk. Where would one put them inside of an update.zip?
Sent from sweet G2

smoochiezz24 said:
Cool, so what about theming market apps. I mean like changing the icon. I know how to change them individually but what about changing them in bulk. Where would one put them inside of an update.zip?
Sent from sweet G2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing them in bulk would require you to theme each icon you'd like, and then you could do one of a couple things:
Make them your custom icon with ADW or LP (easiest way)
Install them over the apps you have on your phone to get your custom themed app
Make a flashable zip to add the apps to system/app, resulting in a themed set of apps, now in system/app
I should probably add a bit to the guide on making zips, yes?

Added update zip tool to the guide

Section 6. ZipThemer: an alternative theme installer with MetaMorph compatibility and advanced features.
Ken

kellinwood said:
Section 6. ZipThemer: an alternative theme installer with MetaMorph compatibility and advanced features.
Ken
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or that'd work too from a phone I'm targeting computer usage, but that's a nice app, well done

Thanks for this resource! *tagged*
-----
Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Froyo-on-Hero action here!

user7618 said:
Thanks for this resource! *tagged*
-----
Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Froyo-on-Hero action here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! I'll be adding to it as well, and I'll go more in depth to version elements in my reserved posts
Sent from a truly Epic phone!

theimpaler747 said:
No problem! I'll be adding to it as well, and I'll go more in depth to version elements in my reserved posts
Sent from a truly Epic phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good, because I'll probably be getting a new laptop soon, so I will need to download all of this stuff again.
-----
Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Froyo-on-Hero action here!

user7618 said:
Good, because I'll probably be getting a new laptop soon, so I will need to download all of this stuff again.
-----
Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Froyo-on-Hero action here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yeah, that'll be a pain... good thing I have all the links in one place now!

theimpaler747 said:
Ah yeah, that'll be a pain... good thing I have all the links in one place now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed.
-----
Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Froyo-on-Hero action here!

Thank you for this. This is just what I was looking for
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

Dxblade said:
Thank you for this. This is just what I was looking for
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! Glad you liked it, and check back, as I'll be adding more and going more in depth with XML edits and such

I'm sure many people will find this extremely useful. There are a lot of resources out there, but finding them can be difficult.
Apart from system-level theme creation, there's a great guide to creating ADW.Launcher themes here. I would know - I created the icon naming video haha.

Vazguard said:
I'm sure many people will find this extremely useful. There are a lot of resources out there, but finding them can be difficult.
Apart from system-level theme creation, there's a great guide to creating ADW.Launcher themes here. I would know - I created the icon naming video haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very nice! I'll add that to the OP for you

Awesome! Hopefully this will inspire more people into creating the themes of their own!

Vazguard said:
Awesome! Hopefully this will inspire more people into creating the themes of their own!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed! I'm looking at publishing ADW themes of my own

[GUIDE] [TUTORIAL] How to Modify Theme Engine APKs (Windows only) [CM10.x Themes]

HOW TO MODIFY THEME CHOOSER APKs (Windows only)
this thread was created to help my HUEsers modify my theme.apk, (may be applicable to other themes as well)
to get familiar and exposed on the contents of it and basic filenames / codes inside the apk,
because some users are not fully satisfied with my releases
some want additional stuffs added, some want to change some parts/areas, some want to remove specific apk being themed,
as much i want to help and provide modified themes for you, i may be busy most of the time,
and i can't even grant all your requests
so i decided to start the thread to help you guys, guide on how to mod it,
and who knows, one of these days
you will become one of the Recognized Themer of XDA,
enjoy and i hope you found this useful
WARNING!!!:
use this guide for your own use only, if you wish to release in public and start a new thread,
PLEASE ASK PERMISSION TO THE DEVELOPER and GIVE PROPER CREDITS AND LINKS
and DON'T modify and release their paid/donate version themes, RESPECT PLEASE!!!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED?
Java Platform (JDK)
Android SDK (included in ADT Bundle)
Notepad++
APK multitool - thanks @raziel23x
modified aapt.exe - thanks @titanic_fanatic
SETTING UP...
1. now that you have downloaded all the tools above, install jdk, sdk, and apk multitool one by one,
(instructions must be on their individual websites) you may want to install them all in the root of your drive C:
2. once you are done installing apk multitool, grab the aapt.exe you downloaded in the link above
(please thanked @titanic_fanatic on his post and work - this is a modified aapt.exe that lets you compile upper case package names)
and put/replaced existing aapt.exe in APK-Multi-Tool/other
LET"S DO IT!
decompiling theme (Hue.apk for ex)
1. put Hue.apk in APK-Multi-Tool/place-apk-here-for-modding
2. double click Script.bat in APK-Multi-Tool
3. press any key
4. press 9 (Decompile apk)
5. go to APK-Multi-Tool/projects and you will find a folder named Hue.apk
6. that's it, you have just successfully decompiled my theme and time to do the edits
7. don't close script.bat
modifying apk
1. this is the time you will do your modifications (changing/adding/deleting images and codes)
2. i will discussed most important parts of apk in post #2 to keep this instruction short and clean
3. don't close script.bat
compiling / signing / installing
1. on your phone, go to settings > developer options > and check usb debugging
2. connect your phone on your pc / laptop
3. now in Script.bat opened, select 15 (this will compile, sign and install your modified theme all at once at your phone)
4. that's it, check your phone using your modified theme
5. congratulations!
6. btw your modified apk is located in APK-Multi-Tool/place-apk-here-for-modding as signed_Hue.apk (you can rename it)
MY THEMES
Hue
Asul
SimpleSoft
HeKi [Hello Kitty]
CREDITS / THANKS
Learned from their threads:
anthonycr
nhnt11
ebs512

BASICS INSIDE THE APK
3 basic file types/extensions we will be dealing with most of the time
1. .xml - color codes, image redirections, are inside this file (use Notepadd++ to open such files)
2. .png - these are the images/icons we usually see on most part of the phone ui (open using photoshop/gimp and dont edit using paint or you will lose its transparency background)
3. .9.png - stretchable pngs that expand or shrink depending on the usage (these images has a black pixel boarder that needs to be preserved, or else you will be having error in compiling)
color codes (hex codes)
quick overview of color hexcodes (range - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F)
#FF000000 as an example (represents black while white is #FFFFFFFF)
FF or the first two letters of the code represents its transparency 00 means full transparent while FF is opaque (im using 88 or 80 for semi transparent)
next 6 digits are the RGB color code, look at this way #FFRRGGBB
if you want solid red, use #FFFF0000, solid green #FF00FF00, solid blue #FF0000FF
just play with the color codes (im sure you have just played with it in most of the rom options)
decompiled apk
once you decompiled apk, you will noticed a folder named res (this is our main concern, we will be working with this folder all the time)
inside the res folder...
there are lots of drawable-** folder that contains all of our images (.png and .9.png),
most of the icons are located in drawable-xhdpi and drawable-hdpi,
you can also find values folder containing some xmls such as
styles.xml - this xml is where i usually make my inverts of ui (from holo.light to holo for example)
drawables.xml - some color codes were redirected here
colors.xml - some of the hex codes inside styles.xml were redirected here, most color codes inside drawable folder and color folder are also redirected here, so i can only have one place of editing when converting color codes on my color versions of themes
next is the xml folder
xmls inside this folder controls the apps being themed, you can find package names of the apps as the xmls filenames
if you will noticed, there are some xmls here having upper cases, that's why we need the modified aapt.exe (again thanks titanic_fanatic)
last is the mipmap-** folder
this folder contains all the themed launcher icons, i already redirected all my themed app's launcher icons here
file names
how do i named the images? let's put an example
go to res/xml and look for com_android_calculator2.xml
now this is the xml that controls my themed calculator, if you open up the xml via Notepad++ you will notice the original png file names being replaced by my own themed png through a line code
this line for example (this is the delete icon in calculator)
Code:
<item name="drawable/calc_clear_symbol">@drawable/calculator_calc_clear_symbol</item>
the stock/original png which is calc_clear_symbol.png under drawable-xhdpi folder
Code:
<item name="[B][COLOR="Red"]drawable/calc_clear_symbol[/COLOR][/B]">@drawable/calculator_calc_clear_symbol</item>
is now being replaced by my themed icon calculator_calc_clear_symbol.png under drawable-xhdpi folder
Code:
<item name="drawable/calc_clear_symbol">@[B][COLOR="Red"]drawable/calculator_calc_clear_symbol[/COLOR][/B]</item>
i just put a prefix calculator_ so i can easily locate where they are when modifying
**most of the themes out there uses the app's package name as their prefix
for example...
in my theme i use
Code:
<item name="drawable/calc_clear_symbol">@drawable/[B][COLOR="Red"]calculator_[/COLOR][/B]calc_clear_symbol</item>
but others and most of them use
Code:
<item name="drawable/calc_clear_symbol">@drawable/[B][COLOR="Red"]com_android_calculator2_[/COLOR][/B]calc_clear_symbol</item>
i just make it simple the way i can easily search them in my drawables folder

IT'S MODDING TIME!
i will show you some examples and what file to edit with these mods
again file names of images may vary depending on theme,
but package name under res/xml are standard on all theme
before you begin modifying, delete Public.xml in res/values folder
remove themed launcher icons
delete these two folders
res/mipmap-hdpi
res/mipmap-xhdpi
remove themed specific apps
for example you don't want my themed keyboard and prefer stock aosp keyboard look
delete the xml of the apps you want to be removed, in our example keyboard which is
com_android_inputmethod_latin.xml in res/xml folder
change background of system and dialer
prepare your custom background (make sure you have the right size as per your screen resolution)
hdpi - 480x800
xhdpi - 640x960
and name it as
contacts_background_dial_holo_dark.png and framework_background_holo_dark.png
and replaced existing backgrounds in res/drawable-nodpi
change notification background
the image for that is system_notification_panel_bg.9.png located in res/drawable-xhdpi
note that this is a .9.png, be careful in editing and preserve the black 1px boarder of it
however you can bypass the image if you want to make it the stock look or pure black look
open com_android_systemui.xml in res/xml
look for the line
Code:
<item name="drawable/notification_panel_bg">@drawable/system_notification_panel_bg</item>
you can see that it was redirected to my themed image system_notification_panel_bg.9.png
if you prefer the stock background look, just delete that entire line
if you want it to be pure black, remove the redirection to the custom image and this time redirect it to hex code instead
Code:
<item name="drawable/notification_panel_bg">#FF000000</item>
change (non connected to google server) signal back to grey
download HueSilver.apk, rightclick and open archive using 7zip
go to res/drawable-xhdpi (for phone ui only, for tablet ui, go to res/drawable-sw720dp-xhdpi)
drag these icons outside the apk and replaced it on the apk you were modifying
(dragging existing images from the apk is only applicable to .png and not to .9.png)
system_stat_sys_data_connected_1x.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_3g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_4g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_e.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_h.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_hp.png
system_stat_sys_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_signal_4.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_4.png
i will update this post on my free time and depending on users concern
just ask here and i will see if i can answer all areas, sometimes i can't remember what file/png i've changed

---

Looks good
Keep up the good work
Edit: Added to the RootBox Jelly Bean Mods thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1806577

Very nice, thank you
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

Bookmarked for the weekend! Thanks, kroz!

thanks guys, i hope you'll learn something in this thread

thanks a lot for your guide. it will help us A LOT.
but i tried to decompile "hue_2.8.apk" twice, but it showed error.
i decompile some other apps' apk files and it's ok.

yaibakt said:
thanks a lot for your guide. it will help us A LOT.
but i tried to decompile "hue_2.8.apk" twice, but it showed error.
i decompile some other apps' apk files and it's ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what error?
can you try to rename first Hue_2.8.apk to Hue.apk and decompile again

kroz said:
what error?
can you try to rename first Hue_2.8.apk to Hue.apk and decompile again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the 2nd time i tried, i renamed it to Hue.apk already.
ive been using this software to mod some other apps before. but this is error on mine:

yaibakt said:
the 2nd time i tried, i renamed it to Hue.apk already.
ive been using this software to mod some other apps before. but this is error on mine:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try to update your framework-res.apk in /other folder
replaced it with your rom's framework-res.apk (android 4.2.2)

Salamat.
How about the clock? If I want to make it the default one. Thanks

JeraldPenus said:
Salamat.
How about the clock? If I want to make it the default one. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which clock?

kroz said:
try to update your framework-res.apk in /other folder
replaced it with your rom's framework-res.apk (android 4.2.2)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still no luck. i get framework-res.apk from my phone at folder /system/framework/ and copy to the other/ folder of apk multi tool, and try to decompile again, but still error.

Just changed background for dialer and settings:laugh:
Wow. I knew before its a lot of work what you do... but its huge work(after I saw how many .png`s there)!!!:good:
Thanks for lesson Mark

yaibakt said:
still no luck. i get framework-res.apk from my phone at folder /system/framework/ and copy to the other/ folder of apk multi tool, and try to decompile again, but still error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm, maybe you can try to check this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1310151
i am not expert on the tool itself, maybe the developer could give some suggestions
rtimoff said:
Just changed background for dialer and settings:laugh:
Wow. I knew before its a lot of work what you do... but its huge work(after I saw how many .png`s there)!!!:good:
Thanks for lesson Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are lots of images, and i already deleted thousands of repeated images and just redirect those
to make the file smaller,
5 months in existence

kroz said:
there are lots of images, and i already deleted thousands of repeated images and just redirect those
to make the file smaller,
5 months in existence
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, titanic work

Mercado_Negro said:
@kroz
I just noticed that the signal bars are always blue (using HueLite2.8), which is weird because I've been using your theme for a couple of versions and this is the first time I notice this. You can read my specs on my signature below.
I follow the color change from grey to blue and viceversa to check if there's Internet on my phone.
Could you please tell me if I can edit this using your guide and what should I change if that's the case? It would be great if it followed the color conventions in the official version, though.
Thanks in advance, sir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download HueSilver.apk, rightclick and open archive using 7zip
go to res/drawable-xhdpi (for phone ui only, for tablet ui, go to res/drawable-sw720dp-xhdpi)
drag these icons outside the apk and replaced it on the apk you were modifying
(dragging existing images from the apk is only applicable to .png and not to .9.png)
system_stat_sys_data_connected_1x.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_3g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_4g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_e.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_h.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_hp.png
system_stat_sys_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_signal_4.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_4.png

kroz said:
download HueSilver.apk, rightclick and open archive using 7zip
go to res/drawable-xhdpi (for phone ui only, for tablet ui, go to res/drawable-sw720dp-xhdpi)
drag these icons outside the apk and replaced it on the apk you were modifying
(dragging existing images from the apk is only applicable to .png and not to .9.png)
system_stat_sys_data_connected_1x.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_3g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_4g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_e.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_h.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_hp.png
system_stat_sys_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_signal_4.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_4.png
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grrr... I'm limited to 8 thanks per day.... Thanks a ton, kroz! You're da man!