Develop Bugs

[Updated] - How-to Theme Development

To create themes, or to edit themes to your liking, you will need a working knowledge of android, adb, how to resign apk's, knowledge of your own O/S.
Before you start be aware that you will may end up wiping your phone once, if not more. So lets go over the things that you will need.
You will need JF's RC30, RC8, or ADP1 V1.3, depending on what version you intend to create for.
Here is the link to these: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466174
You will also want to get the dev bootloader installed on your phone and to HIGHLY suggest everyone trying your theme to install it as well.
Link to dev bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=455860
You will also need to resign all the apks located in /system/app and framework-res.apk located in /system/framework. When you push all of these to your phone.
JesusFreke was kind enough to build a custom signing tool for me that would allow me to right click on an apk and resign it from there. I am posting it here for others to use as well. Note that this is a courtesy of JF, so thank him for it. I cannot stress how much time this has saved me and will save you.
Here is the link: Http://www.FightForthePits.com/testsign(2).zip
Before using this you need to know how to set this up:
I will assume that you have the sdk downloaded and extracted somewhere(if not, do that now), extract both files to the tools directory of your sdk.
Now you will need to add the tools dir of your sdk to the environment variable CLASSPATH.(This is for XP, Vista coming soon)
To do this, right click on My Computer click properties, then choose the tab that says advanced. Click the button that says environmental variables. Go to system variables find the one that says CLASSPATH, double click it, go to the end of variable value. There should be a semicolon ; at the end. type in the path to the testsign.jar located in the tools directory of your SDK, for example the path to my testsign.jar was c:\sdk\android-sdk-windows-1.0_r1\tools\testsign.jar If CLASSPATH is not in your system variables then create it. Secondly, Find the system variable called PATH and add to the end of it, the full path to your sdk directory. For example, mine was c:\sdk\android-sdk-windows-1.0_r2\tools
Now right click the reg file that you extracted and choose to install it, or merge.
Now, right click an apk, do you see an option that says ResignApk? That's how you will resign your .apks and .zips.
If you find the right click menu not working for some reason you can type the following in cmd to sign your files: java testsign whateverfiletosign
Now through doing this you have done two things, first off you have made the resigning process extremely easy, secondly you will not have to cd to the tools dir of the sdk to use adb or any other tool in the sdk.
You will also need a version of linux installed or running vmware with linux, if you want to create, or edit, an update script, which will install the theme onto the users phone.
You will need to be specific in addressing what version your theme is for, RC8, RC30, or ADP1. Make sure every file gets signed. Make sure you test the update.zip before you release it.
Every .apk contains the images relating to itself. However, every apk has the ability to use the images in framework-res.apk. The images for every apk is located inside of itself. To find these images open up the apk, you can rename it to .zip or open it with an archiver of your choice, winrar, winace, etc. Then after opening the apk open the folder called res and inside of that there are folders that are named Drawable, drawable-land, drawable-port, etc. This is where the images are stored.
Ther are some things you cannot edit unless you rebuild the entire apk from source, which we will not go into here.(another tutorial, another time) Just know that at this time you SHOULD NOT edit, or even open images with the extension .9.png. If you do you will have problems...Trust me. These are special images called ninepatch images and android resizes these images to fit wherever android, or any other apk, needs it to. if you do open them or edit them they will no longer render correctly when resized. I believe that in order to edit these you must do so and then put them into the source and rebuild the entire apk.
Before getting started you must also realize that you cannot simply resign one or two apk's and stick them in your phone and expect them to work. You must resign every apk inside of /system/app and framework-res.apk and put them on your phone at the same time.
To simplify this process for you though, I have provided an empty update.zip which you can place all of your resigned apps into and use to update your phone to your custom theme. You can also download someonelses theme and use there files, since they are resigned already. It may also be easier to see what files do what and go where since they have already been edited and are easy to point out.
Now, your ready to start changing things up.
You will now need to open the apk, which you can do by adding .zip after .apk, effectively changing it to a zip. Note that if you are using windows you will need to unhide known file extension types. you can also use your favorite archiver such as winrar, winzip, etc.
See here to unhide known file extension types for Xp: http://www.mediacollege.com/microsoft/windows/extension-change.html
See here to unhide file extension types for Vista: http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-vista/how-to-change-a-file-extension/
After opening the apk go to res and copy the folders that have drawable in their name. Go to your desktop, or wherever, create a new folder called Images, or whatever. Open the folder, paste the drawable folders in there. Now you can see what the files look like without opening them. Btw, you may also want to add -frame, or -launcher, to the end of the folders you cope over to keep them separated from others.
Finally, you've edited the images put them all in the apk renamed it back to an apk and resigned it. Now it's time to push it to your phone and see the changes you've made.
Important! : Whenever pushing files to the phone NEVER do it while the phone is running. Do this in recovery mode! If you do this while the phone is running normally you will begin to lose space in /system.
So, boot into recovery plug your phone in and open a cmd prompt. From the cmd prompt type adb shell mount /system then type the following: adb push c:\whereveryourfileis\whateveryourpushing.apk /system/app (system/framework if your pushing framework-res.apk)
Now reboot your phone. If it doesn't boot, try doing a wipe, if that doesn't work reinstall an update and try again. There are alot of things people can do wrong, I can't explain them all here. If you get real stuck, you can ask for help here or contact me on Gtalk [email protected].
So now your theme is done and your ready to make an update.zip for others to install your theme.
I have created a template for you to make your own update.zip. Just download, add the system apps to app, and framework to framework. Zip it up, SIGN IT, TEST IT YOURSELF, and then distribute it!
Empty update.zip template: Http://www.FightForthePits.com/Androidstuff/update_empty.zip
If anyone has any questions please try asking for help in this thread before emailing me for help Usually I will respond to questions in this forum.
I hope this Tutorial has been helpful. I will add on to it as needed.
Stericson
Links of interest:
Downloading SDK: http://code.google.com/android/intro/installing.html
Using ADB: http://code.google.com/android/reference/adb.html

Working with ninepatch should be straightforward if you use the draw9patch tool included in the SDK. Documentation on usage here:
http://code.google.com/android/reference/draw9patch.html
JF could also save theme users a wipe by resigning /system/app/* and /system/framework/framework-res.apk in his builds with the test keys. Nice tutorial, btw.

However it doesn't. I have used that to no avail. I believe you need to edit the images, put them in the source then rebuild the apks from the source.
As for JF's update, it does not currently wipe your phone after install. So, for him to do this he would have to have his update do a wipe. So technically, they would still have to do this initial wipe.
Stericson

Stericson said:
However it doesn't. I have used that to no avail. I believe you need to edit the images, put them in the source then rebuild the apks from the source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I thought you could simply drop a similarly dimensioned PNG in but apparently there is some metadata that only the android tool can create.
As for JF's update, it does not currently wipe your phone after install. So, for him to do this he would have to have his update do a wipe. So technically, they would still have to do this initial wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but a user who is upgrading to a JF update after having put in customized (and test-key signed) system apps will have to wipe again anyway =) Anyone using custom themes will have to wipe every time a JF update (or any update) comes out. However if JF resigns, custom theme users would not have to wipe and stock theme users only have to wipe once. (Nevermind the fact I think everyone should wipe when updating...)

thx stericson this will help big time how long before I can get resigned rc30 last night when you said all the apk. need to be resigned I was like this is going to be a long night but I see jf hooked you up save some big time with his resigning tool

jashsu said:
Good point. I thought you could simply drop a similarly dimensioned PNG in but apparently there is some metadata that only the android tool can create.
True, but a user who is upgrading to a JF update after having put in customized (and test-key signed) system apps will have to wipe again anyway =) Anyone using custom themes will have to wipe every time a JF update (or any update) comes out. However if JF resigns, custom theme users would not have to wipe and stock theme users only have to wipe once. (Nevermind the fact I think everyone should wipe when updating...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, good point
The resigned apps will be released maybye sometime tonight...I had them done but ran into a script problem on adp1 and I have yet to try the rc30 and rc8 ones yet. so I won't release those until I've tested them. If you want to be a Guinea pig however, just let me know
Stericson

Stericson said:
Ah, good point
The resigned apps will be released maybye sometime tonight...I had them done but ran into a script problem on adp1 and I have yet to try the rc30 and rc8 ones yet. so I won't release those until I've tested them. If you want to be a Guinea pig however, just let me know
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The resigned apps have been released, each update file will resign all of apps in /system/app and framework-res.apk. However, these updates make no changes to them whatsoever...Meaning your phone will look just like a brand new phone without any modifications.

rc30 works thx Stericson made it easy for use

Issues with using the update.zip above
Hi all,
I just wanted to point out that after I applied the update.zip above and rebooted applications kept force closing randomly and constantly even through the initial setup (where you have to click the green android to start).
Prior to this, I had JF's RC30 1.3, and the engineering bootloader V2 no sigcheck.
First I did just a alt+s then a alt-w and alt+s. And still nothing.
I'm new to all this so I'm not even sure where to begin troubleshooting. Should I be using the HardSPL?
Thanks in advance and I appologize if this isn't the right place for this post.
Update:
After reflashing with JF's 1.3 RC30 and the problem persisted I noticed that there was a new release 1.31 and this has fixed the problem. I hope this helps anyone else who runs into the same problem.
I still don't know what went wrong though, can anyone shed some light on this? thanks.

Truly there's no telling, sounds like J'f's update fixed it. Can I ask what version you tested?
I would also like to announce that now, thanks to JF, again, you do not have to wipe your phone completely to apply the resigned app updates. However, you will have to re-enter your google info and your call history and other minor things will be gone, but all of your apps will be retained.
Stericson

Alright, I am a little confused........
So I downloaded testsign.zip and extracted it to the tools folder. Then I went into environmental variables and added CLASSPATH with the value D:\Android\tools\testsign.jar and now I am not sure what to do next. Can someone give me some clarification. And btw I am on XP but I can get on linux at home if I need it, but I am a total noob to all this stuff so be gentle.

I'm using http://www.fightforthepits.com/Androidstuff/update_Rc30.zip and have been encountering issues when the phone boots up. As soon as the initial phone setup comes up I get process force close errors, I extracted launcher.apk, edited the files I wanted, repacked it, signed it and then resigned the update.zip. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I'm already running JF's RC30 1.31

Did you repack it in linux? Did you resign Launcher.apk? Also, that update file was never meant to be used as a template for an update since it kind of wipes your phone. You should be using update_empy, to push your own theme.
If you want to do only one file at a time, flash that update(update_rc30) then adb push your file into system/app. There are lots of things that you can mess up, most of them are hard to catch too. At any rate, everyone who has made a theme can tell you it's not just a straight forward process, expect errors. I've had more than I count I know....
Trial and error is your best teacher
Stericson

Stericson said:
Did you repack it in linux? Did you resign Launcher.apk? Also, that update file was never meant to be used as a template for an update since it kind of wipes your phone. You should be using update_empy, to push your own theme.
If you want to do only one file at a time, flash that update(update_rc30) then adb push your file into system/app. There are lots of things that you can mess up, most of them are hard to catch too. At any rate, everyone who has made a theme can tell you it's not just a straight forward process, expect errors. I've had more than I count I know....
Trial and error is your best teacher
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Must .apk's be signed if they're pushed over ADB? I'm not running Linux, I'm repacking/signing in windows.

I also had the issue with force close when installing the resigned update from the first post, apps that shouldn't even run on start up were force closing.
Also the IM application was gone, had to do a wipe and go back to jf 1.31 to correct it

I will take another look at the update I provided...
Stericson

did you ever figure out how to change the text on the status bar from black to white?

to do that you have to rebuiuld the entire apk from source and edit an xml document
Stericson

has anyone tried making the icons bigger? I noticed they are 48x48 if we go bigger will that affect anything? Also has anyone been able to remove the text below the icons on the home screen? Oh and where is the tab located that has been made invisible?
*edit
well I tried making the icons bigger and it doesn't really do anything, they don't show up bigger on the screen. Might have something to do with the text underneath, not sure.

Kyeld said:
Must .apk's be signed if they're pushed over ADB? I'm not running Linux, I'm repacking/signing in windows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes they must be signed.

[Guide] How to change the color of your notification bar / background

This is my first "guide" so bare over with me
In order to change your status bar color along with the Background color, do this:
First we need the framework-res.apk from the phone
- adb remount
- adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk framework-res.apk
Take a backup of this file in case you failed and wants to go back.
Rename your local framework-res.apk to: framework-res.apk.zip
Open the Zip file and go here:
/res/drawable/
Locate these files and unzip them:
statusbar_background.png
status_bar_background.png
status_bar_close_on.9.png
status_bar_header_background.9.png
status_bar_item_background_normal.9.png
These are the files you want.
I sugest that you use Photoshop to do what you want with the colors, if you are using Photoshop, be carefull editing status_bar_close_on.0.png, it might look weird if you are doing it wrong.
After your done editing these pictures go here:
/res/drawable_land/
Locate and unzip:
statusbar_background.png
Do the same here as you done with the first pictures.
After you are done editing the png's, save them in your zip file.
Rename framework-res.apk.zip to framework-res.apk.
- adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk
Now restart your phone, and your Notification bar has been fixed
I'm using Open Home along with HTC Hero skin and this just looks PERFECT!
This doesn't change the Text's on your Notification Screen, that you will have to find out for yourself, or post a solution here.

Can't wait to try that out I want mine to be changed..

Update:
For changing the color of the clock, take a look at this topic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=535630
Solution will be there during the week.
It's already available for Rogers ROM's.

WebghostDK said:
Update:
For changing the color of the clock, take a look at this topic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=535630
Solution will be there during the week.
It's already available for Rogers ROM's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i have tried to push a heap of different G1 services.jar files over to my Magic (ion rom) but was in boot loop city for every one. Oshaka has said he will modify a sapphire services.jar for me... still waiting on that- will post my results as soon as he has it for me.....
TBH though, having a status bar background black with green behind the black clock is actually probably easier for me to read than the white one......will test it out when i get the correct services.jar

got green notifications but for some reason the services.jar doesn't change....
working on it... maybe oshaka can come up with a reason for me...

I cant seem to get the services.jar to change either. I have asked Oshaka to fix it for me, and he said he would do it like 3-4 days ago.
Waiting

WebghostDK said:
I cant seem to get the services.jar to change either. I have asked Oshaka to fix it for me, and he said he would do it like 3-4 days ago.
Waiting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
services.jar will work on hofo rom or any rom without .odex files. The problem with hero and ion roms are that they dont have the classes.dex files within services.jar. I am assuming they are in the services.odex file, which so far i have been unable to open and read to find the correct smali files.
I have called it quits trying to figure it out for now...... until the colorchanger app includes support for this i am putting it in the too hard basket.
Let us know if ohsaka gets back to you. If we get this we can theme anything we want- i made a theme template for ion which worked......
***edit*** just got a reply from Ohsaka, he said there is no way he knows of to open .odex files to edit colour inside of them. that kind of means those of us running ION or hero are **** out of luck. Until someone starts modding the HTC build a bit more (kind of like how cyanogen mods the standard 1.5 and also pulls from donut etc) then we are stuck with what we have got
Hofo rom has some potential.... maybe we should all chip in and buy cyanogen a Magic (32A of course )?

Is it possible to edit the png's in the framework zip to a translucent opacity, and push the entire zip back in to make the notification bar have some transparency?
Edit: Nm, tried it and it is more complicated than I thought lol. Screenshots of a 50% status bar png to come

I have adb etc set up and willing to try ,would be my first action on editing my phone.
Does my phone need to be rooted/re-rommed for this to work ?
I own a original out of the box T-Mobile G1 , and I really would like to change the colouring of the notification bar to match the colour of my background picture, but not at the expense of giving up my warranty ( not yet ) , depends on future updates of G1 which is doubtfull at the moment I believe

jinglebinkie said:
I have adb etc set up and willing to try ,would be my first action on editing my phone.
Does my phone need to be rooted/re-rommed for this to work ?
I own a original out of the box T-Mobile G1 , and I really would like to change the colouring of the notification bar to match the colour of my background picture, but not at the expense of giving up my warranty ( not yet ) , depends on future updates of G1 which is doubtfull at the moment I believe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried this out at a non-rooted phone, but yes, it will work on a non-rooted phone, so just go ahead.
Don't be affraid about the warrenty, you can always say you downloaded a skin on market

MontAlbert said:
services.jar .......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally noob to this crazy world, what does the services.jar do?
What effects does it have? I'm trying to edit the notification bar/icons.
Am I limited to what can be done because of this "services.jar" ?

I keep getting "remount failed: Operation not permitted" when i try to remount

can you do this on the droid eris

should work on eris,just do a nandroid backup first just in case you need to roll back

I just wanted to let people know, i ran into a problem with force closing constantly.
Solution i came up with is if you have the custom OC kernel, you must edit the
pictures and stuff for your UI and then flash the kernel. If the kernel is already in place
it will conflict with the 'adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk'
And a data value will change, causing force closes.
~

So, is there any way I can grab the smileys aswell and change them? I want the SonyEricsson smileys instead of those android ones.

I also get force close (of the market app) after modifying images in a custom ROM, on a T-Mobile Pulse. jamsk8er1994, could you explain in more detail what you mean by "edit pictures and flash your kernel"?

The same goes for those of you who want to change the smileys that you see on your phone. If you're tired of those robots you go into
- framework-res.apk\res\drawable-mdpi-v4
and find the files called "emo_im_"
There is 17 files, png's. open photoshop and make the smileys you'd like in a 20x20 canvas (pixels). save for web and devices -png 24, with the same name. In example: (The grinning smiley :-D) is emo_im_laughing.png
Then you drag the new png you've made into the apk file and choose replace existing.
Note: this is only for your viewing, others will not see the smileys you have on your phone unless they got the same on theirs. If they have the droid ones that is what they see when you send. But if they send you a droid smiley you see the custom one you've put in yourself.

i changed all the colors to black on PS. dragged them back into the zip file, renamed it to "framework-res.apk" and typed in the command in the cmd. I got a message saying "failed to copy 'framework-res.apk' to '/system/framework/framework-res.apk' : No space left on device".
what do i do?

Awesome thingy, I'll make everything non-glossy.

How to extract thinks of a theme ?

Hello,
I like http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=541841 the slider of this theme the widgets, and the green highlighting color ?
Cann anyone say how can i extract the slider and widgets of this theme and port it to cyan 4.1.999 ??
I mean this here
I want each think in its self update.zip so i can test what is good looking for me.
mfg

get the theme you want or rom. extract it. the go to system, framework, then extract framework-res.apk, then go into res and theres most of the highlights and stuff. now it you want the launcher get the theme/rom, then extract it, go to system, app, then extract launcher.apk and theres all of your desktop highlights and launcher.
if you have anymore questions just ask.

Okay thx , drpfenderson helped me too and sayed me the same but i dont
can sign my apks my windows say with my auto signer tool i dont have java but i have java installed... >.<
Could anyone fusion the launcher apk from this theme with the advanced launcher.The black notification bar and the green highligting colour ?
This would be really great
mfg

go get winrar and then right click on the apk/zip and go to properties then go to open with, winrar. then click on the apk/zip and then a little folder will pop up and the you can just drag what you want into it. you will not need to sign it. put it in your working adb directory. and then
adb remount
adb push (file name) /(directory)
adb shell reboot

I got the framework working now
Cann anyone fusin me the launcher from ted with the advanced launcher for 4.1.999
mfg

sorry wrong thread.

if you get winrar and do what i said you dont need it to be signed. you can do it your self and its really easy.

I have it
But i cant port it to 4.199 because its from 1.5 to 1.6 and i cant do this i hope ted port his theme soon
thank you

you can put his launcher in 1.6 im running jacs stuff in my drizzy 1.6. as long as its nothing completly different then you can put it in any rom. i have xroms launcher in 1.6 but just dont put the whole entire launcher in just go into drawable port/land. and take the thing that looks like what your talking about.

I have it
Now i port the framework-res
EDIT: I have a little question i ported the launcher.apk and it works but when i reboot my phone stocks every time in boot logo tmobile and i have to flash new >.< (Is this because my file is not signed ?)
mfg

what you have to do is go find teds launcher.apk and extract it. then go to res, drawable-land and drag those out to your desktop, and then go back to res, then drawable port, and then drag those out to your desktop. and then go find you cyan 4.1.999 and extract it, then click the extracted, then go to system, then app, Launcher.apk (you should be in winrar now), then click res, then click drawable-port, then drag the ones that are in portrait mode into the winrar box. then go back out to res, then click drawable-land, and and drag the ones that are sideways into the winrar box.
put the cyan 4.1.999 Launcher.apk in your working adb directory and type this...
adb remount
adb push Launcher.apk /system/app
adb shell reboot
if you every thing exactly how i told you it will work i do this 10 times a day.

I did this and i see my new launcher but when i reboot the g1 stuck on g1 tmobile screen ... Its just when i modified the launcher when i use the standard launcher it works but when i modified a thing it doesnt boot afer reboot
mfg

for me to be able to help and understand 100% will you explain step by step what you do.

Thx
I got it working now But now is my problem the framwork-res.apk
do you know how i can port this ?? I tried it but it says me a lot of errors like google process gapps is not working right.
mfg

every thing i said for launcher do for frame works. its exactly the same deal. youll start to get the hang of it. its not all that hard it just seems hard.

Now i portede the whole theme but a little problem is in the notification bar , the bar is black and the font colour too where i find this data to change the font colour

Search the Q&A forum for the thread 'help porting theme' david answered that question for me a week ago.

did you have to sign what you did? because when i do it this way i dont.

I tried this on framework-res.apk using the recovery console to place it back on my phone.
i got endless FC. tried fix permissions and wipe dalvik neither worked.
does it have to be ADB? is using the recovery console where i went wrong?
the graphical changes i made worked, but the phone was unuseable.

I always sign mine when I change something. It only takes an extra second, and I flash mine from the phone rather than in adb cuz I always do a backup first just in case.
As for the font colors on the notification bars, you hafta edit some xml files. Those which are posted in the other thread in the Q&A section.

[Q] How to modify and replace framework-res.apk

Hello
I changed some png images with 7zip and copied back to system/framework/ but i got boot loop.
I would like to know how to modify and replace .apk that will work normal?
Thanks

How exactly did you replace the png's? Because the 'normal' proces of unzip-replace-rezip doesn't work.
The most easy way to changes png's:
1. Open framework-res.apk in 7-zip
2. Search for the files you want to change and copy them to your hard disk (do not unzip!!)
3. change the files. Make sure the name stays EXACT the same.
4. Open framework-res.apk and copy your new files in the desired place. By doing so, the original files will be replaced by your files. DO NOT USE ANY COMPRESSION (if asked select 'store').
5. Go into recovery, mount /system and replace the framework-res.apk by the new one. Reboot phone.
Take home message: never unzip
Hope it works now!
Erwin

i went to recovery and hit mount/system. But how can i replace it?
Thanks

urkotheone said:
i went to recovery and hit mount/system. But how can i replace it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to use adb to do is. I assume you know how to work with it. If not, you have to search for a little tutorial (can't link you right now because I'm using the xda app)
Put the new framework-res.apk in the same folder as adb.exe. Open the command prompt and brows to that same folder. Type in your command prompt:
Code:
adb shell mv system/framework/framework-res.apk system/framework/framework-res.old
adb push framework-res.apk system/framework
adb reboot
Due to the first command, you have a backup of your original framework-res.apk. To restore it, you have to boot in recovery, mount /system and again by the use of the command prompt, type:
Code:
adb shell rm system/framework/framework-res.apk
adb shell mv system/framework/framework-res.old system/framework/framework-res.apk
adb reboot
Erwin

Yeeeeey i did it
Thank you

One more problem
When discharging it's working, but when I charge phone i don't get no battery icon. I believe it's because in original framework i had 100 png animations for charging and now i have only 20. Is there a way to fix this?

urkotheone said:
One more problem
When discharging it's working, but when I charge phone i don't get no battery icon. I believe it's because in original framework i had 100 png animations for charging and now i have only 20. Is there a way to fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it is going to be much more complicated than that. Perhaps I can explain you in more detail tomorrow, but you will have to look up some things for yourself.
First, you should decompile the framework-res.apk first using apktool. You will notice that it almost looks like it just dezips your apk, but when you look closely, you will see now that you can open and read the xml files.
Second, you have to open res\drawable\stat_sys_battery.xml (or something similar, perhaps it depends on your ROM). Try to understand what is written and make some changes (it is really not that hard) so that your system shows only 20 different images, in stead of 100.
Third, you have to recompile your modified framework-res.apk. Then pull stat_sys_battery.xml out of "your" framework-res.apk into the original framework-res.apk, but again, without unzipping one of them. Do, of course, the same thing with your images.
I must admit, I've been busy with the battery icons myself. It was my plan to do something similar like you did, but I didn't do it yet. So all the things I've written above where the things I was planing to do, but I don't know if it will work, as I never tried it myself. So please, keep me/us informed ;-)
Good luck!
EDIT: I used this site to know how to decompile apk's.

This is an old thread but I wanted to edit my systemUI.apk file with changing out a couple images... if I was to upload the file I edited (by just swapping out the images) to the UOT kitchen and use a mod, say the battery mod, would it make the file usable on my phone or would I get a bootloop or worse?
Basically what I did was opened up the SystemUI.apk file using 7zip and just swapped out the images I wanted (making sure I saved the original ones of course). I didn't unzip/zip anything.. I just opened it using 7zip and then closed it. It didn't ask me if I wanted to save anything though??
Sorry for the stupid question... but I thought it would be an idea as I want to use the UOT to make a mod to the theme I have anyways.

crazy_dragonlady said:
This is an old thread but I wanted to edit my systemUI.apk file with changing out a couple images... if I was to upload the file I edited (by just swapping out the images) to the UOT kitchen and use a mod, say the battery mod, would it make the file usable on my phone or would I get a bootloop or worse?
Basically what I did was opened up the SystemUI.apk file using 7zip and just swapped out the images I wanted (making sure I saved the original ones of course). I didn't unzip/zip anything.. I just opened it using 7zip and then closed it. It didn't ask me if I wanted to save anything though??
Sorry for the stupid question... but I thought it would be an idea as I want to use the UOT to make a mod to the theme I have anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if I understand you fully, but I believe it would: only if the UOT changed the images that you have changed, you will not see the things you have changed.
What I did some time ago was upload my framework en systemui to the UOT, apply the battery mod and than change the battery images with my own. I did that just by opening the apk in WinRAR and adding my images, just like you did.
But if you only want to swapp some images, there is no need for uploading it to the UTO. Just continue as you did. Just make sure that you keep the original systemui.apk on your hdd. In case of a bootloop, you can easely revert.
Is that een answer to your question?
Erwin

Yes, it does.. and thanks. I ended up following the instructions on another thread I found on here... don't remember exactly which one but it basically omitted uploading the files to the UOT. It was a guide on how to theme your phone... sorry but I didn't save the link.
thanks again!
CDL.

urkotheone said:
Hello
I changed some png images with 7zip and copied back to system/framework/ but i got boot loop.
I would like to know how to modify and replace .apk that will work normal?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing happened to me!
I Wiped Cache, Dalvik Cache, but nothing happened!
I had to flash 2.3.6 Stock ROM via Odin, to make my phone work!

I always work with Winrar, and in there you have the option for compression, which is selected at "medium compression" by default, and that causes bootloops.
So make sure that you don't compress your apk when adding your new png, or it will not work.
Erwin

I change my framework-res.apk from another rom. the problem is when I push long power button, my device going to BOOTANIMATION with out I choose shutdown, restart n etc.. what's wrong with my device??
sorry for my bad eng..

The problem is its another roms framework so things are in different places and some things will be missing, put the framework-res.apk from your rom back and things should go back to normal, mind me asking what tweak or mod you are after using?
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using xda premium

first time I must say sorry, I know this not my device place on XDA, I use MB525.. but I see the same problem here..
I use Ms3ginger mod rom by walter, n I take framework-res.apk from 2.3.6_4.5.2-109 DHT25_themed MultiLanguage, I try to change battery sys-stat but I get bootloop..
once again sorry for my bad eng

If not possible try
Adb remount
First

[THEME] ICS Lockscreen + ICS Style Pattern Lock

Featured on XDA Portal Thanks guys!
Also, thanks to zhuhang for including this in his CM7 ICS / Jelly bean look and All in One ICS patch thread
UPDATE: You can now choose between ICS blue/ white style colours or the default green/ red colours for the lock rings, etc., I have attached different the applicable zips ("Lockscreen Icons ICS Blue.zip" and "Lockscreen Icons Default.zip")
Hi XDA
This is my first attempt at doing some DIY themeing, this is very simple and did not take very long to do. Before I say anything else, bear in mind you must have root, and I am not responsible if your device is bricked, set alight or abducted by aliens due to this tutorial.
Screenshots are attached
On the G1, by installing CM7 it is possible to end up with a very nice ICS looking UI. You can do this through applying AChep's ICS theme, installing the Roboto font from ICS using an app such as Type Fresh from Pixelpod INTERNATIONAL and finally from finding ports of actual ICS apps, such as Holo Launcher by Mobint.
There is one problem though, which is that the lock screen is untouchable by themes such as Sonny Sekhon's.
And so we realize that we must theme it ourselves!
The actual lockscreen itself shouldn't be a problem, as CM7 has the option to use a holo style lock ring and to be set to "minimal", and once you have installed the ICS clock font for Clockopia (note that this isn't Roboto) found here (it's in the FontPack-Roboto_E2.zip file), you have a pretty clean looking ICS lock screen (See first attachment). Note I have also set the clock, etc. to be on the right side of the screen.
Now that that's done, onto the pattern lock :laugh: .
So, I don't particularly like the Gingerbread pattern lock anyway, and it looks especially horrible when everything around it is nice and ICS-y.
I found a page here which is a tutorial on how to change the look of the pattern lock, but the icons are the wrong colour and the wrong size, and some icons are missing.
For that reason, I've done the "hard" work for you :laugh: , so on to the tutorial ---->
Firstly, make a nandroid backup, although there shouldn't be much risk involved with this.
The apps you will need are Ninjamorph and to make things easy, a good file explorer, I personally use Ghost Commander.
You are now ready! The steps are as follows...
1. Open up Ninjamorph, grant SU permissions. I think you need to select "Start Checks" first.
2. Select "New Project", and locate framework-res.apk, it will be under /system/framework/ .
3. Although it backs up automatically, enter your file browser, go to /mnt/sdcard/AndroidThemes/workspace/framework-resapk/res/drawable-mdpi and copy the following files to a safe location on your sdcard:
btn_code_lock_default.png
btn_code_lock_touched.png
indicator_code_lock_drag_direction_green_up.png
indicator_code_lock_drag_direction_red_up.png
indicator_code_lock_point_area_default.png
indicator_code_lock_point_area_green.png
indicator_code_lock_point_area_red.png
ic_emergency.png
4. I have attached a zip file named "Lockscreen Icons.zip", in here you will find the icons to theme the pattern lock.
5. Unzip "Lockscreen Icons.zip", then copy the contents to /mnt/sdcard/AndroidThemes/workspace/framework-resapk/res/drawable-mdpi . Notice that the icon names are the same as the ones you backed up, and also the same size. If you feel the need to edit them, do not change the name or size and do not save them as anything other than png files.
6. Open up Ninjamorph and select "Start Checks" as usual (you may need to locate back to the main screen first).
7. Select "Finish Project", then select "framework-resapk".
8. It will ask you to verify, to which you say yes, then ask if you want to zipalign, to which you will say no, I repeat: Do NOT zipalign.
9. Blah blah blah, it will do it's thing, extract and recompile the apk.
10. Now you've just got to reboot! , then admire you're ICS style pattern lock .
I've attached some screenshots of the results, the first 3 are blue/ white theme (no interaction, interaction, wrong pattern) then default green/ red theme (no interaction, wrong pattern, interaction). Note that I have swapped btn_code_lock_default.png and btn_code_lock_touched.png as they were the wrong way round. It is too difficult to get a screenshot, but when the corretc pattern is drawn the small rings/ nodes open up (become "o"s instead of filled in circles) again.
I hope this has helped, please thank me if it has and happy theming .

Media icons + emergency call icon
All screenshots attached at bottom and also in zip file.
I have now extracted the media icons (play, pause, etc.) from the CyanogenMod 9 framework-res.apk and put together this guide so you can make your G1 even more good looking. I have done this as, although CM7 themes do change media icons, as previously mentioned, the lockscreen is not effected
but no worries :victory: just read on --->
1. Read the above tutorial so you have everything you need, etc.
2. Once you have gotten up to step 2, stop reading and follow this insead --->
3. Enter your file browser, go to /mnt/sdcard/AndroidThemes/workspace/framework-resapk/res/drawable-mdpi and copy the following files to a safe location on your sd card:
ic_media_ff.png
ic_media_next.png
ic_media_pause.png
ic_media_play.png
ic_media_previous.png
ic_media_rew.png
4. I have attached a zip file named "Media Icons.zip", in here you will find the icons to theme the media icons.
5. Unzip "Media Icons.zip", then copy the contents to /mnt/sdcard/AndroidThemes/workspace/framework-resapk/res/drawable-mdpi . Notice that the icon names are the same as the ones you backed up, and also the same size (as in image size (width, etc.), not file size). If you feel the need to edit them, do not change the name or size and do not save them as anything other than png files.
6. Open up Ninjamorph and select "Start Checks" as usual (you may need to locate back to the main screen first).
7. Select "Finish Project", then select "framework-resapk".
8. It will ask you to verify, to which you say yes, then ask if you want to zipalign, to which you will say no, I repeat: Do NOT zipalign.
9. Blah blah blah, it will do it's thing, extract and recompile the apk.
10. Now you've just got to reboot!
I have also attached "Emergency Call Icons.zip", this themes the emergency call button (transparent background, grey call icon and blue on press). Do the same as above with btn_default_pressed.9.png, btn_default_transparent_normal.9.png and ic_emergency.png .
I will attach some screenshots later. Hope you like it , if you do, thank me and happy theming. :good:

Looks awesome!

galaxyace152 said:
Looks awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why...are you here?

King ACE said:
Why...are you here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and y r u here ?

King ACE said:
Why...are you here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can be wherever I wanna be!
Anyways, I saw this thread on the Portal!

Thanks!
galaxyace152 said:
Looks awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you like it

Nice work. Had to modify the zip for my ldpi Wildfire. Anyone interested in resized zip for ldpi?

Thanks
3RMD said:
Nice work. Had to modify the zip for my ldpi Wildfire. Anyone interested in resized zip for ldpi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, forgot to say, but obviously anyone feel free to make this better / resize for another device , This isn't all my original work as half the icons are resized and recoloured from another device.

Samsung Galaxy S II T989
Can someone resize the icons for the Galaxy S II T989 PLEASE?
The Dots are to small for my phone can someone teach me to rezsize or do it for me Please?
-Thanks

Found Out how to make them Bigger
USe this online editing tool h_tt_p://_pixlr.c_o_m/editor/ Without underscores , It wouldnt let me post the link...
Any who just use the lockscreen download which is provided in this thread, and open up the link...Locate the folder and one by one in the editing tool, go under IMAGINE and under imagine click on Imagine size to 120Pixels or what ever you like for every picture EXCEPT these two "indicator_code_lock_drag_direction_green_up" & "indicator_code_lock_drag_direction_red_up" I Did these for my Galaxy S II T989 using NinjaMorph...
Sorry for Double posting

I was looking for a guide like this, because I don't like the pattern lock of cm7 the dots are overlapped, etc. But I follow your steps and all, and after ninjamorph rebooted my phone, it went onto a bootloop. Why? What did I do wrong? Luckily, I made a backup before doing this, but I wonder why I can't have the ICS pattern style...

rolo143 said:
I was looking for a guide like this, because I don't like the pattern lock of cm7 the dots are overlapped, etc. But I follow your steps and all, and after ninjamorph rebooted my phone, it went onto a bootloop. Why? What did I do wrong? Luckily, I made a backup before doing this, but I wonder why I can't have the ICS pattern style...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm... Did you make sure Ninjamorph had fully finished (there should be a message saying "all done" and if it worked your wallpaper would have reset before a reboot). You say ninjamorph rebooted your phone - do you actually mean this, as it should tell you to reboot, but should not reboot for you; if it froze and rebooted, that means something didn't. work .
I can't remember if there are hdpi etc. folders but also make sure you're sticking everything into the drawable-mdpi folder and that you're replacing files as opposed to just making copies (filename.png, filename-1.png etc.).
The only other thing I can think of is that I've made a typo (unlikely as obviously I tested these myself first) or your framework-res is weird (I practicaly pulled that idea out my ar*e - I highly doubt this is the case). I think all you can do is tell me what rom you're on and which theme (blue or green) you used..... it would help alot if you could PM me your unthemed framework-res.apk if at all possible.
I hoped this helps and sorry for the late reply, but if all goes well you might want to check out post 2: I've got stuff for media icons + emergency call button
One last thought... I've been assuming you're trying this on a g1... if not then the sizing is probably incorrect (sorry, just checking )

HTCDreamOn said:
hmm... Did you make sure Ninjamorph had fully finished (there should be a message saying "all done" and if it worked your wallpaper would have reset before a reboot). You say ninjamorph rebooted your phone - do you actually mean this, as it should tell you to reboot, but should not reboot for you; if it froze and rebooted, that means something didn't. work .
I can't remember if there are hdpi etc. folders but also make sure you're sticking everything into the drawable-mdpi folder and that you're replacing files as opposed to just making copies (filename.png, filename-1.png etc.).
The only other thing I can think of is that I've made a typo (unlikely as obviously I tested these myself first) or your framework-res is weird (I practicaly pulled that idea out my ar*e - I highly doubt this is the case). I think all you can do is tell me what rom you're on and which theme (blue or green) you used..... it would help alot if you could PM me your unthemed framework-res.apk if at all possible.
I hoped this helps and sorry for the late reply, but if all goes well you might want to check out post 2: I've got stuff for media icons + emergency call button
One last thought... I've been assuming you're trying this on a g1... if not then the sizing is probably incorrect (sorry, just checking )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, I'm not using a G1 I tried this on a Live with Walkman, but for what I know I think it's the same resolution, (320x480) and I followed every step in order, I even tried replacing files with the ninjamorph app, and with the root explorer too, but nothing seems to work, when my phone reboots it always goes into a bootloop, is it possible for you to upload the framework-res.apk? If you need mine I can upload it, just tell me, I'm using CM7.2 official rom, with the default kernel that comes with the rom. I don't know where did I go wrong. :/

rolo143 said:
Thanks for your reply, I'm not using a G1 I tried this on a Live with Walkman, but for what I know I think it's the same resolution, (320x480) and I followed every step in order, I even tried replacing files with the ninjamorph app, and with the root explorer too, but nothing seems to work, when my phone reboots it always goes into a bootloop, is it possible for you to upload the framework-res.apk? If you need mine I can upload it, just tell me, I'm using CM7.2 official rom, with the default kernel that comes with the rom. I don't know where did I go wrong. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're using a different phone then perhaps there is a different naming scheme or dimensions or something (but probably not because you're using the same ROM) not entirely sure but it would help alot if you uploaded / PMed me your (unmodded) framework-res.apk . Thanks

what about drag path
do you maybe know how to make drag path (trace) thinner...? like this
???

filix97 said:
do you maybe know how to make drag path (trace) thinner...? like this
???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, sorry, I believe this is probably coded into an xml somewhere.

HTCDreamOn said:
No, sorry, I believe this is probably coded into an xml somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for information

Will this method work for CM9.1? If not, is there a thread that details how to?
Thanks
HTCDreamOn said:
Featured on XDA Portal Thanks guys!
Also, thanks to zhuhang for including this in his CM7 ICS / Jelly bean look and All in One ICS patch thread
UPDATE: You can now choose between ICS blue/ white style colours or the default green/ red colours for the lock rings, etc., I have attached different the applicable zips ("Lockscreen Icons ICS Blue.zip" and "Lockscreen Icons Default.zip")
Hi XDA
This is my first attempt at doing some DIY themeing, this is very simple and did not take very long to do. Before I say anything else, bear in mind you must have root, and I am not responsible if your device is bricked, set alight or abducted by aliens due to this tutorial.
Screenshots are attached
On the G1, by installing CM7 it is possible to end up with a very nice ICS looking UI. You can do this through applying AChep's ICS theme, installing the Roboto font from ICS using an app such as Type Fresh from Pixelpod INTERNATIONAL and finally from finding ports of actual ICS apps, such as Holo Launcher by Mobint.
There is one problem though, which is that the lock screen is untouchable by themes such as Sonny Sekhon's.
And so we realize that we must theme it ourselves!
The actual lockscreen itself shouldn't be a problem, as CM7 has the option to use a holo style lock ring and to be set to "minimal", and once you have installed the ICS clock font for Clockopia (note that this isn't Roboto) found here (it's in the FontPack-Roboto_E2.zip file), you have a pretty clean looking ICS lock screen (See first attachment). Note I have also set the clock, etc. to be on the right side of the screen.
Now that that's done, onto the pattern lock :laugh: .
So, I don't particularly like the Gingerbread pattern lock anyway, and it looks especially horrible when everything around it is nice and ICS-y.
I found a page here which is a tutorial on how to change the look of the pattern lock, but the icons are the wrong colour and the wrong size, and some icons are missing.
For that reason, I've done the "hard" work for you :laugh: , so on to the tutorial ---->
Firstly, make a nandroid backup, although there shouldn't be much risk involved with this.
The apps you will need are Ninjamorph and to make things easy, a good file explorer, I personally use Ghost Commander.
You are now ready! The steps are as follows...
1. Open up Ninjamorph, grant SU permissions. I think you need to select "Start Checks" first.
2. Select "New Project", and locate framework-res.apk, it will be under /system/framework/ .
3. Although it backs up automatically, enter your file browser, go to /mnt/sdcard/AndroidThemes/workspace/framework-resapk/res/drawable-mdpi and copy the following files to a safe location on your sdcard:
btn_code_lock_default.png
btn_code_lock_touched.png
indicator_code_lock_drag_direction_green_up.png
indicator_code_lock_drag_direction_red_up.png
indicator_code_lock_point_area_default.png
indicator_code_lock_point_area_green.png
indicator_code_lock_point_area_red.png
ic_emergency.png
4. I have attached a zip file named "Lockscreen Icons.zip", in here you will find the icons to theme the pattern lock.
5. Unzip "Lockscreen Icons.zip", then copy the contents to /mnt/sdcard/AndroidThemes/workspace/framework-resapk/res/drawable-mdpi . Notice that the icon names are the same as the ones you backed up, and also the same size. If you feel the need to edit them, do not change the name or size and do not save them as anything other than png files.
6. Open up Ninjamorph and select "Start Checks" as usual (you may need to locate back to the main screen first).
7. Select "Finish Project", then select "framework-resapk".
8. It will ask you to verify, to which you say yes, then ask if you want to zipalign, to which you will say no, I repeat: Do NOT zipalign.
9. Blah blah blah, it will do it's thing, extract and recompile the apk.
10. Now you've just got to reboot! , then admire you're ICS style pattern lock .
I've attached some screenshots of the results, the first 3 are blue/ white theme (no interaction, interaction, wrong pattern) then default green/ red theme (no interaction, wrong pattern, interaction). Note that I have swapped btn_code_lock_default.png and btn_code_lock_touched.png as they were the wrong way round. It is too difficult to get a screenshot, but when the corretc pattern is drawn the small rings/ nodes open up (become "o"s instead of filled in circles) again.
I hope this has helped, please thank me if it has and happy theming .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

richdav1971 said:
Will this method work for CM9.1? If not, is there a thread that details how to?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need, this is attempting to emulate the look of the ICS lock rings, which is what you've got already
btw please don't quote the entire OP thanks