Related
Clicking the wiki just now gave me a 404 error and the sticky is a bit long and just a bit outdated in terms of the links.
What programs, apps, vids, etc do I need in order to make themes?
I have been flashing themes left and right and each have their goods and bads. The biggest bad is there doesn't seem to be a well done red theme which I would like to do. I have tried enamored but the notification icons kill it for me.
So again, are there any up to date tutorials on making themes? Thanks in advance for any help.
+1 to that
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
A quic and dirty how to
lovethyEVO said:
Clicking the wiki just now gave me a 404 error and the sticky is a bit long and just a bit outdated in terms of the links.
What programs, apps, vids, etc do I need in order to make themes?
I have been flashing themes left and right and each have their goods and bads. The biggest bad is there doesn't seem to be a well done red theme which I would like to do. I have tried enamored but the notification icons kill it for me.
So again, are there any up to date tutorials on making themes? Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shanesol said:
+1 to that
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heres the How to
An apk is really just a zip file... apk stands for android package (if i remember correctly). So treat it like a standard zip file.
Youll need a pint program to make changes I use gimp its free so get it here
TIP: Your first theme should really just be a mixing and matching of other themes to get use to the process.
TIP: d/l and look at other themes and see what the have done, using the same process below you can port and mash themes. To see what is themed go to the res/drawable-xxx folders and sorte the png's in there to newest at the top and you'll see what they have changed.
TIP: system/app/xxx.apk are where most apps that are themed are contained in these apks you'll find a res folder and in there you have a bunch of folders. you really on need to look in the drawable-xxx ones mdpi, no-dpi, land and so forth. these pngs make up the apps look and feel changing them will theme the app.
You'll need apk manager this will allow you to sign zips which makes them flashable. get that here
Now get your favorite Rom and make a folder. In that folder make 2 folders one called packed the other called packed. Take your rom and unzip it in the unpacked folder. and then take the original zip and move it to the packed folder.
Next go into the unpacked folder and nav to system/framework.framework-res.apk (this holds the bulk of the android png that make up all the stuff most people change to make a theme) take this apk and unzip it in this folder and then make a copy of the apk and move the copy to the packed folder.
Now when you want to make a change to the framework-res.apk use the unpacked as a reference. us the packed as the change dir, you do this by opening but not unzipping the apk you want to change and just dragging the files you are replacing into the apk, this will replace them. You might want to make a a 3rd folder sorta of a master copy if you ever mess up the packed roms. Remember that in all three of the dirs created you want to keep the dir structure the way you extracted it from the rom and theme.
Now that you have an altered framework-res.apk you can just push it to system/framework folder (i think) and reboot and your changes are in. I never do this since flashable is easier to manage I make a flashable.
A flashable is like a rom but allot smaller, so d/l one of my themes and take the zip file and place in in a folder next to the packed and unpacked folder call it something like staging. now unzip apk manager into the top dir next to 4 other folders you just made.
Now my theme zip can be renamed to whatever you want, your going to use it as a place holder for signing flashable zips. go into the theme zip and delete ever thing in the system folder except the framework folder then go into the frame work folder and delete everything, if you have apps your theming just make the system/app.
Your flashable zip folder should only have a a meta-inf folder and a system folder, the system folder should only have a framework and or app folders. Now drag your altered framework-res.apk into the flashable zip system/framework folder you just cleaned out.
Ok now you have to sign it, copy that flashable zip to the place-apk-here-for-signing folder, this should have shown up when you unzipped apk manager into the folder the also contains unpacked and packed folders.
Now click on the script.bat and you'll see a bunch of option you can do option 16 to sign your zip. it takes a second or two and the date should get updated on the flashable.zip file in the place-apk-here-for-signing folder.
Now you have your new them ready to install. if your changing something else find the apk and replace framework-res.apk in these instruction and it works the same. note that most app reside in system/app so you next to take that into account.
Keep the questions reasonable and I'll answer then.
Thanks simmons. For the most part I have been doing the open apk without extracting and replacing png files. The one thing that I cant seem to get is changing the battery icon...it never sticks. Anyways, do the themes always have to be signed? I know amon 1.8 can flash unsigned zips but do the themes have to be signed always? I will be taking my laptop to work tonight to practice what you outlined. Thanks again.
EDIT: I noticed some themes have com.htc.resources.apk alongside framework res and some have services.jar. What are these for?
No they don't have to be signed but people will complain cause most people don't have the eng spl, it all so protects you from flashing bad stuff. If your only changing the standard 5 battery icons thus method always works.
The services.jar usually room specific and changes things like lock screen behavior mixes These with other roms will cause boot loops be careful.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Simmons thanks for answering so far.
My last question is to theme the entire phone is it basically the resources, framework, and services.jar files that need to be edited? I understand the apps would be themed themselves and then just included as part of the zip file right?
lovethyEVO said:
Simmons thanks for answering so far.
My last question is to theme the entire phone is it basically the resources, framework, and services.jar files that need to be edited? I understand the apps would be themed themselves and then just included as part of the zip file right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well the service.jar is compiled and therefore can't necessarily be themed you can't hack it or mod it by decompling it or you can change it by compiling changes you made from source but for the sake of normal themes its not needed.
as for the resources I assume your referring to the resources.arsc which is basically a set of compiled xml files. In here it where you can change stuff like how many pngs are associated with the battery status icons (think of circle batter mod which has one icon per percentage instead of the 0 10 20 40 60 80 100 ? icons in the normal aosp rom) changing this can be done with the apk manage by decompiling the framework-res.zpk, making the change and compiling back. but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner.
The problem with the above is you take the chance of the theme not be cross-rom compatible. For you normal theme all you need to change are the pngs in the res folder of the framework-apk, however somethings like the launcher or the dialer still reside in the app folder and have there own apk.
Oh and I have no question limit.
ASimmons said:
well the service.jar is compiled and therefore can't necessarily be themed you can't hack it or mod it by decompling it or you can change it by compiling changes you made from source but for the sake of normal themes its not needed.
as for the resources I assume your referring to the resources.arsc which is basically a set of compiled xml files. In here it where you can change stuff like how many pngs are associated with the battery status icons (think of circle batter mod which has one icon per percentage instead of the 0 10 20 40 60 80 100 ? icons in the normal aosp rom) changing this can be done with the apk manage by decompiling the framework-res.zpk, making the change and compiling back. but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner.
The problem with the above is you take the chance of the theme not be cross-rom compatible. For you normal theme all you need to change are the pngs in the res folder of the framework-apk, however somethings like the launcher or the dialer still reside in the app folder and have there own apk.
Oh and I have no question limit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simmons, thank you very much. Every answer you give is clearing things up more and more for me. I have decompiled a frameworkres before when I was trying to get the circle batt mod onto the odex stock rom so I am not too unawares there. What I want to do is theme the colors on anything and everything along with making the transparent windows such as when you confirm actions and the transparent notification pull down. Are these really accomplished with simply changing the pngs or do I have to edit the xml files? If I must edit the xml files, are there key files to edit or would editing one xml affect another?
lovethyEVO said:
Simmons, thank you very much. Every answer you give is clearing things up more and more for me. I have decompiled a frameworkres before when I was trying to get the circle batt mod onto the odex stock rom so I am not too unawares there. What I want to do is theme the colors on anything and everything along with making the transparent windows such as when you confirm actions and the transparent notification pull down. Are these really accomplished with simply changing the pngs or do I have to edit the xml files? If I must edit the xml files, are there key files to edit or would editing one xml affect another?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The xml files really just hold names for the pngs. So for example the pngs for the battery have there names store in the xml (cant remember off hand which one of the decompiled xml from the resource.arsc.. strings??) file and then as the value value next to that filename for what percent to show that specific png at.
But 95% of your theming only involves changing the png files. So to have a clear notification back ground look in the framework-res.apk/res/drawable-mdpi/status_bar_background.png or you want to change the button to unlock your phone framework-res.apk/res/ic_jog_dial_unlock.png or to change the status bar framework-res.apk/res/statusbar_background.9.png
TIP: if you see a png with 9 in the name like xxxx.9.png its basically a stretchable png where the side that you want stechable has a one pixel wide line running the length of the png as a border this tells android that the png should stretch that side until it fills the screen.
9 patch explanation
So aside from editing the xmls for the battery percent everything is just replacong pngs? Thats awesome.
When it comes to apps like the internet browser for example, where would I find the apk? I'm assuming theming the apps is just like themeing the phone in that I just replace the .pngs right? Again your answers are very much appreciated and definitely making things seem easier. Thanks.
Hiya all.
I'm a noob at this too and I want to change the icons of some of the apps installed on my phone and theme a couple of widgets that am using. I have two questions:
1) In the system/app folder of the phone almost all the apps have a xxx.apk and a xxx.odex file. In order to change the png files in the apk does something need to be done with the odex file too?
2) Can I change the png files in the apk files in data/app the way you described above?
Sorry if the questions are noobish
From my Galaxy S loonie-phone
lovethyEVO said:
So aside from editing the xmls for the battery percent everything is just replacong pngs? Thats awesome.
When it comes to apps like the internet browser for example, where would I find the apk? I'm assuming theming the apps is just like themeing the phone in that I just replace the .pngs right? Again your answers are very much appreciated and definitely making things seem easier. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To theme the browser you can alter the Browser.apk in the system/app and using the direction I posted it works the same way.
And if you make a theme pm me so I can check it out.
Fireloon said:
Hiya all.
I'm a noob at this too and I want to change the icons of some of the apps installed on my phone and theme a couple of widgets that am using. I have two questions:
1) In the system/app folder of the phone almost all the apps have a xxx.apk and a xxx.odex file. In order to change the png files in the apk does something need to be done with the odex file too?
2) Can I change the png files in the apk files in data/app the way you described above?
Sorry if the questions are noobish
From my Galaxy S loonie-phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. My theming expertise is more with AOSP roms but its my understanding that you should be able to theme a sense rom in the same way by de-odexing a rom. And yes any and all apps are themable if it has a png files in it you can unpack it alter the png's and put them back in the original apk, which overwrites the original png's and resign it and then flash or reinstall it.
2. Yes you can. any and all apks can be themed in the manner I described. for odexed roms search the forum for de-odexing techniques.
Thx for the answer. I'll search about deodexing
From my Galaxy S loonie-phone
Thanks for all the great tips I just got finished porting a theme thanks to all the help!
shanesol said:
Thanks for all the great tips I just got finished porting a theme thanks to all the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome pm some screenies or the op here I'd like to check it out.
ASimmons said:
awesome pm some screenies or the op here I'd like to check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a simple black/white matte theme called Invertnito. It was made for Sapphire but I like CM too much to give it up lol
ASimmons said:
awesome pm some screenies or the op here I'd like to check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking to have some sort of base by this weekend. I have just been mix/matching pngs I like from other themes as well as trying to make my own pngs and figuring out the transparency/borders effect. Taking my time but still want to come out with something for critique.
shanesol said:
It's a simple black/white matte theme called Invertnito. It was made for Sapphire but I like CM too much to give it up lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice Job.
lovethyEVO said:
Looking to have some sort of base by this weekend. I have just been mix/matching pngs I like from other themes as well as trying to make my own pngs and figuring out the transparency/borders effect. Taking my time but still want to come out with something for critique.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm not much of a critiquer since most of the themeing stuff I've done doesn't go over so well around here (I dont like dark colors, black, dark blue blah blah) really its up to what you like, I made a couple of themes based on what I liked and left it at that. But I'll be glad to look at it and dont forget to make sure that if you use some elses stuff you give them there props in your ops and pm them a warning you going to use it, unless they specify different this is all you should need to do..
ASimmons said:
Nice Job.
Well I'm not much of a critiquer since most of the themeing stuff I've done doesn't go over so well around here (I dont like dark colors, black, dark blue blah blah) really its up to what you like, I made a couple of themes based on what I liked and left it at that. But I'll be glad to look at it and dont forget to make sure that if you use some elses stuff you give them there props in your ops and pm them a warning you going to use it, unless they specify different this is all you should need to do..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definately making note of whose work I use. Though it's kind of hard because my favorite notification icons I have seen in two diff themes and neither one of them mention who was the artist for them. But still keeping at it. And like you I dont care about dark colors unless its used to contrast the main theme color. I'm working on a red theme and there will be some parts that will have a darkish background to help the red border colors and/or text pop more. In time though. Your first post here was definitely a great shove in the right direction.
Hi guys,
Wondering if someone can give me some clear directions how to add battery icons (knowing that the resource IDs of the images are not stored in public.xml - it doesn't exist in samsung's framework-res.apk) and how can I change text colors (basically replace black with white and vice versa) and where should I change these values.
Thanks a lot!
Common themers, I know you know, you just don't wanna share
Joking I would really like to start themeing as well and these are the only 2 issues that I have at the moment.
icezar1 said:
Common themers, I know you know, you just don't wanna share
Joking I would really like to start themeing as well and these are the only 2 issues that I have at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=724778
Get apk manger.I'm trying to do this too.
Hm, I did, I de-compiled the apk but did not want to compile back. Probably the images are not Draw 9-patch-ed. However, I still need to find out how to change the text color...
icezar1 said:
Hm, I did, I de-compiled the apk but did not want to compile back. Probably the images are not Draw 9-patch-ed. However, I still need to find out how to change the text color...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
find you find out before keep me updated, and i'll do the same.
icezar1 said:
Hi guys,
Wondering if someone can give me some clear directions how to add battery icons (knowing that the resource IDs of the images are not stored in public.xml - it doesn't exist in samsung's framework-res.apk) and how can I change text colors (basically replace black with white and vice versa) and where should I change these values.
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can change the battery icons in the framework-res.apk [look in the res/drawable hdpi/stat_sys_battery_x.png
and to change the text color: I was trying to figure that one out last week....From what I figured out you need to modify:
res/layout/status_bar_latest_event_content.xml
Which is found in your framework-res.apk aswell....Decomplie-edit-recomplie....
Good luck
what program are you using to edit your xml's?
chaosjh said:
what program are you using to edit your xml's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apk_manager_4.9 to decomplie-recomplie. Then use notepad to edit
i change icons and stuff in framework by just using 7zip. No need to decompile or sign, or any of that. Super easy. Not sure about changing text color, tho.
If your just wanting to do simple changes (no .xml edits)
You can use WinRar to open the framework-res.apk and find the *.png's you want to replace.
Then copy/paste the new images over the old ones inside of WinRar.
Close.. and install.
But thats for quick and dirty changes. For more intricate stuff - animations etc. that require *.xml edits - do what the above folks say
No way..
OK, just decompiled-added icons from other decompiled framework-recompiled, no xml edits-installed. Look is changed, battery icons now displaying fine but... force closes and restarts the shell in less than 20 secs...
yup try the winrar method - there is no decompiling.. just copies the images into the *.apk
And shouldn't have any FC's if you try that method.
avgjoegeek said:
If your just wanting to do simple changes (no .xml edits)
You can use WinRar to open the framework-res.apk and find the *.png's you want to replace.
Then copy/paste the new images over the old ones inside of WinRar.
Close.. and install.
But thats for quick and dirty changes. For more intricate stuff - animations etc. that require *.xml edits - do what the above folks say
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i changed icon with winRar, and all kinds of crazy stuff happed. Loop boots,and Fc
Have you guys figured out the text color yet? If you haven't let me know what text you're trying to change and I'll write something up in a few hours when I get off work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
fritzgerald said:
Have you guys figured out the text color yet? If you haven't let me know what text you're trying to change and I'll write something up in a few hours when I get off work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have tried for to days now to get these android faces icon for the battery.I've use winRar and it worked good for a few hours, but when i used cwm to backup my system on reboot it boot loop. I got apk manger and everytime I try to compile the apk there is a error.Oh changing the text color would be cool too!
dfuse06 said:
i have tried for to days now to get these android faces icon for the battery.I've use winRar and it worked good for a few hours, but when i used cwm to backup my system on reboot it boot loop. I got apk manger and everytime I try to compile the apk there is a error.Oh changing the text color would be cool too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shoot me a link to the icons you're trying to use. What ROM are you using(name & version). What text are you looking to change? There's not one global change to make all the text different I'll need to know what specifically you're trying to change.
I use the uot kitchen you get the icon on perception 7,but im on 8 now. I'm running perception 7 darknees 2.3 theme, and that is what i'm trying to get the icons on its the battery icon of the android smiley faces it is version j with white numbers. i'm going to look for a link for them.i have the framwork-res.apk with them in it.
When you recompile with APK Manager, a couple of things are very important to do:
1. Hit yes to "system app".
2. Hit yes to restoring the files:
-Open the "keep" folder and delete resources.arsc. Then delete anything you changed (if it's there).
3. Do NOT sign it.
It should work.
PuffinNugz said:
i change icons and stuff in framework by just using 7zip. No need to decompile or sign, or any of that. Super easy. Not sure about changing text color, tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you just individually edit each icon? Cause I can't find a way to copy in a folder. I'm pulling the icons from the 2.3 framework, but i just want to copy over the drawable folders for now.
TheEscapist said:
Do you just individually edit each icon? Cause I can't find a way to copy in a folder. I'm pulling the icons from the 2.3 framework, but i just want to copy over the drawable folders for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just dragged the images from a particular themes framework and dropped them to the new one all within 7zip.
Ok so I tried to make the statusbar transparent with UOT kitchen like for all the phones I had before, but this time it won't work!
I did a little search and found that it could be the status_bar.xml file that is responsible of that, blocking the statusbar to a black code color.
So I changed it toward a definite file as mentioned in a topic, my problem is that I am new to apktool
The apk didn't decompile completly so I can't recompile it.
So I am attaching the systemui.apk and xml file I edited, can you check it up and recompile this xml (if good) with the systemui.apk please??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1108249
Don't know if this could help you... (look at the end of the page)
I'm gonna give links for various guides to edit these files
Remember, these files are most useful for theming or making ROMs so read on if you want to develop your own ROMs...:good:
A noobs guide for uot kitchen
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1676817
Full guide for editing systemui.apk and framework-res.apk and also making a custom rom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2086771
Editing classes.dex inside services.jar
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2160478
Change status bar clock color
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=549309
Make status bar transparent
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1891702
Battery Bar Mod
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1371330
Decompiling/Recompiling and Advance Theming of 9 PNG
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2254824
Android Theming(Big guide with lots of links)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2069287
Build.prop edits
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2256588
ADB, Logcat for n00bs and newbies
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2141817
KERNEL DEVELOPMENT(Advanced User)
How to use Github
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1877040
Guides on building kernels
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1845099&highlight=build+kernel (More useful for BCM devices)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2226199
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2152819 (Using NDK)
Add features to your kernel( from XDA-U)
http://xda-university.com/as-a-developer/adding-features-to-your-kernel
TIPS
Tip-1
Enable CRT screen off animation in ur phone(Will not enable animation when screen is turned on)(does not work on S5830i)
Decompile framework-res.apk
go to res/values find bools.xml and open it.
[/B]
Change this
<bool name="config_animateScreenLights">true</bool>
to this
<bool name="config_animateScreenLights">false</bool>
If this does not work, look for detailed guide with editing of services.jar
Tip-2
Change your android version and name(just a superficial change!)
1. Open your explorer.
2. Go to system/
3. There's a file named "build.prop"
4. Long press and then open in text editor.
5. Find these-
ro.build.display.id - Build Number(Default: GINGERBREAD.XXLA2)
ro.build.version.release- Android version(Default: 2.3.6)
6. Edit, Save and Reboot!
Tip-3
Make status bar transparent(Only transparent for homescreen)
1. Decompile systemui.apk
2. Go to res/layout/status_bar,xml
3.Find android:background=FF000000 and change it to android:background=000000000 for full transparency and to android:background=5F000000 for half transparency.
4.If android:[email protected] statusbar_background (this name can be different) is present in status_bar.xml then you can find the image named statusbar_background in res/drawable-ldpi( or mdpi/hdpi depending on the device) and make that image transparent via image editors!
This simply means our status bar background is drawable and we are providing proper image for it!
Will add more tips soon!
Re: [LINKS][TIPS] Editing system files and more!
Thank js.. Very helpfull for a noob like me..
Sent from my GT-S6500D
thank you very much. it was helpful for me too.
Re: [LINKS][TIPS] Editing system files and more!
EvolutionHybrid said:
Thank js.. Very helpfull for a noob like me..
Sent from my GT-S6500D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
eserguei said:
thank you very much. it was helpful for me too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite strange that the guys who found it useful haven't bothered to atleast hit a small thanks button!
Sent from my Xperia Neo V using xda premium
Ghostfreak NB said:
Quite strange that the guys who found it useful haven't bothered to atleast hit a small thanks button!
Sent from my Xperia Neo V using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, but not to you
Also, is the CRT effect not able to be done on a Gingerbread-based stock rom? I decompiled my framework-res.apk with NinjaMorph but, I can't seem to find the dir [APK ROOT]/res/values nor the bools.xml file...
Another question, is it dangerous to my rom's stability if I use somebody else's framework-res.apk? (taking into account that my rom's backed up though, it's not really an issue )
Ah, my phone is a GT-S5830M (same as the GT-S5830i)
El_Dark said:
I did, but not to you
Also, is the CRT effect not able to be done on a Gingerbread-based stock rom? I decompiled my framework-res.apk with NinjaMorph but, I can't seem to find the dir [APK ROOT]/res/values nor the bools.xml file...
Another question, is it dangerous to my rom's stability if I use somebody else's framework-res.apk? (taking into account that my rom's backed up though, it's not really an issue )
Ah, my phone is a GT-S5830M (same as the GT-S5830i)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also S5830i user but this method won't work due to unknown reasons! I'll edit OP!
Otherwise it will work on other devices!
Don't replace framework-res.apk.. U'll get bricked.. If u are doing ui changes just take the pngs and replace in ur framework-res.apk! But make sure resolution is same as that of original one!
Sent from mass relay
El_Dark said:
Also, is the CRT effect not able to be done on a Gingerbread-based stock rom? I decompiled my framework-res.apk with NinjaMorph but, I can't seem to find the dir [APK ROOT]/res/values nor the bools.xml file...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is yes, but you can only theme images it seems with NinjaMorph, which is why it doesn't list the folders that consist mainly of xmls, which can only be edited after being decompiled.
Was really a very easy n a extremely noov friendly tutorial.
Thnx guys!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
VERY NICE GUIDE !!! Thanks a lot ,, many more to learn
Can u give a guide to add notification toggles in aosp ics
Sent from my GT-S5570 using xda premium
really helpful
thanks (pressed already)
How do I change the Model Number?
js2892 said:
I'm gonna give links for various guides to edit these files
Remember, these files are most useful for theming or making ROMs so read on if you want to develop your own ROMs...:good:
A noobs guide for uot kitchen
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1676817
Full guide for editing systemui.apk and framework-res.apk and also making a custom rom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2086771
Editing classes.dex inside services.jar
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2160478
Change status bar clock color
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=549309
Make status bar transparent
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1891702
Battery Bar Mod
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1371330
Decompiling/Recompiling and Advance Theming of 9 PNG
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2254824
Android Theming(Big guide with lots of links)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2069287
Build.prop edits
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2256588
ADB, Logcat for n00bs and newbies
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2141817
KERNEL DEVELOPMENT(Advanced User)
How to use Github
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1877040
Guides on building kernels
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1845099&highlight=build+kernel (More useful for BCM devices)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2226199
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2152819 (Using NDK)
Add features to your kernel( from XDA-U)
http://xda-university.com/as-a-developer/adding-features-to-your-kernel
TIPS
Tip-1
Enable CRT screen off animation in ur phone(Will not enable animation when screen is turned on)(does not work on S5830i)
Decompile framework-res.apk
go to res/values find bools.xml and open it.
[/B]
Change this
<bool name="config_animateScreenLights">true</bool>
to this
<bool name="config_animateScreenLights">false</bool>
If this does not work, look for detailed guide with editing of services.jar
Tip-2
Change your android version and name(just a superficial change!)
1. Open your explorer.
2. Go to system/
3. There's a file named "build.prop"
4. Long press and then open in text editor.
5. Find these-
ro.build.display.id - Build Number(Default: GINGERBREAD.XXLA2)
ro.build.version.release- Android version(Default: 2.3.6)
6. Edit, Save and Reboot!
Tip-3
Make status bar transparent(Only transparent for homescreen)
1. Decompile systemui.apk
2. Go to res/layout/status_bar,xml
3.Find android:background=FF000000 and change it to android:background=000000000 for full transparency and to android:background=5F000000 for half transparency.
4.If android:[email protected] statusbar_background (this name can be different) is present in status_bar.xml then you can find the image named statusbar_background in res/drawable-ldpi( or mdpi/hdpi depending on the device) and make that image transparent via image editors!
This simply means our status bar background is drawable and we are providing proper image for it!
Will add more tips soon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
How would I change the Model Number?
rasmutu said:
Hi,
How would I change the Model Number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't quote the whole OP.
go to system/build.prop
open the file and change value of ro.product.model
It seems good. I'm going to click. thank you!
HOW TO MODIFY THEME CHOOSER APKs (Windows only)
this thread was created to help my HUEsers modify my theme.apk, (may be applicable to other themes as well)
to get familiar and exposed on the contents of it and basic filenames / codes inside the apk,
because some users are not fully satisfied with my releases
some want additional stuffs added, some want to change some parts/areas, some want to remove specific apk being themed,
as much i want to help and provide modified themes for you, i may be busy most of the time,
and i can't even grant all your requests
so i decided to start the thread to help you guys, guide on how to mod it,
and who knows, one of these days
you will become one of the Recognized Themer of XDA,
enjoy and i hope you found this useful
WARNING!!!:
use this guide for your own use only, if you wish to release in public and start a new thread,
PLEASE ASK PERMISSION TO THE DEVELOPER and GIVE PROPER CREDITS AND LINKS
and DON'T modify and release their paid/donate version themes, RESPECT PLEASE!!!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED?
Java Platform (JDK)
Android SDK (included in ADT Bundle)
Notepad++
APK multitool - thanks @raziel23x
modified aapt.exe - thanks @titanic_fanatic
SETTING UP...
1. now that you have downloaded all the tools above, install jdk, sdk, and apk multitool one by one,
(instructions must be on their individual websites) you may want to install them all in the root of your drive C:
2. once you are done installing apk multitool, grab the aapt.exe you downloaded in the link above
(please thanked @titanic_fanatic on his post and work - this is a modified aapt.exe that lets you compile upper case package names)
and put/replaced existing aapt.exe in APK-Multi-Tool/other
LET"S DO IT!
decompiling theme (Hue.apk for ex)
1. put Hue.apk in APK-Multi-Tool/place-apk-here-for-modding
2. double click Script.bat in APK-Multi-Tool
3. press any key
4. press 9 (Decompile apk)
5. go to APK-Multi-Tool/projects and you will find a folder named Hue.apk
6. that's it, you have just successfully decompiled my theme and time to do the edits
7. don't close script.bat
modifying apk
1. this is the time you will do your modifications (changing/adding/deleting images and codes)
2. i will discussed most important parts of apk in post #2 to keep this instruction short and clean
3. don't close script.bat
compiling / signing / installing
1. on your phone, go to settings > developer options > and check usb debugging
2. connect your phone on your pc / laptop
3. now in Script.bat opened, select 15 (this will compile, sign and install your modified theme all at once at your phone)
4. that's it, check your phone using your modified theme
5. congratulations!
6. btw your modified apk is located in APK-Multi-Tool/place-apk-here-for-modding as signed_Hue.apk (you can rename it)
MY THEMES
Hue
Asul
SimpleSoft
HeKi [Hello Kitty]
CREDITS / THANKS
Learned from their threads:
anthonycr
nhnt11
ebs512
BASICS INSIDE THE APK
3 basic file types/extensions we will be dealing with most of the time
1. .xml - color codes, image redirections, are inside this file (use Notepadd++ to open such files)
2. .png - these are the images/icons we usually see on most part of the phone ui (open using photoshop/gimp and dont edit using paint or you will lose its transparency background)
3. .9.png - stretchable pngs that expand or shrink depending on the usage (these images has a black pixel boarder that needs to be preserved, or else you will be having error in compiling)
color codes (hex codes)
quick overview of color hexcodes (range - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F)
#FF000000 as an example (represents black while white is #FFFFFFFF)
FF or the first two letters of the code represents its transparency 00 means full transparent while FF is opaque (im using 88 or 80 for semi transparent)
next 6 digits are the RGB color code, look at this way #FFRRGGBB
if you want solid red, use #FFFF0000, solid green #FF00FF00, solid blue #FF0000FF
just play with the color codes (im sure you have just played with it in most of the rom options)
decompiled apk
once you decompiled apk, you will noticed a folder named res (this is our main concern, we will be working with this folder all the time)
inside the res folder...
there are lots of drawable-** folder that contains all of our images (.png and .9.png),
most of the icons are located in drawable-xhdpi and drawable-hdpi,
you can also find values folder containing some xmls such as
styles.xml - this xml is where i usually make my inverts of ui (from holo.light to holo for example)
drawables.xml - some color codes were redirected here
colors.xml - some of the hex codes inside styles.xml were redirected here, most color codes inside drawable folder and color folder are also redirected here, so i can only have one place of editing when converting color codes on my color versions of themes
next is the xml folder
xmls inside this folder controls the apps being themed, you can find package names of the apps as the xmls filenames
if you will noticed, there are some xmls here having upper cases, that's why we need the modified aapt.exe (again thanks titanic_fanatic)
last is the mipmap-** folder
this folder contains all the themed launcher icons, i already redirected all my themed app's launcher icons here
file names
how do i named the images? let's put an example
go to res/xml and look for com_android_calculator2.xml
now this is the xml that controls my themed calculator, if you open up the xml via Notepad++ you will notice the original png file names being replaced by my own themed png through a line code
this line for example (this is the delete icon in calculator)
Code:
<item name="drawable/calc_clear_symbol">@drawable/calculator_calc_clear_symbol</item>
the stock/original png which is calc_clear_symbol.png under drawable-xhdpi folder
Code:
<item name="[B][COLOR="Red"]drawable/calc_clear_symbol[/COLOR][/B]">@drawable/calculator_calc_clear_symbol</item>
is now being replaced by my themed icon calculator_calc_clear_symbol.png under drawable-xhdpi folder
Code:
<item name="drawable/calc_clear_symbol">@[B][COLOR="Red"]drawable/calculator_calc_clear_symbol[/COLOR][/B]</item>
i just put a prefix calculator_ so i can easily locate where they are when modifying
**most of the themes out there uses the app's package name as their prefix
for example...
in my theme i use
Code:
<item name="drawable/calc_clear_symbol">@drawable/[B][COLOR="Red"]calculator_[/COLOR][/B]calc_clear_symbol</item>
but others and most of them use
Code:
<item name="drawable/calc_clear_symbol">@drawable/[B][COLOR="Red"]com_android_calculator2_[/COLOR][/B]calc_clear_symbol</item>
i just make it simple the way i can easily search them in my drawables folder
IT'S MODDING TIME!
i will show you some examples and what file to edit with these mods
again file names of images may vary depending on theme,
but package name under res/xml are standard on all theme
before you begin modifying, delete Public.xml in res/values folder
remove themed launcher icons
delete these two folders
res/mipmap-hdpi
res/mipmap-xhdpi
remove themed specific apps
for example you don't want my themed keyboard and prefer stock aosp keyboard look
delete the xml of the apps you want to be removed, in our example keyboard which is
com_android_inputmethod_latin.xml in res/xml folder
change background of system and dialer
prepare your custom background (make sure you have the right size as per your screen resolution)
hdpi - 480x800
xhdpi - 640x960
and name it as
contacts_background_dial_holo_dark.png and framework_background_holo_dark.png
and replaced existing backgrounds in res/drawable-nodpi
change notification background
the image for that is system_notification_panel_bg.9.png located in res/drawable-xhdpi
note that this is a .9.png, be careful in editing and preserve the black 1px boarder of it
however you can bypass the image if you want to make it the stock look or pure black look
open com_android_systemui.xml in res/xml
look for the line
Code:
<item name="drawable/notification_panel_bg">@drawable/system_notification_panel_bg</item>
you can see that it was redirected to my themed image system_notification_panel_bg.9.png
if you prefer the stock background look, just delete that entire line
if you want it to be pure black, remove the redirection to the custom image and this time redirect it to hex code instead
Code:
<item name="drawable/notification_panel_bg">#FF000000</item>
change (non connected to google server) signal back to grey
download HueSilver.apk, rightclick and open archive using 7zip
go to res/drawable-xhdpi (for phone ui only, for tablet ui, go to res/drawable-sw720dp-xhdpi)
drag these icons outside the apk and replaced it on the apk you were modifying
(dragging existing images from the apk is only applicable to .png and not to .9.png)
system_stat_sys_data_connected_1x.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_3g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_4g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_e.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_h.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_hp.png
system_stat_sys_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_signal_4.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_4.png
i will update this post on my free time and depending on users concern
just ask here and i will see if i can answer all areas, sometimes i can't remember what file/png i've changed
---
Looks good
Keep up the good work
Edit: Added to the RootBox Jelly Bean Mods thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1806577
Very nice, thank you
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Bookmarked for the weekend! Thanks, kroz!
thanks guys, i hope you'll learn something in this thread
thanks a lot for your guide. it will help us A LOT.
but i tried to decompile "hue_2.8.apk" twice, but it showed error.
i decompile some other apps' apk files and it's ok.
yaibakt said:
thanks a lot for your guide. it will help us A LOT.
but i tried to decompile "hue_2.8.apk" twice, but it showed error.
i decompile some other apps' apk files and it's ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what error?
can you try to rename first Hue_2.8.apk to Hue.apk and decompile again
kroz said:
what error?
can you try to rename first Hue_2.8.apk to Hue.apk and decompile again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the 2nd time i tried, i renamed it to Hue.apk already.
ive been using this software to mod some other apps before. but this is error on mine:
yaibakt said:
the 2nd time i tried, i renamed it to Hue.apk already.
ive been using this software to mod some other apps before. but this is error on mine:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try to update your framework-res.apk in /other folder
replaced it with your rom's framework-res.apk (android 4.2.2)
Salamat.
How about the clock? If I want to make it the default one. Thanks
JeraldPenus said:
Salamat.
How about the clock? If I want to make it the default one. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which clock?
kroz said:
try to update your framework-res.apk in /other folder
replaced it with your rom's framework-res.apk (android 4.2.2)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still no luck. i get framework-res.apk from my phone at folder /system/framework/ and copy to the other/ folder of apk multi tool, and try to decompile again, but still error.
Just changed background for dialer and settings:laugh:
Wow. I knew before its a lot of work what you do... but its huge work(after I saw how many .png`s there)!!!:good:
Thanks for lesson Mark
yaibakt said:
still no luck. i get framework-res.apk from my phone at folder /system/framework/ and copy to the other/ folder of apk multi tool, and try to decompile again, but still error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm, maybe you can try to check this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1310151
i am not expert on the tool itself, maybe the developer could give some suggestions
rtimoff said:
Just changed background for dialer and settings:laugh:
Wow. I knew before its a lot of work what you do... but its huge work(after I saw how many .png`s there)!!!:good:
Thanks for lesson Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are lots of images, and i already deleted thousands of repeated images and just redirect those
to make the file smaller,
5 months in existence
kroz said:
there are lots of images, and i already deleted thousands of repeated images and just redirect those
to make the file smaller,
5 months in existence
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, titanic work
Mercado_Negro said:
@kroz
I just noticed that the signal bars are always blue (using HueLite2.8), which is weird because I've been using your theme for a couple of versions and this is the first time I notice this. You can read my specs on my signature below.
I follow the color change from grey to blue and viceversa to check if there's Internet on my phone.
Could you please tell me if I can edit this using your guide and what should I change if that's the case? It would be great if it followed the color conventions in the official version, though.
Thanks in advance, sir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download HueSilver.apk, rightclick and open archive using 7zip
go to res/drawable-xhdpi (for phone ui only, for tablet ui, go to res/drawable-sw720dp-xhdpi)
drag these icons outside the apk and replaced it on the apk you were modifying
(dragging existing images from the apk is only applicable to .png and not to .9.png)
system_stat_sys_data_connected_1x.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_3g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_4g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_e.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_h.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_hp.png
system_stat_sys_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_signal_4.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_4.png
kroz said:
download HueSilver.apk, rightclick and open archive using 7zip
go to res/drawable-xhdpi (for phone ui only, for tablet ui, go to res/drawable-sw720dp-xhdpi)
drag these icons outside the apk and replaced it on the apk you were modifying
(dragging existing images from the apk is only applicable to .png and not to .9.png)
system_stat_sys_data_connected_1x.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_3g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_4g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_e.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_g.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_h.png
system_stat_sys_data_connected_hp.png
system_stat_sys_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_signal_4.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_1.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_2.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_3.png
system_stat_sys_wifi_signal_4.png
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grrr... I'm limited to 8 thanks per day.... Thanks a ton, kroz! You're da man!