How can i make theme by myself for g1? - G1 Themes and Wallpapers

How can i make theme by my self for my g1 because i want all kind of connect full. wifi full, bluetooth, 3g, signal full, it must fixed always full. Or someone made can share for me, please?

minim0g said:
How can i make theme by my self for my g1 because i want all kind of connect full. wifi full, bluetooth, 3g, signal full, it must fixed always full. Or someone made can share for me, please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really don't have a clue of what your asking.
You want to know how to theme or how to make a rom?
The best thing to do is start off small. Very small. For example try to theme Launcher.apk.
Open it with WinRAR and extract it.
Replace ONLY the .png files. (NOT 9.PNG files because those will mess up when you start your phone and can cause it to crash!)
Move your modified files back over to the location in WinRAR and replace the original.
Sign your modified file.
Create a flashable zip file with an update-script in the META-INF folder (better use an existing theme to figure that out)
Sign the zip file
Try to flash it. If you see the changes in your Launcher (that is the tab at the bottom of your screen that holds your apps) then it worked and you did it right. If not then search (PLEASE SEARCH) and read (PLEASE READ) before you post a question. This is a lot of time consuming and hard work for a noob. Not to be taken lightly.
Once you have the Launcher down you can do other apps (browser, gallery, music, phone, contacts, etc).
Once you have those down then we get to the GUTS of the phone. The framework! This is the status bar and everything in it. This is also other critical parts for your Android in this folder. Over 400 to be exact. Mess up just 1 of those and it can cause some serious problems! This is the /system/framework/framework-res.apk file. Treat it just like any other apk file.
By the way... don't ask us to help you with out searching first. Fair warning. This is a complicated process to explain in detail. I've made and modified my share of themes and I can tell you that even with everything already made and done it still takes about an hour to port everything over for a new rom. So again... this will take time and you can find all your answers by searching and reading but we will not spoon feed anyone nor will we do it for you. We're here to help but not to do everything for you.
Have fun and good luck.

Binary100100 said:
I really don't have a clue of what your asking.
You want to know how to theme or how to make a rom?
The best thing to do is start off small. Very small. For example try to theme Launcher.apk.
Open it with WinRAR and extract it.
Replace ONLY the .png files. (NOT 9.PNG files because those will mess up when you start your phone and can cause it to crash!)
Move your modified files back over to the location in WinRAR and replace the original.
Sign your modified file.
Create a flashable zip file with an update-script in the META-INF folder (better use an existing theme to figure that out)
Sign the zip file
Try to flash it. If you see the changes in your Launcher (that is the tab at the bottom of your screen that holds your apps) then it worked and you did it right. If not then search (PLEASE SEARCH) and read (PLEASE READ) before you post a question. This is a lot of time consuming and hard work for a noob. Not to be taken lightly.
Once you have the Launcher down you can do other apps (browser, gallery, music, phone, contacts, etc).
Once you have those down then we get to the GUTS of the phone. The framework! This is the status bar and everything in it. This is also other critical parts for your Android in this folder. Over 400 to be exact. Mess up just 1 of those and it can cause some serious problems! This is the /system/framework/framework-res.apk file. Treat it just like any other apk file.
By the way... don't ask us to help you with out searching first. Fair warning. This is a complicated process to explain in detail. I've made and modified my share of themes and I can tell you that even with everything already made and done it still takes about an hour to port everything over for a new rom. So again... this will take time and you can find all your answers by searching and reading but we will not spoon feed anyone nor will we do it for you. We're here to help but not to do everything for you.
Have fun and good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or he can make a metamorph which is basicly the same thing. The only differences are that you don't need to make a META-INF file or an Update-script. Pretty much all you need are the pictures that you want to use and your imagination.

Macrophage001 said:
Or he can make a metamorph which is basicly the same thing. The only differences are that you don't need to make a META-INF file or an Update-script. Pretty much all you need are the pictures that you want to use and your imagination.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can make a theme easily... but my metamorphs never seem to work for some reason. Maybe I'm just trying too hard.

Or he can make a metamorph which is basicly the same thing. The only differences are that you don't need to make a META-INF file or an Update-script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can make a theme easily... but my metamorphs never seem to work for some reason. Maybe I'm just trying too hard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the most common mistakes is when you are writing the .thm file.
When you are writing the location of the apk file, you have to put the forward-slash at the end.
Example:
/system/app/

how to create themes for metamorph
Macrophage001 said:
One of the most common mistakes is when you are writing the .thm file.
When you are writing the location of the apk file, you have to put the forward-slash at the end.
Example:
/system/app/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey bro, good day, I just want to ask if how could I make a theme for my rooted G1 which is running a CM7 rom. I've seen you say that it is easier to create metamorph themes, with just a pictures and imagination?? how will I do that? sorry for that question but I'm really a new on this things,,

Related

How To Theme Develop for Windows For Dummies in 10 easy steps

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

Changing application icons - possible workaround?

So, I'm well-aware that the reason icons can't be changed easily on the Android home screen is because the icon image is stored in the APK file, and editing that image is, essentially, near impossible.
However, I had an idea that could potentially fix that problem, and I'm just curious how realistic the solution is:
As most G1 users know, AnyCut is a great application that can allow a user to create a shortcut to any number of actions on the phone. These shortcuts are customizable by name, and, for the time being, have a limited number of icons, one for each shortcut type.
I also recall using an app several months ago to change the icons of bookmarks (Bookmark 2, I believe it was called). With this app, a user could choose exactly what their icons would look like on the home screen, except, of course, that these icons could only link to bookmarks.
By combining these two applications, wouldn't an icon changer be quite possible?
Using this same methodology, wouldn't it be possible to create "shortcuts" to applications on the home screen, and thus, allow the user to rename apps and change their icons, at least on the desktop? I know that the icons would not be changed in the pull-out drawer or elsewhere on the system, but wouldn't this be a temporary workaround, until a better solution is reached? I have quite a few programs with horrendous icons, and it really takes away from the aesthetic of the home screen.
Again, all I'm asking is if there's a way to place a shortcut to an APK on the desktop, and preferably to customize that shortcut's icon, not the actual apps.
It is possible to edit .apk's and change the icons. Just look at the forum for theams.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=450
soundwire said:
It is possible to edit .apk's and change the icons. Just look at the forum for theams.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=450
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I know that the icons can be edited in a theme, but can non-stock icons be edited as well?
And also, my concern with that is that it seems like a lot of work to update a theme everytime a new app appears on the market. I'm a little OCD, so if I were able to change all the icons on my home screen, I would want them all to be absolutely uniform (like the themes' icons are). However, if a new, super-useful app were to appear on the market, and I absolutely needed it on my home screen, it would seem much easier to simply add an image to my phone, and make a shortcut using that image, than to have to edit an APK, resign the entire package, and reflash the phone each time. While I know my way around the G1, and I'm comfortable with basic rooting, I am by no means a developer, and just like most G1 users, I would probably be more comfortable making shortcuts than updating firmware.
Do you understand where I'm coming from?
I too, would also like to know how to change "non-stock" app icons. Bump.
jayaustn said:
Well, I know that the icons can be edited in a theme, but can non-stock icons be edited as well?
And also, my concern with that is that it seems like a lot of work to update a theme everytime a new app appears on the market. I'm a little OCD, so if I were able to change all the icons on my home screen, I would want them all to be absolutely uniform (like the themes' icons are). However, if a new, super-useful app were to appear on the market, and I absolutely needed it on my home screen, it would seem much easier to simply add an image to my phone, and make a shortcut using that image, than to have to edit an APK, resign the entire package, and reflash the phone each time. While I know my way around the G1, and I'm comfortable with basic rooting, I am by no means a developer, and just like most G1 users, I would probably be more comfortable making shortcuts than updating firmware.
Do you understand where I'm coming from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have yet to try this, but (provided you have root), you should be able to use adb to pull the apk for an app off your phone, edit it as described, and push it back to the same place. I will give this a go tomorrow, as I'm rather sleepy, and it's probably not a good thing to mess about with superuser stuff when I can't think straight.
If there's any flaws in my theory, I'd be happy to hear them.
RE: Changeing Icons!
I have a video on you tube on how to change icons. Here it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjnV_d9b22E
Hope you enjoy and your able to Change Your Icons.
Good Luck!
bms122223 said:
I have a video on you tube on how to change icons. Here it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjnV_d9b22E
Hope you enjoy and your able to Change Your Icons.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Video doesnt show you how to change "non-stock" app icons, only icons for the original apps.
Well, I kind of figured out how to change the non-stock icons. But got stuck at the end...here's what I did...
1) Install/Open Astro.
2) Back up the app you want to change the icon for.
3) Grab that backup apk file off of your sdcard and put it on your computer.
4) Open it with Winrar.
5) Go to the proper folder and drag your new icon into the folder.
6) Close Winrar and move the apk back to your sdcard.
...this is where I get stuck, I know the icon changed because I can see it when I TRY to install the app. But the app doesnt want to install, it says "install unsuccesful". I'm guessing it needs to be signed?
I have used astro as well, I even signed the apk the same way I sign themes and no luck.
ultra spikey said:
Well, I kind of figured out how to change the non-stock icons. But got stuck at the end...here's what I did...
1) Install/Open Astro.
2) Back up the app you want to change the icon for.
3) Grab that backup apk file off of your sdcard and put it on your computer.
4) Open it with Winrar.
5) Go to the proper folder and drag your new icon into the folder.
6) Close Winrar and move the apk back to your sdcard.
...this is where I get stuck, I know the icon changed because I can see it when I TRY to install the app. But the app doesnt want to install, it says "install unsuccesful". I'm guessing it needs to be signed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're real close; once you replace the icon you need you need to delete META-INF folder then zip it back up, rename file extension to .apk and sign it with the test keys like the stock .apk. The META-INF is where the signature info is kept from the original author, you need to delete this so it doesn't conflict with the test keys.
Geo411m said:
You're real close; once you replace the icon you need you need to delete META-INF folder then zip it back up, rename file extension to .apk and sign it with the test keys like the stock .apk. The META-INF is where the signature info is kept from the original author, you need to delete this so it doesn't conflict with the test keys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will that a try. So this also mean that if author updates .apk file we will not be able to install update? Similar to google RC30 updates, we have to wait for JF to modify it.
johnowa636 said:
I will that a try. So this also mean that if author updates .apk file we will not be able to install update? Similar to google RC30 updates, we have to wait for JF to modify it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed; this might be a problem.
I mean, opening up the APK files is definitely a start, but it seems the shortcut approach I mentioned earlier is just so much easier. Shortcuts would allow basic users to change icons effortlessly and without fear of ruining the app, and the process could be just as easy as Bookmark 2, if a developer took charge, no?
ultra spikey said:
Well, I kind of figured out how to change the non-stock icons. But got stuck at the end...here's what I did...
1) Install/Open Astro.
2) Back up the app you want to change the icon for.
3) Grab that backup apk file off of your sdcard and put it on your computer.
4) Open it with Winrar.
5) Go to the proper folder and drag your new icon into the folder.
6) Close Winrar and move the apk back to your sdcard.
...this is where I get stuck, I know the icon changed because I can see it when I TRY to install the app. But the app doesnt want to install, it says "install unsuccesful". I'm guessing it needs to be signed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would like to verify that this method works to change non-stock apps without pushing files or inserting apps into updates. i used 7zip but i'd imagine winrar will work fine as well. just remember to delete the entire metainf folder, not just its contents. once you have your .apk, re-sign it using stericson's auto-sign utility and you'll be able to install the app through astro.
i should also note that i deleted all instance of the unmodified app from my sdcard. i uninstalled it and deleted the backup on my sd card. this may or may not be necessary, but i just wanted to take precautions.
I've given this method a try, and it seems simply too complicated for a moderate user like me. Wouldn't the shortcut method I mentioned be so much easier to quickly change home screen icons? Would any of the developers on this forum be interested in throwing such an app together? I'd gladly donate some money if a good app was able to take care of this problem.
what are you having trouble with, exactly? i'm far from an advanced user myself, but this is probably one of the easier things to do on the g1, probably second to flashing themes.
though i will say that there are a few apps that i can't change icons for. chomp and cubik have installed but force close when opened.
i have a feeling it's something to do with the signing the apk's, but like i said, i'm not an advanced user at all.
TruLuvNvrDies said:
what are you having trouble with, exactly? i'm far from an advanced user myself, but this is probably one of the easier things to do on the g1, probably second to flashing themes.
though i will say that there are a few apps that i can't change icons for. chomp and cubik have installed but force close when opened.
i have a feeling it's something to do with the signing the apk's, but like i said, i'm not an advanced user at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I opened up the APK using WinRAR, replaced the icon.png with my icon of choice, and then I'm stuck. I known I have to auto-sign the APK, but am not exactly sure how. I have Stericson's auto-signer tool, and used command 4 to manually enter the APK path, but once I do that I get a bunch of errors. If need be, I can copy down the exact error I get.
ultra spikey said:
Video doesnt show you how to change "non-stock" app icons, only icons for the original apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice video!
jayaustn said:
I opened up the APK using WinRAR, replaced the icon.png with my icon of choice, and then I'm stuck. I known I have to auto-sign the APK, but am not exactly sure how. I have Stericson's auto-signer tool, and used command 4 to manually enter the APK path, but once I do that I get a bunch of errors. If need be, I can copy down the exact error I get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you probably need to delete the contents of the meta-inf folder. there should be three files in there, delete them all. if you extracted the contents of the .apk, zip them back up with an .apk extension. if you didn't extract them, you're at the last step, which is to re-sign the .apk. you don't actually need to manually re-sign the file through the console on stericson's re-signer. just right-click the .apk file and at the very top, there should be an option that says "resign .apk". click on that and your app will be re-signed and ready for an install attempt.
though, as i said before, this method is not 100%. of the 6 apps that i modified so far, i was only successful with 4 of them. even if you do all of the steps correctly, you might not have a working app at the end. the apps will install but will automatically force close when launched. i don't know what causes this, actually, and any suggestions would be appreciated.
I agree with the OP, while it is easy enough to edit the apks, resign them, copy them back onto your phone it would be far more elegant (IMHO) if you could have an application that allowed you to copy "Icon Packs" onto your SDCard, and then add links to applications on your home screen giving you a choice of icons from the aforementioned "Icon Pack".
Theme developers could then distribute the "Icon Pack" with the theme, and end users could easily add custom icons to your home screen from your phone without having to mess about on a PC.
liamw said:
I agree with the OP, while it is easy enough to edit the apks, resign them, copy them back onto your phone it would be far more elegant (IMHO) if you could have an application that allowed you to copy "Icon Packs" onto your SDCard, and then add links to applications on your home screen giving you a choice of icons from the aforementioned "Icon Pack".
Theme developers could then distribute the "Icon Pack" with the theme, and end users could easily add custom icons to your home screen from your phone without having to mess about on a PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what everyone wants is Anycut that can do custom icons.

Need some help

Hi all I need help I want to start building roms.But I need a good guide for themeing if any one can help me or just show me where to start that would be great ..
Thank you
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
There aren't any, try asking this question in the theming section and somebody might be kind enough to help you out...
Are you trying to build a rom or are you trying to theme an existing rom? if you are just trying to change the theme and arent doing any development work it will be much easier on you if you just learn how to make/edit a theme. In fact it can be relatively simple (though very very time consuming) to make your own basic theme.
To start with you will want to get your framework-res.apk file and you will want to decompile it. once you do this you will see several folders in the res folder you should see a drawable folder. this holds all your xml files. These are the actual "code" for a good part of the framework. you should see several other folders drawable-hdpi is the folder that will hold most of your images (in .png or .9.png) these can be replaced with the images you want (keep them same name and same format for .png for .9 it is not suggested that you mess witht hem till you do research and learn how specifically to edit them .once done recompile the framework-res.apk file and put it in your rom or into a flashable zip.
this will let you change a large portion of the framework theme of your phone. it takes a little practice and patients. Obviously there are many other things you an do that are much more difficult but this should get you started at least.
DO NOT EDIT .9s IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YET!!
Stick to regular pngs as a starting point.
When decompiling existing themes I have seen them throw errors left and right because of badly edited .9s. These errors won't allow the framework to recompile correctly.
Grab some themes you want to play with and pull the drawable-hdpi folders out of the apk then mix and match the images you want into the apk you are going to use.
Once you get an idea of which images change what in the system then you can start looking at editing .9s. When you get to that point you will see just how amazing it is that themes even work with badly compiled .9s.
I know first hand. I literally had to fix .9 pngs in an entire theme just to be able to edit the xmls myself and have it recompile.
very true i dont sugest editing .9s unless you know how. Most basic icon changes can be made without editing them however if you mess them up it can be a huge pain to get the theme going. Another tip always make a back up of your default untouched framework. this can help save you if you mess something up and need to replace the files.
omegasun18 said:
very true i dont sugest editing .9s unless you know how. Most basic icon changes can be made without editing them however if you mess them up it can be a huge pain to get the theme going. Another tip always make a back up of your default untouched framework. this can help save you if you mess something up and need to replace the files.
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Another good suggestion.
To add to this, op you should learn to use adb.
It will save you ALOT of time when testing the icon changes.
Instead of having to make a flashable zip file, when you learn adb you can push the one file you are testing and if it bootloops your device guess what, just adb push the original back and your system will boot again.
This prevents you from having to nand restore everytime you boot loop your device.
At this point, the only thing I flash via zips are full roms (mine at least). Everything else I either adb push/pull or fastboot flash it.
Thanks for all your help...I will try to figure this thing out

[Q] Noob question will probably get flamed

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
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
sorry was having some issues. i couldnt upload pics from my phone
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Compiling two SystemUI.apk's into one

Hello. I would like to know how to compile two SystemUI.apk's into one .apk
I found two mods here on XDA-one is a NavBar theme, and the second one is a mod to show battery stats in the notification bar.
Im not a real expert about these stuff but Im willing to try, so if someone could tell me how to do it, instead of doing it for me, I would be glad
Thanks!
Use 7zip to extract the navbar mod and find the images (right click the apk and extract like a zip file). Now place those images into the battery mod system.apk my right clicking and opening with 7zip (don't extract). Then just sign the apk and push it back to the phone. The reason to do it this way is that disassembling SystemUI.apk can cause issues if done wrong, simply replacing images is safer.
Thanks for the quick replay! I have one last question-do I really need to sign the .apk? Or it can work even without singing it.
[EDIT] Never mind, did everything u said about copying the .png's but without singing-and it worked. Thank you so much!
problem
hi good day!
i have a very big problem with my android phone i wiped out all data including system files with out back up..how to fix it and restore the original files..can somebody help me...

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