Related
I recently saw images in the themes section, that I loved and subsequently now use for my phone. Shown:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=781455
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=783946
Now, how do I resize the images properly? Scale, resize? Differences? What program to use (free, I'd prefer)? How to add that black bar so lovely at the bottom of the images and the text there? I tried figuring it out, but I couldn't figure out how to search how to do that specific thing.
Any help would be great! I want to start making images in that fashion for other applications, as those are very limited.
When I had my Hero, you could download Desktop Visualizer - this will allow you to associate certain pictures to the icons you want. It will also allow you yo resize them....my suggestion is start with a big icon and resize it smaller - smaller to big makes it look grainy...as for the dock bar....I used (use) LauncherPro - under LauncherPro setting you can change the dockbar....hope this helps!!
The black bar at the bottom looks to be a custom dock for LauncherPro. I've seen it in collections of LP Docks before (I'm unfortunately not immediately able to find it, but google it and spend a few minutes, and you ought to find it no prob).
As for the icons, Simi Folder would be one way to do it if what you're linking to is a folder. Not sure for just an icon that links directly to an app -- you can certainly resize icons in LPP, but I'm not sure off the top of my head how to do it and maintain the scale. You could probably compress it using Photoshop such that when it gets stretched, it looks correct? I dunno, someone else may have better ideas...
I believe people are misunderstanding what I'm asking.
I know how to get it all set up on my homescreen and such. I have the setup like that currently, no problem, using DesktopVisualizer and LPP.
I'm more asking about how they placed those bars on the image and the writing. See, they have an image that they got from wherever on the internet, put that minimalistic black transparent bar on the bottom and wrote "Texts" there, so that one would use it as a tile of sorts (as the theme they're going for is an "Android Phone 7" sort of thing"). I want to basically get images from wherever in the internet as well and use them for other applications. Like, create a, say, "Market" one, where the image I found will represent in some form, a market, and then put that black transparent bar in the image and type "Market" in some font in the corner like they did so that I can then use DesktopVisualizer to use the image as the icon in the manner shown in those posts. I'm assuming you can't just go and place a huge image (####x###) as the icon and hope it fits right. They resized theirs down to like 355x115 or something. Every time I try to resize something like that, though, it does not like it in the least. So, I'm wondering how they did that, too.
In a sense, they're like icon sets, if you will, and I want to then expand their offerings, as they only offer "icons" for a few applications or needs.
God, what a text wall. Sorry!
I wouldn't mind knowing myself, I'm all for customizing my Evo, and the more I learn the better I can do so.
I'm sure it's a relatively simple process, I just simply don't know how and wouldn't even know how to search for it. Like, what, "black bar on image?" Ha!
Hundreds of views, hardly any replies! You'd think this wise community would know!
totalanonymity said:
I believe people are misunderstanding what I'm asking.
I know how to get it all set up on my homescreen and such. I have the setup like that currently, no problem, using DesktopVisualizer and LPP.
I'm more asking about how they placed those bars on the image and the writing. See, they have an image that they got from wherever on the internet, put that minimalistic black transparent bar on the bottom and wrote "Texts" there, so that one would use it as a tile of sorts (as the theme they're going for is an "Android Phone 7" sort of thing"). I want to basically get images from wherever in the internet as well and use them for other applications. Like, create a, say, "Market" one, where the image I found will represent in some form, a market, and then put that black transparent bar in the image and type "Market" in some font in the corner like they did so that I can then use DesktopVisualizer to use the image as the icon in the manner shown in those posts. I'm assuming you can't just go and place a huge image (####x###) as the icon and hope it fits right. They resized theirs down to like 355x115 or something. Every time I try to resize something like that, though, it does not like it in the least. So, I'm wondering how they did that, too.
In a sense, they're like icon sets, if you will, and I want to then expand their offerings, as they only offer "icons" for a few applications or needs.
God, what a text wall. Sorry!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The text is just in the image, it isn't some magical add-on. It is probably just a black rectangle and then transparency adjusted to taste.
There are a handful of win7 style icon packs like that. You could use one of those as a template (for size) and use your own images and text. Minimal PS or GIMP experience needed. Just keep the aspect ratio of the images when you are resizing them and provided they aren't absurdly larger than the ~355x115 or whatever size you are aiming for they should still look fine.
The second link says it comes with photoshop templates. You could always just download the 30 day free trial of photoshop.
looks like a simple photoshop job to me, just add a second layer above the background, rectangle marquee the section you want to be the transparent bar, then paint bucket the area with a black (or any color) at 50% opacity, then add text.
jstalford said:
The second link says it comes with photoshop templates. You could always just download the 30 day free trial of photoshop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, can't believe I missed that. Oops!
Those are pretty cool looking layouts nice find.
This first post is about using Adobe Illustrator
I figured I would share a little knowlege of my designing and how when i came to android it helped out in making theming my rom so much quicker
ATTACHED AT THE BOTTOM IS A STARTER LAYOUT TO HELP MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR YOU!!!!!! :fingers-crossed:
THEME/DESIGN CHEAT SHEET
INDEX1. Tools..........................................................................
2. Begin.........................................................
3. The Setup...........................................
4. The Artboards.........................................................
5. Adding And Modifying Multiple Artboards.....................
6. Saving your Icons.................................
7. Layers, Colors, And Strokes................................................
8. SELECTING MULTIPLE LAYERS AND ICONS TO CHANGE COLOR AT ONCE.
9. TRACING TOOL...................................................
10. Keyboard shortcuts coming soon
1.TOOLS
First remove Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks from your playlist. To me these tools are crap or for short cuts. lol but short cuts coming soon
"Adobe Illustrator" and some quick learning or know how.
I'm not going to go over every single tool because if anyone knows illustrator lol its just way to many. Im just going to get to the main ones in this case in point.
2. BEGIN
Adobe Illustrator is one of the best graphic design tool I've ever used Ever. Your images would no longer start of as just a pic anymore. Now its time to learn vector.
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics. "Vector", in this context, implies more than a straight line.
Vector graphics is based on images made up of vectors (also called paths, or strokes) which lead through locations called control points. Each of these points has a definite position on the x and y axes of the work plan. Each point, as well, is a variety of database, including the location of the point in the work space and the direction of the vector (which is what defines the direction of the track). Each track can be assigned a color, a shape, a thickness and also a fill. This does not affect the size of the files in a substantial way because all information resides in the structure; it describes how to draw the vector.
WIKI^^^^^ thanks
In short this means that all the res you would lose resizing images in Photoshop or Fireworks wouldn't be lost in Adobe illustrator because it use the vector format
When designing in vector you have so many capabilities that any format doesn't, like proper shading, 3D effects and the easiest way to change the color of multiple vec's at once on the same artboard.
The art board is the space and area in which your design would be held on. It's the only part that would be use to create the png, jpeg, etc. Anything on the edge or off of the artboard wouldn't come up at all in the image. This is convenient to me because I like to have almost the entire framework or system res themed perfectly. Meaning all color and tints and shade all match to the T. You also can line up anything to the artboard or to an object perfectly, so no more miss shaped png's lol.
There's also some tools there that you also seen in Photoshop and Fireworks.
My favorite part of adobe illustrator is the Effects section. This is how to avoid messing up when trying to make your own shading, shadows, 3D effects, glows and more. Trust me, when you get a taste of the effects your going to be trying anything!!!!!!
3. THE SETUP
Now it's time to prepare.
First you need to start a new project. Go to file and select new. Give your project a name. i prefer the name of the rom.
New documents profile - Don't change this because it going to change to custom by itself.
Number Of Art Boards - Keep this at 1 (im going to tell you how to add more)
Size - don't touch anything after size, just make sure Units Say Pixels
Advanced(drop down the menu) - There are 2 color mode RGB - and CMYK. Rgb modes give your stage for the artboards a white background as if it was on paper. Cmyk leave it empty or transparent like in a PNG. It's your choice on which you want.
Raster Effects - Make sure it's at High 300 PPI
4. THE ARTBOARDS
THERE IS A STARTER KIT FOR ARTBOARDS ATTACHED
The Artboard is pretty much a stage. This is where all the magic happens.
Now when your designing any icon you should make sure you know the sizes. Knowing all the sizes can be a hassle right, but this is where it gets really easy. Say you have 30 icons that are 72x72 if you have a project set up with multiple art boards you would be fine. because once you have made all the icons the save size is just a drag and click away.
5. ADDING AND MODIFYING MULTIPLE ART BOARDS
If you noticed which I'm sure everyone has, that some images match the size of other. This is where it gets very easy to make save and do it in a quick fashion.
Go to "File", scroll down to Document Setup and click on it. A window will appear don' worry about anything it the window unless you want to change things yourself. Just go to Edit artboard. You will notice that the screen has turned grey and now you artboard is the only thing thats white. If you hover over the grey you will see that your drag symbol has turned into a square. Us this to add more artboards. Click and hold on to the grey area and drag your mouse. You will see that you just added another artboard. To resize the artboard the Width which is labeled W and the Height which is labeled H will be in the upper right hand corner. Click on the artboard you want and start to reshape it according to the size you need. You can also drag the artboards to which ever place you want it to sit. Once done just click on the mouse pointer icon on the right and everything will be back to normal.
6. SAVING YOUR ICONS
When saving your icons make sure that where ever your project is you have it as the target location when saving. On your first save you should locate the folder and where the original file is and replace and save it. No need to type in the name. If you know where it is alphabetically, then just scroll to it, click on it and the name should appear in the File name box. If it tell you the file already exist, Do you want to replace? click Yes, but make sure you have a backup copy of the folder just in case. Also make sure you are on the right art board when saving. All it takes is a click on the artboard and you would be just fine.
7. ANCHORS, LAYERS, COLORS, AND STROKES
You ever find it a very long task to make all your icons the same or correct color. Or in short make them match. Well in vector format you can change all of the icons color at once. It has to be selected though. I know you wondered what the white arrow was for, well wonder no more. The white arrow it to select a layer, stroke, or any anchor on the vector image.
ANCHOR - this is single or multiple dots on a vector image that controls the path, line and/or stroke.
Layer is a section of the image thats either below, side by side, or on top of another image. You can change positions by right clicking on the image and use arrange to move its position.
Colors well you know what these are, But Illustrator has three different kind Grey Scale, RGB and CMYK (will be explained later)
Strokes are pretty much a line. It can be around the image, by itself or combined to create an image.( Will Be explained on how to manipulate a stroke in a image.)
To make it short grab the white pointer and have at it lol.
8. SELECTING MULTIPLE LAYERS AND ICONS TO CHANGE COLOR AT ONCE.
We all know images have layers but say you have several vector images that are 2 colored icons or more colors just stick with 2 for a sec. If you go to the image with the white pointer, You can click on the one color on the image and change it without making a mistake and turning the whole icon one color. Now to select more than one of the icons, say all of them where blue and green. Click on the green part of the icon. Now go to the top and click on "Select" scroll down to same. When the menu pop out, you will see that there are many ways to select multiple types of images. For right now click the one that says "Fill Color". All of the icons will be selected that has that same shade or ton of green. (note you must have them already colored in to match in order to select same). Now when you change the color they all will adjust together to make them Perfect.
9. TRACING TOOL.
This tool i would recommend that you stay away from and just design your stuff from scratch. Now I'm about to contradict myself lol but this tool is so f'ing handy if used right.
When tracing and image your pretty much turning it into a vector image with paths, strokes, and anchors. Its pretty much a conversion tool but difficult to use. If you have a colorful image that's when it gets hard. But if you have like a solid color shape its kinda easy.
Say like you have a picture of a solid black triangle in .png and .jpeg because you didn't feel like drawing one. Drag it to the artboard. You will see a button up top that wasn't there b4 called "Live Trace". Click on it and you will see your triangle go from a rough .png/.jpeg image to a smooth vector format triangle.
Now it gets hard.
If you have a multiple color image there are ways to trace it to a vector but not all get it the way you want. Just play around with it a little and you will see what i mean. The traces I'm talking about are in the drop down menu right next to the "Live Trace" button. You will see a slim button with a down pointing arrow.
10. Keyboard short Cuts(coming Soon)
To Be Continued - meaning im Sleepy lol
Photoshop Short Cuts
Photoshop Short Cuts
Adobe Fireworks Shortcuts
Adobe Fireworks Shortcuts
Using Adobe Flash To Make Bootanimations, Banners, and Sigs
Using Adobe Flash To Make Bootanimations, Banners, and Sigs
lorjay589 said:
Using Adobe Flash To Make Bootanimations, Banners, and Sigs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is damn near the best post for theming I've ever seen! Simply awesome!. Please put this in the theming section for other young devs and themers alike. This should be a sticky!
This first post is about using Adobe Illustrator
I figured I would share a little knowlege of my designing and how when i came to android it helped out in making theming my rom so much quicker
ATTACHED AT THE BOTTOM IS A STARTER LAYOUT TO HELP MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR YOU!!!!!! :fingers-crossed:
THEME/DESIGN CHEAT SHEET
INDEX1. Tools..........................................................................
2. Begin.........................................................
3. The Setup...........................................
4. The Artboards.........................................................
5. Adding And Modifying Multiple Artboards.....................
6. Saving your Icons.................................
7. Layers, Colors, And Strokes................................................
8. SELECTING MULTIPLE LAYERS AND ICONS TO CHANGE COLOR AT ONCE.
9. TRACING TOOL...................................................
10. Keyboard shortcuts coming soon
1.TOOLS
First remove Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks from your playlist. To me these tools are crap or for short cuts. lol but short cuts coming soon
"Adobe Illustrator" and some quick learning or know how.
I'm not going to go over every single tool because if anyone knows illustrator lol its just way to many. Im just going to get to the main ones in this case in point.
2. BEGIN
Adobe Illustrator is one of the best graphic design tool I've ever used Ever. Your images would no longer start of as just a pic anymore. Now its time to learn vector.
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics. "Vector", in this context, implies more than a straight line.
Vector graphics is based on images made up of vectors (also called paths, or strokes) which lead through locations called control points. Each of these points has a definite position on the x and y axes of the work plan. Each point, as well, is a variety of database, including the location of the point in the work space and the direction of the vector (which is what defines the direction of the track). Each track can be assigned a color, a shape, a thickness and also a fill. This does not affect the size of the files in a substantial way because all information resides in the structure; it describes how to draw the vector.
WIKI^^^^^ thanks
In short this means that all the res you would lose resizing images in Photoshop or Fireworks wouldn't be lost in Adobe illustrator because it use the vector format
When designing in vector you have so many capabilities that any format doesn't, like proper shading, 3D effects and the easiest way to change the color of multiple vec's at once on the same artboard.
The art board is the space and area in which your design would be held on. It's the only part that would be use to create the png, jpeg, etc. Anything on the edge or off of the artboard wouldn't come up at all in the image. This is convenient to me because I like to have almost the entire framework or system res themed perfectly. Meaning all color and tints and shade all match to the T. You also can line up anything to the artboard or to an object perfectly, so no more miss shaped png's lol.
There's also some tools there that you also seen in Photoshop and Fireworks.
My favorite part of adobe illustrator is the Effects section. This is how to avoid messing up when trying to make your own shading, shadows, 3D effects, glows and more. Trust me, when you get a taste of the effects your going to be trying anything!!!!!!
3. THE SETUP
Now it's time to prepare.
First you need to start a new project. Go to file and select new. Give your project a name. i prefer the name of the rom.
New documents profile - Don't change this because it going to change to custom by itself.
Number Of Art Boards - Keep this at 1 (im going to tell you how to add more)
Size - don't touch anything after size, just make sure Units Say Pixels
Advanced(drop down the menu) - There are 2 color mode RGB - and CMYK. Rgb modes give your stage for the artboards a white background as if it was on paper. Cmyk leave it empty or transparent like in a PNG. It's your choice on which you want.
Raster Effects - Make sure it's at High 300 PPI
4. THE ARTBOARDS
THERE IS A STARTER KIT FOR ARTBOARDS ATTACHED
The Artboard is pretty much a stage. This is where all the magic happens.
Now when your designing any icon you should make sure you know the sizes. Knowing all the sizes can be a hassle right, but this is where it gets really easy. Say you have 30 icons that are 72x72 if you have a project set up with multiple art boards you would be fine. because once you have made all the icons the save size is just a drag and click away.
5. ADDING AND MODIFYING MULTIPLE ART BOARDS
If you noticed which I'm sure everyone has, that some images match the size of other. This is where it gets very easy to make save and do it in a quick fashion.
Go to "File", scroll down to Document Setup and click on it. A window will appear don' worry about anything it the window unless you want to change things yourself. Just go to Edit artboard. You will notice that the screen has turned grey and now you artboard is the only thing thats white. If you hover over the grey you will see that your drag symbol has turned into a square. Us this to add more artboards. Click and hold on to the grey area and drag your mouse. You will see that you just added another artboard. To resize the artboard the Width which is labeled W and the Height which is labeled H will be in the upper right hand corner. Click on the artboard you want and start to reshape it according to the size you need. You can also drag the artboards to which ever place you want it to sit. Once done just click on the mouse pointer icon on the right and everything will be back to normal.
6. SAVING YOUR ICONS
When saving your icons make sure that where ever your project is you have it as the target location when saving. On your first save you should locate the folder and where the original file is and replace and save it. No need to type in the name. If you know where it is alphabetically, then just scroll to it, click on it and the name should appear in the File name box. If it tell you the file already exist, Do you want to replace? click Yes, but make sure you have a backup copy of the folder just in case. Also make sure you are on the right art board when saving. All it takes is a click on the artboard and you would be just fine.
7. ANCHORS, LAYERS, COLORS, AND STROKES
You ever find it a very long task to make all your icons the same or correct color. Or in short make them match. Well in vector format you can change all of the icons color at once. It has to be selected though. I know you wondered what the white arrow was for, well wonder no more. The white arrow it to select a layer, stroke, or any anchor on the vector image.
ANCHOR - this is single or multiple dots on a vector image that controls the path, line and/or stroke.
Layer is a section of the image thats either below, side by side, or on top of another image. You can change positions by right clicking on the image and use arrange to move its position.
Colors well you know what these are, But Illustrator has three different kind Grey Scale, RGB and CMYK (will be explained later)
Strokes are pretty much a line. It can be around the image, by itself or combined to create an image.( Will Be explained on how to manipulate a stroke in a image.)
To make it short grab the white pointer and have at it lol.
8. SELECTING MULTIPLE LAYERS AND ICONS TO CHANGE COLOR AT ONCE.
We all know images have layers but say you have several vector images that are 2 colored icons or more colors just stick with 2 for a sec. If you go to the image with the white pointer, You can click on the one color on the image and change it without making a mistake and turning the whole icon one color. Now to select more than one of the icons, say all of them where blue and green. Click on the green part of the icon. Now go to the top and click on "Select" scroll down to same. When the menu pop out, you will see that there are many ways to select multiple types of images. For right now click the one that says "Fill Color". All of the icons will be selected that has that same shade or ton of green. (note you must have them already colored in to match in order to select same). Now when you change the color they all will adjust together to make them Perfect.
9. TRACING TOOL.
This tool i would recommend that you stay away from and just design your stuff from scratch. Now I'm about to contradict myself lol but this tool is so f'ing handy if used right.
When tracing and image your pretty much turning it into a vector image with paths, strokes, and anchors. Its pretty much a conversion tool but difficult to use. If you have a colorful image that's when it gets hard. But if you have like a solid color shape its kinda easy.
Say like you have a picture of a solid black triangle in .png and .jpeg because you didn't feel like drawing one. Drag it to the artboard. You will see a button up top that wasn't there b4 called "Live Trace". Click on it and you will see your triangle go from a rough .png/.jpeg image to a smooth vector format triangle.
Now it gets hard.
If you have a multiple color image there are ways to trace it to a vector but not all get it the way you want. Just play around with it a little and you will see what i mean. The traces I'm talking about are in the drop down menu right next to the "Live Trace" button. You will see a slim button with a down pointing arrow.
10. Keyboard short Cuts(coming Soon)
To Be Continued - meaning im Sleepy lol
Photoshop Short Cuts
Photoshop Shortcuts
Index
1. .9 shortcuts Without Decompressed png
2. Batch File Opperation
Adobe Fireworks Shortcuts
Adobe Fireworks Shortcuts
even more
My biggest problem would be the dreaded 9patch
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
gtuansdiamm said:
My biggest problem would be the dreaded 9patch
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dreaded 9patch? what is so hard about .9's
rujelus22 said:
dreaded 9patch? what is so hard about .9's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol yea thats the same thing i was thinking but, Im going to put a short cut for .9 patches for people who don't know how to do it. For Photoshop and Fireworks. But im not going to go into full details because there are post on here with that. Im just going to explain a quick way without decompressing a .9 png
Dude, this rocks. I will be using this like crazy for sure.
hi, I'm interested in learning how to theme, but I must admit, teaching me may be a pretty big project since the extent of my experience is making themes in UOT Kitchen.
would this tool be a good place to start?
mjs2011 said:
hi, I'm interested in learning how to theme, but I must admit, teaching me may be a pretty big project since the extent of my experience is making themes in UOT Kitchen.
would this tool be a good place to start?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes sir this is the perfect place, while not done, im going to apply all of my knowledge of design to help out
Thanks! I may reach out to you privately as well, because I'd really be starting from scratch.
What would be killer is if we had a reference guide for the names for certain harder to find pngs. Background files and such.
Hi
Is there any way to get the weather conditions to split each word onto multiple lines?
eg. "Partly Cloudy" to display as
Partly
Cloudy
I'm trying to get the text to display on a specific image that is in my background bitmap.
Any help is much appreciated.
Are you using Rich Text or regular?
Rich text give you the option. One of the guru's here might have a different idea.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I'm trying to use regular text, as I'm setting a rotation, which I don't think Rich Text can handle.
I've tried a few different things to get the text to split across multiple lines without any success, so thought I'd see how to do it using the rich text.
It's got me completely befuddled.
Could someone point me in the right direction as to how I might achieve the text split?
Also, I've seen a number of widgets with custom icons in them. How do you embed icons from an icon pack in a widget; if at all possible. I may be mistaking the widget creation for something to do with a theme creation.
Any help is appreciated.
CPAPerseus said:
Could someone point me in the right direction as to how I might achieve the text split?
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are cannot use rich text that limits you severely, and I'm not sure it is possible with Zooper alone. You can use tasker to do this, however. this will require some research on your part, but you can do an HTTP Get action in tasker to retrieve the weather condition for your location, and then perform a variable split to produce two variables, one for the first word of the weather condition, and a second variable for the second word. You would then send these to Zooper using the #T...# format.
So it is possible if you cannot use Rich Text objects in Zooper, it just requires more work on that back end.
For me I can only get Rich Text to wrap onto multiple lines if it is near the edge of the screen.
Use rich text. Set two lines and keep on increasing x-margin till it shows as two lines. For example to get two lines to show on my widget my margin number is 520. Text on different areas of the screen requires different x-margin.
I just took a photo of our new puppy to send to my husband who was out of town. Along the top of the photo, a few icons popped up. One of then was a handheld paintbrush (not like an artists brush, like a house painters brush). When I clicked on the icon, I was given lots of options to stylize the phot in different artistic styles. Like: Watercolor, pencil drawings, oil paintings, etc. When I selected a style, a sliding bar popped up that allowed me to increase or decrease the amount of the effect on the photo. The results were so cool...but I can't get those icons to pop up again. I went to the Verizon store where I purchased the phone and they were also stumped Can anyone help?? I have been unable to recreate this for 3 days!! I'll try to upload photos if I can figure out how. TIA!
Sounds like an alternative camera or editing app... did you install anything like that?