Database Develop

[TUTORIAL][updated 11/9] ANDROID .xml(decryption) & .9.png EDITING

I am not a developer myself , i did learn few thing through various search sites & posts (most frustrating way), today wildfire owners are desperately requesting for few tweaks , roms (SFM) etc , to be frank wildfire is loosing its developers(sorry dev's)due to new & improved phones being released in the market which are greater than our's
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CONTENTS:
Post 2 : how to edit .9 images
Post 3 :apk manager method
USEFUL LINKS
1.EVERY NEWBIE MUST READ THIS POST
2.BASIC JAVA , ANDROID JAVA TUT
3.ANDROID KITCHEN (basic)
4.ROM BUILDING GUIDE(bit outdated)
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1.EDIT .9 IMAGES
DESCREPTION:
.9 images are basically PNG images , but are modified to specify a few extra expandable instrustions such as HEIGHT , WIDTH . These images are compiled in draw9patch of sdk & are encrypted via eclipse software
REQUIRED SOFTWARE:
1.WinRar(or any other zip tool)
2.Android sdk manager (draw9patch)
3.eclipse IDE for java developers(download it from www.eclipse.org)
4.image editor(i use paint.net tool)
PROCEDURE:
As an example i am using cm7 nightly & i am editing a .9 image in systemui.apk(theme related file) which is in System>app folder
EDIT : now you can download the attachment or can directly see my example images in post itself
__________Extracting Image__________
1.open the cm7 zip via winrar , navigate to app folder which is in system folder
**cm7nightly 170.zip
2. double click on the systemui.apk & a new window pops up with the contents in the syatemui.apk
**cm7nightly 170.zip>systemui.apk
3.all images are in res folder(common for any app) go to res folder
**cm7nightly 170.zip>systemui.apk>res
4. now you have to keep in mind that all the images used by that particular apk are in RES folder & are kept in sub folders named starting with 'drawable' as
drawable-ldpi,drawable-mdpi,drawable-hdpi,drawable
**cm7nightly 170.zip>systemui.apk>res>drawable-ldpi , ref image step2
5.go to drawable-ldpi and extract those image to any folder in your pc
**c:/vimjam/desktop/myfolder , ref image step3
6. rename that image which you want to edit by removing the .9 in the name(original image name : header.9 edit it to header)
**c:/vimjam/desktop/myfolder/header.png , ref image step4
7.edit that image as you wish & save it in .png file only
**c:/vimjam/desktop/myfolder/header.png
8.now open draw9patch.jar which will be in the following folder x1:/x2/Android\android-sdk\tools\lib (x1 refers to your C drive or D drive or whatever partition where you installed your sdk)(x2 refers to program files folder or program files(x86) in few windows versions)
**c:/program files(x86)/android/android-sdk/tools/lib/draw9patch.jar
9.drag your edited image on the draw9patch window , then it will show as the screen shot given below
**c:/program files(x86)/android/android-sdk/tools/lib/draw9patch.jar , ref image step5
__________.9 Image Editing__________
10.this is the part where you encode .9 script on your image
11.basically what draw9patch does is it gives a black lining at the ends of the image(which are to be specified by us)which are later encrypted as instructions in eclipse software)
12.in draw9patch first tick the show patches option
13.now you have to experiment a little bit to understand this procedure , when you left click at the edges of the image a black spot appears that black spot is the .9 code
**right click on that black spot to erase it
14. for now see the screen shots and do the black lining just as what i did(type 1) (do not use the black line at round edges(only at rectangular edges)(refer type 2 image for more details)**after you've completed the procedure use the lining as done in type2 screenshot provided below , ref image type1
15. save that image with the same name as the original file (see screen shot named savetype)(you can see that the image still contains these black dots , dont worry its natural)
**c:/vimjam/desktop/myfolder/header.9.png , ref image header.9
__________Eclipse Encryption__________
16.this is the part where you complete the encryption using ECLIPSE
17. now open eclipse , click new>project>android>android project , ref image step6
18.a new window opens fill the details (refer my pic named demo)(i use the word demo in the details you can use any other) & click finish , ref image step7
19. now expand the demo project , you can see a couple of things like src , gen... ignore them except res folder , ref image step8
20.expand res folder , drag the .9 patched image(which you edited using draw9patch.jar) in drawable-xxx
(xxx refers to ldpi or hdpi or mdpi )
**NOTE: if your edited image is from drawable-ldpi place it in drawable-ldpi only similarly hdpi to hdpi , mdpi to mdpi only , ref image step8
21. right click on the demo folder project & click on android tools , and then on
EXPORT UNSIGNED APPLICATION PACKAGE.... & save your file
**your saved file will be demo.apk , ref image step8
22.now drag that saved file into any zip file(don use the cm7 nightly zip) or you can create a zip archive of that demo.apk which is generated by eclipse
** compress demo.apk to demo.zip
23. open the demo.zip archive, double click on demo.apk , navigate to res , drawable-ldpi and extract the header.9.png image
24. now open cm7nightly170.zip , navigate to systemui.apk , double click on it , click res,drawable-ldpi & now drag the previous image which you extracted from the demo.zip archive ,then the winrar will ask for confirmation click ok
** cm7nightly170.zip>systemui.apk>res>drawable-ldpi , ref image step9
25.dont close the cm7 nightly zip yet , after you clicked ok the winrar will ask for a save confirmation to save changes in parent folder click yes and close it .done
(this confirmation will be small & will be hidden behing other open windows/applications so check carefully & do not miss this confirmation) , ref image step10
now you can flash that nightly file via recovery,same procedure can be applied to any .9 images of any apk
==========================================
EDIT2: UPDATED IMAGE SCREENSHOTS , PLACED ALL IMAGE EXAMPLES IN ".9 IMAGE EXAMPLES.RAR" FILE
**RAR FILE CONTAINS ALL THE IMAGES WITH LITTLE EXPLANATION IN THE IMAGES ITSELF TO UNDERSTAND THIS PROCEDURE DOWNLOAD THAT RAR FILE(contains no virus its my word)

***EDIT : using apk manager to recomoile a sense apk is causing few errors , although decompiling is working fine
Another easier way is to just decompile the framework using apk manager, and editing the .9 png on photoshop since you can edit the black patches as well and just recompile @kevin2516
you can also use apk manager to decrypt .xml files
here are the links for apk manager 4.9 & 5.0 (detailed method will be published soon)
for version 4.9 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701
for version 5.0 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1227179
guys as my suggestion use the apk manager method only to decompile the apk's ,(compiling them is kinda messy)(1 out of 5 times the files ive compiled caused force close so better safe than sorry)
procedure:
1. place the apk you want to edit in the folder named "place apk here for modding"
2.double click script file a cmd opens(if it shows java not found error then watch this video and get it right http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X05JPrto_c8)
3.type 22 and hit enter
4.enter its the apk file's no which you want to edit
5.type 9 and hit enter
6.it might show some errors ignore them
7.now go to project folder which will be in the same place in apk manager folder
8.now open any .xml file with any text editor (i use notepad++)(you can also edit .9 images this way)
9.do the required changes & save it
10.type 11 if what you are editing is a system apk
11.else use 14
12.if your choice was 11(in cmd) then a the cmd will ask few confirmations(type y for both)
13. a new folder gets created by name keep
14.go to that folder and delete every file that you've changed & if you have edited a .xml file then delete the resources.arsc(else dont)
15.after doing this press any key in cmd done
16.a file by the name unsigned.apk will be created in the place the apk here for modding folder
16.sign that file if it is not a system apk , & replace it in your rom

good going mate... I'm desperately waiting to get over with my CAT exams in November... then I'll give my sole into developing!!!

oh that's great & all the best for your CAT exam , i am planning for CAT in the coming years

Another easier way is to just decompile the framework using apk manager, and editing the .9 png on photoshop since you can edit the black patches as well and just recompile
Sent from somewhere far far away.

kevin2516 said:
Another easier way is to just decompile the framework using apk manager, and editing the .9 png on photoshop since you can edit the black patches as well and just recompile
Sent from somewhere far far away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how it goes with you, but I have always a bootloop when I do that. Probably because the signature isn't correct.
So perhaps to complement Kevin: after recompiling, you can take your modified files out of your "new" apk and put it in the "old" one, and then flash the "old-new hybrid" apk.
Erwin

ErwinP said:
I don't know how it goes with you, but I have always a bootloop when I do that. Probably because the signature isn't correct.
So perhaps to complement Kevin: after recompiling, you can take your modified files out of your "new" apk and put it in the "old" one, and then flash the "old-new hybrid" apk.
Erwin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the framework-res.apk you don't sign it.
They would work too if the above doesn't.
Sent from somewhere far far away.

pyroblazer said:
good going mate... I'm desperately waiting to get over with my CAT exams in November... then I'll give my sole into developing!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are not giving any of the other mgmt exams after that? Just CAT?
/ENd OT

EDIT : NVM

Very , very good job. I searched weeks on this forum and other on how to tweak , or create , or modify a rom , and all i could find was some programs ... but still don't know how to use them.
So this thread is very usefull

currently i'm busy with exams ,will update this thread for more simplicity & will add more images about .9 encryption soon

[Q] How to remove lockscreen overlay/shadow in ICS

Tried to make things smaller and I changed lcd density (from 240 dpi to 213 dpi) on my OB (running IZS v0.4) and i need to remove/strech shadow image on lockscreen. It looks bad after DPI change.

After i search a little ... i found a way to remove that overlay image from lockscreen.
1. Copy this file "Lockscreen3.apk" from \system\app to sdcard then download to your computer;
2. Open file with 7zip navigate to folder \res\drawable-hdpi\ and replace lockscreen_gradation_bg.png & lockscreen_gradation_bg_h.png with files from lockscreen_gradation_bg.zip (see attachments);
3. Replace Lockscreen3.apk in \system\app and set permissions to -rw-r--r-- (this is very important!!!)
Voila .... now you have your lockscreen without that overlay.
OR you can use this modified Lockscreen3.apk and skip step 1 & 2.

Make On Screen Buttons smaller

Hi,
I got here a rooted Xperia Z, and I asked myself it its possible to easily make the navigation bar (back,home,window manager) smaller than original.
Just to save some screen
I read something like you have to modify apk´s and change system files, can anyone maybe explain it in detail?
Or maybe there is already an app for it, which can change the size on the fly?
Thank you!

I cant give you a tutorial since I dont have the phone yet,but you should look into /System/build.prop, usually that is where the dpi is changed so you should look into code that has dpi or navbar in it. Other than that,you could look into Framework.jar but I used to soft brick my phone when I fiddled with stuff I don't understand so be careful. Anyway,you'll need root and I think build.prop gets rebuilt to default every time you reboot so you need some kind of mod to keep it changed. In a month or so we are gonna have Paranoid android ported so you will be able to change everything from the settings

On my Xperia T JB, you must change some files in /system/framework/framework-res.apk, you must also make some changes to /system/app/SystemUI.apk
I'm no expert (yet) so I can't help much after that..

xanthos84 said:
Hi,
I got here a rooted Xperia Z, and I asked myself it its possible to easily make the navigation bar (back,home,window manager) smaller than original.
Just to save some screen
I read something like you have to modify apk´s and change system files, can anyone maybe explain it in detail?
Or maybe there is already an app for it, which can change the size on the fly?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah u can change the size!
you need to use apktool to edit framework-res.apk! Just tell me, do u know how to use apktool?
If yes then I will post the full tutorial step by step!
If No then I will post a few links along with the tut!
Btw u just need to edit framework-res.apk! No systemUI editing is required!
As for the dpi - if u change the dpi in the build.prop then its changed for the whole system, not only for the navigation bar! I had tried it once! My neo v 's default dpi is 240 and I decreased it to 140 - result- xperia home went crazy! Lolz!
Sent from my »Neo V«

Dev Jaskirat said:
Yeah u can change the size!
you need to use apktool to edit framework-res.apk! Just tell me, do u know how to use apktool?
If yes then I will post the full tutorial step by step!
If No then I will post a few links along with the tut!
Btw u just need to edit framework-res.apk! No systemUI editing is required!
As for the dpi - if u change the dpi in the build.prop then its changed for the whole system, not only for the navigation bar! I had tried it once! My neo v 's default dpi is 240 and I decreased it to 140 - result- xperia home went crazy! Lolz!
Sent from my »Neo V«
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Neo and thanks for your reply!
I am quite new to Android, so I have no experience into apktool.
Looking forward for your tutorial!
Thanks!

How TO Get Smaller Soft Keys
Bro You can call me DJ!
Neo V is the name of my device !! Sony Xperia Neo V!
By the way tell me if it works for you i will post it in the XZ dev section too for others!
Already did !- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=38503045
Let's Begin:
First of all make a backup of your rom by going into the recovery ! Its good to have one incase something goes wrong!
To DO on your XZ-
1) Install root explorer
2) Navigate to system/framework/
3) Copy 'framework-res.apk' and 'SemcGenericUxpRes.apk' from that location to your SDcard.
4) Now connect your XZ to your PC.
To DO on your PC-
1) Install apktool v3 [you can find it easily on google! ]
2) After you are done with installing apktool open a cmd window in that location [ you can do that by right clicking in that window while keeping the shift key pressed, then click on the open command window here option from the drop down menu which appers].
3) Copy framework-res.apk and SemcGenericUxpRes.apk from your SDcard to your PC to the location where your apktool files are present.
4) Now in the cmd window which you opened earlier you need to type some commands -
apktool if framework-res.apk
now press 'enter key'
then
apktool if SemcGenericUxpRes.apk
press enter
The above 2 lines have installed the framework-res.apk and SemcGenericUxpRes.apk to your system which the apktool will later use as resources to decompile the framework-res.apk
now we need to decompile the framework-res.apk, for this type
apktool d framework-res.apk framework-res
it will perform a series of functions just wait for it till its finished!
when its done you will see that there is a new folder 'framework-res' in the window[location] where you have installed the apktool!
navigate to framework-res/res/values/
open dimens.xml using noteped++[yeah forgot to say that you need to install this too! ]
look for the lines 'navigationbar height' and navigationbar width'
the default size would be 48! just reduce it to what ever you want! 28 is recommended by me ! height = 28 and width= 24
Save the changes.
Now switch to the cmd window again
We are going to re-compile the framework-res.apk-
type-
apktool b framework-res framework-res-new.apk
when its done then you will have the new framework-res-new.apk with smaller softkeys!
5) Now copy it to your SDcard
6) Disconnect your XZ
7) Open root explorer in your XZ.
8) Copy the 'framework-res-new.apk' to your system/
9) Long press it and click on permissions
10) set it to rw-r--r--[1st row + + - ; 2nd row + - - ; 3rd row + - -][+ means ticked and - means unticked]
11) once done , rename the 'framework-res-new.apk' to 'framework-res.apk'.
12) Copy it to system/framework/
13) Press Yes when it asks to replace the original.
14) Then reboot your XZ [it might force reboot itself].
15) Done! now you have smaller softkeys!
Press the thanks button below if you found this helpful! It was quite difficult to type!

Dev Jaskirat said:
Bro You can call me DJ!
Neo V is the name of my device !! Sony Xperia Neo V!
By the way tell me if it works for you i will post it in the XZ dev section too for others!
Already did !- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=38503045
Let's Begin:
First of all make a backup of your rom by going into the recovery ! Its good to have one incase something goes wrong!
To DO on your XZ-
1) Install root explorer
2) Navigate to system/framework/
3) Copy 'framework-res.apk' and 'SemcGenericUxpRes.apk' from that location to your SDcard.
4) Now connect your XZ to your PC.
To DO on your PC-
1) Install apktool v3 [you can find it easily on google! ]
2) After you are done with installing apktool open a cmd window in that location [ you can do that by right clicking in that window while keeping the shift key pressed, then click on the open command window here option from the drop down menu which appers].
3) Copy framework-res.apk and SemcGenericUxpRes.apk from your SDcard to your PC to the location where your apktool files are present.
4) Now in the cmd window which you opened earlier you need to type some commands -
apktool if framework-res.apk
now press 'enter key'
then
apktool if SemcGenericUxpRes.apk
press enter
The above 2 lines have installed the framework-res.apk and SemcGenericUxpRes.apk to your system which the apktool will later use as resources to decompile the framework-res.apk
now we need to decompile the framework-res.apk, for this type
apktool d framework-res.apk framework-res
it will perform a series of functions just wait for it till its finished!
when its done you will see that there is a new folder 'framework-res' in the window[location] where you have installed the apktool!
navigate to framework-res/res/values/
open dimens.xml using noteped++[yeah forgot to say that you need to install this too! ]
look for the lines 'navigationbar height' and navigationbar width'
the default size would be 48! just reduce it to what ever you want! 28 is recommended by me ! height = 28 and width= 24
Save the changes.
Now switch to the cmd window again
We are going to re-compile the framework-res.apk-
type-
apktool b framework-res framework-res-new.apk
when its done then you will have the new framework-res-new.apk with smaller softkeys!
5) Now copy it to your SDcard
6) Disconnect your XZ
7) Open root explorer in your XZ.
8) Copy the 'framework-res-new.apk' to your system/
9) Long press it and click on permissions
10) set it to rw-r--r--[1st row + + - ; 2nd row + - - ; 3rd row + - -][+ means ticked and - means unticked]
11) once done , rename the 'framework-res-new.apk' to 'framework-res.apk'.
12) Copy it to system/framework/
13) Press Yes when it asks to replace the original.
14) Then reboot your XZ [it might force reboot itself].
15) Done! now you have smaller softkeys!
Press the thanks button below if you found this helpful! It was quite difficult to type!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for posting!
I will try this later!!

[HOWTO] [DIY] Making your own Holo Theme for ICS

Hey people, I've just found it at O3D forums and I think I should share the information, as I don't have time for creating a good tutorial myself.
This way you can change colors for your own likes and make a lot kind of themes.
Before starting you should have your Apktool environment set up.
1. (only if you never saw APKTOOL in your life, otherwise, just jump it)
1· Download and install latest version of Java JDK
2· Download latest version of APK Multi-Tool as we'll be using it for un/packing APKs and push/pull them from/to our device.
3· Extract it anywhere you may like. If posible, in C:/ to avoid any kind of problems. Be sure to read README file before asking something about it.
4· Run Setup.bat, type 3 and press Enter. Close it.
5· Run Script.bat, type 0 and press Enter. Now let's type our framework's path.
6· /system/framework/framework-res.apk for basic framework file. This will be pulling it out from our phones.
7· Repeating Number 5, type /system/framework/lge-res.apk for LG's framework file.
8· Now move to X:\...\APK-Multi-Tool\place-apk-here-for-modding\ and copy both apks (framework-res + lge-res) and paste it at X:\...\APK-Multi-Tool\other\
9· Run Setup.bat again, type 2 and press Enter. Now both frameworks should be installed and we are ready to un/pack APKs from the version we're actually using (v30A/B/C/D...). Close it.
10· Back in Script.bat, type 0 again followed by Enter, then type the path of your desired APK. (/system/framework/xxxxxx.apk for frameworks & /system/app/xxxxxx.apk for apps). After pushing it, select it as your actual project.
11· Now type 9 followed by Enter. This will unpack our APK.
12· Now is the time for tunning anything you want to. Go to X:\...|APK-Multi-Tool\projects\xxxxxx.apk\ and you'll find there everything.
13· When it's done, let's re-pack it typing the option 11 followed by Enter. When repacking gets done, it will ask if you want to use any files from your original APK. Tell it Yes, otherwise your apk won't get signed.
14· When the extracting is done, move to X:\...|APK-Multi-Tool\keep\ and erase everything there BUT META-INF folder + AndroidManifest.xml. Now press anything at APK Multi-tool window and you'll get your APK ready to go.
15· Now type 8 to push it back to your phone and type the desired path. If it cames from /system/app/xxxxx.apk or /system/framework/xxxxx.apk.
If you get any error recompiling it, you should take a look at the log, typing 23 and fix it at the projects folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.
potaturrias said:
When i maked this theme (my first theme) y used trial and error procedure.
The first step is replace or edit 9.png. pictures in drawable-hdpi folder located in framework-res.apk and lge-res.apk, you can do this quickly using this tools:
http://jgilfelt.github.com/android-actionbarstylegenerator (Check that the names of new pictures match with the old pictures)
http://android-holo-colors.com/
Many images have to edit them by hand
If you put more files than originally,for example switches in lge-res drawable-hdpi, you will get an error when try to compile.
The second step is replace xml files in drawable folder using xml files from zip file that you downloaded in the previous step.
If you don't get the desire result you have to edit styles.xml or drawable folder files or layout files to change backgrounds colors, text color,etc.
Remember there applications with lines in XML files that reference to framework or lge-res, for example:
android:textColor="@*android:color/transparent makes reference to transparent color defined in framework-res and
android:textColor="@com.lge.internal:color/transparent makes reference to transparent color defined in lge-res.
I hope that this mini guide help you, remember that you can make your theme based on this theme, will be easier i think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to @potaturrias!

[Tutorial] Customize soft key height / navigation bar resize

This works on any Rooted Android device. I tried to make the guide easy for those who don't know much. Please backup before attempting this mod.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. ROOT
2. Install root browser on the device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.root.browserfree
3. Install Android Multitool the computer: http://www.mediafire.com/download/7px0d9i51cv5boc/AndroidMultitool_3.3.zip
TUTORIAL:
1. Use root browser and copy /system/framework/framework-res.apk to /sdcard
2. Save framework-res.apk from /sdcard to AndroidMultiTool Files folder in your computer
2. Now we need to Decompile the apk with AndroidMultiTool. Run AndroidMultiTool.exe
3. Under Decompling, select the framework-res.apk file and click decompile. Decompiled files will show up in Decompiled_apk folder
4. go to the folder Decompiled_apk/framework-res/res/values/
5. Open dimens.xml with notepad
6. change values for:
<dimen name="navigation_bar_height">48.0dip</dimen>
<dimen name="navigation_bar_height_landscape">48.0dip</dimen>
<dimen name="navigation_bar_width">42.0dip</dimen>
Use 25 for all dip values to match status bar; or use a bigger number for all three values to make them bigger. Then save.
7. Now we need to Compile the apk with AndroidMultiTool. Under Compiling, select the folder /decomplied_apk/framework-res and click OK. Then click compile. After it's done, you can close Android Multitool
8. Go to the original framework-res.apk in the Files folder and rename it to framework-res.zip
9. Open framework-res.zip and copy AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF folder to your desktop.
10. Go to compiled_apk/framework-res folder
11. Rename framework-res.apk to framework-res.apk.zip
12. Copy and replace AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF folder from your desktop in the framework-res.apk.zip
13. Rename framework-res.zip back to framework-res.apk
14. Copy framework-res.apk into your device /sdcard.
15. Then use root browers to copy and replace framework-res.apk into /system/framework
16. Your device will reboot by itself with the new smaller soft keys
REFERENCES AND THANKS TO:
Flextrick : http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/themes-apps/mod-customize-navigationbar-height-t2306742
Flextrick : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2326604
Charles Chow : http://chromloop.com/2013/07/how-to...on-bar-in-cyanogenmodcm10-1-on-nexus-4-guide/

there's also a way to enable the softkeys http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/themes-apps/mod-how-to-enable-soft-keys-t1960460.
the question is, after I enable the softkeys to my SGNote 3 would your instructions above work?
Update:
I tried your process, upon decompiling, the tool said that the .apk file is not found or is not readable -,-'

its not working.
Under framework-res folder no sub folder res creating, and in android multi tool log showing 7 errors relating with java. please get back to me.

Doesn't work for me
I try 3 times, always stuck on boot screen.

Not working, followed each steps with detailed.
Phone stuck in bootloop..
---------- Post added at 12:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 PM ----------
barrugo said:
I try 3 times, always stuck on boot screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sad

I've got a problem: This tool can't decompile framework-res.apk, says it can't find it! How do I resolve this?