Related
Making this thread in effort to keep things a little less cluttered in the forum/threads
Post your inquiries here and I'll try my best to answer your questions when time permits... this is a community so hopefully the other experienced senior members will chime in to help.
Overground: can we get a sticky?
reserved for faq
Alrite just a couple questions about theming and customization.
I would like to apply your red sense theme.
-Do I have to use a rom or can I just apply it on my rooted phone?
-If I have to use a rom which do you suggest so I can still use the original internet app that came with the phone?
Thx for all your help!
Sent you a PM about this actually.
Whats the trick to enable transparency? Particularly the notification pull-down. I have already modified framework-res.apk to include the transparent images, however they are not displaying transparent when applied to the phone. I read a few things about hexing, and even found a 'transparency patcher' program from droid-forums. This patcher apparently, does the hex work for you on services.jar. However, it did not do the trick. What am I missing here?
I'm running my own fully deodexed custom rom based on the 2.2 sense leak.
I'm working on Transparency as well...I contacted Xeudoxus at droidforums...hopefully he can help.
I would just like to know how to manually change my icons and or folders on my home screen and in my app drawer. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
I too would like to find out how to change the "Folders" icon from the plain manila to obviously something else.
Tyler 3 said:
Alrite just a couple questions about theming and customization.
I would like to apply your red sense theme.
-Do I have to use a rom or can I just apply it on my rooted phone?
-If I have to use a rom which do you suggest so I can still use the original internet app that came with the phone?
Thx for all your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All root themes will usually only work for the rom they are made for. Sometimes there are big changes to the firmware, sometimes little... a good rule of thumb is to always make a nandroid backup if your an early adopter. So long story short:
1. yes
2. whatever rom i made the theme for... you can only use the original browser app with sense
deficitism said:
Sent you a PM about this actually.
Whats the trick to enable transparency? Particularly the notification pull-down. I have already modified framework-res.apk to include the transparent images, however they are not displaying transparent when applied to the phone. I read a few things about hexing, and even found a 'transparency patcher' program from droid-forums. This patcher apparently, does the hex work for you on services.jar. However, it did not do the trick. What am I missing here?
I'm running my own fully deodexed custom rom based on the 2.2 sense leak.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SoCalMiles said:
I'm working on Transparency as well...I contacted Xeudoxus at droidforums...hopefully he can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea... If you guys get ahold of Xeadoxus then let me know how its done. I have a feeling he'll tell you to download xUltimate though.
emplox said:
I would just like to know how to manually change my icons and or folders on my home screen and in my app drawer. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KGBxxx said:
I too would like to find out how to change the "Folders" icon from the plain manila to obviously something else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing folder icons/app icons: you're gonna have to theme the rom you're using
basic ingredients in no particular order:
1. update.zip- just download one of themes and the update script in there (META-INF) or make your own if you feel like learning the syntax
2. resigning tool http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3175518&postcount=2
3. 7zip for extracting apks
4. Android SDK
5. Lots of time
Start extracting apks and viewing the contents of res/drawable-hdpi---where you'll find icons
Most icons are named ic_launcher_XXXX.png, some are named app_icon, others are just simply icon... you'll have to look around to find them as there is no easy way to change them. Once you find the icon you want to replace, drop your new icon (with exactly the same name) into the same directory (preferably using 7zip since you don't have to have the directory extracted to replace it) and resign the entire zip file... flash zip and win!
So how much time do you think I would need if I was to do this? Just kidding looks like a pain in the ass. However, doable. Thanks for the link to signing the zip. Thought it just might be a bit easier. Hopefully soon I can change the plain folders to a picture of my girlfriend or something.
Sent from my noob rooted dinc.
Signal Bars
I have seemed to try everything to change the signal bar(s) colors. I have changed all of the icons to a red theme and the only way I can think thats left is that it has to be hex coded. Important fact is I am running skyraider 2.0.1. Has anyone had any luck changing these?
This question regards themeing a stock ROM. I'm looking through decompiled system/framework apks, trying to find out where touchwiz launcher specifies the various wigits & app links we see at initial boot.
Can someone help me out?
jocala said:
This question regards themeing a stock ROM. I'm looking through decompiled system/framework apks, trying to find out where touchwiz launcher specifies the various wigits & app links we see at initial boot.
Can someone help me out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump.
/10char
It looks like all the mods I've seen are speific to certain ROMs. It's not just the version numbers (4.0.1, 4.0.2, etc.), but different ROMs built from different sources seem not to be compatible with each other as far as the mods go.
I'd like to have permanent Menu buttons and a search button in the bottom nav bar, but because of all the incompatibilities, I'm having a hard time finding the correct modded versions (I'm using P3Drod's 4.0.3 Tranquilice right now). So, I would like to be able to make my own softkey mod for whichever ROM I happen to be running. It looks like it's controlled by the SystemUI.apk file in /system/apps, and I tried decompiling it using APK Tool, making some changes to the XML files inside, and then recompiling it. But when I push it back ot the phone and reboot, the nav bar disappears altogether (along with the wallpaper), so I'm sure that I'm doing something wrong.
So, is there guide anywhere for modding SystemUI.apk to change the softkeys?
there's a few threads around here about that, use search.
/me sent this from a i9250 using Tapatalk
Just so you don't have to search here's a guide.
Grab the SystemUI.apk from the ROM you are currently on. Using WinRAR open the SystemUI.apk and drag the "res" folder out of it (Put it on the Desktop or something). Go into the res folder, then go into Drawable-XHDPI and the 2 things you need to modding the softbuttons are the following images:
"ic_sysbar_highlight.png"
"ic_sysbar_highlight_land.png".
Edit them 2 to what color you want, put the res folder back into the systemUI.apk and flash it.
Done.
Actually that doesn't help me -- I don't want to change the graphics, I want to change the behavior actual softkeys. I want to add a search key, and make the settins keys permantnely displayed. Tere are alreday a few mods like that available, but no for all the ROMs, so I'd like to be able to do one myself.
i'm curious of this too, because theres nothing made for what i specifically want my keys to be.
i've been desperately asking for a version with menu on both sides that only shows up when needed and then back, home, recent, search. and i've gotten ignored everywhere i've requested it.
and just as you, i can't find any guide to do it myself.
+3, there are no guides available I'd like to add the search as I am on tranq v5. I have figured out other systemui mods but I cannot takle this one
Sent from a full AOSP GNex via Tap
Sry to interupt. So if i want to change the graphics of the ROM I am currently on, I just need to open the zip file of my ROM in winrar, extract the systemui.apk and open that in winrar, too. Then I can replace the images in the res-> drawable HDPI folder by simply dragging my icons in there using winrar. Then just close Winrar and put the whole thing on my device ( the whole rom or just the systemui.apk? )
After that all I have to do is flash it using cwm? apply update from sd card or what?
Sry that i ask for detailed steps, but i am new to costumizing android -.-
NitrozKC said:
Just so you don't have to search here's a guide.
Grab the SystemUI.apk from the ROM you are currently on. Using WinRAR open the SystemUI.apk and drag the "res" folder out of it (Put it on the Desktop or something). Go into the res folder, then go into Drawable-XHDPI and the 2 things you need to modding the softbuttons are the following images:
"ic_sysbar_highlight.png"
"ic_sysbar_highlight_land.png".
Edit them 2 to what color you want, put the res folder back into the systemUI.apk and flash it.
Done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is for changing the background highlight.
There are also files in the drawable xhdpi that corresponding to the actual symbols. Replace these and flash the rom
-So..find prefered symbols(.png files called ic_sysbar_back) there will be nine of them
-grab a rom you want to flash( can be the same rom you are on.)
-use winrar or 7zip to get into the rom and go to systemui.apk/re/drwablexhdpi
-drag and drop new symbols file in( it will replace)...if you dont believe me you can organize the file by date an there will now be 9 folders with current date.
close it up and flash the rom via your favorite way.
this is how i did it. and there is at one guide out there...I used it.
have fun
bk201doesntexist said:
there's a few threads around here about that, use search.
/me sent this from a i9250 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? This post was not essential. Did not provide any info. Just being a troll.
Why has xda gotten so hostile? Because you aren't newbs anymore? I guarantee at one point you were. Just love when people use their knowledge just to look down at people...
Sent from my Galaxy Sexus using xda premium
Nordpolcamper said:
Sry to interupt. So if i want to change the graphics of the ROM I am currently on, I just need to open the zip file of my ROM in winrar, extract the systemui.apk and open that in winrar, too. Then I can replace the images in the res-> drawable HDPI folder by simply dragging my icons in there using winrar. Then just close Winrar and put the whole thing on my device ( the whole rom or just the systemui.apk? )
After that all I have to do is flash it using cwm? apply update from sd card or what?
Sry that i ask for detailed steps, but i am new to costumizing android -.-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1406930&highlight=soft
Mikey1022 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1406930&highlight=soft
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very very much^^
kgbrown247 said:
+3, there are no guides available I'd like to add the search as I am on tranq v5. I have figured out other systemui mods but I cannot takle this one
Sent from a full AOSP GNex via Tap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
P3Droid said that he'll include the modded keys in Tranq v6. But I'd still like to know how I can do it myself.
as would i. i've searched and there is no guide anywhere in this forum about how to modify the soft keys.
only guides are for skinning. But if you want to make your own setup your screwed or have to figure it out on your own from scratch.
neok44 said:
as would i. i've searched and there is no guide anywhere in this forum about how to modify the soft keys.
only guides are for skinning. But if you want to make your own setup your screwed or have to figure it out on your own from scratch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I as well would love to be able to add extra buttons to the soft key bar. I truly think this is where the Galaxy Nexus will shine.
Personally, I think that Back -- Home -- Search is the best implementation. Then long press on home for the MultiTasking/Recent menu, and long press on search for voice actions. But like the OP, I haven't found this implementation for AX10M ROM (Only AOKP) so I'm just sitting, waiting, wishing for a dev to pick it up. It doesn't seem too hard, so I don't think I'll be waiting long.. Just wish I could help in some way...
+1
10 char
Just wrote one up for everyone
Tut
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/13730-how-to-softkey-mod/
And here is 55 different soft key mods I've created and in op is two more links for 402 and 403 stock rom mods
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/12333-mod-axi0m-21-softkey-1-mods-55-and-counting/
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
@runandhide05 thanks for the tutorial. I'll try it out sometime tomorrow.
Soft Key & Status Bar Disappear
I got a problem on my nexus after modding system icon by replace the System UI from UOT Kitchen. My 3 soft key n da status bar are gone, only home screen left......
is there any one can help me out, tell me how to fix it???
Thank you very much
RyanJai said:
I got a problem on my nexus after modding system icon by replace the System UI from UOT Kitchen. My 3 soft key n da status bar are gone, only home screen left......
is there any one can help me out, tell me how to fix it???
Thank you very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll have to place your original apk back. UOT isn't currently compatible with ICS. It will build a zip for you, but is based on gingerbread
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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
As an UN-experienced dev, I am attempting to theme a stock rom that has already been rooted, de-odexed and zipaligned.
other that theming non-stock launchers, is there a way to install a theme chooser compatible with cm10 and aosp themes?
Thanks
dbrannon79 said:
As an UN-experienced dev, I am attempting to theme a stock rom that has already been rooted, de-odexed and zipaligned.
other that theming non-stock launchers, is there a way to install a theme chooser compatible with cm10 and aosp themes?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as the assets are compatible (have to check drawable-hdpi in each apk) then you should be able to simply push a new SystemUI.apk to /system/app/ I made my own theme for the first ICS release by DMan, and pushed it through ADB and it works fine.
If there are assets missing, or not set up right (EX: missing .9 patches) it could bootloop or cause your SystemUI to crash. So backup before testing, obviously.
- Sent from Android
VM-Vendetta said:
As long as the assets are compatible (have to check drawable-hdpi in each apk) then you should be able to simply push a new SystemUI.apk to /system/app/ I made my own theme for the first ICS release by DMan, and pushed it through ADB and it works fine.
If there are assets missing, or not set up right (EX: missing .9 patches) it could bootloop or cause your SystemUI to crash. So backup before testing, obviously.
- Sent from Android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I might get lucky by just pushing systemui.apk from cm9 or cm10?
My goal is to be able to use a theme like cobalt blue for cm10 on a stock rooted rom!
Sent from my SGH-I927 using Tapatalk 2
dbrannon79 said:
So I might get lucky by just pushing systemui.apk from cm9 or cm10?
My goal is to be able to use a theme like cobalt blue for cm10 on a stock rooted rom!
Sent from my SGH-I927 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sir. CM themes use different assets, you'd have to manually mix and match the proper assets to the drawable-hdpi folder of the stock ROM.
- Samsung Captivate Glide
VM-Vendetta said:
No sir. CM themes use different assets, you'd have to manually mix and match the proper assets to the drawable-hdpi folder of the stock ROM.
- Samsung Captivate Glide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok I found something very close to what I was looking for! Here is a link to what I want to have done!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1334922&page=1629
I have attempted to manually paste the items into the rom I'm working on but to wont boot, not will doing this to individual system apk's render them not to work! I read through the thread and it seems that the op isn't responding anymore to the thread!
being you are a very eperienced themer, would it be possible for you to look at this and maybe get this to work for the glide?
I would greatly appreciate this.
if you are able to, here is a link to the rom a friend and I have been working on that we would like to have this them working on!
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390195663897100306
Thank you very much
dbrannon79 said:
ok I found something very close to what I was looking for! Here is a link to what I want to have done!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1334922&page=1629
I have attempted to manually paste the items into the rom I'm working on but to wont boot, not will doing this to individual system apk's render them not to work! I read through the thread and it seems that the op isn't responding anymore to the thread!
being you are a very eperienced themer, would it be possible for you to look at this and maybe get this to work for the glide?
I would greatly appreciate this.
if you are able to, here is a link to the rom a friend and I have been working on that we would like to have this them working on!
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390195663897100306
Thank you very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its likely not booting due to missing assets. Almost every ROM has different SystemUI/Framework assets. Example, the theme elements in Cyan10 are vastly different than any of our stock roms.
If you want to convert a theme from another phone, it can be done. But its not as simple as just pasting the corresponding apk in. It depends on othee things as well... The glide's main theme file is SystemUI.apk, whereas some phones use Framework-res.apk so there is also that to consider.
Converting themes from another device, you'll have to go in to the theme you want to convert, and match the files up to the theme you're replacing. You'll have to change file names and make sure no files are missing, also make sure you're only using HDPI themes.
- Samsung Captivate Glide