Develop Bugs

Video how to?

I am sorry if this was posted before, but I was looking at some of the guides for learning how to make themes. I have never done anything like this before or done any of this type of programming, but would like to try and learn how to.
But I am a person that learns better with watching what must be done then actually reading it lol. Is it possible for someone who does themes for the epic can possibly post or make videos on how to actually start learning how to make themes from the stock files? Like setting up the different programs needed and then maybe doing a sample of how to actually make a theme from the stock.
I hope I am not offending anyone for asking this, but I find this site very fascinating but like I said I am very new to this type of programming or working with android phones.
But I will understand if this is not possible to do since so many people have different ways of working and might not be able to show there work. But any possible help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all for your time and patience.

youtube has given me knowledge a time or two.

There are a bunch of how to's all over these forums. Some have videos. feel free to ask questions and myself and others will help
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

mysteryemotionz said:
There are a bunch of how to's all over these forums. Some have videos. feel free to ask questions and myself and others will help
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok first of I know of many questions lol....Even tho froyo is out now, do we the eclipse plugin for adb? I follow the written tutorial to install sdk and the apk manager app.
But I did not install the eclipse adt plugin that the guide talked about, is it necessary even tho we are on froyo currently?
Also what would be a very good starting point for a newbie? Should I focus on a specific field of the android devices or is themeing very different from the other aspects of modding the epic phones?

I have yet to use eclipse on any theme I been apart of. I use apkmanager to de compile and re compile .apks. I use notepad ++ to edit xml files. Xml files can only be edited when the apk had been de compiled. I use gimp for image editing. You can use any photo editing program you like. I use 7zip to brite and put the images in the apk. Baksmali and smali for editing .dex files.
I suggest reading the how to's as they explain everything in detail.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Okay again thank you for the advice

neuton said:
Okay again thank you for the advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Feel free to pm me if there is anything specifiac. Also check out my theme and others to help give you idea of what has been done and what can be done.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

mysteryemotionz said:
Feel free to pm me if there is anything specifiac. Also check out my theme and others to help give you idea of what has been done and what can be done.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay I will do that, I hope I can learn this stuff hehehe....again thank you.
This forum rocks there are so many helpful people here.

neuton said:
Okay I will do that, I hope I can learn this stuff hehehe....again thank you.
This forum rocks there are so many helpful people here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I learned everything on my own. I didn't have anyone to teach me. I taught thomasskull666 and where working on some good projects. Me and dreamsforgotten are always bouncing ideas off of each other. If you see my eclair build I was the imply theme with the reboot options that I will port over to froyo once we get an official build. I also have two other things I figured out for froyo that you can see in my froyo build. I labeled all the silent options correctly to vibrate and I removed the sprint branding. Its hard to believe I was like you when I got my epic. I didn't know ****.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

mysteryemotionz said:
I learned everything on my own. I didn't have anyone to teach me. I taught thomasskull666 and where working on some good projects. Me and dreamsforgotten are always bouncing ideas off of each other. If you see my eclair build I was the imply theme with the reboot options that I will port over to froyo once we get an official build. I also have two other things I figured out for froyo that you can see in my froyo build. I labeled all the silent options correctly to vibrate and I removed the sprint branding. Its hard to believe I was like you when I got my epic. I didn't know ****.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lmao thats cool. Well I hope I can learn this stuff just like you have.
Off topic but may I ask are you a young guy or older, cause I am in my late 30's so I do not learn as easy as the younger generation do

neuton said:
Lmao thats cool. Well I hope I can learn this stuff just like you have.
Off topic but may I ask are you a young guy or older, cause I am in my late 30's so I do not learn as easy as the younger generation do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm 26. Its not hard to learn the basics. Xml for the most part is well writtin so making those changes are somewhat easy. Smali is a ***** to edit and that I'm still learning. For the most part a theme is 95% images.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

mysteryemotionz said:
I'm 26. Its not hard to learn the basics. Xml for the most part is well writtin so making those changes are somewhat easy. Smali is a ***** to edit and that I'm still learning. For the most part a theme is 95% images.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh ok cool, then hopefully I will not go crazy trying to pick this up and learn

neuton said:
Ahh ok cool, then hopefully I will not go crazy trying to pick this up and learn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already passed the crazy stage
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

[Q] Creating your own theme....guides???

I have been searching for a guide or tute for theme making and I did find a small one done by sprint girl, but does anyone know of a more complete guide? or if anyone is willing to help me learn???? I think Im ready to take on the challenge!
Thanks!

pinkmini said:
I have been searching for a guide or tute for theme making and I did find a small one done by sprint girl, but does anyone know of a more complete guide? or if anyone is willing to help me learn???? I think Im ready to take on the challenge!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can help what sort of things are you wanting to do? PM me if you would like help.

You could also do a search for (The Ultimate Android Teeming Guide). That has some very useful info in there
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I'm in maybe we can make a team project to help out situations like this!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

You need to get into the deal yourself all by yourself to be more familiar with what's going on inside the Rom itself!
Then when you hit a serious roadblock then call on us for the help that you need!
We can't do it for you!
Goodluck
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

eVoKINGS said:
You need to get into the deal yourself all by yourself to be more familiar with what's going on inside the Rom itself!
Then when you hit a serious roadblock then call on us for the help that you need!
We can't do it for you!
Goodluck
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+2... its how you learn... just keep reading...its all in here dude...

it will really depend on what you want to do. I do a lot of modifications to get my own personal theme where it is. I dont mind helping some though i am by far no expert.
The way i learned was simply by getting one of the many theme programs that make it easy to decompile and recompile your .apk (i use a little program called "Android Theming and Tweaking v2" its an oldie but wors well so far for me another option is themePRO)
once you have that just start decompiling your framework-res.apk and if you are working with a sense rom your com-htc-resources.apk once in there you can look through. you can do a LOT by simply replacing the .png files located in drawable/drawable-hdpi with the .png files you want to use. I recommend holding off on .9.png files until you read up on them and how to edit them correctly. I would really start there. additionally you may search for the super circle battery mod post which gives instructions on how to implement the battery icon that changes every 1% as well as the notification toggle post to get the cool toggle in your notification bar. it also walks you through how to add it. Both are relatively straight forward once you get the hang of things.

pinkmini said:
I have been searching for a guide or tute for theme making and I did find a small one done by sprint girl, but does anyone know of a more complete guide? or if anyone is willing to help me learn???? I think Im ready to take on the challenge!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out these 2 links. They're very extensive and should help you out greatly.
The first link is a guide by The Impaler called "Want to learn how to theme?"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
The second guide is by Stericson and is called "How to Metamorph/Theme
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329
Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[DEV] [SOURCE] Nexus S 4G Vendor Setup

Just finished my vendor setup for the Nexus S 4G. Feel free to use it or fork my repo but please remember to credit for the work I put into it.
https://github.com/peteralfonso/platform_vendor_samsung
What does this mean to non devs? That AOSP ROMs can be made easily now and you should see an entire slew of them soon.

Guess its time to learn some real dev'n stuff Thanks for your time man, youve opened the door for sure.

BuglessPete said:
Just finished my vendor setup for the Nexus S 4G. Feel free to use it or fork my repo but please remember to credit for the work I put into it.
https://github.com/peteralfonso/platform_vendor_samsung
What does this mean to non devs? That AOSP ROMs can be made easily now and you should see an entire slew of them soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm so glad you got your nexus. Will we see a bugless beast?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App

Epic, nicely done. Now our 4G brothers can get some love. Ready to add ROMs to the Reference Guide
Sent from my Nexus S

mikeyinid said:
Guess its time to learn some real dev'n stuff Thanks for your time man, youve opened the door for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, you seem pretty cool no homo. If you ever have any questions, and truly want to learn hit me up on gtalk. I dont know everything but I can answer some questions here and there. Im sure you can find my email address somewhere on the web.

BuglessPete said:
Just finished my vendor setup for the Nexus S 4G. Feel free to use it or fork my repo but please remember to credit for the work I put into it.
https://github.com/peteralfonso/platform_vendor_samsung
What does this mean to non devs? That AOSP ROMs can be made easily now and you should see an entire slew of them soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whats the diff between this and pulling the files myself?

shabbypenguin said:
whats the diff between this and pulling the files myself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pulling them as in using an extact script or pulling them as in using this:
http://code.google.com/android/nexus/drivers.html
?

Awesome. This is really what should be done first. Glad we have you on board. No homo... really
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App

Awesome...Mucho Gracias Friend

ily<3
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App

BuglessPete said:
Hey man, you seem pretty cool no homo. If you ever have any questions, and truly want to learn hit me up on gtalk. I dont know everything but I can answer some questions here and there. Im sure you can find my email address somewhere on the web.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man. That is much appreciated.

BuglessPete said:
Just finished my vendor setup for the Nexus S 4G. Feel free to use it or fork my repo but please remember to credit for the work I put into it.
https://github.com/peteralfonso/platform_vendor_samsung
What does this mean to non devs? That AOSP ROMs can be made easily now and you should see an entire slew of them soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Catch everyone on the flip side
Ima get dirty for the first time! I need to learn this stuff now that I have the ns.
Thanx Pete!!!
Evo 4G --> Nexus S 4G

BuglessPete said:
Pulling them as in using an extact script or pulling them as in using this:
http://code.google.com/android/nexus/drivers.html
?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, as ive done both of those steps. just wasnt sure if you added some sprinkles onto the files that make them glitter and glow properly

shabbypenguin said:
yea, as ive done both of those steps. just wasnt sure if you added some sprinkles onto the files that make them glitter and glow properly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well JBQ says the extract file is outdated since the 2.3.4 release and will not work properly. That binary site I linked to is one way to set it up but you will see that my method is much simpler (easier to work with), more organized, and more complete (the binary site is missing a few files). I will be maintaining my repo so essentially it will make it easier for the entire community, so everyone can glitter and glow properly
Edit: So just to be clear, completely remove your current vendor setup (dont use the binaries or the extract script) and replace it with mine.

Just updated the vendor setup with some more fixes

ksweat2292 said:
ily<3
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pause worthy
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App

are you doing a signapk and reassemble apk on your builds

cteneyck said:
are you doing a signapk and reassemble apk on your builds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there is no need to. I just included the "reassembled" apks in the proprietary folder instead.

I'm teaching myself how to build from source I'm syncing now. I hope I'm doing it right. Pulling your source...
Off topic: If I could get both my monitors to work in mint 10 I'd be good to go...

mikeyinid said:
I'm teaching myself how to build from source I'm syncing now. I hope I'm doing it right. Pulling your source...
Off topic: If I could get both my monitors to work in mint 10 I'd be good to go...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
honestly building from source is easy, its finding how to change the source to get what you want that is the hard part

I want to be a themer.

I want to contribute back to XDA for the help I received on rooting, flashing, ROM, Kernel, CWM, etc... The only way that I can do is by working on themes. I'm not sure how hard it is, but its complicated already. I do have Notepad++ and 7zip. I do not have GIMP, but I do have Photoshop 7 (which I will always stay with). I could try to use GIMP, if that is really required.
What is best for me? Work off of current themes to make adjustments, improve, etc? I dunno. Maybe something that I can work with someone on, such as if someone provide a theme, and I can work on providing multiple colors for the theme. Really need to know what I should work off of. I have bookmarked several topics and have been reading.
For me, reading on my own is not really a stable learning option (as in not that easy as it seem). I learn best through one-on-one communication (such as hands on, etc), so I'd like to partner up with someone that will be willing to do that. Such as PM, email, or messenger (AIM, YIM, or MSN).
Anyway, I'd really like to learn to keep themes alive for Epic, because new phones keep coming out and people just simply move on. I'd obviously stay with my Epic for a few years.
Oh, I'm sticking to EC05 for at least a year or so.

ThunderOKC said:
I want to contribute back to XDA for the help I received on rooting, flashing, ROM, Kernel, CWM, etc... The only way that I can do is by working on themes. I'm not sure how hard it is, but its complicated already. I do have Notepad++ and 7zip. I do not have GIMP, but I do have Photoshop 7 (which I will always stay with). I could try to use GIMP, if that is really required.
What is best for me? Work off of current themes to make adjustments, improve, etc? I dunno. Maybe something that I can work with someone on, such as if someone provide a theme, and I can work on providing multiple colors for the theme. Really need to know what I should work off of. I have bookmarked several topics and have been reading.
For me, reading on my own is not really a stable learning option (as in not that easy as it seem). I learn best through one-on-one communication (such as hands on, etc), so I'd like to partner up with someone that will be willing to do that. Such as PM, email, or messenger (AIM, YIM, or MSN).
Anyway, I'd really like to learn to keep themes alive for Epic, because new phones keep coming out and people just simply move on. I'd obviously stay with my Epic for a few years.
Oh, I'm sticking to EC05 for at least a year or so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally think, and I truly mean no offense or disrespect, that if you want to theme and are going to stay on ec05 for at least a year you are wasting your time. I doubt that anyone, especially those that would use a theme, is going to stay on ec05 once official gingerbread comes out. Many people, including myself, are already using the leaks. But if you want to do it I suggest downloading some themes you like and comparing them to stock to see the differences. If you already know photoshop than basic themes are easy. It is simply modifying images in the framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk files. It gets more difficult when you want to work with xml files and the .9.png files. The best thing to do is start with the how to theme thread. That will get you going.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

I've been testing my abilities at theming with the new ef02 leaks its really time consuming, but I'm going to stick to it, I'm sure I can get better with practice. Besides regular png's and nine patch png's what else should I learn also?
Sent from my SPH-D700

ac16313 said:
I've been testing my abilities at theming with the new ef02 leaks its really time consuming, but I'm going to stick to it, I'm sure I can get better with practice. Besides regular png's and nine patch png's what else should I learn also?
Sent from my SPH-D700
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really those are the biggest things to start with. Knowing where everything goes, pngs and 9s are all you need for the basics. To get advanced you will want to learn about decompiling xml files, changing them and compiling them back.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

crawrj said:
Really those are the biggest things to start with. Knowing where everything goes, pngs and 9s are all you need for the basics. To get advanced you will want to learn about recompiling xml files and modifying them.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool thank you, I'm going to try to get comfortable wth those First then.
Sent from my SPH-D700

I have been theming for a while, but mostly for personal use. I started with the Samsung Moment, and have been making my own themes for the Epic since I got it. 7zip, apk manager, xultimate, gimp, and draw9patch are all programs I use on a daily basis. I have learned a lot from other themers, and a lot from tearing the files down and comparing them with different themes. Good luck.

I really envy you all that are good with graphic development. I have never been good at that. I know enough to get by but would really like to know how to make really nice looking graphics myself.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

crawrj said:
I really envy you all that are good with graphic development. I have never been good at that. I know enough to get by but would really like to know how to make really nice looking graphics myself.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could start with decompiling the framework res and replacing the images with ur own found images. then compile and try it out. that's the most simple method of starting

Shoulon said:
You could start with decompiling the framework res and replacing the images with ur own found images. then compile and try it out. that's the most simple method of starting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't need to decompile though, should you?
Sent from my SPH-D700

ac16313 said:
You shouldn't need to decompile though, should you?
Sent from my SPH-D700
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just about to say that... you'd only need to decompile if your editing xmls or what not. Images can be swapped through 7zip.
cd's or tapes?

Thunder more themers would be nice.. well wait....more themers that are creative and not just recolor someones elses work lmao? The sky is z limit my friend. But if you're going to be themein...start with ec05 and take off from there!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

ac16313 said:
You shouldn't need to decompile though, should you?
Sent from my SPH-D700
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only need to decompile to work with xml files and the 9s. And you don't have to do it for the 9s but it makes it a lot easier.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

I usually create a new folder, copy all the images from the compiled apk using 7zip (example: \system\app\Contacts.apk\res\drawable-hdpi\) to the new folder, edit the images I want, then drag them back to the compiled apk. The only time I decompile really is when I need to change the text color, or add images that arent currently being used(battery mod, locksreen mod, reboot mod).
One thing that I do for icons and such is create a .psd. It makes it a lot easier than trying to do the same thing for each icon when you have a standard .psd to work with. I have done a lot of my own battery icons using a .psd.

OP, More themes is never a bad thing. I used to cook roms back in the winmo days, but when I moved to android I realized that being a rom chef was probably out of my league so I started making themes.
Basic themes can be made in a 5-10 hours, but more complicated themes, and some ports can take 30+ hours to make. Their are several great themers here that I'm sure are willing to help. I would start by reading dreams how to thread about 5 times. If you get stuck, you can post in that thread, normally someone will answer your question quickly. Also, if you think I can help, feel free to shoot me a PM.

shane6374 said:
OP, More themes is never a bad thing. I used to cook roms back in the winmo days, but when I moved to android I realized that being a rom chef was probably out of my league so I started making themes.
Basic themes can be made in a 5-10 hours, but more complicated themes, and some ports can take 30+ hours to make. Their are several great themers here that I'm sure are willing to help. I would start by reading dreams how to thread about 5 times. If you get stuck, you can post in that thread, normally someone will answer your question quickly. Also, if you think I can help, feel free to shoot me a PM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with everything stated above, reading and understanding the guide is step one, step two is (in my opinion) to familiarize yourself with the framework and what does what. Then what I did is port a theme just for fun, boot it up and go from there doing the whole troubleshooting process. That's the way to learn
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

Want to theme/ make custom roms

I really really reaaaaaally want to learn how to theme and i would like to make roms but i have no clue how!! I think there is a tutorial around xda but im not really a read nd do person i would really apresiate sumbody helpin me with the basics and any help i need im really interested in this and i have the time to actually do roms, themes ect please can sumone help me?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

GaBoRoOtSs said:
I really really reaaaaaally want to learn how to theme and i would like to make roms but i have no clue how!! I think there is a tutorial around xda but im not really a read nd do person i would really apresiate sumbody helpin me with the basics and any help i need im really interested in this and i have the time to actually do roms, themes ect please can sumone help me?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was gonna ask the same question but decided to do some searching and reading. Im gonna figure it out sooner or later because you learn from your mistakes and practice makes perfect.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

solehjeff said:
I was gonna ask the same question but decided to do some searching and reading. Im gonna figure it out sooner or later because you learn from your mistakes and practice makes perfect.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were are you reading to theme/rom?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

First you should get yourself familiar with Androids innards. It is very unlike windows and closer to linux/osx. Grab yourself Root Explorer, it will be a very worthwhile investment unless you are already familiar with ADB.
Make sure you have 7ZIP, and GIMP, and know how to use them first. Also install Brut.all's APKTool (base for Android-Utility/APKManager)
Download and install the Android SDK
Here's the Developers guide, It has quite a bit of information in it related to specific png locations, names, how they're displayed, etc and more.
Here's a guide I used to get into theming made by TheImpaler747 (VERY notable dev)
If you have a Mac/Linux grab Android Utility (Essentially APK Manager for Mac), it has a very active and helpful dev, as well as a very intensive guide.
If you have Windows/Linux grab APKManager
These are advanced APK/Android tools that let you edit APKs, Sign ZIPs/APKs, and much more.
Remember only sign APKs that go in /Data, if it's in System, don't sign it. If you edit an APK/ZIP it will lose it's signature, so remember to resign. If an APK goes in /System/App, don't sign it. All update zips must be signed in order to be flashed. Make sure that the updater script is in UTF-8 form and saved w/o a filename, many things can go wrong with this and make your zip unable to flash.
Here's another very large compilation of guides
Messing with AOSP? There's a guide for that.
Wanna Learn ADB
.9.pngs killing you? Me too, I have several links to those
Long Text Guide
The guide I found that was like an Epiphany
Hex/XML Editin? Grab Notepad++, Learn about color hex codes, memorize ffffff=white 000000=black ff0000=red and in GIMP/PS/PXM/Etc make sure you have a color pallete/notepad of the colors you need to recall on the exact same value more than once, this will be alot of colors.
Edit Settings.apk's List via XML

Gentleman, pm me. I have information I have sent others... It does require reading though... Exstensive reading. But its how all of us learned how to make roms and themes...

I updated my post with a small guide. I will continue to improve on it.

Thanks guys!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

fowenati said:
I updated my post with a small guide. I will continue to improve on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

@ fowenati:
That is a great post man. These guys will be theme'n in no time.

12MaNy said:
@ fowenati:
That is a great post man. These guys will be theme'n in no time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man!

fowenati said:
I updated my post with a small guide. I will continue to improve on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent work...