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I've been reading the theme guides and, time permitting, would like to start playing around. I've been comparing files from the stock theme template to crakes battery percent mod found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=793805&highlight=battery+mod and have been trying to figure out how to use it in another theme. Is it as simple as adding the extra stat_sys_battery_#.png's or does something else have to be done to the framework-res.apk to get the phone to point to the added pngs? I hope thats understandable, thanks in advance for your help all!
amosher13 said:
I've been reading the theme guides and, time permitting, would like to start playing around. I've been comparing files from the stock theme template to crakes battery percent mod found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=793805&highlight=battery+mod and have been trying to figure out how to use it in another theme. Is it as simple as adding the extra stat_sys_battery_#.png's or does something else have to be done to the framework-res.apk to get the phone to point to the added pngs? I hope thats understandable, thanks in advance for your help all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your theme has 1% intervals already its just a matter of swapping the png files. If the theme don't your gonna have to devompile the apk and edit 3 xml files then recompile
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
okay, ya thats what i was wondering. any help on the xml files to edit and how? i've got apk manager and have it decompiled, i dont see anything that jumps out.
EDIT: okay i've got in the drawable folder stat_sys_battery, stat_sys_battery_charge, stat_sys_battery_charge_err_vinsq, stat_sys_battery_charge_vinsq, stat_sys_battery_vinsq. my guess is its 3 of those, i guess i can just compare the stock theme with the stock battery mod to see what to do.
amosher13 said:
okay, ya thats what i was wondering. any help on the xml files to edit and how? i've got apk manager and have it decompiled, i dont see anything that jumps out.
EDIT: okay i've got in the drawable folder stat_sys_battery, stat_sys_battery_charge, stat_sys_battery_charge_err_vinsq, stat_sys_battery_charge_vinsq, stat_sys_battery_vinsq. my guess is its 3 of those, i guess i can just compare the stock theme with the stock battery mod to see what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do that but do you know how to add a line to an xml file
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
mysteryemotionz said:
You can do that but do you know how to add a line to an xml file
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in general, yes, but i may not know how for these purposes. what might i be missing?
There's an even easier way.
start adb
and type adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk framework-res.apk
(grab frameworkTW-res.apk*i think* if you want it for touchwiz instead)
Next
go here UOT Kitchen
select flashable .zip
go through the stuff
upload the framework-res.apk you just pulled.
wait a bit download package and move to sd card then browse and install it and reboot.
TADA!
art3mis-nyc said:
There's an even easier way.
start adb
and type adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk framework-res.apk
(grab frameworkTW-res.apk*i think* if you want it for touchwiz instead)
Next
go here UOT Kitchen
select flashable .zip
go through the stuff
upload the framework-res.apk you just pulled.
wait a bit download package and move to sd card then browse and install it and reboot.
TADA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very interesting, i'll certainly check that out. though i am interested also in learning how to do it myself, but that looks pretty cool!
art3mis-nyc said:
There's an even easier way.
start adb
and type adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk framework-res.apk
(grab frameworkTW-res.apk*i think* if you want it for touchwiz instead)
Next
go here UOT Kitchen
select flashable .zip
go through the stuff
upload the framework-res.apk you just pulled.
wait a bit download package and move to sd card then browse and install it and reboot.
TADA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thee problem with this is if there's any edited .9 pngs in the theme the out come is ****
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
mysteryemotionz said:
Thee problem with this is if there's any edited .9 pngs in the theme the out come is ****
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so how about this: i pull the xmls from crakes framework-res.apk (do i need anything from twframework-res.apk?), recompile into the framework-res.apk from the theme i'm hacking, then dump the pngs into drawable-hdpi from the % mod i want to include and just make sure theres an image for each line in the xmls. sound good?
amosher13 said:
so how about this: i pull the xmls from crakes framework-res.apk (do i need anything from twframework-res.apk?), recompile into the framework-res.apk from the theme i'm hacking, then dump the pngs into drawable-hdpi from the % mod i want to include and just make sure theres an image for each line in the xmls. sound good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds great but just remember if your theme has any edited .9.pngs you will get errors with the framework.
What there are you trying to edit?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
mysteryemotionz said:
Sounds great but just remember if your theme has any edited .9.pngs you will get errors with the framework.
What there are you trying to edit?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
basically i want to work in a battery % mod into the theme from AOSP Magic (partially just to see if i can do it ). when you say "has any edited .9.pngs" do you mean if i edit any? or if the theme contains any that are already edited.
amosher13 said:
basically i want to work in a battery % mod into the theme from AOSP Magic (partially just to see if i can do it ). when you say "has any edited .9.pngs" do you mean if i edit any? or if the theme contains any that are already edited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the theme has any edited already out if you edited any
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
mysteryemotionz said:
If the theme has any edited already out if you edited any
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya i'm a little confused at that point on how i'd handle that. anywhere i can read up on that?
so basically if the theme i want to mod has .9.pngs that were edited from stock, when i decompile and recompile with the new xmls its going to break something? if so, what would i do? use the battery % mod theme and dump the drawable-hdpi folder into the apk after?
amosher13 said:
ya i'm a little confused at that point on how i'd handle that. anywhere i can read up on that?
so basically if the theme i want to mod has .9.pngs that were edited from stock, when i decompile and recompile with the new xmls its going to break something? if so, what would i do? use the battery % mod theme and dump the drawable-hdpi folder into the apk after?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I do is modify the xml files ona stock framework. Make all the changes I need then recompile. Once compiled its a matter of dragging and dropping the pngs
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
mysteryemotionz said:
What I do is modify the xml files ona stock framework. Make all the changes I need then recompile. Once compiled its a matter of dragging and dropping the pngs
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gotcha, perfect thanks!
This will guide you through making a theming template.
Why: it was requested
What is it for: This is the base in which you start your custome theming. If you have read through Dreamsforgotten thread on theming, you will see that he refers to a theming template to start with.
Be advised, This is not a rom. It is just a template that some dev/themers use as a base for their custome themes or to return to a stock deodex theme. Also, this assumes that you are on a stock rooted system
The Difference you ask:
Theming templates : do not have a modem or kernel, They do have a system folder with and App, font, and framework folder.
Rom: has everything needed to run the OS. Modem (sometimes), kernel, and a full system folder
This is how I do it. That is not to say it is right or wrong, but it works for me. There may be other/easier way developed by other devs.
EI22 Theme Template
Tools:
Rom kitchen form here ( follow the thread and set it up )
7zip from here
Notepad++ from here
Rooted device: if you are not rooted look in the dev section of your device for the instructions on that
Clockwork mod: if you don’t know what this is or don’t have it go to the dev section and research.
Instructions:
1: get a copy of the STOCK system folder. It really does not matter how you get it. JUST GET IT
HINT: if you are rooted already, use root explorer or equivlant and copy it to the sdcard….
Depending on how you got it, you may need to copy it to your computer desktop ( do so now)
2: now you will need to make a zip file (by now you should have 7zip installed)
r-click on system folder that you just copied to your desktop
choose 7zip > add to archive.
under archive change name to (build#).zip ( replace (build#) with the build you are using i.e ec05, ei22 ect….)
At this point you will need the rom kitchen. So, if it is not set up, DO SO!!!!!!!
3: copy to the zip folder to kitchen > original_update. Then open the kitchen.
Choose option 1, answer the next few questions as you need to. For me, I just hit enter at the 4 questions. You should be back at the main screen now
option 0 (enter) > option 11 (enter) > option b (enter) > enter ( best so that if there are errors you can troubleshoot) ( this takes a while: 20 min) assuming all went well, you should get
0 *.odex in system/app
0 *.odex in system/framework
Hit the enter key
option 99 > option 2
At this point, there should be a new folder named “output_zip” with your rom in it. (enter) you should be back to the mail menu. We are done with the kitchen so you can close that.
BUT your not done yet.
4: go to the above mentioned folder. In the folder there will be a zip file.
r-click on it and rename theme_template_(build#) ( replace (build#) with the build you are using i.e ec05, ei22 ect….)
r-click> 7zip> open archive - There you will see two folders and a boot image.
delete the boot.img file
go into the system folder and delete everything except app, framework, and font folders
back out one level and go into meta-inf >com > google >android
Now delete the updater-script (leave 7zip open)
Now we need to write the updater-script for CMW to read
5: open notepad++
BE ADVISED, this portion is for the EPIC 4G and the updater-script may change formats based on your device. So do some research first. I tend to look at other script for my devices to see how it should be formatted.
You can copy and past this in or type it yourself:
show_progress(0.1, 0);
delete_recursive("/system/framework");
delete_recursive("/system/app");
delete_recursive("/system/fonts");
mount("MTD", "system", "/system");
package_extract_dir("system", "/system");
delete_recursive("/data/dalvik-cache");
show_progress(0.1, 10);
unmount("/system");
Or use this: updater-script
file >save as
Name file: updater-script
File type: chose all types (*.*) you may need to scroll up or down to find it.
save to desktop
drag and drop the updater-script into the 7zip screen. ( you will be prompted with a ?. just hit yes.)
You should now have 3 files on the 7zip screen
Updater-script, update-binary, update-script.orig
close 7zip.
Connect phone via USB
Copy file to sdcard
Disconnect phone
Reboot to CMW
Choose: backup and restore >backup (when its finished you will have a nandroid to restore if you F.U.B.A.R. your phone.
Choose: install zip from sdcard and install your theming template.
Reboot.
Now use your favorite file explorer and go to system/framework and make sure it has been deodexed. If so, the flash was successful and your theme template works.
Congradulations you built your first theme. All be it a stock one. lol
mine for the thank you's
dreams - for all of his tuts
dsixda - for the kitchen.
Finally
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Zeinzu said:
Finally
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your welcome.... lol
Download doesn't work. Just downloads and empty zip.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
You can use this thread or learn to do the XML code changes and mods by hand as most of the seasoned theme devs do... I find it a whole lot more rewarding than letting this kitchen or the UOT Kitchen do the work for me....
This also works hand in hand when something goes wrong with your theme you know where to look to fix the problem.
FYI, even with the various themes that myself and ZiggSVO have worked on we still don't know everything and we all do exchange ideas and trouble shoot among each other. That is what makes all this stuff fun and rewarding.
Just my opinion...
Zeinzu said:
Download doesn't work. Just downloads and empty zip.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looking into it.
just dl'ed - worked fine for me.
Paul627g said:
You can use this thread or learn to do the XML code changes and mods by hand as most of the seasoned theme devs do... I find it a whole lot more rewarding than letting this kitchen or the UOT Kitchen do the work for me....
This also works hand in hand when something goes wrong with your theme you know where to look to fix the problem.
FYI, even with the various themes that myself and ZiggSVO have worked on we still don't know everything and we all do exchange ideas and trouble shoot among each other. That is what makes all this stuff fun and rewarding.
Just my opinion...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tend to agree. but a noob has to have someplace to start. I wish there was the help i needed when i started doing these things a yr ago. I've learned alot throught the guids that i've found, but yes learning to do them by hand is great to.
Z..
what are you tring to dl. the template "worked fine for me" or the updater-script?
Paul627g said:
You can use this thread or learn to do the XML code changes and mods by hand as most of the seasoned theme devs do... I find it a whole lot more rewarding than letting this kitchen or the UOT Kitchen do the work for me....
This also works hand in hand when something goes wrong with your theme you know where to look to fix the problem.
FYI, even with the various themes that myself and ZiggSVO have worked on we still don't know everything and we all do exchange ideas and trouble shoot among each other. That is what makes all this stuff fun and rewarding.
Just my opinion...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely agree, doing it by hand gives you a more broad understanding of how the xml code works. This allows you to perform other modifications as well, and like Paul said it is rewarding and also exciting.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely appreciate the guide! Perhaps you could divide it into a noob section and a more involved section.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
thomasskull666 said:
I definitely agree, doing it by hand gives you a more broad understanding of how the xml code works. This allows you to perform other modifications as well, and like Paul said it is rewarding and also exciting.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely appreciate the guide! Perhaps you could divide it into a noob section and a more involved section.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Paul627g said:
You can use this thread or learn to do the XML code changes and mods by hand as most of the seasoned theme devs do... I find it a whole lot more rewarding than letting this kitchen or the UOT Kitchen do the work for me....
This also works hand in hand when something goes wrong with your theme you know where to look to fix the problem.
FYI, even with the various themes that myself and ZiggSVO have worked on we still don't know everything and we all do exchange ideas and trouble shoot among each other. That is what makes all this stuff fun and rewarding.
Just my opinion...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you are asking for. There is no XML editing involved here. If you are talking about the deodexing process, sure i can write out the long way to do it by hand. But there are alomost 200 odex files btween the apps folder and the framework folder to deodex. This process would take you all day to do if it wasnt for the kitchen.
spdwiz18 said:
Not sure what you are asking for. There is no XML editing involved here. If you are talking about the deodexing process, sure i can write out the long way to do it by hand. But there are alomost 200 odex files btween the apps folder and the framework folder to deodex. This process would take you all day to do if it wasnt for the kitchen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe some are misunderstanding the guide? I'm a little confused also lol. The way I read it...it comes across as just how to deodex your ROM? No actual themeing? Just to get a base template to start themeing...
Is that right?
Further clarification would be appreciated.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
I probably jumped the gun myself on thinking this was a theme guide. Only point I was trying to make was I hate seeing people use UOT Kitchen or other means to do themes or build a ROM using it and then put it out as their own work. These methods I think are great for personal use but to build an entire themed frameworks, etc and then expect to take credit for it is a bit overboard and trust me there has been plenty of work here in the past based off of UOT Kitchen and other means.
Bottom line, its more rewarding in the long run when you do as much as possible by hand and learn how its all done. Heck I even recently went back and learned how to use APK TOOL itself to decompile and recompile apks aside from just using APK Manager. Sure I know APK Manager is the tool of choice but I still wanted to see how others did it before the big move over to APK Manager.
Otherwise, this is a great thread having a tool to deodex a ROM. Personally I have never successfully deodexed a ROM myself, I've come close and had working ROMs but usually ended up with one thing or another broken in the deodexing process.
Paul627g said:
I probably jumped the gun myself on thinking this was a theme guide. Only point I was trying to make was I hate seeing people use UOT Kitchen or other means to do themes or build a ROM using it and then put it out as their own work. These methods I think are great for personal use but to build an entire themed frameworks, etc and then expect to take credit for it is a bit overboard and trust me there has been plenty of work here in the past based off of UOT Kitchen and other means.
Bottom line, its more rewarding in the long run when you do as much as possible by hand and learn how its all done. Heck I even recently went back and learned how to use APK TOOL itself to decompile and recompile apks aside from just using APK Manager. Sure I know APK Manager is the tool of choice but I still wanted to see how others did it before the big move over to APK Manager.
Otherwise, this is a great thread having a tool to deodex a ROM. Personally I have never successfully deodexed a ROM myself, I've come close and had working ROMs but usually ended up with one thing or another broken in the deodexing process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I will admit so did I lol, the xml portion is in reference to theme porting, not deodexing.
Carry on >_>
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Paul627g said:
I probably jumped the gun myself on thinking this was a theme guide. Only point I was trying to make was I hate seeing people use UOT Kitchen or other means to do themes or build a ROM using it and then put it out as their own work. These methods I think are great for personal use but to build an entire themed frameworks, etc and then expect to take credit for it is a bit overboard and trust me there has been plenty of work here in the past based off of UOT Kitchen and other means.
Bottom line, its more rewarding in the long run when you do as much as possible by hand and learn how its all done. Heck I even recently went back and learned how to use APK TOOL itself to decompile and recompile apks aside from just using APK Manager. Sure I know APK Manager is the tool of choice but I still wanted to see how others did it before the big move over to APK Manager.
Otherwise, this is a great thread having a tool to deodex a ROM. Personally I have never successfully deodexed a ROM myself, I've come close and had working ROMs but usually ended up with one thing or another broken in the deodexing process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thomasskull666 said:
Ya I will admit so did I lol, the xml portion is in reference to theme porting, not deodexing.
Carry on >_>
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this is why im not in the field that i went to school for. lol (cysco networking) i got to the last class and they told me i had to document everything. I just dont have the skills to do that. I am going to edit the OP to better clarify what i was tring to do.
No worries to everyone. your opinions are wellcome. I am not all knowing, but i love to learn and share what i do know.
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
Okay, I am really sorry if this sounds negative or like a rant, first off. I really want to get into theming. I have been trying for weeks, possibly months, to figure out how to do certain things. I have only recently been able to successfully make a zipthemer mod, and that's very easy. I really need specific help. The tutorials that I have seen are not specific enough, as they assume that you have prior knowledge of things like SDK and ADB. I am a completely clean slate. I have been completely unsuccessful in finding a step by step tutorial that I can actually follow to get the things done that I want to do. Maybe it's just me, but I have been literally hours searching for it. I have asked for help, but never get any because people tell me to go research how to do it.
I want to do only two things now...I am running dark paranoid android and I want to change the circlemod battery from the stock to white. I have the pngs, I just don't know where to put them or what files need to be edited. I also have no coding experience, so I need fairly specific help to learn what things need to change.
I also want to change the clock in the status bar from the ICS blue to white.
That's it....I know it sounds like it should be simple, but it's not to me. I have tried and tried to find the answers on my own, but have been wholly unsuccessful. It has left me feeling jaded and frustrated, leading to this thread.
Can somebody please point me somewhere that will teach me what I need to know with kid gloves? I want to really get into doing this and participate in the community, but I fail time and time again. I have tried to find pre-made themes to do what I want, but everything is usually too deeply modded whereas I only want to change a few things. Please help!
they go in the systemui.apk /res/drawables-xhdpi folder. If there is already a circles mod there, you don't need to code anything. The status bar clock color is in styles.xml of systemui.apk. The color code for ics is #33b5e5, so change it to #ffffff.
Here's the line of code you need to change. https://github.com/android/platform...r/packages/SystemUI/res/values/styles.xml#L41
change @android:color/holo_blue_light to #ffffff.
This is called hard coding, and in an ideal world, you'd change it to @color/status_bar_clock then add that value to colors.xml, but i know google will never optimize their code that way
artvandelay440 said:
they go in the systemui.apk /res/drawables-xhdpi folder. If there is already a circles mod there, you don't need to code anything. The status bar clock color is in styles.xml of systemui.apk. The color code for ics is #33b5e5, so change it to #ffffff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much. I didn't know which XML to look at.
I am pretty sure I tried putting the mod in that folder but it didn't take for some reason. I have looked pretty deeply into any other place they could be and can't find it for some reason.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
liquid150 said:
Thank you very much. I didn't know which XML to look at.
I am pretty sure I tried putting the mod in that folder but it didn't take for some reason. I have looked pretty deeply into any other place they could be and can't find it for some reason.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look in the /drawable folder in systemui. If the mod is present, you should find a stat_sys_battery_circle.xml in there.
artvandelay440 said:
Look in the /drawable folder in systemui. If the mod is present, you should find a stat_sys_battery_circle.xml in there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you I will check it out.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
No problem. I'm writing a guide for my site on theming that's aimed at both beginners and advanced. I'll link it here when I'm done.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
artvandelay440 said:
No problem. I'm writing a guide for my site on theming that's aimed at both beginners and advanced. I'll link it here when I'm done.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any idea why when I flash white numbers into phone.apk it doesn't change anything? I am not in a place I can play with XML (no computer) so I tried something else.
Does pa/cm10 use a different apk?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
liquid150 said:
Any idea why when I flash white numbers into phone.apk it doesn't change anything? I am not in a place I can play with XML (no computer) so I tried something else.
Does pa/cm10 use a different apk?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone.apk dial numbers used for "During a call dialer" so you have to change Contacts.apk dial numbers.
Yep- he's right. The ones in phone.apk are for the in-call dialpad.
Is there a fairly specific tutorial thread that I can turn to for editing XML files? From my very limited understanding I have to decompile it and work through it myself. Do I do this through ADB and push it? Is there an ADB tutorial to do things like that? I was hoping somebody here has a fairly specific noob-friendly tutorial.
My issue is that most of the tutorials that I have seen just say things like "use X tool and decompile." Well, I don't know how to do that. lol.
Thanks to everyone for all your help, and also to anybody else that helps in advance.
liquid150 said:
Is there a fairly specific tutorial thread that I can turn to for editing XML files? From my very limited understanding I have to decompile it and work through it myself. Do I do this through ADB and push it? Is there an ADB tutorial to do things like that? I was hoping somebody here has a fairly specific noob-friendly tutorial.
My issue is that most of the tutorials that I have seen just say things like "use X tool and decompile." Well, I don't know how to do that. lol.
Thanks to everyone for all your help, and also to anybody else that helps in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For decompile:
*you will need to have Java runtime installed*
1.download http://minus.com/mwgtTbmZd
2.create a folder c:\apktools
3.Take the zip and unzip all 4 files to c:\apktools
4.You will need to pull the framework-res.apk from the rom you are working on. Copy it to c:\apktools
5.Rename apktool.jar.1.4.2 to apktool.jar
6.Open a command window and make sure everything you do from now on is while you are in this folder c:\apktools
* If you don't know how, just open command window and by use this command ( cd.. ) until you are in ( C:\ ) driver then ( cd apktools )
7.In command window type: java -jar apktool.jar if framework-res.apk
You only need to do this once, unless you are working on a different Rom
8.decompile framework-res with apktool: java -jar apktool.jar d framework-res.apk
make any changes you want
9.Now compile: java -jar apktool.jar b framework-res
If you get error compile it with apktool version 1.4.3, So what I do at this point is rename apktool.jar to apktool.1.4.2, and then rename apktool.jar.1.4.3 to apktool.jar
10.Once it is done compiling you will need to go to c:\apktools\framework-res\dist and you will now see your new framework-res.apk
Just remember to copy any apk you want to decompile right into the root of c:\apktools
--
Now put your new for example framework-res in flashable zip (attached) and flash by using Rom Manager aka CWM.
Note that framework-res.apk should be inside framework folder, and SystemUI.apk inside app folder.
I'll make one tonight and link it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Oh, one more question...is this a lot easier to do in Linux? I haven't installed my copy of Ubuntu on my new box yet because I haven't felt the need yet.
liquid150 said:
Oh, one more question...is this a lot easier to do in Linux? I haven't installed my copy of Ubuntu on my new box yet because I haven't felt the need yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd start in Linux since more of the advanced concepts require it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Check this out. It might help http://www.jbthemes.com/artvandelay440/theming-guide/
I am having trouble finding the status bar xml controlling clock color (battery, too). I am not seeing a values nor styles folder nor XML in System UI. My ROM is DarkPA. If anybody knows offhand where I should look please let me know, otherwise I will continue on my own.
you won't see a /values folder until you decompile it. then, it will be in /res.
liquid150 said:
Oh, one more question...is this a lot easier to do in Linux? I haven't installed my copy of Ubuntu on my new box yet because I haven't felt the need yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
get that ubuntu booted
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
If you still need help tomorrow let me know. I could either do the edits for you or help you with the apps you need ...
Thyrus said:
If you still need help tomorrow let me know. I could either do the edits for you or help you with the apps you need ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am available as well. Hit me up via talk if need be. I have helped many setup theming. Although i use xdaautoapktool which is much more comprehensive theming tool...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2
Can anyone fill me in on details of how to edit java executable files? I would like to remove the GPS icon from the notification bar in the ROM I am using and the best I could come up with is this: The file I need to change is in system/framework/services.jar
Better yet, does anyone have a flashable zip with an edited services file that has no GPS icon? I would like one that works with Sense 3.0 ROMs.
If you use gimp or photoshop its pretty easy just make the GPS.png file or what ever its named in the framework-res.apk and make it transparent.
Then zip the app and sign it with a META-INF signer.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Or you could replace the picture itself with an empty picture so that when GPS is on and so are other radios, there won't be a random empty space there. Also, to explain how to edit the "java executable", let me explain how java works
So the reason that java is great is that its cross platform. But how? So when a .jar file is created, that's actually not 100% compiled itself, its more like 60/70% of the way there. And that's where the JRE comes in. When you open a .jar file, the code is compiled the rest of the way into bytecode that the specific OS its running on can interpret.
So there is really no such thing as a "java executable". The "jar" format is basically just a ZIP file with partially compiled code, so what you need to do is extract all the files from it (use 7Zip or something) and then get a .class decompiler (I recommend JD-GUI, its free and one of the best out there. It also has an option to decompile all the files into .java files and packages it into a .zip) and then just look at the source code. The problem is to find where exactly the GPS icon is set up, because when you decompile it, its going to be a huge mass of folders and folders and folders of files
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
lreyes said:
If you use gimp or photoshop its pretty easy just make the GPS.png file or what ever its named in the framework-res.apk and make it transparent.
Then zip the app and sign it with a META-INF signer.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your reply. The information I originally found pointed me in the wrong direction. I found the images I want to edit in the data\sysapp\SystemUI.apk\res\drawable-hdpi. There are five .png files all starting with names like sym_gpsone_0_sprint.png. I've included some below.
All of the other modifications I have made to the ROM I am running involved using m10 and the fusion.apk or the Idlescreen_Base.apk. I know how to make those changes work on my phone. If I alter the .png images in the SystemUI.apk, I know how to zip it again, but I could use some instructions on how to sign it with a META-INF signer.
HopHead68 said:
Thank you very much for your reply. The information I originally found pointed me in the wrong direction. I found the images I want to edit in the data\sysapp\SystemUI.apk\res\drawable-hdpi. There are five .png files all starting with names like sym_gpsone_0_sprint.png. I've included some below.
All of the other modifications I have made to the ROM I am running involved using m10 and the fusion.apk or the Idlescreen_Base.apk. I know how to make those changes work on my phone. If I alter the .png images in the SystemUI.apk, I know how to zip it again, but I could use some instructions on how to sign it with a META-INF signer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me get on my comp and I'll link you
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
Task Accomplished
CNexus said:
Let me get on my comp and I'll link you
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you everyone who replied and tried to help me out. After searching around some more, I managed to make the modifications work.
Damn, ain't things easy once you know what you're doing? Anyhow, the results are below. No more GPS icon whether the GPS is on or off now.
Thanks again.
If anyone wants a brief tutorial just ask and I'll be glad to help.
HopHead68 said:
Thank you everyone who replied and tried to help me out. After searching around some more, I managed to make the modifications work.
Damn, ain't things easy once you know what you're doing? Anyhow, the results are below. No more GPS icon whether the GPS is on or off now.
Thanks again.
If anyone wants a brief tutorial just ask and I'll be glad to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude. So sorry, completely forget to post after telling you
But anyway, the process is explained in the following thread, as well as how to make a flashable zip in case anyone else is interested
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1611615
But again, so sorry about that
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
CNexus said:
Dude. So sorry, completely forget to post after telling you
But anyway, the process is explained in the following thread, as well as how to make a flashable zip in case anyone else is interested
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1611615
But again, so sorry about that
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries at all. Before you put this up, I figured it out. Part guidance, part stumbling though the dark and some luck led to success.
Thanks for the help.
Cheers.