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I'm trying to theme android.
I know that I can extract the APK's and edit the images, but what do I do after that?
how do I pack them back into APK files?
Learn to use either metamorph or ninjamorph. Their both apps by stereicson that let you change every image from an apk from within the phone.
what I meant was how would I create my own theme.
I'm not trying to apply themes that were already made, I'm trying to create a new theme.
but I've found that ubuntu lets me edit the images without extracting the apk
swee08315 said:
what I meant was how would I create my own theme.
I'm not trying to apply themes that were already made, I'm trying to create a new theme.
but I've found that ubuntu lets me edit the images without extracting the apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
creating your own theme is very really easy. but it can be very time consuming depending on what you are trying to accomplish and edit.
After you edited your .png file (NOT .9.ping because that requires a much more advance and complicated method) simply sign the apk file, create the update-script to place in the /META-INF/com/google/android directory and then sign the update.zip file. You will need to use the search feature to lookup.
"update-script"
"signing tool"
Good luck
mejorguille said:
Learn to use either metamorph or ninjamorph. Their both apps by stereicson that let you change every image from an apk from within the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest the metamorph as well instead of flashing. Flashing seems like it would just take too much time.
Also, Android Commander and Droid Explorer (maybe a few others) offer easy signing tools/transferring the apk without the need of any metamorph or flashing.
Thank you Binary100100
that's exactly what I needed
and also to r3s-rt:
I need to create an update .zip for this task.
swee08315 said:
Thank you Binary100100
that's exactly what I needed
and also to r3s-rt:
I need to create an update .zip for this task.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For ANY themeing, you don't need an update.zip. I'm just saying look into metamorph a bit; it really is easier than flashing and reflashing if it doesn't come out right. If updates are easier for you, though, go for it. =]
thanks again.
but where exactly would I look to modify the widgets?
specifically the music and clock widgets?
swee08315 said:
thanks again.
but where exactly would I look to modify the widgets?
specifically the music and clock widgets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Music widget is in Music.apk. Clock widget is in DeskClock.apk.
Though metamorph is convenient, in my opinion it is a better tool to test parts of a theme. Learn how to sign update.zip files (with ubuntu it is as simple as a right click), there will be less errors this way (and you can theme the market,....).
p.s. Do learn metamorph also, it is great.
thanks, but where is the search widget?
and yes, I will learn
swee08315 said:
thanks, but where is the search widget?
and yes, I will learn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
launcher.apk
creating a black softkey menu pop up with white text.
Hello everyone! I posted something like this and got no real answers. I'm not trying to create a full theme just edit what I already have. I'm trying to change the stock cyanogenmod softkey menu pop up. If gotten my images in place and got the background and icons the way I want them but I don't know which values XML file I need to edit in order to change the text color. Does anyone have any insight on which file I need in order to edit the menus text to white? Already decompiled the framework-res.apk.
Thanks
This is awesome, I'm just trying to get started with customizing android and theming seemed like the logical starting point. Thanks for the input guys/gals.
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.
Ok guys, I am totally new to theming and what not, and akoe101 and I are deciding to release a theme under metamorph, called MinimalMechanics, this is what the status bar looks like
So far, everytime i try to create a morph, it gets rejected. Heres the steps i have taken
1. Downloaded a template morph
2. extracted the .zip
3. Opened the .xml with notepad, edited the path like so...
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<themename>MinimalMechanics</themename>
<themeversion>1.0</themeversion>
<author>mkcm97 and akoe101</author>
<phone>Motorola Droid</phone>
<rom>?</rom>
<themedescription>Changes status icons</themedescription>
<item>SystemUI.apk</item>
<path>/system/app/</path>
<description></description>
4. I then saved the .xml
5. I added the icons in the correct folder.
6. renamed the .xml to MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
*side not, in reality, i'd prefer to add other paths, to framework-res.apk, gmail.apk, and vending .apk. If this is possible let me know, or do I have to make a seperate .zip?
7. I renamed the zip to MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
But as I said earlier, when I try to apply it, it gives an error. Could anybody give an insight on this, if you have any you get an early theme release and some extra GOODIES!. If you need the actual .xml, i can upload it for you.
Thanks for taking the time for reading and answering
- Matt.
You want Notepad++ on a windows machine. Windows notepad screws up the EOL sequence.
<themename>MinimalMechanics</themename>
MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you rename the zip, you must change the <themename> too.
As 3rdstring says, I use Notepad++ to edit.
Dont Panic said:
If you rename the zip, you must change the <themename> too.
As 3rdstring says, I use Notepad++ to edit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. wow i didn't release that a version of notepad would make a difference. I'll give it a shot and get back to you guys.
thanks a bunch.
ok i owe you guys big time! notepad ++ did the trick. so now for the next question, can i add a path to framework-res and system ui in the same .xml?
mkcm97 said:
ok i owe you guys big time! notepad ++ did the trick. so now for the next question, can i add a path to framework-res and system ui in the same .xml?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can, but you will get FC loops that are a pain with metamorph. If you do it, use ZipThemer to install instead, great program. Myself, I don't put SystemUI.apk or Phone.apk in the same morphs as framework-res.apk.
Dont Panic said:
You can, but you will get FC loops that are a pain with metamorph. If you do it, use ZipThemer to install instead, great program. Myself, I don't put SystemUI.apk or Phone.apk in the same morphs as framework-res.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok. so i will just release the theme in seperate morphs. but when i applied just the systemui.apk, i got fc loops anyway, but a battery pull fixed it and it was all okay.
I agree with Dont Panic, ZipThemer is an excellent tool. It will take your morph(s) and build a flashable update & as a super cool added bonus an undo file so when things go wrong you have an easy road back.
The XDA thread.
3rdstring said:
I agree with Dont Panic, ZipThemer is an excellent tool. It will take your morph(s) and build a flashable update & as a super cool added bonus an undo file so when things go wrong you have an easy road back.
The XDA thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so could i build a morph and put it in zip themer, and release it as a .zip? and it will still have the same concept as a morph. ie only change the icons that you want..?
mkcm97 said:
so could i build a morph and put it in zip themer, and release it as a .zip? and it will still have the same concept as a morph. ie only change the icons that you want..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but it will be device/ROM specific.
3rdstring said:
Yes but it will be device/ROM specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks for the help guys. feel free to pm me if you would like anything.
cant wait for you to drop this, ive been eying it since you first started posted screens with it. i check customandroid all the time in hopes its been released lol.
mbh87 said:
cant wait for you to drop this, ive been eying it since you first started posted screens with it. i check customandroid all the time in hopes its been released lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha thanks. almost done
mkcm97 said:
haha thanks. almost done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If for some reason you are feeling generous or need someone to test on a Thunderbolt, shoot me a pm
Hi guys.
I've been using the Elegance Theme by Erestor6 for some time now, but I find I would really like a white status bar.
So I went to the UOT Kitchen and designed my own.
It's not refined like the work of Erestor, but it will do for me.
Problem, in the first attached image you can see the result of my UOT kitchen mod.
It's nice but the default switch buttons don't fit.
In the second image you can see the wonderfull Erestor work.
I would like to have his switches and my status bar. How can I do that?
Also in the third image you can see a problem: whenever a phone call is started, the status bar turns black again. I suspect it's embedded in the dialer apk.
Can anyone help me in fixing these issues?
erups said:
Hi guys.
I've been using the Elegance Theme by Erestor6 for some time now, but I find I would really like a white status bar.
So I went to the UOT Kitchen and designed my own.
It's not refined like the work of Erestor, but it will do for me.
Problem, in the first attached image you can see the result of my UOT kitchen mod.
It's nice but the default switch buttons don't fit.
In the second image you can see the wonderfull Erestor work.
I would like to have his switches and my status bar. How can I do that?
Also in the third image you can see a problem: whenever a phone call is started, the status bar turns black again. I suspect it's embedded in the dialer apk.
Can anyone help me in fixing these issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the toggle buttons are stored in systemUI.apk, you have to change them manually, not with UOT
i uploaded the icons for you , you can exchange them with erestor ones and put em back in systemUI.apk ...
75markus said:
the toggle buttons are stored in systemUI.apk, you have to change them manually, not with UOT
i uploaded the icons for you , you can exchange them with erestor ones and put em back in systemUI.apk ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but yours are not the same as Erestor's.
But you pointed me in the right direction: I thought all these files were packed somehow, but looking in erestor's zip they are all there in plain site.
I can try a merge
Edit: I spoke too soon, the UOT zip is packed. They are already apk files.
How can I unpack them?
erups said:
Thanks, but yours are not the same as Erestor's.
But you pointed me in the right direction: I thought all these files were packed somehow, but looking in erestor's zip they are all there in plain site.
I can try a merge
Edit: I spoke too soon, the UOT zip is packed. They are already apk files.
How can I unpack them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, i know they are not same, just wanted to point you to this direction ...
just use winrar, winzip, 7zip or whatever to extract them
75markus said:
yes, i know they are not same, just wanted to point you to this direction ...
just use winrar, winzip, 7zip or whatever to extract them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean an apk is just a zip????
My gosh... couldn't believe it
erups said:
You mean an apk is just a zip????
My gosh... couldn't believe it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that´s it
just open it with winRAR, and drag new icons into it.
as long as if you don´t change xml files, you can just drag & drop
Yes I noticed, thanks mate!!!
Now since I'm modding my phone, I tried modding the bootanimation.
I took the one I chose with the UOT, unpacked, modified the images, resaved, repacked and put it in my phone.
It doesn't work.
The images have the exact same dimensions and name, still the screen is black.
I used photoshop to save the PNGs.
What may be wrong?
One frame is attached below.
erups said:
Yes I noticed, thanks mate!!!
Now since I'm modding my phone, I tried modding the bootanimation.
I took the one I chose with the UOT, unpacked, modified the images, resaved, repacked and put it in my phone.
It doesn't work.
The images have the exact same dimensions and name, still the screen is black.
I used photoshop to save the PNGs.
What may be wrong?
One frame is attached below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you :
for bootanimation, it is necessary that you save the zip WITHOUT Compression after modding the images ! (not just drag & drop into zip file, this will use compression !)
you can choose that in winRAR for example, just use option : save
you can have a look at my bootanimation and check archive details ...
http://www.mediafire.com/75markus#r5ah69lj81ci8,1
75markus said:
I can tell you :
for bootanimation, it is necessary that you save the zip WITHOUT Compression after modding the images ! (not just drag & drop into zip file, this will use compression !)
you can choose that in winRAR for example, just use option : save
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks!
It's working
erups said:
Ok thanks!
It's working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fine 10 chars
Hi all!
Are you making a ROM? Want users to switch between Themes without downloading tons of zips and flashing them and ending up in a mess? Actually I made this App for my upcoming ROM("Quantum Radicle") for Micromax A89 and it turned out to work on all phones. Sharing is caring :cheers:
Here is the solution - Quantum Themer!
You maybe wondering how it works. The answer is:
Based on VillianTheme System! What I did was first tried to run the script on my Phone, ended up with 10-15 errors, fixed them! Now all this App does behind the scenes is Feed the Theme you select to the script and the script does the rest! But if you do see, the VillianTheme Template itself is nearly 600 KB and the App is just 650 KB
Let's get Straight into the list of features!
Features:
Works on all ROMs - Stock, Custom, AOSP, eh, you name it!
Preview of Themes before Applying
Custom File Extension for themes(Default is .qrt, if you do dig my App, you will find this being set in com.adhi.quantumthemer.ThemeSelector Class. Feel free to change it! But don't kang the App)
Single Button, no hassles!
In-built File Explorer
Theme structure is so simple that, even a "Starter" doesn't take more than a minute to understand
You can use it in your ROM. Just copy the APK into your ROM and provide your users with Theme Files, you don't need to ask permissions, just give me credits
Just include files that need to be replaced/modified, cutting down the size of your themes by a great margin
Scroll down and search for the download link, you'll tell me more
Framework, System Apps, Data Apps support
Will modify APKs in a ROM, without changing signatures, and can be used on any ROM where the filenames of themed files is the same.
Should not need updated between versions of a ROM
Zipaligns all APKs before installation
Stores a backup of all files being modified in /sdcard/vrtheme-backup/
Requires no coding abilities or editing of files - just drag and drop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, this will be "Copy, paste" from a VillianTheme Tutorial on "How to make Themes". You may skip to the last point if you know/understand how it works! I strongly recommend you to have a look at the Attached theme for reference. Open it with your favorite Zip Browser(WinRar, 7-Zip)
Check this thread out as well.
Inside the qrt file(Which is to be opened with a Zip Viewer), you can create a folder called "system" and "data" and include a Preview of the theme named "preview.png" or "preview.jpg"(All folders and files without Quotes in their names). The former is required, the latter is not required unless you wanted to theme a data app (strongly not recommended, unless you know the app will be there on every phone)
Inside the system or data folder, create a subfolder "app", and in these, make subfolders named EXACTLY after the APK name. For example, to theme the Browser, you need a folder called "Browser.apk", for Statusbar, "SystemUI.apk". It must be correctly capitalised.
Within there, place the files you require for your theme, in the relevant locations. So most PNGs will be in res/drawable-hdpi/. You can put in xml files too (those which are not in resources.arsc), if you compile them via apktool, and extract them with a zip tool.
If you do make it from scratch and zip it, don't forget to Rename it with extension ".qrt"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now lets move on to "How to use it" as I have too much time to kill now, I'm including this
How to Use:
Just Install the App(System, User doesn't matter). Click on "Select Theme" button and then select the Theme you want to Apply. It will ask for Root Permissions if its the First Launch. Next, you'll get a preview of Theme which is going to be applied and then when you press the "Apply" button, the theme will be applied and a Alert Dialog Box asking you to Reboot will appear. I suggest you to Reboot your phone at this point itself. And after reboot, you will be happy to see the Theme Applied
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloads:
Preview
Sample Theme - Open it with a Zip Viewer, just for reference! Not a theme
Quantum Themer App:
Version 1.1 - Mediafire - Change Log
Version 1.0 - Mediafire - Dev-Host - Change Log
Beta 2 - Mediafire - Dev-Host - Change Log
Beta 1 - Mediafire - Dev-Host
Note: App Version in Settings is always Version 1.0 in Beta releases
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Credits:
Villian ROM Team. This wouldn't exist without them!
iPaulPro for his aFileChooser
Stericson for his Roottools Library
Everyone whom the above two owe credits to!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you face any problems with this App, do the following -
Debugging:
1. Check whether /sdcard/vrtheme exists and contains four or more files/folders.If it doesn't, copy all the contents off vrtheme.zip in the assets folder of the Quantum Themer App.
2. Mount System as R/W before Applying Theme manually.
3. Copy /sdcard/vrtheme/zip and /sdcard/vrtheme/zipalign to /system/bin and CHMod it to 777
4. Type
Code:
sh /sdcard/vrtheme/i*
in Termianl Emulator or ADB and post the result here..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do hit the "Thanks" Button! I tried my best to help you, hope you'll do it to!
And tell me if you want Screenshots. It look pretty dumb even though!
If you people like it and want me to do some update/bug-fixes, do keep the thread active. I don't want to end up working for myself.
All kinds of Reviews are welcome
Reserved
Reserved..
Just in case
Finally you did it brother! :good:
It's just awesome and keep it up!
Thnx bro
Will definetly try dis previously I install xposed framework but it was not fully working on my ics device
Hope dis will work......
Sent from my Xperia Miro using xda premium
Sample theme didn't work for my Samsung galaxy s advance stock jb ROM. It made the backup folder on sdcard but didn't change anything.
Sent from my GT-I9070 using xda app-developers app
Will it work for gingerbread devices too?
GREEEEETZ!!!!
rodaven said:
Sample theme didn't work for my Samsung galaxy s advance stock jb ROM. It made the backup folder on sdcard but didn't change anything.
Sent from my GT-I9070 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sample Theme is for reference ONLY. My bad should have added in the OP
-CALIBAN666- said:
Will it work for gingerbread devices too?
GREEEEETZ!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is working on Gingerbread Devices too!
Adhi1419 said:
Sample Theme is for reference ONLY.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it shouldn't work then if I apply it on my phone?
Nice work by the way
Sent from my GT-I9070 using xda app-developers app
rodaven said:
So it shouldn't work then if I apply it on my phone?
Nice work by the way
Sent from my GT-I9070 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
It wouldn't work on your Phone
You can try making your own Theme, its fairly simple
How can I make this work if, for example, I have a SystemUI.apk or framework-res.apk modified and I want to apply it on my phone using this app? It's possible?
rodaven said:
How can I make this work if, for example, I have a SystemUI.apk or framework-res.apk modified and I want to apply it on my phone using this app? It's possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very easy!
Just download the Sample Theme and you will get it how it work and how to apply! :good:
A friend sent me to this thread. Once I read your description I got sooo many ideas in my mind! I am a big fun of VRT and this app could help me a lot if it's as I imagine it. Your idea is great.
Just one question for now, previews should be .flv? If yes, will it work ok if I make a slideshow-like preview?
Preview is a PNG static image!
Your post sparkled an idea in my mind too! Thinking of adding a Video Preview + Description
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk 2
You should add a package ofsome themes like ICS/JB in the OP.
Testing and reporting right away.
edit:: I will use ur sample theme as base for making my own themes.
Good work.
Regards,
Kaustubh
Adhi1419 said:
Preview is a PNG static image!
Your post sparkled an idea in my mind too! Thinking of adding a Video Preview + Description
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just said that because your preview was an .flv file and I got confused. I didn't have time to open the .apk or the .qrt. I guess it was a misunderstanding.
Oh, and I'm glad I gave you an idea! Would be cool to see video previews. :good:
---------- Post added at 06:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------
Adhi1419 said:
Preview is a PNG static image!
Your post sparkled an idea in my mind too! Thinking of adding a Video Preview + Description
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, why are there two preview.png? One in the root of the .qrt and one in /system folder? Which one is used by the Application?
kaustubh.rockstar said:
You should add a package ofsome themes like ICS/JB in the OP.
Testing and reporting right away.
edit:: I will use ur sample theme as base for making my own themes.
Good work.
Regards,
Kaustubh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the resource files used are device independent, a file available to MOD on one phone may not be available on the other!
Koulis2000 said:
I just said that because your preview was an .flv file and I got confused. I didn't have time to open the .apk or the .qrt. I guess it was a misunderstanding.
Oh, and I'm glad I gave you an idea! Would be cool to see video previews. :good:
---------- Post added at 06:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------
Also, why are there two preview.png? One in the root of the .qrt and one in /system folder? Which one is used by the Application?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one in the root. An error while Dragging and dropping previews
Adhi1419 said:
Because the resource files used are device independent, a file available to MOD on one phone may not be available on the other!
The one in the root. An error while Dragging and dropping previews
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some ideas:
Would be great if you can add more than one preview pic, in just one is hard to show all things themed.
Other thing is would be nice if themes with their preview remain on the app to just choose one and apply it, I mean like CM themes so you don't have to browse in folders and choose the qrt file each time you want to apply a previously loaded theme.
And finally that the app automatically make a qrt file of the backup that the app make when you apply a theme, so you can easily apply your backup if you didn't like the theme applied.
Sorry for my English
Sent from my GT-I9070 using xda app-developers app
I tried to change the icon of the music player app but after applying the theme and restarting the icon is still the same ... does anyone know how to do this with the app ?
Sorry for my bad english
Adhi1419 said:
Do hit the "Thanks" Button! I tried my best to help you, hope you'll do it to!
And tell me if you want Screenshots. It look pretty dumb even though!
If you people like it and want me to do some update/bug-fixes, do keep the thread active. I don't want to end up working for myself.
All kinds of Reviews are welcome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have some ideas, and it would be great if you could implement those things.
First of all, it would be cool to have a folder where everyone would put those .qrts, a folder in /system (/system/QuantumThemes) maybe for us to be able to create packages of more than one .qrt and once a user flashes this package, those .qrts will be placed in this folder.
Second, another idea would be: when you open Quantum Themer it will automatically show themes from this particular folder(/system/QuantumThemes) without having the users to browse for themes in the mess of an sdcard. This way it would look more like a theme engine.
Third, how about categories or sections like: Toggles (/system/QuantumThemes/Toggles), or more specific categories like Status Bar Mods/Toggles (/system/QuantumThemes/Status Bar Mods/Toggles) those categories would be created and named by themers or ROM developers. There would be basically folders placed inside the /system/QuantumThemes and your application would just.
So, to give you a whole view of what I am thinking...
A user installs the Quantum Themer. The user flashes a CWM mod package created by someone. The user opens the Quantum Themer app. A window with all of the categories opens. The user selects a category. The category opens revealing sub categories. The user selects a sub category. The sub category opens revealing all installed mods for this sub category. The user selects a mod. A small or full screen window opens showing a preview, maybe a small description(taken from a file /.qrt/description.txt) and an Install button.
Well, that's actually a lot of things...
I thought it would be good sharing with you since you said you want to keep this active and update it. :highfive:
Hope I helped and I definitely hope to see such a great tool becoming better.
rodaven said:
Some ideas:
Would be great if you can add more than one preview pic, in just one is hard to show all things themed.
Other thing is would be nice if themes with their preview remain on the app to just choose one and apply it, I mean like CM themes so you don't have to browse in folders and choose the qrt file each time you want to apply a previously loaded theme.
And finally that the app automatically make a qrt file of the backup that the app make when you apply a theme, so you can easily apply your backup if you didn't like the theme applied.
Sorry for my English
Sent from my GT-I9070 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll add Restore feature, but it will not be a QRT file.
Thanks for your suggestion.
mattx89 said:
I tried to change the icon of the music player app but after applying the theme and restarting the icon is still the same ... does anyone know how to do this with the app ?
Sorry for my bad english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See your PM. It is due to the Binaries not being copied for some strange reason. Its very minor and easy to fix though
Koulis2000 said:
I have some ideas, and it would be great if you could implement those things.
First of all, it would be cool to have a folder where everyone would put those .qrts, a folder in /system (/system/QuantumThemes) maybe for us to be able to create packages of more than one .qrt and once a user flashes this package, those .qrts will be placed in this folder.
Second, another idea would be: when you open Quantum Themer it will automatically show themes from this particular folder(/system/QuantumThemes) without having the users to browse for themes in the mess of an sdcard. This way it would look more like a theme engine.
Third, how about categories or sections like: Toggles (/system/QuantumThemes/Toggles), or more specific categories like Status Bar Mods/Toggles (/system/QuantumThemes/Status Bar Mods/Toggles) those categories would be created and named by themers or ROM developers. There would be basically folders placed inside the /system/QuantumThemes and your application would just.
So, to give you a whole view of what I am thinking...
A user installs the Quantum Themer. The user flashes a CWM mod package created by someone. The user opens the Quantum Themer app. A window with all of the categories opens. The user selects a category. The category opens revealing sub categories. The user selects a sub category. The sub category opens revealing all installed mods for this sub category. The user selects a mod. A small or full screen window opens showing a preview, maybe a small description(taken from a file /.qrt/description.txt) and an Install button.
Well, that's actually a lot of things...
I thought it would be good sharing with you since you said you want to keep this active and update it. :highfive:
Hope I helped and I definitely hope to see such a great tool becoming better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your detailed feedback mate
1. I think /sdcard/QuantumThemer is a better place as messing around with system is not good for our device and there will be memory limitations in low-end devices. However your idea is cool and all your first 3 points were based on categories, I can take it as one great suggestion. Setting default directory to /sdcard/QauntumThemer is not tough either. I'm already working on a separate layout for displaying Description, preview and if possible a Video Playback.
2. Yes. Instead of laboriously setting up arrays for selecting Categories->Sub Caegories, a central folder on SD Card will be neat.
Thanks for your suggestions people!