Database Develop

Help combining framework apks

What I am trying to do (on DC v1.1b5) is combine 3 (or more) signed zips (espresso, clear notification bar, and a taskbar) into an unzipped rom so I can sign it later and flash the whole rom with my changes. (NO I'M NOT GOING TO POST IT AND SAY ITS MY ROM lol)
All of these modifications each change framework-res.apk and com.htc.resources.apk in their own way.
Would I have to figure out every single change to each individual apk and merge them into one file? Or is there another way?
I am not only doing this for my phone, but I am doing this to learn.
Any help would be appreciated

Yes, since there's really no way to tell which files were edited in each theme, you have to go through and find it.
Honestly, the easiest way to do this that I've found is to unzip the archive and scroll through the folders with thumbnails enabled so you can quickly see what they all look like.
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
EDIT: I would also recommend creating a MetaMorph theme when you get all the files you need. (I'm not sure if it works on 2.1/Sense ROMs, I'm about to use it and find out though) that way you can apply the themes while your phone is on, you can easily transfer it between ROMs, and you only need to use the files that you've changed, instead of the entire .apk. For instructions on creating a MetaMorph theme: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329

on windows 7 you can make one folder called NEWframeworkapk paste all the original file to it, then copy and paste all the files from the others. it will say "do you wish to move and replace "jpg" say yes for all and then you have the changed files.
haha thats what i do? prolly some super easy way though.

Gregalous said:
Yes, since there's really no way to tell which files were edited in each theme, you have to go through and find it.
Honestly, the easiest way to do this that I've found is to unzip the archive and scroll through the folders with thumbnails enabled so you can quickly see what they all look like.
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
EDIT: I would also recommend creating a MetaMorph theme when you get all the files you need. (I'm not sure if it works on 2.1/Sense ROMs, I'm about to use it and find out though) that way you can apply the themes while your phone is on, you can easily transfer it between ROMs, and you only need to use the files that you've changed, instead of the entire .apk. For instructions on creating a MetaMorph theme: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avalaunchmods said:
on windows 7 you can make one folder called NEWframeworkapk paste all the original file to it, then copy and paste all the files from the others. it will say "do you wish to move and replace "jpg" say yes for all and then you have the changed files.
haha thats what i do? prolly some super easy way though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you both for the input.
now to go find EVERY change they all make lol
if anyone has an easier way, PLEASE don't hesitate to post lol

regaw_leinad said:
thank you both for the input.
now to go find EVERY change they all make lol
if anyone has an easier way, PLEASE don't hesitate to post lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gregalous said:
I know that the statusbar .pngs are in framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi and they all start with statusbar_* or status_bar*.
The .pngs for the Rosie are found in com.htc.resources.apk/res/drawable-port-mdpi/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a headstart

Gregalous said:
Here's a headstart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

I actually prefer MetaMorph over doing a zip file because all you need are the files that have been changed. However, in 2.1 a lot of files are scattered around or in different places and once the Sprint update comes through who knows where everything will be. Once I finally figured out how to set up the folders the rest I have done became easy...and no need to turn off your phone.
Edit: You can also combine more than one folder at a time
HTC HERO
DamageControl V1

&RoidRage said:
I actually prefer MetaMorph over doing a zip file because all you need are the files that have been changed. However, in 2.1 a lot of files are scattered around or in different places and once the Sprint update comes through who knows where everything will be. Once I finally figured out how to set up the folders the rest I have done became easy...and no need to turn off your phone.
Edit: You can also combine more than one folder at a time
HTC HERO
DamageControl V1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, MetaMorph is pretty cool.
but my problem was actually FINDING the changes in already made zips lol
but I think I got it, well most of the changes (hopefully all)

[Q] rom porting question

Alright....I've tried searching and searching but I can't find exactly what I need. I'm wanting to try to port blue echo to cm6.1. Now I'm still a little new at this but I've learned how to smali and baksmali, use flashboot, sdk, sign zips, create flashable zips, zip align, optimize, pretty much all the ends and outs of the basic. I've only been at this 4 months but I love android and want to learn to become a dev. Now I'm trying to learn how to theme roms. There are a million guides that I've found but now will tell me how to do this . Could someone point in the right direction to a thread explaining how to port a sense theme to cm6.1. Ive tried replacing the images in the drawables folders from framework-res . Repackaged zip aligned optimized signed and flashed. Nothing took. So I opened the zip all the images had copied over in the cm6 rom zip. So I wiped and flashed the modded zip it still reverts to the original framework of cm6. I don't understand how that is. I need a way to just copy the colors and images. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong or know of a how to with just the steps .I already have all the programs on my pc.

shawn328 said:
Alright....I've tried searching and searching but I can't find exactly what I need. I'm wanting to try to port blue echo to cm6.1. Now I'm still a little new at this but I've learned how to smali and baksmali, use flashboot, sdk, sign zips, create flashable zips, zip align, optimize, pretty much all the ends and outs of the basic. I've only been at this 4 months but I love android and want to learn to become a dev. Now I'm trying to learn how to theme roms. There are a million guides that I've found but now will tell me how to do this . Could someone point in the right direction to a thread explaining how to port a sense theme to cm6.1. Ive tried replacing the images in the drawables folders from framework-res . Repackaged zip aligned optimized signed and flashed. Nothing took. So I opened the zip all the images had copied over in the cm6 rom zip. So I wiped and flashed the modded zip it still reverts to the original framework of cm6. I don't understand how that is. I need a way to just copy the colors and images. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong or know of a how to with just the steps .I already have all the programs on my pc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simplest way, if you just want the icons, pics and notification bar things is to use 7zip for PC. Don't extract the theme, just open it. Navigate to the framework-res.apk file of the new ROM you want the theme to work on, open but don't extract, copy all the .png files from the theme into the ROM or new theme you are making. It will ask you to replace, obviously you say "yes" When you are done, just close it all back up, no recompressing or signing needed because you didn't extract anything. Just put it on your SD card and it will flash.
Let me know if you need more help. This by and large the simplest method for making minor edits to a theme.

Download the CyanogenSense theme by mrinehart93 found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=723224
It's a working Sense-looking theme on CM6. Download it, unzip it on your PC, pick it apart, etc. to see how he changed and compiled it to make it work. Hopefully that will help you figure out how to do what you want to do. Good luck.

chromiumleaf said:
Download the CyanogenSense theme by mrinehart93 found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=723224
It's a working Sense-looking theme on CM6. Download it, unzip it on your PC, pick it apart, etc. to see how he changed and compiled it to make it work. Hopefully that will help you figure out how to do what you want to do. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Good idea!

ranger61878 said:
Simplest way, if you just want the icons, pics and notification bar things is to use 7zip for PC. Don't extract the theme, just open it. Navigate to the framework-res.apk file of the new ROM you want the theme to work on, open but don't extract, copy all the .png files from the theme into the ROM or new theme you are making. It will ask you to replace, obviously you say "yes" When you are done, just close it all back up, no recompressing or signing needed because you didn't extract anything. Just put it on your SD card and it will flash.
Let me know if you need more help. This by and large the simplest method for making minor edits to a theme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this but had to flash clockword because i was using ra, it wasn't verifying the update. So i turned off signature verification. But I'm using firerat mtd and forgot that i have to repatch the clockword for this so I did'nt really get to see if it worked yet. But thanks all of you responding I appreciate it. Ill let you know if these methods work.

I fixed the prob. Did everything suggested by copying the png's between the zips without extracting them. Even doubled checked all the png's everything looked like it was a go . But I only got 3 of my new icons. Everything else was still stock cm6 even the notification bar was stock. Do I got to do more than just transfer the png's cause it seems like maybe the xml's are reverting them back to stock?

[Q] Confused former Windows Phone 6.5 user/themer

Hi Guys,
I'm coming from Windows Mobile 6.5 where theming was a bit different:
When I started with 6.5 I used to think the only way to change the look of my phone interface was to flash a custom rom, but then I realized I could theme individual components (6.5 theme, Taskbar, Icons, Start Menu, ect) and it turned out to be pretty easy.
With Android I'm begining to think the opposite exists, is it basically true that in order for me to change the colors of the taskbar, or menus, taskbar icons - I have to use a custom rom?
I have been reading over these threads for the past three days and I have learned a lot, but I'm still confused...
I used to do M2D themes and change the xml and such, but when I read the Android theming guides ALL of it seems foreign to me...does't seem like I can just swap out pngs for pngs I made in Photoshop Am I making this seem more difficult than it is?
Are there individual themes for my taskbar, dialer, ect (not roms)? And if so can a former Windows Phone user explain them in comparison to installing a cab?
I know I have a ton of questions so any help at all would be appreciated
Thanks
MEGA MAN

There are MANY apps out there that will allow you to make these changes. Do some searches on the market and you'll find them. Do some research into rooting your phone (at your own risk) which will allow even more options.

You do not have to use a custom ROM to theme your phone, but it makes it a lot easier overall. AFAIK, you still have to have your phone rooted to theme more than icons.
To theme images, it really is just swapping out your images for the images already there as long as they contain the same dimensions, format (pretty much always .png), and name.
The .xml files are easiest to edit if you have decompiled the apk with a tool call apktool, because then they are in readable format.
Apktool is also really great for getting .9.png's in decompiled format with the stock guidelines intact.
You can theme various different components with an app called Metamorph or Ninjamorph, otherwise, you're going to have all your different parts together.
I've been theming android for getting close to two years now, so if you would like more help, you can PM/email (david1667jones gmail) me for more specific answers.

megaman - ain't it a trip coming from WM to android? yeah...WM seems such a simpler way. especially CHT2...that is really the best modding system ever.
been experimenting for the past 2-3 weeks and have been successful. (even have a usable CM7 theme that i may post...)
so let's hash this out. maybe teach eacho other a thing or two. if i am being too basic, let me know.
apk - like a cab. tricky thing is that (i believe) if you edit an apk, you replace the entire apk. unlike a cab where you can replace 1 single file. there are theme programs (metamorph - haven't used it, ADW and others that allow replacement with a single file...but they take a little work. nothing easy like cabs for WM.)
to begin you need 7zip (or winrar i hear works.) this will allow you to open apks, replace files and restore them in seconds:
http://www.7-zip.org/
i assume your rom is rooted (i really don't understand the term, but it allows freedom to mod your phone. i am using an HD2 - WM phone - running nand android so by default my phone is rooted.)
let's explore - take any apk and open it with 7zip. you will see 3 files (this is off of memory as i am at work right now.) open them and look around. ((want to find your installed apks and back them up? search market for Astro. (settings> backup and save your apks to your sd card)))
under res you will see drawable folders - this is the jackpot. in there you will see your images. there is a lot of redundancy in apks. the trick is finding the right image. try changing some, etc. this is the most basic of theming.
before moving on to xmls, etc (which there are quite good guides for this) just try the above. when you replace the files move up the folder hierarchy and it will ask you something about saving/restoring - cilck yes. the apk is now modded.
install the apk and see the changes.
however, if you are editing the core apks - system and framework-res, we will need to talk about how to do that (i use clockworkmod flashing...easy to do.)
let me know if this helps.

Thank you guys so much for your knowledge!
I do have my phone rooted and I have bootloader installed
The one reason I thought that I had to download a "ROM" is because I keep reading about having to be deodexed in order to modify...and I was underthe impression that most custom roms provide this deodexing?
on to APK's...I do have 7Zip and I have opened some up and found where the graphics are...now I am actually extracting the apk so I can manually go through each folder and see whats there including graphics...there does seem to be another way of opening the APK with 7Zip and not actually extracting it, but I don't thing I can actually see the image previews this way. >>>so I extract, change my desired images, re-zip and change the file extention back to .apk - BUT then I read about signing APK's? ...and signing zips?
After some researching I found a thread in which someone posted something like they make a copy of there current ROM "theme?" and then copy it in zip form on to their PC where they goe through all of the desired APKs and then Zip it back together and install it from the screen that you get to after holding the power button and home (recovery screen maybe?) <<< Anyway is this possible? This seem most like what we did in windows phone...but again I think where I'm getting caught up is the signing aspect...I've seen auto signers, but I feel like the ones I've seen were only for XP and I have Windows 7.
Woo... ok wrote a lot there - if you have anytime to elaborate on anything, I'd be happy to hear.
...and jsmccabe - that HD2 is one awesome device...I remember everybody asking if Windows 7 would everbe available and now you guys are dual booting with WP7 and Android - AWESOME!!! (if I didnt have Verizon

megaman...sorry it took a bit. "real life" and all that...
megaman 2 said:
The one reason I thought that I had to download a "ROM" is because I keep reading about having to be deodexed in order to modify...and I was underthe impression that most custom roms provide this deodexing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- not sure what deodexed means. is your rom cm7? if so, tmobile themes is an "easy" way to make a theme.
- are you theming to share or for yourself? if the latter just replace the the files in your rom and flashe the rom. if the former, what type of rom?
megaman 2 said:
on to APK's...I do have 7Zip and I have opened some up and found where the graphics are...now I am actually extracting the apk so I can manually go through each folder and see whats there including graphics...there does seem to be another way of opening the APK with 7Zip and not actually extracting it, but I don't thing I can actually see the image previews this way. >>>so I extract, change my desired images, re-zip and change the file extention back to .apk - BUT then I read about signing APK's? ...and signing zips?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- you can extract to make life easier. but when you are ready to make the changes just drag the new icons into the original apk. it will update it for you and you can install it and done.
megaman 2 said:
After some researching I found a thread in which someone posted something like they make a copy of there current ROM "theme?" and then copy it in zip form on to their PC where they goe through all of the desired APKs and then Zip it back together and install it from the screen that you get to after holding the power button and home (recovery screen maybe?) <<< Anyway is this possible? This seem most like what we did in windows phone...but again I think where I'm getting caught up is the signing aspect...I've seen auto signers, but I feel like the ones I've seen were only for XP and I have Windows 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM themes are pretty easy to do. i started with this, the problem is it replaces the entire apk to replace 1 image. which if you are modifying systemui or frameworks, may overwrite other things (colors that you didn't want to.) easiest thing to do....find an already established CWM theme and keeping the same structure, replace the images and flash via CWM.
let me know if you want more details...cheers and good luck!

TW5 for CM9 (Solved)

I am looking for a working port for CM9 for our die-hard Ace. I ooked for several days and I found only a few threads that even remotely gave me some hope. Is there any such thing at all? Have I overlooked something? I know there is a version for CM10 that is working great.
I stumbled upon this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1667854
I flashed the file and it worked but the resolution was too high so the apps were overlapped by the dock.
I would ask a good modder/themer if he could resize the launcher to the resolution needed for our Ace. Btw, I am usin Maclaw's AOSP ICS final.
Thanks in advance.Cheers!

Solved!
After some more research I stumbled upon a post that put an end to my misery!
I got TW5 working on Maclaw's final AOSP version with this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1724553
You have to follow the steps and everything will be just fine.
A few little hiccups there are though, namely in step 1 of maxx35000's post you have to go to his other post and download the file called "seclauncher2mdpiV1.10_Signed.apk". Although it is stated in the thread I made the mistake of using "seclauncher2_Signed.apk" and the launcher had not the desired resolution for our Ace. I jut note this so people do not get confused as silly me did. Also, the files "AccuweatherDaemon_Signed.apk", "AccuweatherWidget_Main_Signed.apk", "AccuweatherWidget_Signed.apk" and aforementioned "seclauncher2mdpiV1.10_Signed.apk" go into the /system/app folder. Just change the permissions and reboot, no need to install anything.
Another thing is that people might have doubts about to where put the files. All files got the /system folder. So, if the post says that you should put a certain file in "lib", it is meant that you put the file in /system/lib. For example, upon copying the extracted files of "system.zip" (there should be 3 folders in the system folder of the zip, namely "lib", "framework" and "etc" and some files in those folders as well) onto your SD card, the files in the "framework" folder have to be copied to /system/framework.
If you follow the steps in the OP,everything will work out just fine.
I did not develop/compile any of this, I just posted a link with some more detailed instructions (for noobs like me). All the credit goes to maxx3500. He deserves the thanks, not me!
Cheers!
P.S. Mods may remove the thread if deemed unimportant

MIUI Theme problem. Reverting back to default.

Hola guys. To all of you. Particularly the ones who are familiar with MIUI. I will just stick to the point. If you ARE familiar with miui then you must have come across those flashy themes. You must also have found out the way to bypass the infamous theme policy WSM tools and Xposed and all. But I recently started taking interest in those flashy themes. You know that once you download a theme from the default Themes app the mtz file starts getting downloaded and as soon as the downloading has finished it gets unpacked into bits (com.android.contacts, com.miui.home, icons, lock_wallpaper, locksreen and so on) and gets copied to the MIUI folder in main storage and again into data/system/theme. This is the first problem. I can't copy the whole mtz file to a safe place because it gets unpacked as soon as it has been downloaded which is basically a zip file containing several other zip files that is, the 'bits' I was talking about. Second thing. the default themes app does not recognize mtz files downloaded from the official miui themes website. It declares them as third party themes. What I did was, took some of those 'bits' and replaced some XML files inside them and some png elements and put them back into data/system/theme. But miui has a way to prevent this from happening. As soon as it detects a modified file present in data/system/theme it reverts back to the default plain theme by deleting all files from data/system/theme. My guess is it keeps checking out verifying in regular intervals the checksums that it must have generated earlier. The same thing happens if I just replace a bit in the mentioned directory with a bit from another theme. So my questions are:
1. Is there a way to preserve the mtz file downloaded from within the default Themes app as a whole mtz file?
2. Can I make changes to just the Themes app so that it would apply any mtz file?
3. Is there a way to prevent miui from continuously checking or verifying the checksums that it has generated? (just a guess but I reckon thats what it actually does) because for an hour or so after replacing or modifying the 'bits' everything works fine but the reverting process takes place in an hour or so.
Thats all folks! jk. Any help or suggestion would be really appreciated because I think a thread like this was long since needed here. And dont talk about visiting MIUI's official forums. Most of the guys there don't know half the things that is really worth discussing. Thank you guys.
note- dont want to use WSM tools nor can I find one for miui7.
note2- if I change the permissions of the folder (data/system/theme) to 444 allowing READ permissions only, the phone would just reboot without warning and continue to reboot until the permissions are changed back to normal (755).