Related
I know how to change the call progress background... but when someone calls me... a different image appears. I can't seem to find this image on the phone. Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks.
Phone Calls and SMS
* Change the Dial and In-Call Screen Background
1. Copy \Windows\BackgroundImage_Land.bmp and \Windows\_BackgroundImage_Land.bmp to your PC or a backup folder in case you want to restore these in the future.
2. Make images with dimensions of 320 x 186 with the same names as the files above above.
3. Copy the new images back to the \Windows\ folder and overwrite the old files.
jdoggraz said:
Phone Calls and SMS
* Change the Dial and In-Call Screen Background
1. Copy \Windows\BackgroundImage_Land.bmp and \Windows\_BackgroundImage_Land.bmp to your PC or a backup folder in case you want to restore these in the future.
2. Make images with dimensions of 320 x 186 with the same names as the files above above.
3. Copy the new images back to the \Windows\ folder and overwrite the old files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the latest HTC ROM, those files do not exist so HTC must have given them different names.
exactly... i've copied every image file out of the windows directory and don't find the call background image.
anyone else?
In case you haven't found it yet, in the latest HTC ROM you need to replace:
\windows\HTC_CallProgressBkg_320x186.bmp
Cheers
i did everything as said...made a new pic...named it the same thing...tried to save over or or copy back over the old file and its saying i dont have access or the ability to change that file.
am i doing something wrong? im running wm6 and on a t-mobile locked dash.
any help would be appreciated.
thanks!
that's not the image... that image is for when you're actually on a call.
the image that displays when a call is coming in but you haven't yet answered the phone is different. i've checked every image in the windows directory and it isn't there so it must live someplace else.
laotzu said:
In case you haven't found it yet, in the latest HTC ROM you need to replace:
\windows\HTC_CallProgressBkg_320x186.bmp
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have to save the file into a temp dir on the phone and then use a program like total commander to copy it to the windows directory. it'll overwrite then.
VooDoo1 said:
i did everything as said...made a new pic...named it the same thing...tried to save over or or copy back over the old file and its saying i dont have access or the ability to change that file.
am i doing something wrong? im running wm6 and on a t-mobile locked dash.
any help would be appreciated.
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SirKeats said:
you have to save the file into a temp dir on the phone and then use a program like total commander to copy it to the windows directory. it'll overwrite then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought this would be an interesting customization as well maybe some of the more technically inclined members here could give us some insight.
I have already posted on this site how to change your background. Just use the search button at the top of your page on the right side.
Any other questions, just pm me. It's easier than going through this forum's threads,plus it keep these threads not so clogged with repeated questions.
Have Fun.
How can i change the color of in-call screen??
Also, is it possible to change the call-in font color? For whatever reason, it's black and all my other fonts are white, makes it hard to read. I'd like to keep the background as is. But I guess I could change the background image to something lighter so the black font will show up, but I searched around and I don't know how to do that either in Ricky's.
I too have this issue with the black font on the incoming call screen very hard to read. All my other font colors are white except the inoming call screnn. I posted in the alphanuma thread asking how to change it but have not gotten an answer. Hopefully someone will help us resolve this soon.
This color is located in your xml. It is the homehighlitetext and hometext colors
If you want to change these it will apply throughout your entire phone. It will do what you are talking about, but beware these will affect the entire phone, and this IS the only way. Worked with it long enough to know.
outerdepth said:
This color is located in your xml. It is the homehighlitetext and hometext colors
If you want to change these it will apply throughout your entire phone. It will do what you are talking about, but beware these will affect the entire phone, and this IS the only way. Worked with it long enough to know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This can't be the case because I look at the theme xml file and the homehighlitetext and hometext are set to #ffffff and all the text on my phone is white except the incoming call text is black and no where in the xml file do I see font set to #000000 for black Im using alphanuma wonder if it has something to do with that but its odd because when I make an outgoing phone call the text is white just not the incoming very strange.
i have the same problem. is there an answer?
Hey guys. Whipped this thing up to help people choose the panels that can be displayed on the homescreen. So far it only contains 7 entries, the ones I found on my phone. You can turn the panels off or on, by selecting a panel and typing it "off" or "on" respectively. After you make the changes, you need to reboot to see the changes. The last option will make that easier for you. Choose "Reboot", type "yes" and it will reboot for you. Let me know if there's any other panel names you would like me to add, or if you find any bugs. Thanks!
Look good but isn't this just like the chome settings (neoOrder) that is in Rockys ROM where you can enable and disable the windows you want and change which position they are in on the screen?
Clydeisthe**** said:
Look good but isn't this just like the chome settings (neoOrder) that is in Rockys ROM where you can enable and disable the windows you want and change which position they are in on the screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone isn't running rickwyatt's ROM. Some are still with Kavana's. Like me.
Rip Syntaxx said:
Everyone isn't running rickwyatt's ROM. Some are still with Kavana's. Like me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ohh ok I didn't know that it wasn't in Kavana's ROM I have never flashed one of his just Rickys .. my bad
Clydeisthe**** said:
ohh ok I didn't know that it wasn't in Kavana's ROM I have never flashed one of his just Rickys .. my bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To Clyde: It's cool. Contrary to popular belief, there are still some users that are on Kavana's ROMs. lol I have no problem with rickwyatt's, but I found them to have too many apps and tweaks that I found unnecessary for me personally.
To Org (and anyone who'll listen): This is great idea for those who aren't quite comfortable with editing their .xml files to rearrange the slider panels (like me)! I've noticed that many users have a panel called "My Programs". What do I need to do to create this? I think it's a really useful tool to "slide" straight through the programs you use on a regular basis. I've already read tons of posts on this, but it's not registering. Thanks in advance, guys.
It's difficult to sit here and do a step by step, but I'll point you in the right direction and answer your questions later.
1) Download a registry editor or use the one on the phone.
2) First off, keep in mind there's TWO places in the registry where you need to make changes. One is HKLM\Security\Chome\DefaultSettings\CWelcomeCenter and HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Chome\CWelcomeCenter
3) Look for a key that says "Disabled" and make sure it doesn't say "1". Or use my utility to turn the welcome center on.
4) When you're in the registry you'll find Page1, Page2, Page3 etc etc in both places. Each Page represents ONE slide. For each page you can makes changes such as... ACTIONURL is the path to the program you want to execute when hitting the middle button. for example "\program files\NRG\Chomeweathersettings\weather.exe" will run the weather program
SK2URL is the same, but for the right softkey. SK2Text is a label for that softkey. The "pictures" key points to the .png file you will be using as an icon for your program. Right now it probably says "2500". Change it to "\windows\weather.png" and you'll get the weather icon in its place, for example. The Title text is self descriptive... put in whatever you want the title of the slide to be.
I hope you can figure it out from here
OrganicM said:
It's difficult to sit here and do a step by step, but I'll point you in the right direction and answer your questions later.
1) Download a registry editor or use the one on the phone.
2) First off, keep in mind there's TWO places in the registry where you need to make changes. One is HKLM\Security\Chome\DefaultSettings\CWelcomeCenter and HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Chome\CWelcomeCenter
3) Look for a key that says "Disabled" and make sure it doesn't say "1". Or use my utility to turn the welcome center on.
4) When you're in the registry you'll find Page1, Page2, Page3 etc etc in both places. Each Page represents ONE slide. For each page you can makes changes such as... ACTIONURL is the path to the program you want to execute when hitting the middle button. for example "\program files\NRG\Chomeweathersettings\weather.exe" will run the weather program
SK2URL is the same, but for the right softkey. SK2Text is a label for that softkey. The "pictures" key points to the .png file you will be using as an icon for your program. Right now it probably says "2500". Change it to "\windows\weather.png" and you'll get the weather icon in its place, for example. The Title text is self descriptive... put in whatever you want the title of the slide to be.
I hope you can figure it out from here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a bunch, man. I'm gonna finagle with this as soon as I get off.
OrganicM said:
It's difficult to sit here and do a step by step, but I'll point you in the right direction and answer your questions later.
1) Download a registry editor or use the one on the phone.
2) First off, keep in mind there's TWO places in the registry where you need to make changes. One is HKLM\Security\Chome\DefaultSettings\CWelcomeCenter and HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Chome\CWelcomeCenter
3) Look for a key that says "Disabled" and make sure it doesn't say "1". Or use my utility to turn the welcome center on.
4) When you're in the registry you'll find Page1, Page2, Page3 etc etc in both places. Each Page represents ONE slide. For each page you can makes changes such as... ACTIONURL is the path to the program you want to execute when hitting the middle button. for example "\program files\NRG\Chomeweathersettings\weather.exe" will run the weather program
SK2URL is the same, but for the right softkey. SK2Text is a label for that softkey. The "pictures" key points to the .png file you will be using as an icon for your program. Right now it probably says "2500". Change it to "\windows\weather.png" and you'll get the weather icon in its place, for example. The Title text is self descriptive... put in whatever you want the title of the slide to be.
I hope you can figure it out from here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm understanding how to read the code. Thanks for breaking it down. I'm just having trouble finding the .pngs for my icons and also (noob moment) finding the target file for certain applications. It's keeping me from being able to input the file address for ACTIONURL and SK2URL.
Not Hard to Find
Just think of your program, "Where is it stored?"
That should be your only question when finding your target file. That simple, you should look in your Program Files directory on your phone or you storage card, that will then tell you where the link is.
2ndly, you can find other programs in your startup folder. They will be listed in link format, but this is fine, the link can be treated basically as the exact file itself (as far as your phone is concerned).
Long story short, use these locations for your entries for ACTIONURL and SK2URL. Have a blast!
Rip Syntaxx said:
I'm understanding how to read the code. Thanks for breaking it down. I'm just having trouble finding the .pngs for my icons and also (noob moment) finding the target file for certain applications. It's keeping me from being able to input the file address for ACTIONURL and SK2URL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
outerdepth said:
Just think of your program, "Where is it stored?"
That should be your only question when finding your target file. That simple, you should look in your Program Files directory on your phone or you storage card, that will then tell you where the link is.
2ndly, you can find other programs in your startup folder. They will be listed in link format, but this is fine, the link can be treated basically as the exact file itself (as far as your phone is concerned).
Long story short, use these locations for your entries for ACTIONURL and SK2URL. Have a blast!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, OD. I've figured out the file locations and such. I just need to know where you guys edit the .pngs for icons. I've found some icons, but they sucketh. I want them glossy and polished looking like the default icons.
By "where" , I assume you mean what programs do we use?
I use Photoshop do edit my pngs. I think other, cheaper software is available. Don't quote me on that. Photoshop can also be attained other "ways" (cough,cough).
Anyways, you can easily mod any pictures, turn them into anything you want, .png,.tga,.gif,etc. Look around.
Rip Syntaxx said:
Thanks, OD. I've figured out the file locations and such. I just need to know where you guys edit the .pngs for icons. I've found some icons, but they sucketh. I want them glossy and polished looking like the default icons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
outerdepth said:
By "where" , I assume you mean what programs do we use?
I use Photoshop do edit my pngs. I think other, cheaper software is available. Don't quote me on that. Photoshop can also be attained other "ways" (cough,cough).
Anyways, you can easily mod any pictures, turn them into anything you want, .png,.tga,.gif,etc. Look around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand how to make any pic a .png, .jpg, .gif, etc... It's not the icons that I need, but rather, the program. I'll search for "alternate" ways to get photoshop. lol
Rinku has a pretty good description on how to add CProgs on his blog. It at the bottom of the page.
Thanks guys for all your help and input! I've figured it out, and in the process figured out how to change the small icons in the upper lefthand corner of the panels as well. It's kinda tedious at first, but once you get the hang of it--it's not bad.
Rip Syntaxx said:
Thanks guys for all your help and input! I've figured it out, and in the process figured out how to change the small icons in the upper lefthand corner of the panels as well. It's kinda tedious at first, but once you get the hang of it--it's not bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For photo edtiting, i use GIMP,,,, it's the same program i used to modify the yahoo weather icons for ORG...... it's free and works just as well as photoshop CS3.
Go here if you want to try. www.gimp.org
pudgedaddy said:
For photo edtiting, i use GIMP,,,, it's the same program i used to modify the yahoo weather icons for ORG...... it's free and works just as well as photoshop CS3.
Go here if you want to try. www.gimp.org
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, Pudgemeister. I'll check it out.
pudgedaddy said:
For photo edtiting, i use GIMP,,,, it's the same program i used to modify the yahoo weather icons for ORG...... it's free and works just as well as photoshop CS3.
Go here if you want to try. www.gimp.org
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used GIMP for my icons, it was easy and I think they turned out quite nice. Here are a few that I found/made they all have transparent backgrounds. Feel free to use which ever you like.
A few more
Editing Slider Panels
Does anyone know the default setting for this registry key: \HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CHome\CMessage\ICONPATHS? I changed it trying to change the condensed icon (upper lefthand corner) for the message notifications panel. Instead, my weather panel's icon was changed. What're the default values for the key? (ex. 2xxx;2xxx)
It is 2201;2201
While I was researching how to go about creating my own theme I noticed quite a few different approaches to dealing with the infamous .9.png image files. I was curious about why they were so difficult before I attempted to edit them so I did a lot of reading on these boards but when it came to actually doing the editing I found it quite simple. With all my reading and after talking to a few other themers this method isn't mentioned anywhere that I know of so I figured I'd post a tutorial on how I edit them.
First off, this tutorial assumes that you have a working knowledge of how to use image editing software (I use GIMP) and apk multi-tool/manager (or apktool).
Things you need:
1. Gimp or another image editing software (this tutorial is based on Gimp)
2. APK Multi-Tool/Manager or apktool (tut. is based on APK Multi-Tool)
3. The apk that contains the images you wish to edit
4. TIME and PATIENCE!
Ok, first off you need to be able to see the ever important 1px border in the .9.png you want to edit so this requires you to decompile the apk that contains the images to be edited. Therefore go ahead and decompile the apk. Once you have that done you can go ahead and minimize the script window so you can work on them.
Now, go into the folder named "projects" and in there you'll find your decompiled apk. Right click on the folder that contains the images you want to edit and click on "Copy". Now move to your desktop (or wherever you want to save the folder) and "Paste" the folder there.
Double click on the folder and navigate to the .9.png you are wanting to edit. Right click on that image and select "edit with Gimp".
Once the image is open in Gimp "zoom" in to 800% so you can actually see the 1px border and use the rectangle marquee tool to select everything inside that border. Then you can make any edits you'd like to the image.
Once done editing the image, and if it's not still selected, go back to the marquee tool and, once again, select everything inside that 1px border. Right click over the image and select EDIT>CUT.
Close the image by clicking on the "X" in the top, right corner but when the window pops up asking if you want to save your changes click "DON'T SAVE". This is the important step!!
Go back to your folder where the original image is located that you are wanting to edit, you'll notice it went back to it's un-edited state. This is what you want. Open the same image file again in Gimp and again, zoom in to 800% so you can see the border.
Select everything inside that border using the rectangle marquee tool and then hit the delete key on your keyboard. That should clear out the image.
Right click on the image again and select EDIT>PASTE. You're edited image should show up where you cut out the old one.
Make sure that the one pixel border is NOT inside the dotted selection line and your pasted image isn't over the 1px border all the way around.
Anchor your image by clicking anywhere outside of it in the same window. (you'll see the little anchor show up by your cursor when you can click to anchor your pasted image) Now the hard part is done!! All you have to do is close the image you edited by clicking on the "X" again and this time you want to hit SAVE.
Voila.. your .9.png is edited and your 1px border is left untouched. Repeat the above steps on all the .9.png files you want to edit and when you're finished your editing move the folder from wherever you saved it back into the projects folder of apk multi-tool and compile your apk.
This is how I've done all my .9.png files and I have never had any errors!
Good luck and Happy Theming!
ttfn
CDL.
Thank you CDL for sharing what you have learned... this is what xda is all about...
Yea it's a lot easier if you just decompile the apk files then edit them and recompile, just make sure not to touch those borders unless it's what you want.
If your only trying to change one file and don't want to go through the whole process I recommend decompiling the apk and just sticking the one image you wanted to edit into XUltimate and converting the image by itself so you can easily place it back into your apk without the compiling, especially if you get errors.
Great tutorial, thanks for posting this.
So what's the trick with the mms bubbles .9s? Something goes wrong when I try to edit those, I had actually created all new custom bubbles with PSCS4 for sent, pressed, etc etc. The result was miss aligned text with bubbles...the text was outside instead of inside, and never could make it work....aaaahhhhhh! All that work! Lol
XML edits and all other edits worked fine, but not those damn bubbles!
Oh, I used draw9patch to re-add the .9 to the PNG.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Duce HD2 said:
Great tutorial, thanks for posting this.
So what's the trick with the mms bubbles .9s? Something goes wrong when I try to edit those, I had actually created all new custom bubbles with PSCS4 for sent, pressed, etc etc. The result was miss aligned text with bubbles...the text was outside instead of inside, and never could make it work....aaaahhhhhh! All that work! Lol
XML edits and all other edits worked fine, but not those damn bubbles!
Oh, I used draw9patch to re-add the .9 to the PNG.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I'm not sure although it sounds like your 9patch isn't working correctly... and since I have never tried to mess with them I can't tell you how to fix it.. sorry.
What I'd do if I were you is use the original bubble image as a basis for your new images. I'm sure as long as you keep your custom bubble inside of those borders it should show up properly. If you wanted to you could create a separate image all together and then just cut and paste inside the original 1px border? Dunno if that'd work but that's something I'd try. Just remember, it won't work at all if the original image isn't decompiled first.
Duce HD2 said:
Great tutorial, thanks for posting this.
So what's the trick with the mms bubbles .9s? Something goes wrong when I try to edit those, I had actually created all new custom bubbles with PSCS4 for sent, pressed, etc etc. The result was miss aligned text with bubbles...the text was outside instead of inside, and never could make it work....aaaahhhhhh! All that work! Lol
XML edits and all other edits worked fine, but not those damn bubbles!
Oh, I used draw9patch to re-add the .9 to the PNG.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Duce send me ur bubbles and Ill fix em. Sounds like you moved the patches.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
ssconceptz said:
Duce send me ur bubbles and Ill fix em. Sounds like you moved the patches.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be great, thanks for the help! I'll get back on them this weekend and send them over.
Crazy, thanks for the advice! They work fine if I change the hue of the originals etc, but I didn't like the shape, so I made them squaresh, kinda of like the ones included in the ICS theme, but with transparent center. So pretty much a thin border etc..I thought it looked cool.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
i must be stupid or something
i dont understand
can someone post a video
When I first started porting themes and editing colors, I manually readded all lines. There's A LOT of .9s in framework-res alone, so it was torture. This method is the one I use now and I thank you for letting others know so they don't have to spend so much time like I did.
This method def works thanks for making it so easy! Although the apkmultitool Windows Version 1.0.2 doesn't want to compile for it's life. Downgraded to 1.0.1 works great now...wish i tried that first after like 30 mins of playing with stuff SMH
Glad this actually helped someone out! I didn't see any reference to this method anywhere on here when I was first searching.. but I do have to admit it wasn't a thorough search
ttfn
CDL.
Hi , is there any plugin / program that allow me to copy and paste text on webpage or gmail via S Pen? I don't need any other function from S Pen.
There is no need for a plugin or program. This Amazing Phone is capable of doing just what you are asking on its own.
Here's what you need do to copy and paste in Gmail or a Web Page using your S-Pen;
Hold the S-Pen button in, tap at the starting point of what you want to copy (select) and drag the pen to the right a little and lift pen of the screen. You will now see selected text and cursors..
Manipulate the cursors so that the required text to be copied is all highlighted. Once it is highlighted there will be a menu at the bottom of the screen if you are holding the phone in normal position. If in landscape mode it'll be at the top of the screen. Now just click on the copy icon and the selected text will be copied to your clipboard. Now that it is on your clipboard you can paste it where you need to paste it, Gmail, text messaging ect. Hope I helped.
Jerry D said:
There is no need for a plugin or program. This Amazing Phone is capable of doing just what you are asking on its own.
Here's what you need do to copy and paste in Gmail or a Web Page using your S-Pen;
Hold the S-Pen button in, tap at the starting point of what you want to copy (select) and drag the pen to the right a little and lift pen of the screen. You will now see selected text and cursors..
Manipulate the cursors so that the required text to be copied is all highlighted. Once it is highlighted there will be a menu at the bottom of the screen if you are holding the phone in normal position. If in landscape mode it'll be at the top of the screen. Now just click on the copy icon and the selected text will be copied to your clipboard. Now that it is on your clipboard you can paste it where you need to paste it, Gmail, text messaging ect. Hope I helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
worth noting that text select doesnt work on chrome, but that seems to be an inherent problem in chrome rather than in touchwiz. works on the stock browser
Jinra321 said:
worth noting that text select doesnt work on chrome, but that seems to be an inherent problem in chrome rather than in touchwiz. works on the stock browser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know that Thanks.. I use and love Chrome on my laptop. I am stock GN2..
I was wondering why the stock browser has an incognito feature as if it was Chrome. Do know know anything about this?..
I don't mean to get off topic but I was going to create a thread to ask this question. Now that you have mentioned Chrome I am curious..
Jerry D said:
I didn't know that Thanks.. I use and love Chrome on my laptop. I am stock GN2..
I was wondering why the stock browser has an incognito feature as if it was Chrome. Do know know anything about this?..
I don't mean to get off topic but I was going to create a thread to ask this question. Now that you have mentioned Chrome I am curious..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the stock browser has incognito mode because Android was created by Google,though I'm not sure why they're different apps. I would have thought they consolidate it into one browser. the chrome browser seems to be a bit buggy so i switched back into using the stock browser. the stock browser also has pop out mode which is neat, but I'm not sure how to activate it on demand
Jerry D said:
There is no need for a plugin or program. This Amazing Phone is capable of doing just what you are asking on its own.
Here's what you need do to copy and paste in Gmail or a Web Page using your S-Pen;
Hold the S-Pen button in, tap at the starting point of what you want to copy (select) and drag the pen to the right a little and lift pen of the screen. You will now see selected text and cursors..
Manipulate the cursors so that the required text to be copied is all highlighted. Once it is highlighted there will be a menu at the bottom of the screen if you are holding the phone in normal position. If in landscape mode it'll be at the top of the screen. Now just click on the copy icon and the selected text will be copied to your clipboard. Now that it is on your clipboard you can paste it where you need to paste it, Gmail, text messaging ect. Hope I helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, it working good, thanks.
if there is some trick can prevent the 'hold' part, it work be great
Jerry D said:
There is no need for a plugin or program. This Amazing Phone is capable of doing just what you are asking on its own.
Here's what you need do to copy and paste in Gmail or a Web Page using your S-Pen;
Hold the S-Pen button in, tap at the starting point of what you want to copy (select) and drag the pen to the right a little and lift pen of the screen. You will now see selected text and cursors..
Manipulate the cursors so that the required text to be copied is all highlighted. Once it is highlighted there will be a menu at the bottom of the screen if you are holding the phone in normal position. If in landscape mode it'll be at the top of the screen. Now just click on the copy icon and the selected text will be copied to your clipboard. Now that it is on your clipboard you can paste it where you need to paste it, Gmail, text messaging ect. Hope I helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, it working good, thanks.
if there is some trick can prevent the 'hold' part, it work be great
One of the things I say being totted even back with the OG Note was writing notes on the Maps on directions of where to go, parking, etc. etc.
Basically I'm wondering how I would go about doing that form of editing so that if it was a website where I would want to underline/circle something or even just scribbling something.
Much appreciated.
If you click and hold the s-pen down it takes a screen shot, and you can draw and highlight on that immediately.
Sent from my Note ][
Here's Samsung's Photo Editor..... not sure why they included Paper artist instead... this seems to be MUCH more helpful in editing (and writing on) photos
1) Unzip and Install APK
2) While in gallery viewing an image, hit the settings button and click paper artist.
3) Choose Photo editor.
4) To write on images, hit decoration then drawing.
I find this to be the most professional way.... the screen shot approach seems very rudimentary.