Related
My first thread, so here goes.
This guide was available in the General section under the 'How to make your xda look like an iphone' thread but a seperate thread on using cLaunch seemed sensible.
I also wanted to distance myself from the iPhone thread in light of such posts as this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1100271&highlight=apple#post1100271 as I had posted some ecreen shots myself which I have since removed
cLaunch is a fantastic piece of freeware. I thought I should put together a quick user guide. It is the perfect piece of software to create a custom today screen. I like it because it allows me to create custom links from my today screen using custom icons. I have added some screen shots at the bottom of the post. You can see my photo contacts at the bottom of the page as I have removed the 'contacts/calendar' softkeys using dcinobar.
Where do I get it?
Download cLaunch from here: http://www.pdagold.com/software/detail.asp?s=300
. . . and check the website here: http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~welic/claunch.html
(There are also some great example screen shots on this site - I will try and upload some example screen shots myself shortly.)
Install the cLaunch cab file by copying to your device (eg: \program files\) and then execute by tapping on it.
Activating cLaunch
The plug-in can be activated by going to Start>Settings>Personal>Today>Items and check 'cLaunch'.
Exit the personal today settings and return to your today screen where you should be able to now see cLaunch tabs and a portion of the today screen with a border around it.
Press and hold the stylus on the portion of the screen occupied by cLaunch. This will take you into the cLaunch settings (Screen shot 1). You may also access the settings via the today items menu (Start>Settings>Personal>Today>Items, highlight cLaunch and tap OPTIONS).
Options
Once in the settings select 'Options'. Options allows you to change how cLaunch appears on the today screen. It's settings affect all the individual tabs in the same manner. It is used to set the height of cLaunch within the today screen and the number of tabs in use. These are the tabs you will see:
About - Ver12.03 is the most recent version. Cai Systems 2003.
Language - English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Chinese GB
Main - Select which Tabs you wish to appear within cLaunch. You may use up to 8 selecting them by placing a tick in the box. You may also overtype the titles and change the tab names as required. (Screen shot 2)
System - Here you may set the height of cLaunch. This dictates how much of the today screen it occupies. It may take some trial and error in order to adjust the height and get the desired affect. 'Menu bar enable' makes the tabs you have selected visible on the screen. You can also tap 'Menu bar at bottom' which will shift the tabs below the cLaunch window instead of being located at the top. 'Settings icon enable' creates a small system access icon at the right hand side of your tabs. This is for quick access to the cLaunch settings. 'Arrow icons enable' adds small arrows within cLaunch in the event that you have more items added to the today screen than can be displayed at once. This icon enables you to scroll through the selected tab. You may also select 'Tap empty spaace advance to next group' which allows you to toggle through your tabs by just tapping the screen. (Screen shot 3)
Tab - These settings all relate to your chosen tabs within cLaunch. Increase tab width if the titles of your tabs are lengthy. You may also select to have a border around the plug-in if desired. The options will place a border around the whole plug-in and and around the tabs. There is also an option for 'Tab border 3D'.
Settings icon - This allows you to skin the settings icon if it was selected within the system settings.You may import your own icon using the file path field. Icon should be 18x18 bitmap.
Help - cLaunch quick tips.
Press the tick in the top right hand corner to exit Options and go back to the main cLaunch tabs page. If you have changed the names of any of the tabs you will be able to see the tabs at the top of the screen. You will see all the tabs even though you may have only selected one or two within Options/Main.
Adding items to cLaunch
In order to add items to cLaunch select 'Add'.
Click on the ... next to File Path and browse to the link of the application you wish to ad to cLaunch. Use the .lnk files within your start menu and sub menus. EG windows\start menu\programs\calculator.lnk (select OK) - to add the calculator.
If you wish to use a custom icon select 'Change icon'.Browse to the location of your icons. Store them within windows or within the storage card. You may also use icons from an .exe or .dll or .cpl. Use the appropriate icon handle or browse by tapping 'next'. You will be able to see the icon on the screen at this point. (select OK)
Repeat to add all of the require applications and documents. You can create shortcuts to .lnk, .exe as well as to documents and folders.
If you wish to create a link to your storage card use the following file path: \storage card
This will open the root directory of your storage card using the native file explorer.
Settings
The 'Options' relate to the cLaunch settings as a whole, but each tab may also be configured seperately. Make sure that the tab you wish to personalise is selected and tap 'Settings' (Screen shot 5). These settings relate only to this tab. Here you can set the icon size for the tab, enable or disable the icon name and the height of the text. The 'Margin' tab allows you to organise the icons within the tab. (Screen shot 4)
'Skin' allows you to skin the tab. Note that the skin must be a bitmap and of the correct size. cLaunch will stretch the background if it is too small. 'Skin2' allows you to skin the icons for the arrows.
'Import' allows you to import an entire menu into the selected tab. For example you can import everything from \windows\start menu\programs\. This will save time over adding each item individually.
Once you are happy with your settings you may wish to make some last minute changes to the order of the items within the tab. The main cLaunch page has the options to organise the shortcuts you have added.
Add - Used to add the link to cLaunch.
Edit - Highlight an existing shortcut and select Edit to change the file path or icon.
Delete - Highlight and select delete to remove an shortcut.
Cut - Highlight and select cut to cut a shortcut to the clip board.
Copy - Copy any selected shortcut from desired tab.
Paste - Paste the shortcut you have copied/cut.
Select All - Selects all shortcuts on the visible tab.
Up - Used to arrange the order. Highlight your shortcut and then select Up to move it up the list of shortcuts.
Down - Used to arrange the order. Highlight your shortcut and then select Down to move it down the list of shortcuts.
Select mulitple - Allows you to highlight and pick several shortcuts and deal with them together once selected.
For additonal information on creating shortcuts search http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php using the key word 'completeness' and enter vijay555 in the username field.
Additonal Information and links . . .
Here is some further information which I shall try and elaborate on further when I have time.
Sometimes when you are using a theme with a bright colour the icon background will also display this colour when pressed. To change the colour of the background when you touch an icon use 'Base Hue Express' available on the following site:
http://www.greatbal.blogspot.com/
[Full instructions and the .zip file]
If you wish to use greyscale enter the program and select 'Menu' and the 'Use Greyscale'.
Themes:
http://www.pocketpcthemes.com/
Or make your own: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=275907
Check the cLaunch homepage. There are 5 examples of user screen shots inclding some icons . . .
Icon packs:
cLaunch Home: http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~welic/claunch.html
Available icons: http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~welic/users_screen3.html
. . . and http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~welic/users_screen4.html
****************************************************************************************
cLaunch is agreat piece of freeware and very customisable. I have found that most of my knowledge of this program has been as a result of trial and error. And if you don't like it go into the cLaunch settings select 'Options' and on the main About page there is a tab to uninstall!
Wiki-ised!
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=ClaunchGuide
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=ClaunchGuide
V
cLaunch
Any idea why I get "cLaunch is not a valid Pocket PC application" when I try to install on Cingular 8525?
sdw443 said:
Any idea why I get "cLaunch is not a valid Pocket PC application" when I try to install on Cingular 8525?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the cab file from http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~welic/claunch.html and copy it to your device, for example place it in \windows\program files\ and then browse to that folder using your file explorer and tap on the file. It will then ask you where you wish to install. Select 'Device'.
If you have downloaded an .exe you can run it on your pc without the device connected and then simply extract the cab file from within your pc's activesync folders and then copy it to the device.
I guess you are getting that error as you are attempting to run an .exe file intended to be run on a pc desktop.
HOw to make all icon display on the screen ?
I can only see 4 icons at a time , how can i make it displayed all ? Thanks
Did you read the first post? Just change icon size/spacing/caption size/spacing.
V
The problem I have is that the icons I use appear incorrectly. The odd pixel is missing and the number of missing pixels depends on the icon. They display fine in the Change Icon screen and in the Windows photo viewer, but not on the Today screen.
Edit: OK, it seems that these pixels are turning up as transparent. All of the ready-made cLaunch icons which have transparency have that pink colour. Maybe some of the colours in the icons are too close to that pink. Any way to turn transparency off?
What icons are they? Just edit them and remove transparency.
V
Does this program work for the IPAQ b/c I cannot only see the add, edit and delete buttons on the bottom.
Icon Display
Vijay555 ,
Thanks for that reply, i got it down and the only thing i am trying to do now is getting the bottom portion of the icons. I have phoneAlarm , what do i do? i played around and couldn't come up with any luck.
I also wholeheartedly recommend cLaunch if you haven't already tried it. Search for 'claunch' in my previous articles; I've published several on it (also comparative ones if you want to know how it compares to the alternatives like Spb Pocket Plus).
I've since found that white is a transparent colour. I made a completely white icon and it didn't show up at all on the Today screen. I'm exporting from Photoshop as Windows 24 bit BMP. Should I change that?
I can't see the "Settings" with my treo 700wx (240x240) screen. Is there any way for me to resize the program or work around it?
Why aren't you exporting icons with an icon app? Try Microangelo or similar.
schen08 - apologies, I don't think the config app has ever been compiled to be square screen compatible. Try using the app floatme perhaps to give control of the window and drag it around. I doubt that would work.
Anyone got time to recompile? It'd be quite easy.
Oh schen08 - you can probably do it yourself! Just load the app into a resource hacker and redefine the dialogs, if you can.
V
What exactly should I export as? ICO is unsupported by cLaunch.
Sorry, I'm turning blonde today!
Make icon in Microangelo Studio, get together a bunch of .icos, then download a resource only icon dll. That sounds like crazy talk, but download PHM Tools and you will find an icon dll in there.
Scoop out the filling like some kind of surrogate bovine egg cell, and using Microangelo Librarian drag your ico files into the now empty icon dll.
In this way, you make an "icon bank", which you can then use in claunch, and also has the convenience of keeping all your icons in one place.
See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=271547#post980612&postcount=4 for more confusion.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
V
Thanks. Also, how are you taking pictures of your screen?
This program looks great but I do have a problem. I've installed it but I can't get to the options screen where you have the about menu, and the other settings.
When I hold down the stylus in the Claunch i get the settings page. but from there I only can add/delete/edit. nothing else.
I have a treo 700w
DinCahill said:
Thanks. Also, how are you taking pictures of your screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are various screen shot apps. Check XnView pocket - http://www.pdagold.com/software/detail.asp?s=1275 as it includes a function to take screen shots but is also a useful image editor. It is freeware as well.
Square screen
digitalsr2: you need to resource edit the dialogs for square screen, dialog 500.
I can't test this, I'm at work, but try this:
http://www.vijay555.com/vj/claunchguide/square/claunch.dll
- Install normal claunch
- Go to Today settings screen and UNTICK claunch.
- Download above file, and copy into \windows\
- Go to Today settings screen and TICK claunch.
Now try the options.
Like I said, untested, but follow the idea and make a new version.
V
is there a way for me to erase all sms( sent or received) at once instead of trying to do so 1 by 1 ? if there is a option to select all and then delete would be great but i have not found a way to do that...... thanks
i dont have my phone in front of me, but i do believe if you are looking at the all folders screen, the one that shows inbox/outbox/sent/etc. you can go to options and somewhere in there, maybe in tools or something you should be able to delete all messages. sorry i cant be more descriptive, but its there, just look a bit.
One way to do it - use your stylus and drag down, starting with the first msg you want to delete. It will start highlighting all the messages as you drag downwards. Once you have all the messages highlighted, tap and hold and a context sensitive menu will appear, allowing you to delete all of those highlighted messages.
Do a search for InboxExtender, it's a simple cab that adds a "delete all" and "mark all as read" option.
Use the on screen keyboard and ctrl A to select all then hit delete
Scroll selecting them all and hit delete
Menu / tools / clear sms/mms but this takes out even stored messages not just in box and sent
one small question i seem to have managed to turn mine upside down, by default new messages appeared at the top of the list now they seem to appear at the bottom of current messages, anyone know how to reverse it again ?
Tinyk said:
Use the on screen keyboard and ctrl A to select all then hit delete
Scroll selecting them all and hit delete
Menu / tools / clear sms/mms but this takes out even stored messages not just in box and sent
one small question i seem to have managed to turn mine upside down, by default new messages appeared at the top of the list now they seem to appear at the bottom of current messages, anyone know how to reverse it again ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the top, you should have Inbox and Received with down arrows next to them. Click on Received and you should get a dropdown menu. If you click the same menu item that is selected, it does a reverse sort.
Lidberg said:
At the top, you should have Inbox and Received with down arrows next to them. Click on Received and you should get a dropdown menu. If you click the same menu item that is selected, it does a reverse sort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was wondering the same , thanks boys and girls!
bobcho10 said:
is there a way for me to erase all sms( sent or received) at once instead of trying to do so 1 by 1 ? if there is a option to select all and then delete would be great but i have not found a way to do that...... thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
found this here on the forums. It adds a few extra menus...
When you are in the messages screen, select Menu / Tools / Clear Messages. It will erase all inbox and sent messages.
Does anyone know how to add a word document onto the HTC Diamond home laucher? (See the screenshot below)...
hit the plus sign
scroll down
select word mobile
if its not there make a shortcut of it and toss it into the programs folder
ekw said:
hit the plus sign
scroll down
select word mobile
if its not there make a shortcut of it and toss it into the programs folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but that'll be a shortcut to the "Word Mobile program" not the file/document and I've got loads of word files on my device.
make a shortcut of the file and drop it in the progams folder under windows>start menu>programs. It will then appear in the list of programs to add to HTC home plugin.
Dulal Alom said:
Yeah but that'll be a shortcut to the "Word Mobile program" not the file/document and I've got loads of word files on my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, here's the solution:
1. Open File Explorer
2. Press and hold your stylus over the word document until a pop-up menu appears
3. Tap "Copy"
4. In File Explorer, go to Windows > Start Menu.
5. Now, tap "Menu > Edit > Paste as Shortcut"
Now, your word doument will appear when you click the + sign in HTC Home
hope this helps
Thanks!
I've done it!!!
adding programs to launcher - not bringing the program
I am trying to add program by hitting the + sign in launcher. It is bringing the programs. after I select a program - launcher is not adding it to the launcher. I can remove the existing programs. I have added 4 programs long time back. If I hit remove they are going away from launcher. But - programs are not getting added.
Any help? Thanks.
I often send pictures to my friends; especially one person. Is there an app or patch to the Sprint picture viewer (or any viewer) that would add "Send this to Joe" to "Send this to a contact" and then automagically do it without all the normal clicking and searching and stuff?
Thanks
Yeah, in Manilla (touch flo 3d interface) go to pictures, hit the desired one, when it's full screen tap the screen, a context menu will appear, hit the envelope icon (3rd from left to right), choose your method of delivery. If you have any problems, post back.
This is for the HTC Album application
Yes, thank you, thats what I've been doing but there's still a lot of steps. After ten or twenty pics it gets aggravating. I meant being in album or camera, tapping or holding down the stylus and a "Quick Send" menu pops up.
Joe
George
All Favorites
Other
Tap one and it's on it's way.
You could also install file explorer extension, check "preview image" and you'll see thumbnail of the file in file explorer, then in the context menu click send. Again brings sms/email and other options
Sorry I can't think of anything else
Thanks. It was just an idea. Maybe I'd better learn how to program.
Hi
Is there a way to cut an image by selecting what you want and then pasting it on another image? I can't seem to find any info relating to the Note 8
indie said:
Hi
Is there a way to cut an image by selecting what you want and then pasting it on another image? I can't seem to find any info relating to the Note 8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a app called Picsay in the play store
Hi thanks for the reply. I thought you could use for instance the lasso tool and copy cut out to clipboard and then paste on another pic without additional third party apps.
you can lasso and share directly to certain apps, but the clipboard is not one of them, the work around would be to share to Samsung note app then select and hold to copy to clipboard, from there you should be able to paste it into any app which will accept it (there are very few apps that will accept pasting of images, the clipboard edge app is indispensable if your doing alot of this stuff)
Another option would be to share directly to your image editing app and then insert other image underneath.
The easiest way: display picture on the screen, pull out the s-pen, click smart select on menu, select part of picture with pen, pin to screen. Load your second picture, properly position your pinned picture, take screen shot. I'm sure there are many other ways using picture editors and stamp functions.
in case you might find it useful, Autodesk Sketchbook will allow you to composite the smart select directly over an existing session/image as a new layer via the share button in smart select. It will use the active sketchbook session (last opened document) and is the only one in my collection of sketching/note taking apps that allows this behavior. Its a pretty decent sketching app too.
picsay pro
photoshop touch
Just figured it out if you're still interested. No 3rd party app or s pen needed. If you have both images saved to your gallery, open the main image. Then open the 3 dots (more options) in the upper right of the screen. Select "open in photo editor pro". Select "decoration" icon. Then select "images" and that will open up the gallery in bottom half of the screen for you to select the other image you want to add to the image you're in now. Hope this helps
okglaucoma said:
Just figured it out if you're still interested. No 3rd party app or s pen needed. If you have both images saved to your gallery, open the main image. Then open the 3 dots (more options) in the upper right of the screen. Select "open in photo editor pro". Select "decoration" icon. Then select "images" and that will open up the gallery in bottom half of the screen for you to select the other image you want to add to the image you're in now. Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked *perfectly* , no 3rd party apps needed. Thank you!!
pete4k said:
The easiest way: display picture on the screen, pull out the s-pen, click smart select on menu, select part of picture with pen, pin to screen. Load your second picture, properly position your pinned picture, take screen shot. I'm sure there are many other ways using picture editors and stamp functions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you "pin to screen"? In my old Note 4 a few years back I could do this as you explained but in my new N8 it seems the option is not there.
I also made with the workaround described 2 posts back, but the option of pin to screen was much faster and I don't seem to find it anymore.
Edit: just to clarify, the "pin to screen" option is available if I use the rectangle smart select, if I use the lazo (which I use to crop a photo) then the pin to screen is not shown, this was available in Note 4, I don't see why removing it!!!