I was wondering what it would take for me to start to make a theme, i have some basic understand of javascript visual basic, c++ and html//xml, or is there some sort of a program that i would use for it? if not is there some sort of a base example guide that i could use? Preferabbly dealing with cyanogen if its possible? Thanks.
Its as simple as downloading an existing theme, or even the stock one, and changing/overwriting the files in the System/App/Launcher, and Framework.apks and any other apps .apks you want to change. Only change the image files (jpg or png) in each "Drawable folder." .9.png files are different, look for the thread on those. I use Photoshop but any image editing program should work, whatever u use, then drag the modified files back into the theme.zip and resign and flash.
Some things you can find in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=468254
There used to be a guide for things but I can't find it. Brandenk originally had his guide in there which I think is the easiest to follow. He still does have it here http://alldroid.org/viewtopic.php?f=96&t=186
Related
I have been toying with the idea of making a theme. Sounds like fun and the How To's here are really thorough (by the way, I appreciate that, those things must have been quite the labors of love).
As you can tell from the thread title, my OS of choice is obviously Ubuntu. The autosign tool sounds pretty convenient, but I notice it is for Windows. I've searched a bit, but honestly I am getting tired of thumbing through thread after thread looking for the answer and was hoping for a friendly nudge in the right direction.
Anyway, long way around to these questions:
1, when I re-sign an apk, do I use test-keys, do I create my own key, or do is that something JDK will create for me to use?
2, I don't want to create a theme that makes people need to wipe before switching, the template is up to date on the How To thread? Are there templates for JF ADP1.1, and maybe even RC8 as well? Or was there a thread I could read about taking the necessary parts of JF's update and building a template of mine own from that?
3, To actually resign an apk, you have to edit some hex code right? If there truly is NO tool for Linux, I could use some directions on where to find how to manually sign a file. Then hopefully I can find / convert / create a tool in Linux to handle the dirty work for me.
I guess this is what I get for coming in so late into the game.
Also, I am curious if anyone else creates themes in anything other than Windows... any *nix creators out there?
ok, first off to resign an apk or a zip you dont have to do any hex editing at all, in fact, to make a theme you dont have to do any hex editng.
2nd, use my default themes as in the stickies as a template to build your theme, it will not wipe.
3rd to resign in linux, which I haven't done, you will probably need the original signing tool which can be found in jf's recovery.img .zip[ he provided a while ago. I believe it is stickied on android development.
This is the command to resign them
java -jar testsign.jar >inputfile> <outputfile>
Hope this helps
Stericson
Thanks for the super quick reply
Ok, I'll give a search for "testsign.jar", that should get me in the right direction. Once I have that I guess it is time for some experimenting. It shouldn't be hard to develop a shell script that takes every file of xxx type, from a directory and then pass them as values to the testsign.jar app one by one. I had a shell script do something like this to rename all of my photos.
I resign the apk and zip files then.
Thanks Stericson, now I am off to find that testsign.jar, make sure I have the up-to-date default themes, and play around a bit.
EDIT:
SignApk.jar is a tool included with the Android platform source bundle.
testkey.pk8 is the private key that is compatible with the recovery image included in this zip file
testkey.x509.pem is the corresponding certificate/public key
Usage:
java -jar signapk.jar testkey.x509.pem testkey.pk8 <update.zip> <update_signed.zip>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I need isn't it? I thought that sounded familiar, I had this downloaded from the whole "let's explore how to root my phone" process.
oh yea, ooops, that is right...sorry I have a custom version of the tool I use. Sowwy.
But that is right.
that cmd line will sign both apks and zips
Stericson
Alright...when I was running my hero, I learned an extreme amount of developing. Since the hero was HTC, a lot of what I've learned seems to be relevant to the DINC. Now the programs I used was from a posting made by papa smurf called everything Android. Some of the programs don't work and are now are outdated. So my question is, if any dev has the time, could you share what programs(or even a posts to a thread you know of) you use for things such as :
xml to text and xml editing
creating flashable zips and signing
Everything else I already got programs and know how to do. I would really appreciate it.
Apktook and dsixda kitchen. These are two great tools at our desposle. Apktool can be used to decompile an APK. The decompiled APK can have the XML decompiled into readable format witjlh it. Dsixda kitchen can split boot images, repackage zips, unpack system.img. just check em out.
Sent from my Incredible using Tapatalk
I am very interested in theming and I downloaded all the recommended software/programs mentioned in the theming threads...
However I can NOT find the answer to my question---
once I have everything I need to edit/create a theme how do I actually begin?
What I mean is, for example, if you want to edit a .PSD file you would open Photoshop to edit the file....
so which program do I use first to open the theme I plan to edit? and is there a "stock" theme to edit as I like or would I download...say...the Evo stock ROM and edit the files in there?
I think I read I should begin with 7z? is this right?
All I've found so far is alot of technical explanations for someone who has experience...once I find out the basics I'm sure it will all fall into place...
if there IS an easy answer posted can someone PLEASE point me in the right direction?
Thanks.
*EDIT*
I was double-clicking on framework-res.apk (following instructions) which was why it wasn't working...once I extracted the file using 7zip all the drawable files were there...I had NO IDEA there were THIS many .png images to edit...lord have mercy...this is gonna be FUN.
If u use a program called apk manager u can put an apk in the and decompile the apk. That mean it opens up the resources.arcs and the classes.dex files and also turns the bianry XML files to readable XML. Meaning u can use this to edit XML and smali files to change colors(mostly in xml files) and also rearange things if u know how to edit smali files. The decompiling also show u all the pngs and the .9 PNG files. The .9 PNG files here will already be showing there draw 9 edit so all u really have to do is edit the image leaving the very edges alone and ur done. Then once all ur edits are done u can recompile the apk and push it back to ur phone. U might have to resign the apk or however u want but there is an easy way to get started. The framework apk is a system apk so u might have to select the correct way to decompile it.
Hope this helps.
See other tutorials on how to create flashable zips and how to edit smali files and XML files.
Usually codes in XML files for colors are set in an eight digit code that cool look like this...ff000000(black) or this ffffffff(white). If u good XML color codes u can find many sites that give show u colors and there codes but to help it works like this...ffrrbbgg....meaning ff (amount of transparency) rr (red) bb (blue) gg (green). I might have put colors in wrong order but u get gist I hope.
Just make sure when editing ur PNG images that when u save them u save them as a PNG only also when editing .9 png files(stretchable pngs) that u leave it as a .9png file. When u save it if it asks just save as PNG but the .9 will stay.
Hope this helps a little
Btw the amount if edits through out an entire them (many apks) is rediculous and many people have no clue how time consuming it can be.
If u need further help u can gtalk me and id be happy to walk u through the process. [email protected]
yeah I downloadad all the tools needed but where I got stuck was, once I have the tools, ROM, etc where do I actually begin at?
I was reading the Ultimate Theming Guide by Google (here) but got confused when it said "double-click the framework-res.apk"...it should have said "extract framework-res.apk with 7ZIP"....when I double-clicked I got all the crazy-looking letters that seemed to be encoded...when I extracted with 7ZIP I saw all the drawable images...all 800+ of them...had no idea there were that many...
so all I have to do, as far as small changes, is edit the .png images in the drawable folders, archive it back together and sign it? do I make it a .ZIP or an UPDATE archive?
broad_st_bully said:
yeah I downloadad all the tools needed but where I got stuck was, once I have the tools, ROM, etc where do I actually begin at?
I was reading the Ultimate Theming Guide by Google (here) but got confused when it said "double-click the framework-res.apk"...it should have said "extract framework-res.apk with 7ZIP"....when I double-clicked I got all the crazy-looking letters that seemed to be encoded...when I extracted with 7ZIP I saw all the drawable images...all 800+ of them...had no idea there were that many...
so all I have to do, as far as small changes, is edit the .png images in the drawable folders, archive it back together and sign it? do I make it a .ZIP or an UPDATE archive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u want to flash it yes if u want to just copy and paste to ur phone then no. If u c & p it then make sure u set the permissions after
smurf
so if i edit the 9.pngs say just the color i dont have to run them through draw9patch or anything like that?
dased14 said:
smurf
so if i edit the 9.pngs say just the color i dont have to run them through draw9patch or anything like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u edit their colors u have to run in draw9patch and then recompile them. There is a program called "xultimate-d9pc" that u can use to recompile them. Do a goodle search and Ull find the script. Its easy to use and easy to setup. If u don't ur .9 files will look jacked up
i have that(couldnt get it to work right) i'll try it again. thanks smurf
dased14 said:
i have that(couldnt get it to work right) i'll try it again. thanks smurf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get it to work I created a folder call draw 9 compiler. I put the script and the folder called originals in there. Inside the original folder I creates a few folders called drawable, drawable-hdpi, drawable-mdpi, drawable-ldpi. Then after I edit and draw9patch my images I put each one in the ffolders they belong in and go to xultamate-d9pc and click k on it and it will create a done folder u can go into and and all the images will be fixed in there
I'll try that, thanks for the tip
now the voices are 3d
sweet that looks to work perfect only thing extra i had to do was make original/res/then the other folders you said. thank you smurf
dased14 said:
sweet that looks to work perfect only thing extra i had to do was make original/res/then the other folders you said. thank you smurf
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Click to collapse
Ur welcome and yeah my bad I meant to tell u Res file first. But glad its working
hey New to the xda fourms but looking for some information about skinning I got a few questions which I've trolled over xda very little and some other sites that never directly point me in the direction I'm looking to go. I have worked with linux is in the past. ex puppy linux which I was very fond of for user information about anything to do with puppy. but I have just learned from trial and error . anyways my questions are as follows.
1.I'm wanting to build a skin for rcmix 3d ver.4 creating sense 3.5 New look and feel while changing icons for a list of apps besides the skin and sense,how do I go about changing icons/skins in apps I download?
2. what programs do I need to take on this task?
3. I am currently not using linux,using windows7 to do this, is this going to matter? or should I switch to a linux based os?
in the end all I wanna do is change the bling appel of my phone with my own custom look not someone else's idea. a basic point in the right direction would be a big help. I my even post some skins to add to the dhd world.thanks in advance.
I want to ask the same questions:
1.I'm wanting to build a skin for rcmix 3d ver.4 creating sense 3.5 New look and feel while changing icons for a list of apps besides the skin and sense,how do I go about changing icons/skins in apps I download?
2. what programs do I need to take on this task?
3. I am currently not using linux,using windows7 to do this, is this going to matter? or should I switch to a linux based os?
mont2012 said:
I want to ask the same questions:
1.I'm wanting to build a skin for rcmix 3d ver.4 creating sense 3.5 New look and feel while changing icons for a list of apps besides the skin and sense,how do I go about changing icons/skins in apps I download?
2. what programs do I need to take on this task?
3. I am currently not using linux,using windows7 to do this, is this going to matter? or should I switch to a linux based os?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to get away the easy way, then:
1. Download rom of your choice (.zip format)
2. Extract framework-res.apk and SystemUI.apk from that zip file (you'll have to look in the data folder).
3. Go to UOT kitchen and go to file upload tab and then select "upload system files" then upload the ones you've just extracted.
4. Once they are uploaded, you can browse through all the tabs and select things of your choice.
5. When you're finished selecting, go to Sumery tab and cook your files.
6. Wait for 5-10 minutes then go to pickup tab and you should have your .zip ready for that specific rom
7. Flash the .zip
8. Enjoy!
Note: For every rom, the framework and systemui.apk is different so for every different rom you'll have to extract those files from .zip file of that rom
hey thanks,I have been looking at that kitchen cooking but I'm looking for a more manual approach at doing things. can I do that same step guide but manually skin it myself?
how do I manually recompile after I'm done?
I have been creating icons for a little over a week with gimp on windows on free time with a theme in mind looking for more of a one of a kind idea and then maybe adding themes to the dhd network after I get a handle on it, so looking to create theme packs. I been trying to do it with a few apps but I can't get the icons out of the apps to show up when I pull it apart so I figure I'm missing something I would need to go about doing my work. am I missing extensions I need to complete this?
wait4me2burn said:
hey thanks,I have been looking at that kitchen cooking but I'm looking for a more manual approach at doing things. can I do that same step guide but manually skin it myself?
how do I manually recompile after I'm done?
I have been creating icons for a little over a week with gimp on windows on free time with a theme in mind looking for more of a one of a kind idea and then maybe adding themes to the dhd network after I get a handle on it, so looking to create theme packs. I been trying to do it with a few apps but I can't get the icons out of the apps to show up when I pull it apart so I figure I'm missing something I would need to go about doing my work. am I missing extensions I need to complete this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To change the icons in downloaded apps you will need to decompile the apps apk then change out the icon in the app, them recompile. Mind you it will get replaced again when the app updates. A search would lead you to many themeing tuts on XDA
Hi!
I have not found any answers from Google so I'm going to post it here and those who can answer Thank You!
I can't recompile some apps that is secured or something like that..
I have modified Dolphin browser Beta's xml files to support Flash player on Jelly Bean but I can't make .xml files to human unreadable like how them are in the app packages.
Code:
/res/xml/webcontent_prefences.xml
default value from ON-DEMaND to true
deleted: dolphin:entries="@array/pref_plugin_state_choices" dolphin:entryValues="@array/pref_plugin_state_values"
/res/xml/browser_prefences.xml
added: <mobi.mgeek.preference.FlashPlayerPreference dolphin:key="plugin_state" dolphin:title="@string/pref_content_plugins" dolphin:defaultValue="true" dolphin:background="@drawable/settings_bg_middle_bk" />
Please help me if you know how to do that..
I have tried to compile another apk with those files but then it will fail compiling the APK and I have no idea what to do and how to do!
hmmmm... i am not programmer that makes applications , but as far as i know , XML files in APK is only for layout or resources , am i correct ?
if you wanna make your browser support flash , seems it doesn't have anything to do with XML files.
and usually , shouldn't you decompile the APK files first , and then modify , and recompile after all ???
in any case , it should be APK/XML human unreadable files ----(decompile)---> human readable and modify ---(recompile)---> unreadable again.
I'm not exactly sure what the command is but I believe aapt (from the Android SDK) is your best bet. Either that or something like APKTool or FJ-APKTools so that you can just 'decompile' it and replace whatever files you need (human-readable XML that is) and then repackage/'compile' it all up again.
Unlawful said:
I'm not exactly sure what the command is but I believe aapt (from the Android SDK) is your best bet. Either that or something like APKTool or FJ-APKTools so that you can just 'decompile' it and replace whatever files you need (human-readable XML that is) and then repackage/'compile' it all up again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used APKtool and FJ-APKtools and no luck with those, so that's why I need to do it manually somehow..
I read from internet that somehow can do something to .xml file via aapt but I don't think it could be able to convert the .xml to human unreadable .xml