Database Develop

Menu pop-up buttons - theme

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Theme] Tweaked Frost Remix NexTheme

I'm very new to android dev/hacking and I hope this is acceptable conduct (taking someone else's theme and putting a different spin on it) but I really liked Frost Remix NexTheme but I wanted a different battery notification icon, updated charging icons and thanks to some prodding from ludeboy, I felt the default settings text should be changed so I made my own spin on a theme which I'm posting here for your using pleasure.
Change Log...
10/2/2010
Theme Frost Remix from 9/27/2010 (forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=788294)
Changed secondary text from baby blue to green
Replaced battery icons and updated charging icons from "D" variant of Fightspit's Super Circle Battery mod (Thanks for porting s44 - forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=791886&page=3)
As soon as a figure out how to turn this theme into a rom I will and I'll get that posted but for the time being, here I have attached the framework-res and twframework-res.
To install - copy both files to your system/framework folder and restart your phone.
****This has been tested on my phone and works fine but as always - use at your own risk but let me know if you run into any problems...and always back up your originals ******
Big Thanks to ludeboy for the request to identify what xmls to change for color mods (I'm fairly up to speed on how the theme engine works), frostman88 for the initial theme and s44 for porting over the battery mod!

Works great bud! Just installed it and love it. Any way you can make the battery indicator, wifi meter, vibrate phone "lines", and the icons from the pull down menu when selected the same green as the text? I have a green type theme going on and would love it all to match. If not its cool since I have my notification bar hidden on home screen anyways but figured I could ask. Thanks for your work.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

Let me know which xml you edited. Looked through the framework and twframework, and the only xml ones I found pointed to white not that blue ****.

ballaholyk84 said:
Works great bud! Just installed it and love it. Any way you can make the battery indicator, wifi meter, vibrate phone "lines", and the icons from the pull down menu when selected the same green as the text? I have a green type theme going on and would love it all to match. If not its cool since I have my notification bar hidden on home screen anyways but figured I could ask. Thanks for your work.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll look into that - I like the green on black and do also currently like the green thing going on. I'm going to do some more tinkering but my creative is lacking from a graphical standpoint so if anyone has great ideas - If I like them I'll look at them and either roll another flavor or build it into what I have here.
frostman89 said:
Let me know which xml you edited. Looked through the framework and twframework, and the only xml ones I found pointed to white not that blue ****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short Answer -
framework-res.apk\res\color-hdpi\zzz_tw_secondary_text_sub.xml
framework-res.apk\res\color\zzz_tw_secondary_text_sub.xml
(I think the first file is the only file that actually had to be modified but the second file was a few steps of color different from the first so I just modified both of them)
Long Answer -
It took me a little time to get familiar with how the themeing (styles, layouts, etc) worked but I think I have a pretty good handle on this. To figure out what controlled the text color I dumped the settings.apk, identified the layouts and styles, traced the styles backwards until I worked my way back into the framework-res.apk and then located that it was pointing to the color file of zzz_tw_secondary_text_sub
I spent about 5 hours digging but now knowing the how the colors, layout and styles work I could most likely have done it in 15 minutes.

Ah right, you know I saw it pointed to a specific color, like color1, color2, color3, but I had been up for about 19 hours with 5 hours of sleep and really did not feel like trying to trace it back to whatever else apk.
So overall I had about 30 min to dig through the xmls.

Darn, I'm so peeved right now. In the time it took for you to post this up,
I went and Odin Restored my phone, re-clean deodex + aosp'ed it,
used the Black Mod theme in Metamorph,
and then applied the D Circle Battery,
and backed it up like 5 times. If i'd have seen this sooner, it would have saved me so much time

Thanks for this. I really like Frostman's theme, but I did want the circle battery indicator, and I also really like the green text.

Works good. I like the green and the battery. Thanks
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

I copied the battery mod into the System/framework folder, first, and it borked my wallpaper back to the underwater live wallpaper, and then I kept getting FCs when I tried to open Root Explorer again. After I restarted, I was able to get the other file in, using Root Explorer, and I was able to reset my wallpaper. Nothing big, but I thought you might like to know.

spotmark said:
I copied the battery mod into the System/framework folder, first, and it borked my wallpaper back to the underwater live wallpaper, and then I kept getting FCs when I tried to open Root Explorer again. After I restarted, I was able to get the other file in, using Root Explorer, and I was able to reset my wallpaper. Nothing big, but I thought you might like to know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - I am guessing that could be something to do with root explorer possibly. I do not use root explorer and currently am doing all my pushes using adb. I'll look at root explorer and see if I can explain what happened (guessing maybe a dependency thing but who knows).

dashultz said:
Thanks - I am guessing that could be something to do with root explorer possibly. I do not use root explorer and currently am doing all my pushes using adb. I'll look at root explorer and see if I can explain what happened (guessing maybe a dependency thing but who knows).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We could work together if you want, I can just toss em in different flashable zips for convenience.

frostman89 said:
We could work together if you want, I can just toss em in different flashable zips for convenience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds great - I sent you a PM regarding this.

Flashing a zip sounds like a weiner
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

You can't use this if you're using the "super clean ROM"
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Any chance of removing "samsung fascinate" from the glass lock screen?
good day.

[Q] ?s about themeing

I really want to theme my phone, is there any tips to make it easyier
an also theres no meny png files that im not sure what changes what, is there a guide of any sort for that or anything.
I got editing images down but im still gettin lost on changing things
an out of curioisy is there a good themer out there that would be willing to work with me personally so im not gettin mixed results

here ya go..this should get you a start
http://www.google.com/cse?q=how+to+...ub-2900107662879704:fs7umqefhnf&ie=ISO-8859-1

Great resource here

im not sure if im wording this right, but to theme an app u open that apps apk. to theme a widget u open that widgets apk. right?
So what all does framwork control?
still tring to get it togather what png's edit what on my phone

Essentially yes. Most of the app's .png's will be in the respective .apk, although if it's a Sense ROM then a lot is stored in the 'com.htc.resources.apk'
The 'framework-res.apk' holds all the files for like the notification area, the pull down menu, status icons, buttons, tick boxes, radio buttons etc...
The best way to familiarise yourself with it all is just to have a look through the image folders and see what you see.

not much luck, im gettin lost, so ill be back in a cuple days let u knw if i got it yet, if i cant come up with it, ill just make a list of things i want done an see where it goes.

Are you on a Mac or PC?
Keep in mind, you have to sign it to get it to install if you unpack it. After weeks of failed signing attempts (I still cant get them to sign) I found a way around this though...just don't unpack it Use 7zip on PC or I am on a Mac so I use Springy. Replace what you want and you are good to go.
Let me know if you need more help with this method. It isn't the way everyone else does things, but it works for editing things and making it what you want.

@reanger91878 I was just looking into start some theming and was trying to figure out if using a Mac put me at a disadvantage... but I guess since I found you I'll know who to ask if I run into a problem. So I guess I'm gonna get Springy and see what I can figure out. (I've never done this crap before).
:edit: boo it costs money, any free options? or will the non-licensed version work for me?

Alright
heres what i want done
I have NFX Sprint 2.31.651.7 STOCK Odex Update3.
Lock screen bar where its grey i want black
All screens under settings an phone options like device1 pic 1 want there its white to be black an the black letters white with a green boarder.
Device2 pic: want top an bottom where its grey to be black save with bookmark widget an calander app
Device3: white section black an the letter white
Device4: change all screens from white to black an white lettes an the grey buttons at the bottom to green same with clock, messages, music and photos
Device5: i want the ui buttons at the bottom like that but for it to be Phone in the middle app drawer on the left an add to home on the right
Invert all menus uder browser
so if some one would be willing to help with what xml an pic files i edit to do it, or some one helps me put it togather it would be awsome an id be very thankful

BuddahWolf01 said:
@reanger91878 I was just looking into start some theming and was trying to figure out if using a Mac put me at a disadvantage... but I guess since I found you I'll know who to ask if I run into a problem. So I guess I'm gonna get Springy and see what I can figure out. (I've never done this crap before).
:edit: boo it costs money, any free options? or will the non-licensed version work for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using a Mac does not put you at a disadvantage per se...kind of, but there are workarounds
You don't have to use Springy, that is just what I use. The key is to find an Mac application that can open up a .zip file without extracting it, because once you extract, you need to resign (no big deal really, but for whatever reason my computer won't properly sign). I think the free version of Springy lets you open up a ROM of a certain size? Can't remember...but if you are editing a theme, they should open, because most are under 15MB. You can also just search around for other Mac apps that handle zip files and find one that does not extract. Let me know what you come up with and what you need help with...I gained much knowledge here, and will gladly pass on what I have gleaned.

DubsideWICKED said:
heres what i want done
I have NFX Sprint 2.31.651.7 STOCK Odex Update3.
Lock screen bar where its grey i want black
All screens under settings an phone options like device1 pic 1 want there its white to be black an the black letters white with a green boarder.
Device2 pic: want top an bottom where its grey to be black save with bookmark widget an calander app
Device3: white section black an the letter white
Device4: change all screens from white to black an white lettes an the grey buttons at the bottom to green same with clock, messages, music and photos
Device5: i want the ui buttons at the bottom like that but for it to be Phone in the middle app drawer on the left an add to home on the right
Invert all menus uder browser
so if some one would be willing to help with what xml an pic files i edit to do it, or some one helps me put it togather it would be awsome an id be very thankful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Big tasks Don't know if anyone will actually be able to do it for you, but check the resources above to get an idea where to start. It's the whole "give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime" idea.
Open up your ROM and check the framework-res.apk and see what you find...but you are looking to do more than just framework edits...

ranger61878 said:
Big tasks Don't know if anyone will actually be able to do it for you, but check the resources above to get an idea where to start. It's the whole "give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime" idea.
Open up your ROM and check the framework-res.apk and see what you find...but you are looking to do more than just framework edits...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of what all i want edited what is controlled by frame work an then would the rest be Apk files in the system app
my biggest problem is im not understanding what xml files change what an some of the pngs idk what they change
edit: I found post that said this, is that a pretty good way to descride it.?
app folder - This folder contains all of the apps that will be installed during an update or wipe. You will need to extract only the apks of the apps you wish to change the icon and graphics for.
-Launcher.apk - This file is in the app folder and contains the menu launcher tab, clock, google search widget, wallpapers and some other things.
framework - This folder contains framework-res.apk, this is where the bulk of your editing will take place.
When you open a apk you will see:
assets - This will contain images, sounds and other content used by the programs. Not always used!
META-INF - This contain the encryption data of the update.zip.
res - This folder contains all of the png and xml files. The xml files are used to format the UI, these can be used to change the locations of things on the screen. The xmls need to be unencrypted first. Depending on the apk there can be a bunch of folders under the res folder but we will only concentrate on the drawable ones.
-drawable - The png files in this folder are displayed wheather the keyboard is open or closed. The majority of the files are here.
-drawable-land - These are the files that will show when the keyboard is open. There won't be as many files in these folders. Most of the time the programmer will re-organize the layout with an xml file.
so basically everything is a picture that i want changed an xml files control text color an placement of where things are or what?,
im try my best to but thoes darn xml files are messing with me lol

To start, don't mess with the XML files. Just make changes to the PNG files. Once you get familiar with changing icons and status bar colors, then you can start messing with XML files. Let's say you want a different alarm icon.
Look in the DeskClock.apk under res/drawable-mdpi. You would find an icon(PNG) you want to substitute with, size it to the same size as ic_launcher_alarmclock.PNG, name it the same name and replace the original in the apk.
Use adb to push the apk back to your phone. I would then reboot and then enjoy your new icon.
Some icons will be in drawable-mdpi and some just in drawable. No need to change hdpi on our phones.
The majority of your status bar icons and base OS icons will be in framework-res.apk.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

poashll said:
To start, don't mess with the XML files. Just make changes to the PNG files. Once you get familiar with changing icons and status bar colors, then you can start messing with XML files. Let's say you want a different alarm icon.
Look in the DeskClock.apk under res/drawable-mdpi. You would find an icon(PNG) you want to substitute with, size it to the same size as ic_launcher_alarmclock.PNG, name it the same name and replace the original in the apk.
Use adb to push the apk back to your phone. I would then reboot and then enjoy your new icon.
Some icons will be in drawable-mdpi and some just in drawable. No need to change hdpi on our phones.
The majority of your status bar icons and base OS icons will be in framework-res.apk.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said.
You can also do it on your computer...don't extract, just open, replace, close, put on SD and flash (after you nandroid...just in case )

iv been looking an looking, but cant seem to find a black stock theme
with stock htc green when a button is pressed, any one kno off a stock black theme i might be over looking

still havent figured ths out, an im having problems because im odexed?

DubsideWICKED said:
still havent figured ths out, an im having problems because im odexed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes more than likely your only have trouble theme and odexed rom. Try a rom that is deodexed or I heard the have some deodex sripts that will do it.

ASimmons said:
Yes more than likely your only have trouble theme and odexed rom. Try a rom that is deodexed or I heard the have some deodex sripts that will do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright is there a performance or memory difference between odex an deodex

Does this same process apply with adw? If so, does that mean theming aosp and cm6 are equally as easy?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

[Guide] How To Edit Skin .apk's

Hi all.
I thought i would write a basic guide on how to modify a skin apk the way YOU want it. There are some great skins being made, but often the colour scheme is not the way you might like it. I am new to android so if i have made any mistakes please let me know and i will correct ASAP.
Firstly i will say if you modify any skin, please DO NOT post it unless you have the previous developers permission. This is IMPORTANT. They are for personal use only.
First you need to install the following on to your PC:
Android SDK Here: http://developer.android.com/sdk/installing.html
Java JDK and JRE Here: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Auto sign Here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=473580
A good photo editing tool. I use photoshop.
Once installed open the android sdk and download the relevant Android Platforms.
Download the skin apk you want to modify. The apk can be opened with winrar. There will generally be 3 folders a xml and arsc. The two we need to look at are assets and res.The assets folder contains the preview pic and the wallpaper for the skin. The res folder contains all the png files. In res, the drawable folder contains the xml's. drawable-port-hdpi contains the png's for the home screen like the softbar and sense clock. drawable-land-hdpi contains the pngs used in land scape. drawable-hdpi contains the bulk of the png used in the skin
The following is how i changed the carbon fiber orange skin to green.
Extract the Carbon fiber apk. Then i wanted to change to colour scheme from orange to green so i used the res/drawable-hdpi from the evolution skin by extracting with winrar as this uses green png's. Copy the green png from the extracted evolution res/drawable-hdpi to the extracted carbon fiber res/drawable-hdpi. You will need to go through each png and just replace the orange png as the carbon fiber skin has some parts in this file.
Then take a look at the png's in the extracted carbon fiber res/drawable-port-hdpi. You will see the ones used for the home screen button colours (there the one's that are orange) Here is were photoshop comes in. You can remake the buttons or simply edit the colour of the existing png's your choice. I also changed the colour of the clock numbers from silver to green. Then replace your modified pngs with the ones in res/drawable-port-hdpi.
Next you can change the wallpaper and preview pic in the assets/image.
Now you need to add the modified folders with winrar. Open the original orange carbon fiber.apk with winrar and drag the modified assets and res folders from the modified extracted carbon fiber, to the archive. It will now replace the folders. Then close winrar.
Next you need to resign the apk with autosign for it to install. Please read the instructions on the autosign thread. Once auto sign is set up just right click on the modified carbon fiber.apk and click resign APK, wait a few seconds and job done!
I hope this info comes in useful. If i have missed anything please let me know and i will add it.

That's great! Thanks!
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

original_ganjaman said:
I hope this info comes in useful. If i have missed anything please let me know and i will add it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the guide. This will come in really useful!
Sent from my DHD

Dear original_ganjaman:
First thanks for your guide.
I had Edit Skin .apk's.
But when I change the png that name is lockscreen_arc_incall.png in res/drawable-hdpi.
It always can't show on lockscreen.
Can you tell me why.
Thank you.

laphone said:
Dear original_ganjaman:
First thanks for your guide.
I had Edit Skin .apk's.
But when I change the png that name is lockscreen_arc_incall.png in res/drawable-hdpi.
It always can't show on lockscreen.
Can you tell me why.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That png is for when you are receiving a call. Edit lockscreen_arc.png, thats the one you want.

original_ganjaman said:
That png is for when you are receiving a call. Edit lockscreen_arc.png, thats the one you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer

original_ganjaman said:
Hi all.
I thought i would write a basic guide on how to modify a skin apk the way YOU want it. There are some great skins being made, but often the colour scheme is not the way you might like it. I am new to android so if i have made any mistakes please let me know and i will correct ASAP.
I hope this info comes in useful. If i have missed anything please let me know and i will add it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear original_ganjaman:
How can I change name of skin??
I try use apktool to do.
But apktool like can't decode skin's apk
I got way to change name of skin
Thanks

I downloaded a win rar for a dock,
and I have no idea how to get it onto my phone, I have tried to read this, but I'm just soo confused I don't get it.

superdaddy said:
I downloaded a win rar for a dock,
and I have no idea how to get it onto my phone, I have tried to read this, but I'm just soo confused I don't get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which part are you stuck on? I don't understand how far you have got.

original_ganjaman said:
Which part are you stuck on? I don't understand how far you have got.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded this dock and wanna put it on my phone.
http://dutchlimits.deviantart.com/#/d324v1v

superdaddy said:
I downloaded this dock and wanna put it on my phone.
http://dutchlimits.deviantart.com/#/d324v1v
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is for launcherpro. I don't use this sorry. it is not a skin but a whole dock replacement.
I have only been using android for around 2 weeks, so i am new to this.
Edit: i took a look and it is a skin for launcher pro. install instructions seem easy: Taken from the readme.txt:
Install:
- Download launcherpro
- On home: Press menu -> Preferences -> Appearence -> Dock background -> Custom

Can anyone tell me, after edit the apk file, how can i change the name of the skin and author?

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

thnx!
thnx guy, this is useful 4 all the newbies on the field of edition skins!! xP

*Yawns* - Old thread is old. If you want to say thanks, use the button.
*Puts Thread Back To Sleep*

*Yawns* - Old thread is old. If you want to say thanks, use the button.
*Puts Thread Back To Sleep*

Honeycomb Skin Maker

Introducing my latest project, the Honeycomb Skin Maker and Tablet Skin Installer.
Honeycomb Skin Maker can modify SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk to allow skinning system files on honeycomb tablets. Paired with the Android app "Tablet Skin Installer" skins can be applied easily with virtually no hacking required.
All images within these two APKs can be modified, and the XML files inside are modifiable to allow much greater skinning possibilities than previously possible.
Honeycomb Skin Maker can make .androidskin files which must be placed in the "Skins" folder on your internal SD card. This folder is created automatically when "Tablet Skin Installer" is first run.
The app requires root, and I can't give enough warnings about the potential to damage your tablet with this program. Ensure you have a method of recovery before attempting to install / make a skin.
Download Honeycomb Skin Maker for free from stormwave.me.uk/AndroidSkinInstaller/
(I can't post links yet).
It is still early days for this project and I have many ideas on how to expand it, but all feedback is appreciated and will be taken onboard.

Seems to be a very helpful project for themers!
Honeycomb Skin Maker v0.2

Thanks for the link and screenshot, that's a really big help.

The app is now free, I may choose to add a paid verson in the future.
I really want people to try this out as I think it'll make theming much easier.
Also, would it be possible for a moderator to add [TOOLS] to the beginning of this thread title?

Here is a market link to the skin installer.
https://market.android.com/details?...xLDEsImNvbS5zdG9ybXdhdmUuc2tpbmluc3RhbGxlciJd
I'll have to give this a test run as it looks pretty nice. Thanks for making it.

im tring to edit an .xml, because my systemui.apk will not decompile with any tools due to multilple resource errors. when I change a string in the xml with honeycombskinmaker.. it says dimension attribute not set, etc. any idea? built an .androidskin and installed on device streak 7, and doesnt show up in list in app. theres a blank listing at top but tried that, rebooted fine but didnt see changes I was hoping for: trying to edit HC 3.2 status bar clock color and change to bold. ?? thanks.