I will start off saying I am new to this as the title , so I will probably ask a lot of redundant questions and noobie questions, I hope that's ok.
What I want to do (for now):
I am attempting to do is modify the systemui.apk file. I would think that would be a fairly easy task, but with my VERY limited knowlege of things I'm not sure.
The file has a lot of icons for customizability, but I want to add some of my own, or rather this phones icons(samung epic 4g) default icons. I have the icons I grabbed from a stock rom, and saved them.
I have the toggles, and battery icons, which are what I want to add into the systemui.apk. Iwill probably call it something like Samsung default, since default name is already taken.
So all that said, how easy would it be for me, someone who has never even attempted this before, but has a small amount of knowledge of what stuff is, ie: difference between odex and deodex, where the files are located at, etc?
Stuff like what file/files to edit, what to put in the xml files as in what line coding or whatever they call it. Stuff like that.
I'm very simple in nature, so if there is a way to do what I want to do, please direct me in the right direction, and please, keep it simple if possible.
I do realize there are tutorials about how to theme and how to make or edit a systemui file but I can't seem to find a more specific way/thread to do what I want to do, not that I have found anyways.
My guess is I will have to edit some xml files and add some lines, I just an not sure what exactly to put in those lines, or what files to edit.
First of all: wrong section - this belongs to Q&A.
About modifying APKs, I'm also not much familiar, but I believe that apktool and those GUI tools that includes it can be fairly helpful. I personally use APKChanger to do all my APK-related mods.
Sent from Google Nexus 4 @ CM11
AndyYan said:
First of all: wrong section - this belongs to Q&A.
About modifying APKs, I'm also not much familiar, but I believe that apktool and those GUI tools that includes it can be fairly helpful. I personally use APKChanger to do all my APK-related mods.
Sent from Google Nexus 4 @ CM11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome it looks like a good start, I will give it a go, and report back.
Hope this works, as I am not really doing much to the systemUI file, all I am doing is adding in, what's not there, so the rest can stay in tact, just I want to add some preferred icons/png files I have on hand already. I'm not diescting to make a rom or anything, so I can't see this as being really hard thing to do.....for those that have done it could probably do this in about 5 mins work without breaking a sweat....me however it seems it's takeing awhile lol.
easyrider77 said:
Awesome it looks like a good start, I will give it a go, and report back.
Hope this works, as I am not really doing much to the systemUI file, all I am doing is adding in, what's not there, so the rest can stay in tact, just I want to add some preferred icons/png files I have on hand already. I'm not diescting to make a rom or anything, so I can't see this as being really hard thing to do.....for those that have done it could probably do this in about 5 mins work without breaking a sweat....me however it seems it's takeing awhile lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very cool program, thanyou for the info. I kinda messed around with it a bit, and it's vvery nice for those not so smart at heart people like me.
I still have a snag though. I know where the icons are, I'm just not sure how to activate them via the like settings and such.
Take the battery mod within 3mini for example, you open 3minit, and under the battery part it you select it and it has a bunch of icons you can pick, but the stock ones aren't there. I am wanting to add stock icons, which are in the res/label-dhpi folder, (I think that's what it's called), but it's the folder that has the icons in it. Now, to access those icons, you have xml file you have to point to to tell it to actually see the icons in said folder, via a code line as I call it.
There is my problem, I am not sure really WHAT code line to put in said xml file/files, so I'm running into a wall.
So I can extract/decompile the apk file fine, and I have a folder/files with some more folders and files under that. I have looked at the stuff but since I'm not a programmer at all, and not to get off on another rabit trail here, but I cannot even do simple plain html....yes I know it's a text thing, but if you don't understand the if's and waits and the language of it all, well it might as well be german.
People always say "what's the problem, it's easy" well I suppose it is, if you are savvy to that stuff, but for those that have a hard time with one thing, it comes oh so simple for another, but it doesn't mean someone is stupid, it just means it's not their thing. Some atre meant to be some things, some are not. Not everyone is meant to be a doctor, yet some are because they understand those sorts of things better.
Anyways, I am sorry for trailing off, in short I am saying if you have a hard time with what I call coding, and yes it is a coding in some form, just as html is, even though it's still text, it's still a code that tells things what to do, IE: code
In short, I am nt sure what file/files to edit,. and even then I am not sure what lines to put in them.
Here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2032614 is a good example of what I mean. While I appreciate this persons hard work and efforts, people like me it may as well be written in a foreign language of sorts, because while I understand editing a certain file, and I get the concept of CODE: that's where I end up getting lost. I have opened the said xml file, and see the code, but when they say code, well I have to ask things like what line to I edit, where do I cut/paste the lines in that post to, do I delete another line and replace it with that code, etc..etc..
I in NO way am trying to trash people for their posts and efforts, so I hope it's not taken that way, I just sometimes have to be drawn a picture for things, like a child. As hard as I might try, I just am not grasping what to do after the point of opening the file and editing it.
I suppose I will just give up this quest I have for what I want to do, unless I fin somone kind enough, and patient enough to go a little further into explanation of what I need to do to further go on. it can be hard for some people, especially if you are a programmer to explain a little more in depth about what a person needs to do, I have friends that have that mind set, and they to get irritated at people like me .....I guess it is what it is.
Thanks again for the info, I appreciate all that xda and the people here do, and all thier time and effort towards the mods.
Well I can't provide further help then... My ability stops at making navigation bar mods which only involves modifying 5 lines of xml. Good luck with learning from scratch :beer:
Sent from Google Nexus 4 @ CM11
Related
Let me start by saying that I have googled, and used the search box for XDA. I haven`t been able to find a clear guide, or even a hint on how to go about making a custom theme for manila 2d. The only things I can find are lots of link to themes others have made and other unless information. It`s like it`s everybody else`s big secret or something. I just want to be able to make my own theme that I actually like, and contribute to the Pocket PC community. I`m not exactly a noob when it comes to PPC`s , but I`m certainly no expert. I just want to learn how to do things myself, instead of waiting to see what others come come up with.
Enough with my sad plea though, if any one can help me out I`d appreciated it. I`m not asking for a 20 page detailed step by step guide or nothing just maybe a explaination of how the stuff in the theme fits together, what types of files and extension, the basics.
Whenever I make custom graphics for apps, I do this. First, take a look at the files associated with the app. If you have actual graphic files, than it's just a simple create and replace. Some apps use .dat files, which are protected sets of files. Like with Spb apps, you have to rename "file.dat", to "file.zip" and extract with the password. If after browsing through the files and find nothing, PM someone about how to change it.
I used M2D once, but never really looked at what it included. I suggest downloading a theme that is not a .cab file, and see what's included. If you still can't find your answer, PM someone.
Wish I could help, but I have only used it for a grand total of 10 minutes.
Well, in my whole 5 minutes of looking into this, the quickest way i can see is to download a theme from someone like - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=448326...
Then modify to your liking, and extract to the windows folder on your vogue.
Hope this helps.
nosco said:
Well, in my whole 5 minutes of looking into this, the quickest way i can see is to download a theme from someone like - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=448326...
Then modify to your liking, and extract to the windows folder on your vogue.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ewww, not too hot on all that red.... Take a look at these while you are at it....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=425974
I was wondering the same thing on how to make the custom themes. Did you have any luck pknyo?
From what I've seen on these you can take the elements you like from several themes and combine them.
If you open one of the .ZIP files, you'll see a structure. All of the icons that are needed are named and there's a bunch of them.
You can also open and check out the .XML file at the end it has the sizing criteria for the themes.
If I am incorrect here, feel free to correct.
I was curious if anyone knows how to unencrypt(sp?) xml files. I am trying to build a theme and wanted to browse through some xml's to see if I could change the color of the digital clock on the status bar, among other things. I tried googling to no avail. Is this even possible at this time, or am I just going to have to wait until someone figures out how to unencrypt these files? Just some general advice on how this filetype behaves in android would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance...
Stericson is currently in the process of this. He'll let us know when he's got it.
Shoulda figured Stericson had a hand in this matter. He is extremely valuable in the development of our devices, in fact, I almost sent him a PM to ask him about this matter directly, but I wanted to gather some general info/advice from everyone. Thanks for the reply Phromik, and thanks be to Stericson too, for being such an indispensable asset to these forums.
Ahhh, many thanks....Unfortunetly, this is not easy in the least. As for right now the xmls can be decrypted, vis some tool online you can find by googling, but you can also see the xmls in plain text by downloading the source and looking through them. I am trying hard to get these done but it is not easy in the least. Much more difficult then what we are doing now.
We will get it though, no worries, just may take some time.
Stericson
I successfully edited my first .png and ported it as a theme!
Colored Vibrating Phone!!
I want to appologize for being impatient to all the current theme developers specifically Manup. After spending an hour how to get the .png to save in the archive file, I can see that editing each individual icon could take hours and hours if you want it to look right.
Time for me to try at some more difficult stuff.
Hope to be posting my first theme within the next few months.
um..what did you do that took so long?
well....
Remember that this is my first self attempt at this.
I was having trouble getting it to save to the archive. The pop up was behind other applications I was running, so I didn't see it prompting me to save to the archive.
Next is just the editing of the .png itself. If I was just copying and pasting it wouldn't have taken any time. I had to find the icon I wanted to put there, then change the colors just right. It isn't really hard, just time consuming, but you already know that. This is why I was apologizing. Its my first time, give me a break.
Ok I went to edit the first android boot screen.
and of course it hung on boot screen in a loop. My file went from around 3k to 31k so obviously the file is too big. I can't seem to find an option to compress or deflate the file using 7zip.
Can any give me some suggestions?
You don't the .png images with 7zip you do it with Photoshop or whatever graphic design program. There is a post some where explaining how to compress the .png images i just don't know it of hand.
Yeah you want to save the file in photoshop using the save for web & devices...or the pngout program. read thru this here. has my way and the pngout way in the posts.
Ill give ya a tip, this is how i do it at least. i extract the update.zip then extract all the apks that i am going to change. I start editing all the files in framework-res, then move to Launcher, contacts and phone. After these are done i normally import them into the update.zip, sign it and test it.
When i import the images i just open the update.zip in WinRar, then double click the apk i need to import images into. It opens the apk in a new WinRar window, i browse tot he folder i need then just drag the images into it. Do that for each apk then sign it and test it.
Hope this helps.
I was using 7zip for extraction and paintshop pro for editing
I was doing fine. I was just excited to get that far. One of the problems I ran into was when I edited an image file it went from 3k to 30k when. I even used png crush and it only compressed to 24k. Not sure if it is even important yet.
I was only:
A) apologizing for expecting so much when it is so much work.
B) proud that I figured it out and am on my way to editing/creating my own theme.
I only ask one thing of some of the more senior devs. Please don't be so critical. All of us are at several different levels. What may seem juvenile to you might be a huge hurdle to others. This is why we are dependant on you for themes.
Brutal-Force said:
I was doing fine. I was just excited to get that far. One of the problems I ran into was when I edited an image file it went from 3k to 30k when. I even used png crush and it only compressed to 24k. Not sure if it is even important yet.
I was only:
A) apologizing for expecting so much when it is so much work.
B) proud that I figured it out and am on my way to editing/creating my own theme.
I only ask one thing of some of the more senior devs. Please don't be so critical. All of us are at several different levels. What may seem juvenile to you might be a huge hurdle to others. This is why we are dependant on you for themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good job on getting going, im getting ready to make a go of it as well. I dont think they are criticizing you just being helpful. Have you seen how critical people are in the theme makers posts, cant believe half the theme makers still do it lol.
Brutal-Force said:
I was doing fine. I was just excited to get that far. One of the problems I ran into was when I edited an image file it went from 3k to 30k when. I even used png crush and it only compressed to 24k. Not sure if it is even important yet.
I was only:
A) apologizing for expecting so much when it is so much work.
B) proud that I figured it out and am on my way to editing/creating my own theme.
I only ask one thing of some of the more senior devs. Please don't be so critical. All of us are at several different levels. What may seem juvenile to you might be a huge hurdle to others. This is why we are dependant on you for themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope i didn't come off that way...i was just trying to help. no ill intenet in that post at all =)
Thank you.
It always helps with reassuring words while trying something this complicated.
Thank you damnitpud.
I have been following the forums very closely since October. I have even followed your posts and tutorials. I am just trying to ride the wave crest and not fall in, because getting out is a *****. I have had to not only pick up the 'ol writing computer
Read through my post here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3339701&postcount=6
It tells you how to edit the update.zip without extracting anything but the drawables folder. After a lot of time and effort I have streamlined the process as much as possible so maybe you can pick up a few tricks with that walkthrough. And I use gimp, I dont mess wtih compression or saving file for web. I take big images, save them as a png, resize them to 48x48 using the XP power toys resizing tool and drag-and-drop them into my update.zip. I dont know what is happening but everyone keeps thinking its way harder than it really is.
Then when I swap themes from ADP to RC33 or vice versa I open up my theme in 7zip and a blank theme in the version I want to convert too. I got to each apk and drag-and-drop the drawables folder straight into the other update.zip replacing the existing drawables folder. If you do it my way you can convert a theme in minutes or if you have all the artwork you can turn it into a theme in about 15-20 mins TOPS.
My biggest suggestion is to experiment with trial and error, use your nandroid backup and make mistakes, its the best way to learn and there is nothing that compares to hands on experience, that way you know what works and you can tell people from experience instead of hearsay.
7Zip is the best tip you gave B, I tried using WinRar but it wasnt as user friendly for this stuff. Especially as 7Zip saves as you swap and move up the file tree.
I am using your tutorial B.
I don't have photoshop, so I am using Paintshop pro PhotoX2 which works fine for me.
I was using 7zip, but I am used to using Winzip. I am currently using Winzip12 so thats serving my needs nicely.
What I was referring too isn't so much difficult in moving files around, it is more or less knowing WHICH files you can mess with. I have seen posted that don't mess with .9.png files at them moment as that can cause problems. I also do not know what size a theme is aloud to be in the update.zip. I also wanted to know If i have to include ever single file or if it is just neccessary to do just the things you want to change.
It isn't hard to actually do the file changing and such, the "HARD" part is more Time consuming then hard, and thats the artwork required to actually change the look of the component.
More questions will pop-up I am sure, but I am in the Trial and Error Stage right now.
Another question if anyone reads this, Where is the Clock Widget located? I see that every theme maker edits this, and lets be honest, If you use this widget, it is the center focal point of every theme. Just changing this gives the whole desktop another feel.
Brutal-Force said:
...Where is the Clock Widget located? I see that every theme maker edits this, and lets be honest, If you use this widget, it is the center focal point of every theme. Just changing this gives the whole desktop another feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in the Launcher.apk.
All your questions are in the tutorials, if you drag the drawable folder onto your desktop you can see the pics when you doubleclick the folder.
Just my thought,
The clock is something that most people change, but I dont use the clock, that is why the time is in the corner constantly. I feel the clock just eats up space on my desktop. Of course I like it with as few icons as possible.
Thanx for the replies.
I had also found the clock in the Launcher.apk file, but for some reason, when I try and edit it and put it back into the folder it causes my phone stop at the boot screen. I just wanted to make sure I was trying to edit the right file.
I somehow expected it to be in a completely different place.
Yes a lot of my questions may seem to be repeats, but I had initially started this thread as just a Eureka thread. But as long as people who are in the know are reading it, I am glad to ask questions. Sometimes the Main threads and stickies are 150 pages deep and after not reading them for two days you kind of get behind.
well if we are asking questions....then can someone help me
when I go to update my phone with the update zip i get
E:Wrong digest
system/app/Launcher.apk
E:Verification failed
and yes I am new at this...
Have you rooted with RC29 yet?
Looks like what happens before you root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442480
Read this first.
I had the exact same "wohoo" feeling when I made my first theme mod and it was a success.
i am so completely frustrated right now!!! ive been looking for this xml for hours.
Basically, i've designed my own rosie buttons, pressed and rest, and i've made sure everything lines up with the image, everything on that end is perfect, but when i flash it on my phone, they're all offset funny, and instead of butting right up against eachother, theres space that i dont want, and it just plain looks like crap.
I have searched and searched for an xml file relating to the layout of the rosie, and cant find it, can anyone please help me solve this problem, then i'll be glad to share my rosie with the world as soon as its finished
This belongs in the Q&A section. In short, yes there is an .xml that needs to be edited...I just dont remember off hand which one...
I apologize about that, i thought that since i was developing this for my rom that i would be able to post in android development. I know theres an xml file for it, I just need to know which one, thats all.
Moderators, is there any way you can move this to q & a, i really dont want it to get locked or deleted, i just need a little help
Hey everybody,
I recently bought the galaxy nexus because I wanted to start getting into Rom Development.
I can programm Java and also programmed some simple apps..
But what I really wanted to do is to modify a Rom.
Can anybody tell me where to start? I read guides on how to compile from source and so on, but I don't know if that's what I need.
I want to add things like Notification bar quick settings to the rom.. Are there tutorials on how to develop these things?
Every help is appreciated, maybe you've got some great links for me, thanks!
00hero00 said:
Hey everybody,
I recently bought the galaxy nexus because I wanted to start getting into Rom Development.
I can programm Java and also programmed some simple apps..
But what I really wanted to do is to modify a Rom.
Can anybody tell me where to start? I read guides on how to compile from source and so on, but I don't know if that's what I need.
I want to add things like Notification bar quick settings to the rom.. Are there tutorials on how to develop these things?
Every help is appreciated, maybe you've got some great links for me, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
start with decompiling apks (SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk for example) , if u've wrote android apps before (and u said u did), then it shouldn't be that hard to look into the .xml and .jar files. when u finish, compile the .apk back. if u've worked with Eclipse then u probably know the android structure.
Edit: Here is an example of a "ROM modification" - just posting it to give u an example..
Well first thing is first. You need to have the bare basics of Android thoroughly understood obviously. Often overlooked as a first step in this process, just learning about(different than knowing about)the Android Open Source Project first will give you a specific sense of direction, purpose, as well as an identity in the community..
So again- I don't just mean knowing about it- I mean knowing exactlyhow the whole project is structured. Read about all the different types of contributions you/anyone can make to the Android ecosystem. Are you an aesthetics kind of person who would excel at UI designs for apps or whatever; Are you a person who has a good eye for problem solving? Maybe you should be scouring source code, trying to fix little-noticed "bugs" that "bug" the hell out of you. Once you know what you want to do, make sure you find out exactly how much Google provides for you, and what your own roles/responsibilities would be in the whole scheme of things.) This should give you a good idea of where you might fit in (with your current skill-set)and hopefully, it gives you some inspiration about the direction you might want to take it in the future.
Once you do this and "find your calling", post back here, and I'm sure that others qualified in that field will be more than happy to share how they got started.
There is no substitute to just jumping in and trying things though. Everybody makes their own journey differently, so do what comes naturally, and you can't go wrong.
Here ya go
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1661770
and maybe this as well?
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...rs/ShsH+(xda-developers)&utm_content=FaceBook
Wow thank you every body for these great comments! I think I'll compile a Rom from source first and look through all the files..
Decompiling apks looks interesting too.
Thanks for the fast responses & links, you're awesome!
Okay so I've got another question..
One thing I always liked on some custom roms was the lockscreen flashlight..
If I would hold power for 3 seconds, the flashlight would turn on until I let go the power button.
I decompiled the framework-res.apk but didn't find anything there, just .xml files.
Where are the files where I can actually code / programm something for the lockscreen?
Try android.policy.jar
Usually the jar files contain the code, xml are for visual stuff.
But my question is, are u sure it is a lockscreen feature? (I mean the torch option) . Tbh this is the first time i hear of such a mod and i've been using android devices for over 2 yrs
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium