How do i compile a rom using zip? - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
I am wondering how i can compile all the parts of a rom using winzip. i have done modding everything to the rom and will test it out, then upload it to the DEV section. please help me. winzip is not accepting my folder add option but just files.
Thank you so much!

Here is more info, when I add the files to the Roms zip file, it does not allow adding the full folders such as system folder but only single files in it. The file boot could be transferred.

You cant just add mods to the framwork ect before flashing you will end up with a bootloop, you have to decompile the apk's like framework-res.apk, modify them and recompile ..... you should use winrar not winzip in any case
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

Thanks for your time What about if i did a theme on a online kitchen and i have to use that framework-res.apk instead of the original? than what do i do? Or do i really need to change it?
thanks again!

Related

[Q] Editing ROMs?

I've tried googling but haven't found an answer I understand.
I really like Virtuous 2.4- but, I want to make a small change to the status bar icons/ notification transparency. Nothing drastic, I just want to move some theme files from one rom to another, then install the rom.
Is this doable? Do I have to resign the ROM, the edited framework-res.apk, both, or neither? Is there a guide?
just editing the framework usually is all you need to do..
I agree- that was what I thought. Just to check- did you edit via a tool such as winRar, 7zip etc that allowed you to extract just the single framework-res.apk file and then re-add it to the archive, or did you fully extract and recompress? I'm on a Mac, and I think the issue may be the fully extract/recompress issue.
just use the kitchen that some devs on xda have created, it makes it really easy to edit roms. it is mac compatible too, cause that's what i use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246
Holy S***. Marry me.

[Q] THEMES

Hello everyone.I would like to ask something and i hope someone will answer.
I'm fan of some themes.But in one theme i like that and in the other i like that.
Is there a way to make a mix of them and how?
Thanks in advance!!!
Yes, it is possible.
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcdxIJRSH9ypZGZzc2pxNDlfMjdnazk4OHNxZA&hl=en
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
Thanks a lot.Now i need a lot of study to accomplise that!!!
you can easily change the png files in the framework-res.apk and the twframework-res.apk of any theme's zip.just take any theme as a base and change the pngs within opening the theme and then the apks by winrar or something like it.the pngs are stored in the drawable-hdpi and/or drawable-hdpi-v4 folders.
Whenever I try to change framework res, and replace the old edited frameworkres I get bootloops. After that I have to flash a stock rom with odin and then flash my cooked rom. Even if I push the original framework res.apk, that doesn't solve the problem. No issue with twframework res.apk. I can edit twframework res .APK and works fine.
Please help.
try using 7zip instead, its better at replacing files
aditya104 said:
Whenever I try to change framework res, and replace the old edited frameworkres I get bootloops. After that I have to flash a stock rom with odin and then flash my cooked rom. Even if I push the original framework res.apk, that doesn't solve the problem. No issue with twframework res.apk. I can edit twframework res .APK and works fine.
Please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
reflashing a whole rom shouldn't be necessary
first of all, you should make a backup of your system, just in case
and you should always keep a working theme on your phone so that if you get stuck at boot, you just boot into CWM and flash the working one and everything should be fine again
and for your basic problem of editing themes, have a look at R64s guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10383323&postcount=577
explains all the basic stuff and works great for me

[REQ][HOWTO] Making your own battery mod?

People are using different rom's , some other are asking for specific mod etc
Could someone write some guide how to do it, to enlight those who are not aware ?
Take the framework-res.apk from your current rom and upload it to http://uot.dakra.lt/kitchen
Once uploaded go to battery mod and select the battery style u want and cook it.
When its cooked extract the framework-res.apk from the downloaded file and either replace it with root explorer or push it with adb back into the phone.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Locster126 said:
Take the framework-res.apk from your current rom and upload it to http://uot.dakra.lt/kitchen
Once uploaded go to battery mod and select the battery style u want and cook it.
When its cooked extract the framework-res.apk from the downloaded file and either replace it with root explorer or push it with adb back into the phone.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I know already, but this is not working and phone is keeping crashing
masi0 said:
This is what I know already, but this is not working and phone is keeping crashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends of which rom you are running but if you use VillainRom I think you need to open your modded framework with 7-zip and replace "META-INF" directory with the one found in the original framework of your rom. This is needed to sign the file.
However I'm not sure you use VillainRom (where files must be signed) and I didn't use yet the kitchen ... but your feedback is usefull if you want to try ...
shaolin79 said:
Depends of which rom you are running but if you use VillainRom I think you need to open your modded framework with 7-zip and replace "META-INF" directory with the one found in the original framework of your rom. This is needed to sign the file.
However I'm not sure you use VillainRom (where files must be signed) and I didn't use yet the kitchen ... but your feedback is usefull if you want to try ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using stock KE4
masi0 said:
I am using stock KE4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so ignore what I said upper ... should be only for signature of the rom (not needed in stock roms).
Anyway ... if someone has the solution ...
I always made that on my own...
Open the decompiled .xml in the framework-res.apk, edit those lines, add my own battery.pngs and that was all...
I didnt test it on my sgs2... But it should be the same way to get it...
Swyped from my overclocked GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
PoTi_96 said:
I always made that on my own...
Open the decompiled .xml in the framework-res.apk, edit those lines, add my own battery.pngs and that was all...
I didnt test it on my sgs2... But it should be the same way to get it...
Swyped from my overclocked GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could you tell which .xml to edit and what to add within the file?
I juz grab one of the batt mod out there and replace the .png files under /res/drawable-hdpi-v4 with the ones I want. guess its kind of a lazy way to do it=)
I have KE2 and get a "signature verification failed" error when trying to apply the UOT.zip file :-(
Anyone some idea how to get this applied?
Also my original framework-res.apk file doesn't have any folder called "/res/drawable-hdpi-v4" but the UOT file has!?
masi0 said:
could you tell which .xml to edit and what to add within the file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno exactly which one it was right now but I think the battery.xml somewhere in the first 3 or 4 folders...
sorry idk it anymore ... Long time no use for :/
Swyped from my overclocked GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

A guide to rom cooking, a bit of theming and a bit of modding!

Although it does seem rom cooking is difficult, in fact, it's easy to create a simple rom, with everything you want in it. There are still a few things missing which i'll add in the next few days
Here it goes....
Lets start with a bit of theory:
Needed programs:
Cygwin
7zip
Baksmali/smali
Apk manager
Text editor (notepad ++ for example)
SGS kitchen (https://github.com/rmgeren/Android-Kitchen/tree/galaxy_s)
Autosmali: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970728
First of all, download the cwm stock deodexed rom from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=948790
This will save a lot of time since you wont need to deodex, nor to extract /system from factoryfs.rfs
There are three folders inside:
META-INF - here is where the updater-script and updater-binary are located. This files are very important, because they are in charge of making the phone copy files from the zip, symlinking etc...
updates - here is were the kernel (zimage) and modem (modem.bin) are located
system - here are all libs, apks and things that will be copied to /system
Explanation of some directories in /system
System/app:
Here are all system apps
System/framework:
By modding files here, you'll be able to theme.
System/lib:
Here are libs needed for many things to work.
System/Build.prop:
Mod this line to change the name of the rom shown in about ro.build.display.id=
System/media -
Ringtones, bootanimations and othet things are stored here
System/etc:
Here are some files you might want to mod, like hosts ( for adfree), files for gps, and you can create an init.d folder for scripts that you want to get executed at startup (if kernel supports it)
Those are all the main directories you'll need to mod
Setting up the kitchen
Download cygwin and install it. Then download rmgeren's sgs kitchen. Create a folder called kitchen wherever you want and copy all files of rmgeren's github into it.
Create a folder inside kitchen called WORKING_111111_111111
Extract the zip of the stock deodexed rom to kitchen/WORKING_111111_111111/
In case you are having any problems with it, please do take a look at this post : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=5626300&postcount=3
Cleaning up system/app
I usually delete this apks:
Aldiko
Layar
Infoalarm
Dualclock
Protips
Samsung widgets
Minidiary
Writeandgo
Phonesetupwizard
Days
Pressreader
APK Modding:
For theming use method 1, for modding xml use method 2
Method 1 - right click on the apk and select 7zip and extract in /* (* is the name of the apk)
Open the folder, then res, then drawable-hdpi, and then mod the pngs you want.
Once yoy're finished, open the apk with 7zip and replace res/drawable-hdpi with the new one
Method 2-
Place the apk inThe apk modding folder (apk manager)
Open script, choose a project to work on (22 in windows), then decompile (for some apks you'll need dependencies).
Go to projects and the folder of your apk, then mod any xml you need to mod
Recompile it, it will ask if it is a system/app. Just answer Y or N.
You'll be asked another thing, type Y, press enter
Then it'll say something about a keep folder, go to the keep folder and look for the xmls you modded and delete them. In case you cant find one, delete the ones you can find and delete resources.arsc
Now press enter
You'll have an unsigned*.apk just rename it to the old ones name.
Theming
Same process that you use for apks, but this time you mod twframework-res.apk and framework-res.apk, you also mod systemui.apk for status bar
Some xml and pngs you might want to mod (framework-res.apk)
Xml:
Res/values/styles.xml
Res/values/bools.xml
Res/drawable/progress_horizontal (for colour of this bar View attachment 637481)
Png's (drawable-hdpi)
default_wallpaper.png - it's the default homescreen wallpaper
For overscroll glow:
overscroll_glow.png
overscroll_edge.png
For this (the bar you move) View attachment 637482:
seek_thumb_normal.png
seek_thumb_selected.png
seek_thumb_pressed.png
There are many more, but this are a few that are quite useful. You can easily find out about any, but in case you can't, you can just ask here and i'll be glad to answer
If you want to pre-install a theme, just copy the files of the theme into the correct places. For example system/framework to system/framework
For ctr off animation, decompile framework-res.apk, go to res/values/bools.xml
and in the line: config_animateScreenLights, turn it to false. If you want a more step by step guide, try this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=977501
Using baksmali/smali
To mod classes.dex, i use baksmali/smali
I use ubuntu for this, but you can use another linux distro if you want.
This is what i do in Ubuntu:
Steps to follow:
1. Get the .jar you want to mod. framework.jar for example
2. Open it and get classes.dex
3. I usually copy it to the desktop
4. Open terminal
5. Type sudo su and then your password
6. then cd /home/Coldflid/Desktop ( type the location where you have copied it).
7. java -jar baksmali-1.2.6.jar classes.dex
8. Once you've modded it, type java -jar smali-1.2.6.jar (name of the output folder)
9. A new .dex file will be generated, just replace the old one with the new one
This is what i do in windows
1. Grab the jar you want to mod
2. Open it with 7zip and get classes.dex
3. Copy classes.dex to the same folder autosmali is in
4. Run baksmali.bat
5. Make the desired changes
6. Create AutoSmali_In folder and place the folder of the decompiled classes.dex inside
7. Run smali.bat
8. Rename AutoSmali_Out.dex to classes.dex and replace the old one in the .jar with the new one (using 7zip)
Finishing the rom
Now that you've finished with modding, theming etc... Now replace apks with new ones, add a few that you want, and copy libs if needed.
You can add ringtones from other phones to system/media, bootanimation of sgs ii etc...
Replace the kernel with the kernel you like the most, and the modem with the one that works best for you.
Now it's time to zipalign. Open cygwin, type cd c:/ * (where * is where you have the kitchen). Press enter
type ./menu, then press enter
Now you just select the zipalign option.
When it finished, select all three folders of the rom and right click, 7zip, add to file, zip, name it and then you're good to go.
Install it using cwm.
If you want to make it flashable through odin, follow darky's guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=960946
If this was useful, hit the thanks button
Hope you like it.
If there's something wrong, tell me and i'll correct it. Also post if it was useful
Thanks
rmgeren for sgs android kitchen
[Ramad] for stock deodexed roms
creator of baksmali/smali and the creator of cygwin
Daneshm90 for apk manager
Thanks to dsixda for cygwin faq, and to gazza1988 for suggesting the idea of including it in this post
Thanks to Daneshm90 for the ctr off animation tutorial i've linked to in this thread
schmittx for autosmali: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=970728
Reserved...
thanks alot...will try this so how can we make wipe and non wipe? is there a way?
zaanrider said:
thanks alot...will try this so how can we make wipe and non wipe? is there a way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to modify the updater-script
Enviado desde mi GT-I9000 usando Tapatalk
There's option for Wipe state in kitchen right?
Not interested in doing this myself, but a very informative guide, much knowledge gained......only one critisism....how about some credits ie ramad for deodexed etc etc....once again many thanks
Insanity cm 015/glitch
Thanks for the guide. Always wanted to try, now this guide make me want to do it. Thanks gain Coldflid! You are Awesome!
Hi Tweaky,
I am not a ROM cooker but hopefully I can pass info to UTO Kitchen. A lot of devs like to add "overscroll glow". Can you tell us how to revert this if possible?
I for one like the default overscroll effect like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOyWCDhlxv8
And if it is possible I would like to pass the information to UOT.
Thanks.
Hello.. I did exactly what you said in OP. Can you assist me, what if I've to add custom kernel in my custom ROM? There's option for it in Kitchen. I placed zImage into working folder, Kitchen moved it to /updates. I packed the files in zip using menu BUILD ROM in kitchen. I got bootloops..
Can you help me please?
Very nice Cold, GJ m8. Helped me a lot
cenonmin said:
Hi Tweaky,
I am not a ROM cooker but hopefully I can pass info to UTO Kitchen. A lot of devs like to add "overscroll glow". Can you tell us how to revert this if possible?
I for one like the default overscroll effect like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOyWCDhlxv8
And if it is possible I would like to pass the information to UOT.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
overglow sux
Fr4gg0r said:
overglow sux
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here I never really liked it.
Rahulrulez said:
Same here I never really liked it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fr4gg0r said:
overglow sux
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dislike it in samsung roms, but i do like it in cyanogenmod.
cenonmin said:
Hi Tweaky,
I am not a ROM cooker but hopefully I can pass info to UTO Kitchen. A lot of devs like to add "overscroll glow". Can you tell us how to revert this if possible?
I for one like the default overscroll effect like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOyWCDhlxv8
And if it is possible I would like to pass the information to UOT.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get rid of it, get classes.dex from the framework.jar of the rom you're running that has it, and get classes.dex from stock framework.jar
Using baksmali, decompile classes.dex from both.
Then get the overscroll glow source. Open the decompiled classes.dex folder of the stock one and the source. Find the files that have been modded and copy them to the folder of the decompiled classes.dex of the rom that has the overscroll glow.
Then use smali to compile it back to classes.dex and then copy it into framework.jar
This will become easier as soon as i post the baksmali/smali guide.
Anyway, i'm going to upload the JVP original scroll source.
Rahulrulez said:
Hello.. I did exactly what you said in OP. Can you assist me, what if I've to add custom kernel in my custom ROM? There's option for it in Kitchen. I placed zImage into working folder, Kitchen moved it to /updates. I packed the files in zip using menu BUILD ROM in kitchen. I got bootloops..
Can you help me please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't use the build rom option, much better if you select the folders and make the zip with winrar or 7zip.
Just extract ramads deodexed stock rom zip, and change the zimage in /updates, then compress META-INF, system and updates into a zip and you have ramad's stock deodexed rom with the kernel you chose. Same process for every rom (location of zimage may vary though, some devs tend to place zimage in other folders)
somberi said:
Thanks for the guide. Always wanted to try, now this guide make me want to do it. Thanks gain Coldflid! You are Awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. there's no problem in trying and seeing what you can do, you may prove to be the best rom cooker
slaphead20 said:
Not interested in doing this myself, but a very informative guide, much knowledge gained......only one critisism....how about some credits ie ramad for deodexed etc etc....once again many thanks
Insanity cm 015/glitch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will add the credits as soon as i add the baksmali/smali part
Rahulrulez said:
There's option for Wipe state in kitchen right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, but it'll work on update-script only, (amend scripting) which you can't use in older versions than cwm 2.x
Wipe/no wipe is just if it deletes /dbdata and /data or not.
Vertumus said:
Very nice Cold, GJ m8. Helped me a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, glad it was useful
Thing's i'll add today:
Baksmali/smali tutorial
I'll upload META-INF no wipe and META-INF wipe that you can use
Modding the updater-script tutorial
So wiping data means only recursive deletion of /system, /cache, /data and datadata. am i right??
One more thing. when i zip the rom contents using winrar or 7zip, what compression settings should be used?
Rahulrulez said:
So wiping data means only recursive deletion of /system, /cache, /data and datadata. am i right??
One more thing. when i zip the rom contents using winrar or 7zip, what compression settings should be used?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiping data means wiping /data (where apks you've installed are stored) and /dbdata (where the data of the apps is stored)
Just use winrar, select the folders, add to file, and you type a name and in file format you choose zip
Hi i have done all my modding and themeing etc, but as i follow instruction to zipalign
i do cd c:/kitchen then ./menu (as instructed) and all i get is constant error messages
ie scripts/check_binaries: line 12: clear: command not found
lots of stuff about asking for help for htc android kitchen
ignore and proceed anyway? y or n
i type y and then get another one saying "gcc" is not installed
y or n to continue?
then perl, then wget, then cpeo, then i get a menu, should i be getting those error messeages and is it safe to continue?
EDIT can i suggest the OP links to this post as it contains info on how to setup the rom kitchen properly, and avoids errors like the ones i am experiencing,
Hey awesome guide. Have been trying to learn.
Heres my question if i wanted to use a premade JVP theme such as crysis or any of those that works on deodexed ROMS such as the ones from that section how would i do that?
Thanks and awesome guide
EDIT: Alright I got it booting finally I just have 4 more questions and then Im done.
1. For the captivate port how did y'all fix the home button fix, I have a flashable zip I created that fixes the home button but I know that used to be a problem on the old i9000 2.3.3 ROMs, so I'm just wondering how you implement that
2. How do you implement the CRT Screen Off Animation
3. If I wanted to use this theme http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1083188 in my ROM how do I implement it into the ZIP?
THank you so much!
I want to integrate TalonDEV modem in JVP..
I found this in kernel updater-script of JVP zip (CWM flashable)
Code:
show_progress(0.200000, 80);
ui_print(" ");
ui_print("Installing Primary Kernel...");
run_program("/tmp/redbend_ua", "restore", "/tmp/zImage", "/dev/block/bml7");
show_progress(0.200000, 90);
ui_print(" ");
ui_print("Installing Secondary Kernel...");
run_program("/tmp/redbend_ua", "restore", "/tmp/zImage", "/dev/block/bml8");
Whereas, in TalonDev modem's updater-script, it is written like this -
Code:
set_perm(0, 0, 0755, "/tmp/bmlwrite");
ui_print("Flashing kernel...");
run_program("/tmp/bmlwrite", "/tmp/zImage", "/dev/block/bml7");
set_perm_recursive(0, 2000, 0755, 0755, "/system/etc/init.d");
ui_print("Done. Please reboot.");
Somehow, I'm finding it difficult to know the different between these two. There's redband_ua in ROM's updater-script. Is it necessary? Or I can replace it with the script from Kernel's updater-script?
Please tell me meaning and difference between following lines -
run_program("/tmp/bmlwrite", "/tmp/zImage", "/dev/block/bml7");
and
run_program("/tmp/redbend_ua", "restore", "/tmp/zImage", "/dev/block/bml7");
run_program("/tmp/redbend_ua", "restore", "/tmp/zImage", "/dev/block/bml8");
totally confused in bml7 and bml8. Kernel needs to be restored in both bml7 and bml8? Because in TalonDev's kernel installation script, it is given ONLY bml7
Please help me
Is there any way to run smali, baksmali on windows?
Rahulrulez said:
Is there any way to run smali, baksmali on windows?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Works a charm. Syntax is:
java -jar baksmali.jar
java -jar smali.jar
Obviously you need java installed

Theming questions?

I have been theming on the x2 for awhile now building custom themes .. I just got my nexus yesterday so I downloaded the gummy rom and tried to theme first with apktool and also with apk manager.. I see there have been themes made.. I have yet to be able to decompile any system apks successfully.. are there any new tools I'm missing or steps... would love to start theming again if I can get things to work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Kevin3328 said:
I have been theming on the x2 for awhile now building custom themes .. I just got my nexus yesterday so I downloaded the gummy rom and tried to theme first with apktool and also with apk manager.. I see there have been themes made.. I have yet to be able to decompile any system apks successfully.. are there any new tools I'm missing or steps... would love to start theming again if I can get things to work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, you need to update apktool for use with Android 4.0
edit: more specifically...
-Wrong version of apktool (get the latest)
-Wrong verison of apktool dependancies files (same site)
-Wrong version of aapt.exe in Android SDK (get latest SDK)
Alright awesome I'll look into it tonight after work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I have the latest version of all of that and can decompile with apktool. The problem is when I build the new apk and copy over the edited files and push back to the phone the app won't work.
A run down of everything I did is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1452530
Did u try putting it back in the flash able zip with 7 zip? I never use adb push.... in theory if u are able to compile the apk without errors it should work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Kevin3328 said:
Did u try putting it back in the flash able zip with 7 zip? I never use adb push.... in theory if u are able to compile the apk without errors it should work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pulled the music apk, edited it, rebuilt it, and put the edited files back in the original apk. I did that because I don't know how to sign my own apk so I just used the already signed one with some edited png and xml files. The thing I don't understand is that I pulled an apk once and opened it via 7zip and edited some things, pushed it back and everything was fine (changed out some icons on the contacts.apk)
Do you know where an up-to-date theming guide can be found? I'm very interested in making my own themes instead of requesting themers to make one. Learning experience and all that jazz.
Thanks.
coverton341 said:
I pulled the music apk, edited it, rebuilt it, and put the edited files back in the original apk. I did that because I don't know how to sign my own apk so I just used the already signed one with some edited png and xml files. The thing I don't understand is that I pulled an apk once and opened it via 7zip and edited some things, pushed it back and everything was fine (changed out some icons on the contacts.apk)
Do you know where an up-to-date theming guide can be found? I'm very interested in making my own themes instead of requesting themers to make one. Learning experience and all that jazz.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't replace xml's in that way.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
If u properly recompile the apk then yes u can .. u edit it all the XML s and pngs in the apk then recompile.. then drop the recompiled apk into the system app section of the rom u r using unless its the framework Res apk or other framework apk.. once u do this put the new rom zip back into your phone and flash in recovery ... bottom line I'm not the most experienced themer in the forums I just got the phone yesterday so its gonna take time for me to begin theming anything.. that being said perhaps if this thread stays open and more experienced themers can chime in with some tips and advice
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
coverton341 said:
I pulled the music apk, edited it, rebuilt it, and put the edited files back in the original apk. I did that because I don't know how to sign my own apk so I just used the already signed one with some edited png and xml files. The thing I don't understand is that I pulled an apk once and opened it via 7zip and edited some things, pushed it back and everything was fine (changed out some icons on the contacts.apk)
Do you know where an up-to-date theming guide can be found? I'm very interested in making my own themes instead of requesting themers to make one. Learning experience and all that jazz.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also in my short experience theming u should not have to sign a system app... u should recompile then rename it.. then reinsert into the rom you are using.. reflash the rom without any wiping and u should be good try it that way
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Kevin3328 said:
Also in my short experience theming u should not have to sign a system app... u should recompile then rename it.. then reinsert into the rom you are using.. reflash the rom without any wiping and u should be good try it that way
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Kev did u figured it out yet? I replied to ur PM...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Kevin3328 said:
Also in my short experience theming u should not have to sign a system app... u should recompile then rename it.. then reinsert into the rom you are using.. reflash the rom without any wiping and u should be good try it that way
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, GoogleMusic.apk is found in data/app not in system, at least in the ROM I am on. But, am I correct in assuming that I can do the same thing in this instance?
Furthermore, is there no way to theme a single application? Do I need to always theme an app, place it back into the ROM zip, and reflash said ROM?
Can I make my own flashable zip file for a single app?
Sorry to ask so many questions, I just really like tinkering with things and I would really like to get good at theming.
Kevin3328 said:
If u properly recompile the apk then yes u can .. u edit it all the XML s and pngs in the apk then recompile.. then drop the recompiled apk into the system app section of the rom u r using unless its the framework Res apk or other framework apk.. once u do this put the new rom zip back into your phone and flash in recovery ... bottom line I'm not the most experienced themer in the forums I just got the phone yesterday so its gonna take time for me to begin theming anything.. that being said perhaps if this thread stays open and more experienced themers can chime in with some tips and advice
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry misread what you were saying then.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
I am at work until 1030 then I am gonna set up shop on my CPU first... gotta get the new sdk and apktool then I will gtalk u from there with issues.. all I know is this should be a learning experience lol.. by the looks of this phone it could be awhile b4 I learn what everything "is" framework will be all the apks will be different than what I'm used to
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
coverton341 said:
Actually, GoogleMusic.apk is found in data/app not in system, at least in the ROM I am on. But, am I correct in assuming that I can do the same thing in this instance?
Furthermore, is there no way to theme a single application? Do I need to always theme an app, place it back into the ROM zip, and reflash said ROM?
Can I make my own flashable zip file for a single app?
Sorry to ask so many questions, I just really like tinkering with things and I would really like to get good at theming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can make update zips and yes u should b able to do the same.. I usually borrow someone else's at first
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
wut? i've never done what you guys have when it comes to compiling/decompiling and replacing stuff. i'm not so sure that works, but i'll take your word for it for now since i've never tried it either. in theory, you can decompile and change xml, recompile and replace that xml, but not if you're dealing with the actual xml folder in apks. your resources change when you mess with that. this is the same for changing smali, except something else changes (it's been a bit since i've dealt with actual dev stuff).
also, it's a big waste (and sometimes troublesome) to flash an entire ROM to update one or a few apks. making one for just testing out things in \system\ will save you time and frustration. you can also make a backup easier for if something bootloops you
Success!!!
All right, first and foremost, thank you immensely for all the suggestions Kevin and others as well.
Here's what I did. I searched the ROM zip to no avail, but then found the apk in the gapps zip. I took it out of there, decompiled, messed around with just a few png files, recompiled and put it back into the gapps zip. Flashed it and it worked. Problem is, only a couple of the edits I made showed up which brings me to my next issue, ICS optimised apps have a tonne of "drawable-***" folders. Drawable, drawable-hdpi, drawable-hdpi-v8,v9,v11, drawable-xdpi, etc....ad nauseum.
I am not messing with any smali code, xml files, or .9.png files yet as I don't know what smali does, xml is a headache, and I have heard horror stories about .9.png files.
I'm going to dink around and see if I can sort out what items need to be changed for my current dpi setting (241) and will report back any findings, but probably not tonight as I have an early course in the morning followed by work.
coverton341 said:
Success!!!
All right, first and foremost, thank you immensely for all the suggestions Kevin and others as well.
Here's what I did. I searched the ROM zip to no avail, but then found the apk in the gapps zip. I took it out of there, decompiled, messed around with just a few png files, recompiled and put it back into the gapps zip. Flashed it and it worked. Problem is, only a couple of the edits I made showed up which brings me to my next issue, ICS optimised apps have a tonne of "drawable-***" folders. Drawable, drawable-hdpi, drawable-hdpi-v8,v9,v11, drawable-xdpi, etc....ad nauseum.
I am not messing with any smali code, xml files, or .9.png files yet as I don't know what smali does, xml is a headache, and I have heard horror stories about .9.png files.
I'm going to dink around and see if I can sort out what items need to be changed for my current dpi setting (241) and will report back any findings, but probably not tonight as I have an early course in the morning followed by work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let us know how you (hopefully) succeed. Im a bit tempted to try theming myself but ive cant seem to find a guide that is up-to-date - and im learning somthing with every question you are asking - and with every answer the other nice fellows are providing.
:thumbs up!:
I am still trying to figure out how to setup everything.. I know I need newest sdk and newest apk multi tool which I didn't get yet.. I'm gonna tinker around today/tonite and see what I'm doing wrong
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
mrvirginia said:
wut? i've never done what you guys have when it comes to compiling/decompiling and replacing stuff. i'm not so sure that works, but i'll take your word for it for now since i've never tried it either. in theory, you can decompile and change xml, recompile and replace that xml, but not if you're dealing with the actual xml folder in apks. your resources change when you mess with that. this is the same for changing smali, except something else changes (it's been a bit since i've dealt with actual dev stuff).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this is how I read it too. I believe the OP means that he's making changes and then replacing the apk in the flashable zip. Not actually replacing the edited xmls in the original apk. Glad I'm not the only one that read it that way though
coverton341 said:
Success!!!
All right, first and foremost, thank you immensely for all the suggestions Kevin and others as well.
Here's what I did. I searched the ROM zip to no avail, but then found the apk in the gapps zip. I took it out of there, decompiled, messed around with just a few png files, recompiled and put it back into the gapps zip. Flashed it and it worked. Problem is, only a couple of the edits I made showed up which brings me to my next issue, ICS optimised apps have a tonne of "drawable-***" folders. Drawable, drawable-hdpi, drawable-hdpi-v8,v9,v11, drawable-xdpi, etc....ad nauseum.
I am not messing with any smali code, xml files, or .9.png files yet as I don't know what smali does, xml is a headache, and I have heard horror stories about .9.png files.
I'm going to dink around and see if I can sort out what items need to be changed for my current dpi setting (241) and will report back any findings, but probably not tonight as I have an early course in the morning followed by work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no decompiling is necessary for tweaking pngs.
smali code is for messing with policies, etc.
.9.png files can be a pain if you don't recompile the apk correctly.
and this should help with your dpi as far as what to edit so you can see it...
http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html

Categories

Resources