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How To Theme Develop for Windows For Dummies in 10 easy steps (( no your really not a dummy its just an easy name for a how to lol))
well i'm going to give this a shot in the dark on how to create this how to be as easy as possible
1st
download these files if you don't already have them
JAVA
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
download the JDK
Winrar
http://rarlabs.com/rar/wrar380.exe
and Auto-sign.zip
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?uwzjjydnm2r
2nd
Download my included Auto-sign files.
what it contains.
the Test keys file..
and an update.zip file
and a batch file i created called auto-sign to make things easier to sign
3rd
after you have downloaded my Auto-sign
then you extract it to where ever you want.
4th.
use the update.zip included if your a Beginner it includes my windows 7 theme .. i edit so many files that it's easier to tell what does what and whats goiing to go where. now open that zip file DON'T EXTRACT just open it using winrar..
5th
When it is open go to Framework.. and open Framework-res.apk
NOW IF THE APK. POPS UP AND SAYS IT CANT OPEN BLAH BLAH SELECT A PROGRAM AND THEN SELECT WINRAR.
6th
Once you open Framework-res.apk KEEP THIS WINDOW AND UPDATE.ZIP WINDOW OPEN!!
then just extract the whole Res Folder to where ever you like this makes it easier to see what files you wish to edit.. most of the files will be in the folder called Drawable
7th
open up your favorite photo editor .. i use photoshop along with 90% of the people who Graphic Design... Edit your pictures Remember a file with a .9 can mess up your phone so edit those carefully.. and save what ever pictures you have
8th
Now drag the whole Res Folder .. back into the Framework-res.apk
now your update.zip file is going to say files has been changed to framework-res blah blah do you wish to save it . click yes .. now your framework has been updated you can close everything out
9th
go to the Auto-sign folder.. and open Auto-sign this will now sign your update.zip .. and rename it to update_sign.zip .. now just delete your old update.zip.. rename update_signed.zip to update.zip
10th
put it on the root of your memory card.. reset using green call + menu + end
then hold home and end .. until the recovery mode shows up .. then press Alt+S and hope your device isn't bricked
Disclaimers
I'm not responsible if your brick your device.. but i will help to the best of my abilty and if i can't help i'm sure XDA will
i don't sign every file in my update.zip i just sign update.zip .. and hey it works lol..
For ADP or RC 8 versions .. just download your favortie ADP theme or RC 8
put it in the Auto-sign folder.. and rename it to update.zip if it isn't already then just follow my steps
Screenshots will be added later.. you have to understand i did this right when i woke up i didnt' even eat breakfast yet lol.. so if something is flawed.. just write me and i'll change my post..
reserved for later use
thank you a didnt want to download linx...i will try when i get home tonight.thanks in advance
you are the man!!!! thanks, really appreciate this. got some ideas. i'll run them by you when i can get some time to start on my theme.
Dave Da illest 1 said:
How To Theme Develop for Windows For Dummies in 10 easy steps (( no your really not a dummy its just an easy name for a how to lol))
1st
download these files if you don't already have them
JAVA
http://javadl.sun.com/webapps/download/AutoDL?BundleId=26223
Winrar
http://rarlabs.com/rar/wrar380.exe
and Auto-sign.zip
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?uwzjjydnm2r
2nd
Download my included Auto-sign files.
what it contains.
the Test keys file..
and an update.zip file
and a batch file i created called auto-sign to make things easier to sign
3rd
after you have downloaded my Auto-sign
then you extract it to where ever you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the "Auto-sign files" you mention in step 2 the same as the link you provided for the "and Auto-sign.zip"?
Just want to make sure Im not missing anything.
Thanks for putting this together!
xavier6303 said:
Is the "Auto-sign files" you mention in step 2 the same as the link you provided for the "and Auto-sign.zip"?
Just want to make sure Im not missing anything.
Thanks for putting this together!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it is iima have to edit that lata right now i gotta get ready to return my laptop
Dave Da illest 1 said:
yes it is iima have to edit that lata right now i gotta get ready to return my laptop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok cool. Thanks for the prompt response!
hey i was looking through and i noticed you did have the .9 files edited, what do you mean they can mess up your phone? Also how did you edit it so that the tab is the way that it is across the screen? Thanks.
Ill explain more about .9 in my reserved post and more about app designing when I get home..the file ur looking for is in launcher.apk .. under drawable-port and land
Do not edit or open .9.png's They will distort when android tries to resize them, editing them can also make apps force close upon boot. You will make more trouble for yourself by editing these files! Leavem alone! Just opening the files to look at them can make them distort... I fought with these images for weeks and caused serious problems in my theme...
Stericson
Stericson said:
Do not edit or open .9.png's They will distort when android tried to resize them, editing them can also make apps force close upon boot. You will make more trouble for yourself by editing these files! Leavem alone!
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its true! Listen to him! Dont touch the .9.png files!
I Wish Android Had This
It would be nice if we had a website like this , http://iphonethememaker.com/
btw, thanks for the simple instructions
I noticed in framework-res.apk has a "resoriginal" folder with what appears to be all the orignal files. Does this cause any problems when left in the apk or did you just include it so we have a backup?
Do we need to take it out before resigning and flashing?
Can we take it out before resigning and flashing?
Thanks
Just noticed something else, not trying to bash your post Dave but You have to let people know that you need to resign every .apk that you edit! Yes you may get away with not signing the apk, but when the time comes that you've changed something in an apk to such an extent that the sigs do not match anymore, you are going to get stuck at the g1 boot screen. Then you are going to have a hard time figuring out which apk is not signed correctly. Resign every apk just to be safe. Don't cut corners, your gonna end up causing more problems for yourself.
Stericson
Stericson said:
Just noticed something else, not trying to bash your post Dave but You have to let people know that you need to resign every .apk that you edit! Yes you may get away with not signing the apk, but when the time comes that you've changed something in an apk to such an extent that the sigs do not match anymore, you are going to get stuck at the g1 boot screen. Then you are going to have a hard time figuring out which apk is not signed correctly. Resign every apk just to be safe. Don't cut corners, your gonna end up causing more problems for yourself.
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if you dont touch an .apk, you don't have to sign it right? Just want to be sure.
thats correct, assuming that it has been resigned once already. like if you are building off of one of our themes, all our apks should be resigned, so if you dont mess with it, you dont have to sign it again.
Stericson
will this theme wipe everything?
and is there a way to edit icons and such?
Ahh stupid me I left it in there..that's why my theme was almost 10 MBs lol I didn't think much of it since it worked ! Lol..but yeah you can take it out..or use it as a reference lol I guess it works out for a better that I left it there ..and yeah I edited .9 files but I did it in a way that well it worked for me..but it deffintly won't work all the time..you see the blue black in the phone app when u make a call and how it looks streched out..yeah so that didn't work out type good ..but hey it worked and doesn't look all that bad lol..so some you can edit but in a certain way..and others you can't without it messing up..but don't even considor editing .9 button files..atleast until somebody figures out a way where it won't look funny
you can get away wit not signing if ur only editing the icon of the program..every apk in my theme has been signed even ones I didn't edit but if ur. Just editing the icon. And a couple of other things u really don't need to resign..for example.. I didn't sign not one program after I did my back to the future theme ..and my windows 7 theme seems to flash better then my. Back to the future theme..also one other note to add..that if you resign an app..please remember the programs are case sensitive..but to be on the safe side if u edit more then three things in a apk just sign it..as a matter of fact later tonight I will make a auto-sign for every program to make it easy for everyone
And this is non-wipe by default..
Edit- the different things I did from my back to the future theme to this theme for me not to have to resign..
Update to 1.31
Only edit icons.
The procedure I used to save my files.
Changed my theme to non wipe
Or maybe I just have pure luck lol
But listen to the guru on this and sign all .apks don't test ur luck. Like I have ..
Edit 2- I just remember I'm not sure wats the limit u can edit before u have to resign..cause on my framework-res.apk.. I editied over 10 files without signing.. but if you want to test ur luck be my guest..but that's why I put a disclaimer..but the way signapk.jar works is actually quite interesting ..cause it will auto update the meta files and automaticlly add the sha-1 digest files for you
Dave Da illest 1 said:
..but don't even considor editing .9 button files..atleast until somebody figures out a way where it won't look funny
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ask and you shall receive:
Excuse me if you already knew all about this, but these files are Android 9-patch files
Nine-patch files are stretchable graphics that allow you to define regions to stretch and regions that will stay the same. This page describes them in pretty good detail.
And you can read how to use the draw9patch tool in your SDK here.
This was just a little something I ran across the other day, and just realized you guys were prob. talking about these.
Hope that helps! Can't wait to see what comes of it. Keep up the good work.
Ricky
DesignDawg
Just wanted to create a Post so people can bounce ideas off each other as to what would be necessary to change themes on the fly. How does a normal phone change themes?
i just have a folder on my SD card called themes and i update it everyday with everytheme and the latest version of each, the themes folder has all my themes separated into adp1 adp1.1 rc30 and rc33 and i use linda file manager to move them to the root and rename them. i can flash any theme anytime i want. and if a new one comes out while i'm not near a computer i download with steel and try it out.this is the best way as far as i can see, at least with the tools i have access too
anyone seen the iphone emulator? it actually works where it will open a program associated with the icon, could that possibly help get a way to theme similar to how summerboard works?
jdwme said:
anyone seen the iphone emulator? it actually works where it will open a program associated with the icon, could that possibly help get a way to theme similar to how summerboard works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not even close to being a theme though.
A proper theme is more than just smoe icons.
IE. iKid has a much nicer looking media player.
i use the exact same method w the themes on sdcard... i take it one step further... i use andftp to upload to my qctx.org server and upload directly tested themes... so i can access and organize however i need
- great for backing up sdcards
This is how I edit my themes on the fly
Walkthrough for creating your own Android theme
First you need to get signing setup properly. This topic is covered in many places and my recommendation is to use the Stericson walkthrough or the Stericson auto-signing setup tool. Once you can click on any zip or apk file and get the option to Resign it you are ready to proceed with making your own theme.
1. Download an archive manager that allows you to open archives inside of archives without creating new windows. My recommendation for this is the application 7-zip. It is tiny, free, easy to use, and on all my computers it has replaced winzip and winrar.
2. Now take a blank theme from Stericson to use as your starting point, this will be the minimum needed to change your theme and will contain all the original artwork.
3. Open the update.zip and inside are typically 3 files, framework, system or app, and META-INF. Leave META-INF alone, you wont be touching that. Inside framework and system/app is where the files are that you can change. In this case we will open update.zip, then double click framework and then double click framework-res.apk (this is where the next archive will open inside the same window, your life just got a little easier).
4. Now you are looking at assets, META-INF, res, and a couple other random files, the resources.arsc can be edited but I will show you that in another tutorial. Now open up the folder res and you will see the treasure we are searching for, folders with the name drawable. All of the folders that start with the name drawable are where we can edit the themes, this includes drawable, drawable-land, drawable-port, and drawable-finger.
5. Now drag and drop the folders drawable and drawable-land onto the desktop. Once they are on the desktop you can edit the .png files in those folders until you are ready to put your theme together.
6. Now in your still open window at \framework\framework-res.apk\res\ you will open the drawable folders one at a time and drag and drop your edited files into the archive, only dragging and dropping the files you edited and not just everything inside the folder.
7. Once you have your new images copied into the archive in the correct place you can just hit the close button or browse up a couple directories and find other files to edit. Any time you edit an apk and browse out of it or close it you will be prompted to update it in the archive by 7-zip (this is my secret shortcut), always press ok.
8. Now you have a freshly created theme ready to install, all you have to do is right click, chose to Resign the file, and once its done you can copy it to your SDcard, make sure its named update.zip, and flash your new theme.
Its literally that easy! And you use this same technique in the system/app folder to edit the apk files for the individual apps on the phone. Explore around in the update.zip and see what you can find, I only told you about the major items but there is plenty more to find and change. You can always copy a folder out of the archive and if you cant edit anything just toss it but if you can find something to edit, do so and throw it back in the archive. You guys now have all the info I had when I started plus all my tricks to making that process 10x easier.
jdwme said:
anyone seen the iphone emulator? it actually works where it will open a program associated with the icon, could that possibly help get a way to theme similar to how summerboard works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing with the iPhone is that the applications are just folders with a .app extension at the end. This allows one to easily replace resources inside of them using just simple scripts.
In Android, the applications are zip files with an extension of .apk and must be signed. This makes it harder to replace resources on the fly.
I use the Discover App from the MarketPlace. I have a folder called Themes in my SD Card which I have separate folders labeled with the name of the theme. Inside the folder I have the update.zip. With discover I just move the update zips in and out of the folders to change themes.
Rich
Figured we might need a help thread for metamorph and since I need help here goes the first question
So I took part of my theme and made it Metamorph compatible with the guide here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329
Now MM opens the zip fine, starts to install it, asks permission to edit framework-res.apk then after about 1 minute it asks for a reboot and then before I can answer it just reboots. At this point it gets stuck in a boot loop and I have to nandroid.
Never really messed with MM so it could be something I am doing wrong or I did read this:
Depending on the device you have you may need a different SPL to be able to apply themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyways I attached my test theme (no where complete, just wanted to test it). Is the issue with me, the phones spl or metamorph not ready for the incredible yet?
ps: If your going to test my theme uploaded here, be smart, do a backup, this is just a test and not a full theme and I just told you it is causing boot loops
test file download
I wonder if the SPL will be the roadblock until Froyo is officially released. Of course I know nothing of these things...
*Sent via Tapatalk on my Incredible
running latest leak 8/1/10 new radio 2.15 busybox all set up. tried to installed metamorph and ninjamorph, gives /system error about space and then my root is broken ?!? any ideas folks, so lost on this one. thank god for nandroid restore
icedmayhem said:
running latest leak 8/1/10 new radio 2.15 busybox all set up. tried to installed metamorph and ninjamorph, gives /system error about space and then my root is broken ?!? any ideas folks, so lost on this one. thank god for nandroid restore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you run the unrevoked forever to unlock the nand
I'm having mixed results with metamorph. I was able to do everything I wanted on CM6. I actually ported this over for us and it works great on metamorph not problems, check it out: http://androidforums.com/roms-incredible/149055-theme-vatsense-cm6port.html
now I tried porting one of my themes over to skyraider2.2 and I can get framework-res and com.htc.resources to work fine, but when i tried to add in my themed apps, I get a f/c and have to pull battery. http://androidforums.com/roms-incredible/148221-theme-do-bluev1.html
Ran the unrevoked tool so give me s off as well...
I had somebody in the nexus forum metamorph the weather channel widget but I cant get it to install, anyone game to take a look? I would love this to be transparent.
I have ran unrevoked forever and installe the latest metamorph.
Thanks
Im running (latest) stock 2.2 leak, and i cant get metamorph or NinjaMorph to make ANYthing stick. (YES I HAVE S-OFF) Both run as if they are making the changes, No diff than they did with the Moto Droid. MM reboots after ANY package, not just framework, with out asking to reboot. Ninja will usually break the app (app is no longer installed)
ANY IDEAS?
EDIT: just for kicks i installed a Deodexed Stock ROM, and still the same results... It says its doing it, but i the end it makes NO changes to the APK files.
see if you can manually (adb) replace the files and see if it sticks..... if not then the issue is not metemporph.... it's a rooting/nand issue.
R1lover said:
see if you can manually (adb) replace the files and see if it sticks..... if not then the issue is not metemporph.... it's a rooting/nand issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Manually replacing the entire APK... work just like it did when we needed recovery. Just now you type ADB remount, then push it.
If you mean manually replacing the edited files within the apk, thats not directly possible via adb. you have to PULL, EDIT,PUSH.
The problem here is metaMorph is supposed to open the apk replace just the edited files then close it up right on the phone, and its just not doing that!
what i did that fixed all my issues was install busybox from market. its odd but it all works perfect now even though i though it had been prebuilt into the rom. strange but ill take it
icedmayhem said:
what i did that fixed all my issues was install busybox from market. its odd but it all works perfect now even though i though it had been prebuilt into the rom. strange but ill take it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I just did what you said, before Metamorph would say not enough free space in /system/
I was using the 8/1/10 Froyo leak and I guess that one didn't have busybox, weird I was able to use Titanium Backup and I though that required busybox as well...
everytime you switch a rom, you should download busybox and let it update, it changes per rom.
Welp , Im still at a loss... I updated busybox, using the market app... and it still gives me the same results...
It takes 2-3 min to "apply theme" then reboots... and NO changes !
My theme contains ONLY the folders and files that need to be replaced, and my xml is copied from an existing theme, then edited. So i dont know wtf is goin on with this ****.
try making it into a file that can be flashed from recovery, then ull know for sure u made it correct....
Not sure this will help but I just installed Metamorph today and was getting the "system memory" error. To fix the problem I just used Root Explorer to mount /system as rw. Could the problems be related to write permissions?
I'm new to this...
I'm running SkyRaider's 2.5.2. Sense ROM. Just downloaded MM & BusyBox via market. When I start MM I select "Start Checks" or whatever. It then either forces my phone into reboot or gives me the "not enough memory in /system" error.
I did not install unrevoked forever. Is that my problem?
ksidirt said:
I'm new to this...
I'm running SkyRaider's 2.5.2. Sense ROM. Just downloaded MM & BusyBox via market. When I start MM I select "Start Checks" or whatever. It then either forces my phone into reboot or gives me the "not enough memory in /system" error.
I did not install unrevoked forever. Is that my problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh yea, it needs to write to system, you need S-off to use it.
I'm reviving this thread so as to not clutter up the Metamorph Themes Master List thread
This quote is from the other thread, I just thought it would be more appropriate to answer here instead.
mikesincredible said:
Wow. What you just told me is like trying to learn chinese...lol I see there's more involved...any good articles to point out so I can learn. I just know rom manager and adb push code... ::
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure there are some guides floating around XDA, but I mostly learned MM just by messing with it and learning from trial and error.
Basically, metamorph just opens up an .apk file, replaces any of the files it finds in the folders specified by a theme's .xml file, then closes/re-signs the apk.
This is much better than flashing themes from the recovery menu or rom manager because doing so replaces the entire framework-res.apk, overwriting any themes you had previously installed. Since metamorph only replaces the files you want, any theme you already had will be preserved.
Here's an example to get a quick overview of how it works. Say you've already applied my black rotary lockscreen mod (found here) and you want to use some of the elements from SoCalMiles' Incredible rEVOlution theme.
First you should download his file, and inside the .zip find "\Incredible_Revolution_Original_Theme.zip\system\framework\framework-res.apk" and extract it somewhere.
Then rename "framework-res.apk" to "framework-res.apk.zip" or something similar. Now you can browse/unzip the files just like you would any other folder.
In your new .zip navigate to \framework-res.apk.zip\res\drawable-hdpi-v4, most of a rom's theme will be in that folder.
Now, if you've applied my theme through metamorph (or any theme, for that matter) you should have the directory "\sdcard\AndroidThemes\BlackRotary-hdpi-v4\framework-res\res\drawable-hdpi-v4\" on your sdcard.
Choose any of the files you want to apply to your phone from the extracted Incredible rEVOlution drawable-hdpi-v4 folder and copy them from to the \sdcard\AndroidThemes\BlackRotary-hdpi-v4\framework-res\res\drawable-hdpi-v4\ folder. Now when you run the metamorph it should copy the files you added as well as the ones that were previously there.
If you want to copy files that are not in the drawable-hdpi-v4 folder, simply make a new folder for the containing folder. Basically just make sure the \sdcard\AndroidThemes\whatevs\framework-res\ directories match the directories in the framework-res.apk file you're pulling from.
That's the easiest way to combine two themes, if you're looking to make you're own metamorph theme to post on xda you'll need to learn to edit the .xml file which directs metamorph to which files to modify, but that isn't too hard either, and there's no need to do this if you're just making metamorphs for your own personal use.
mixedlemon said:
I'm reviving this thread so as to not clutter up the Metamorph Themes Master List thread
This quote is from the other thread, I just thought it would be more appropriate to answer here instead.
I'm sure there are some guides floating around XDA, but I mostly learned MM just by messing with it and learning from trial and error.
Basically, metamorph just opens up an .apk file, replaces any of the files it finds in the folders specified by a theme's .xml file, then closes/re-signs the apk.
This is much better than flashing themes from the recovery menu or rom manager because doing so replaces the entire framework-res.apk, overwriting any themes you had previously installed. Since metamorph only replaces the files you want, any theme you already had will be preserved.
Here's an example to get a quick overview of how it works. Say you've already applied my black rotary lockscreen mod (found here) and you want to use some of the elements from SoCalMiles' Incredible rEVOlution theme.
First you should download his file, and inside the .zip find "\Incredible_Revolution_Original_Theme.zip\system\framework\framework-res.apk" and extract it somewhere.
Then rename "framework-res.apk" to "framework-res.apk.zip" or something similar. Now you can browse/unzip the files just like you would any other folder.
In your new .zip navigate to \framework-res.apk.zip\res\drawable-hdpi-v4, most of a rom's theme will be in that folder.
Now, if you've applied my theme through metamorph (or any theme, for that matter) you should have the directory "\sdcard\AndroidThemes\BlackRotary-hdpi-v4\framework-res\res\drawable-hdpi-v4\" on your sdcard.
Choose any of the files you want to apply to your phone from the extracted Incredible rEVOlution drawable-hdpi-v4 folder and copy them from to the \sdcard\AndroidThemes\BlackRotary-hdpi-v4\framework-res\res\drawable-hdpi-v4\ folder. Now when you run the metamorph it should copy the files you added as well as the ones that were previously there.
If you want to copy files that are not in the drawable-hdpi-v4 folder, simply make a new folder for the containing folder. Basically just make sure the \sdcard\AndroidThemes\whatevs\framework-res\ directories match the directories in the framework-res.apk file you're pulling from.
That's the easiest way to combine two themes, if you're looking to make you're own metamorph theme to post on xda you'll need to learn to edit the .xml file which directs metamorph to which files to modify, but that isn't too hard either, and there's no need to do this if you're just making metamorphs for your own personal use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What other folders contain the status icons? I'm looking to restore the circle battery and alarm from the incredible revolution theme, I found the battery.pngs..but no alarm..so if I copy and paste them to the blackrotary folder in androidthemes and metamorph, I should have the battery back
So I'm a bit of a noob. I'm attempting to create a theme and I cannot figure out where to edit the noti bar as well as the lockscreen image. For the lockscreen, I just want to keep the same tw lockscreen, but I want to change the padlock/background. Any help would be amazing as I am truely stumped.
If this needs to be in general, please move me
The file(s) that you are looking for are located in the framework-res.apk package located in a ROM/Theme. Inside of the .apk is a folder called res, and inside it is a folder called drawable-hdpi. This folder contains the majority of images used to make a theme look a certain way. In order to change the status bar, you need to edit the file statusbar_background.png. The lock screen one is in this folder too.
Nice. Thank you sir
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
I figured since the question has been answered I could just hijack this thread instead of making a new one. I am pretty new on modifying Android ROMs and would like to know where I should start first if I wanted to create my own theme? I would like to do some simple modifications first like icons and colors. Where can I find the necessary materials to get started? Like a fresh Touchwiz 2.5 template from the epic? Or do I just extract them from the stock ROM, if so, how? Thanks.
The files are accessible from the ROM if you open the zip and go to /system/framework then extract framework-res.apk
From there, you can open the apk with a tool like WinRAR and navigate to /res/drawable-hdpi as thomasskull666 mentioned. You can extract the png files from there and then just drag them back in once modified. Then just drag the framework-res.apk back into the ROM zip and flash it and bask in the glory of your handiwork.
Best advice is organize your workspace. You will have so many folders in folders your head is going to spin! What I do is copy the framework-res.apk, twframework-res.apk into a folder on your PC called STOCK DI18 Theme. *Make sure you pull these files from a deodexed rom or you'll have issues! Drawable-hdpi folder inside of both framework-res.apk files is where the brunt of you mods will be. If you are feeling daring, after changing the images in there you can begin to pull the drawable-hdpi from apps as well as long as you drag out the drawable folder, make your edits, then drag the edited folder right back in the zip, you'll be fine. Don't touch .9.png files if you don't know how to program them, I'm guessing you don't. Don't worry, edit everything else first to get that "feel" for what you are getting into. From there then research the .9.png files.
I highly recommend using 7zip for all of this, it is less of a headache. This is the basics of what you'll be doing to everything. Lets say you were going to do all this right off of your desktop. Make a folder on your desktop called STOCK DI18 Theme. Copy your framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk into that folder from your deodexed rom. ANY TIME YOU NEED TO TAKE THESE FILES TO EDIT FOR YOUR THEME, COPY THEM FROM THIS FOLDER, NEVER SAVE THE CHANGES BACK INTO THIS FOLDER. This is important because you want easy access to all your stock files. Copy your system/framework and system/apps in here.
Now if you want to work on the framework-res.apk first. copy it to the desktop. Right click and choose 7zip-open archive. You can see the file structure of the apk. Click twice on res and you will see all the folders including drawable, drawable-hdpi, etc. Drag and drop drawable-hdpi to your desktop. Edit anything you want in there except a .9.png. Save the files into that same folder. Then drag and drop the folder right back into the archive where you got it in the first place. Then say your all done. Drag framework-res.apk back into the zip your going to flash on your phone in the same method.
Another quick tip, if you don't have an update zip and you have no idea what you are doing, download any working theme from here. Grab one of mine, and copy your framework-res.apk, twframework-res.apk, apps, etc over what in there. Make sure not to leave nothing it will show up in your theme! Any thing you need clearing up on, PM me, this should be plenty to get you started. To theme an app, right click say alarmclock.apk choose 7zip-open archive and do your magic again. As long as you only change the pictures in there you won't alter the signature on them so don't be afraid to mess with it.
Lastly, the Epic's framework is LOADED with files that it doesn't even use so be careful you not spending too much time editing a file you never seen on your phone before!
dreamsforgotten said:
Lastly, the Epic's framework is LOADED with files that it doesn't even use so be careful you not spending too much time editing a file you never seen on your phone before!
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Excellent tip, this is especially helpful if you are trying to port a theme as not all of the .png's will match up. Make sure you know what you NEED to be replacing as opposed to what is optional. Also I don't know if it was mentioned before but there are some files (especially in twframework-res) that have a .9 before the .png. These are not your run-of-the-mill png files, and they need to be specially edited to preserve their formatting. I recommend avoiding these if at all possible, but there is a way to edit them if you are feeling really adventurous. Here is the link to that post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=5206698
My suggestions for success: If you really want to make sure you are editing only the files that you need to edit in framework-res.apk, download a few custom themes or ROMs and extract the framework-res.apk from them. Then use a program such as UltraCompare to compare the files and folders inside each to find common files. This will help you pinpoint exactly what needs to be edited and what needs to be left alone. Lastly, like dreamsforgotten stated, be sure to have a good work directory from which to edit these .apks, as you will be working with folder after folder after folder. Organization is key, and patience is required
ok so i tried readin the guides and i have to say i was completely lost. might be cuz i havnt gotten any rest in a while but anyways i was looing for a way to be able to combine 2 themes. i really like the status bar icons on one theme like the bluetooth and wifi however i like everythig else from the other one also one is using launcher pro the other one tw launcher. would like to keep the one with launcher pro and just changethe top icons that always show. if i missed something please let me know any help would be greatly appreciated
Make a copy of the original themes to fall back on first.
What you have to do is open up the zip files of the themes. Extract the res folders from each themes framework-res.apk. Obviously you will have to rename one of them to something like res1 or put it in another place. Once you have the two folders extracted make the launcherpro one your base. Copy the images that you want to keep from the other theme (probably located in drawable-hdpi or drawable-hdpi-v4) and paste them into the same folder of the launcherpro theme and overwrite them. Once you have everything copied the way you want it open the framework-res.apk of the launcherpro theme. Go to the res folder and remove whatever folder you are adding back in (drawable.hdpi for example). Now drag the launcherpro folder that you made all of the changes to (drawable.hdpi or whatever) into the res folder of framework-res.apk. If you took the framework-res.apk file out of the zip file to begin with you have to also add it back into the themes zip file. Otherwise you just put the zip back on the phone and flash. It is always a good idea to put the original theme zip file on the phone also just in case something goes wrong you can just reflash the original theme and start over. If you need any additional help let us know.
^^^What he said
What you're really trying to do is essentially to create your own theme. If those instructions seem overwhelming or dont work, go to the top of this forum and start reading up on theming. Its a fairly simple concept but you might want to familiarize yourself with what it is exactly that you are doing. Everything visual on the phone is stored in image files, you're just swapping out the images. Maybe you'll get inspired and create something totally new that you can share with the community.
I tried reading theming on the top but I guess all that info at once was kind of overwhelming at the moment I was almost dead asleep however the info here seems more direct to the point so ill go ahead and see if I have time to mess with it today. I might also need to install gimp because I only saw like 1 or 2 image files when I opened up the zips with 7zip. Thanks for the help guys ill go ahead and give an update when I'm done maybe post some screen shots
jsredlineracer said:
I tried reading theming on the top but I guess all that info at once was kind of overwhelming at the moment I was almost dead asleep however the info here seems more direct to the point so ill go ahead and see if I have time to mess with it today. I might also need to install gimp because I only saw like 1 or 2 image files when I opened up the zips with 7zip. Thanks for the help guys ill go ahead and give an update when I'm done maybe post some screen shots
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You will only need gimp if you are editing images. Make sure you are looking in the right directory. You should see a ton of png files. The bulk of the images are located in drawable-hdpi (the native folder) or drawable-hdpi-v4 (some themes have this folder instead). The only tool you need for moving images from one theme to the other is a zip program. I haven't used 7zip but maybe it didn't extract all of the files. I use winrar myself. Let us know how it works out.
OK I made a really quick video. Nothing fancy but puts a visual to the text I wrote. Hope it helps.
Well here are the screenies. Thanks for the help. And also thanks to those who created the original themesblue one is after changes
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sorry was having some issues. i couldnt upload pics from my phone
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App