Related
Since there was quite pm's for on how to theme market or any other app. So decided to put one guide how to do it.
Basiclly this is for market app but can be also used for other apps.
If you like my work you can buy me a drink; cheers
For start you need:
- Apktool 1.3.1 version (don't use 1.3.2 version) or
http://code.google.com/p/android-ap...ol-install-windows-2.2_r01-3.tar.bz2&can=1&q=
http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/downloads/detail?name=apktool-1.3.1.tar.bz2&can=1&q=
- Apk manager (I use apktool and prefere)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701
- Gimp or Photoshop
- Something for 9.png's (I use gimp for that and will explain later how and what)
- orginal file (watch that file isn't themed orr modded already)
- 7zip
- Notepad (for editing xml files; some use other text programs like Notepad++ but I use palin windows Notepad)
Now when you have everything you need we can start. If you have orginal file is also to have modded one so you can compare what was changed. Market had changes from 2.2x version till now so you can't just copy and paste files from one to another file or drag them from another apk to another. Basiclly few folders can be copyed into app which your modding. Rest you can see what is same and what isn't by comparing how many xml files are in each folder. (you might say it takes long time but that's the best way and only one way for start to do it; when you get hangoff it you want do it and when you see which are basic things and commen to all Market apps.)
Now let's start with de-compiling your file/files:
If you use apktool use version 1.3.1 since newer ones 1.3.2 has some bug in de-compiling and compiling.
Copy somewhere your downloaded apktool (some folder) and also copy in there apps your modding.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Open CMD (Command prompt) in Windows and go to folder where your apktool is (I think I don't have to write command how to get there.... ; but here is little trick if you don't know for windows 7 which will open cmd in folder you are >> Open apktools in your Windows Explorer next hold Shift on keyboard and while holding it click your right mouse button and when menu opens just select Open command window here; and now your in cmd where your apktool is).
So now we need to de-compile file to see what we have in there since when you open apk file in 7zip not all folder are shown!
Run command to de-compile apk
apktool d -d Vending.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(Vending.apk is name of market app or it can be com.android.vending-1.apk)
Now you wait till de-compiling is finished. When finished in your apktool folder you'll see folder called Vending (that is de-compiled apk file).
In Vending folder you have this:
- res folder
- smali folder
- AndroidManifest.xml
- apktool.yml
From list we are more interested in res folder since it has what we needed rest of files/folders we don't touch.
Ok now we open res folder and we have quite number of folder in there and each folder has quite number of png files or xml files.
In res folder these folders are interesting for us:
- color (xml files)
- drawable (xml files; few png's)
- drawable-da-hdpi-v4 (png file)
- drawable-da-mdpi-v4 (png file; it for mdpi devices; some edited some not it's on you will you edit it or not)
- drawable-hdpi-v4 (png files)
- drawable-mdpi-v4 (png fiels; I didn't see anybody editing it)
- layout (xml files)
- values (xml files)
So those are folder we are editing and modding and rest we don't touch!
Now were going to start with xml folders.. Lets start with color folder. When you edit xml file with notepad for example just click on Save option in notepad menu and not Save As and file will be saved and later will won't be any problems when compiling back app. In there you have 4 xml files which you can edit colors in them for some texts. I only edit xml called header_text.xml.
In header_txt.xml file you see this line
Code:
<item android:color="@android:color/black" />
part you can change is where it says color/black and can be changed to color/white and nothing else!!! (This part is like file name says for header text in which color to show). So for color folder that's it. (If you want you can play with other xml's in there if you see something like android:color="#ffbb0000" this your color in hex code and it has to be written in hex code for example to be "gingerbread green" it should be this "#ff96d21e")
When done with color folder were moving to drawable folder and in there we only need 1 xml file called bottom_light_gradient.xml. In there you need to edit this line
Code:
<gradient android:startColor="#ff96d21e" android:endColor="#ffffffff" android:angle="90.0" android:type="linear" />
from #ff96f21e" you only change 96d21e to color you want and first 2 ff need to be there! Second color is "#ffffffff" for white background and if your market has blackbackground or transparent cahnge that color from "#ffffffff" to "#00000000".
As far as I know (didn't search and look rest of xml files in drawable folder) nothing else can be changed in other xml files in drawable folder since rest xml files contain pictures names which to use for what.
Moving on to next folder which has xml files which we need to edit; folder called layout.
In layout there is quite number of xml files you can edit colors in hex format but basiclly you need only few files to edit so you don't have trouble like white text on white background.
So for here I edit only 3 files (2 files are for widget and one is for writting review for some app.)
Files your editing are:
- widget_app.xml
- widget_no_content.xml
- write_review.xml
In first 2 files you can replace line where it says /white or /black. (I wrote before what you can write there). Also if you want you can change some of xml files in this folder but in my opinion there isn't any need for that.
Last file write_review.xml is one I had problems with it when using Neon or Black version while writting review (comment) for some app. Thanks to MikeyMike01 it's resolved. If your using normal background as main to be white (like in stock version) then you don't need to touch any of files from layout folder; or you can play with them (your decision).
Here is orginal line from write_review.xml file
Code:
<EditText android:textColor="?android:textColorPrimary" android:gravity="top" android:id="@id/comment_box" android:layout_width="fill_parent" android:layout_height="fill_parent" android:maxLines="4" android:minLines="4" android:maxLength="150" android:freezesText="true" android:inputType="textLongMessage|textCapSentences|textMultiLine" />
Here is part you have to edit when using other color for main theme background in app
Code:
<EditText android:textColor="#ff000000" android:gravity="top" android:id="@id/comment_box" android:layout_width="fill_parent" android:layout_height="fill_parent" android:maxLines="4" android:minLines="4" android:maxLength="150" android:freezesText="true" android:inputType="textLongMessage|textCapSentences|textMultiLine" />
When finished with layout folder we are moving to last xml folder we need to edit called values (for every app it's almost same and all of them have it) and in there we only are interested in 2 files called:
- colors.xml
- styles.xml
In colors.xml you can change anything you want but as long as it's in hex color code and needs to start with #ff and ends with you 6-digit hex color code like this for steel blue #ff00aeff. Not sure if I need to explain which color is which since it has quite lines in there but you can play with them to see which line is what. My advice is to set different colors to see what is changed when you run your themed app and then you'll see result of your various colors and fix them one by one in file on your computer.
Final xml file which we need to edit is styles.xml and there are only 3 lines you change. First 2 lines are colors (1st is text name of color and like written before can only be black or white and 2nd line is hex color code). Last line in file your changing is look of your app aka "theme" to be with transparent background, black or white.
This is line your looking for and this one is for white background
Code:
<style name="TallTitleBarTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme.Light.NoTitleBar">
for black or neon version line looks like this
Code:
<style name="TallTitleBarTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar">
for transparent versions line looks like this
Code:
<style name="TallTitleBarTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme.Translucent.NoTitleBar">
Another on for transparent if you don't like pages to be one over other is not use Translucent; use this line
Code:
<style name="TallTitleBarTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme.Wallpaper.NoTitleBar">
WARNING: Don't copy xml files from older version of apps to newer one since there can be some changes in them; only file you can copy without any problem at all is file color.xml in values folder and file bottom_light_gradient.xml in drawable folder.
Well that's it for xml files and were moving on pictures in png format. All png's can be edited with gimp or photoshop like written before without any problem. Problematic files are called 9.png which aren't that easy to edit.
Problem with 9.png files is that they have black "dots" or lines around sides which indicate to android how will image be streched and sized to fit and look right.
Here is guide you look and read closely how and what to do on 9.png files.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=5206698
Myself I edit them with gimp using colorize function and after that I look closely how do black dots and lines look and is there any change in there color. If there is any change in color when compresing file you'll get error. So before going into editing 9png files read guide from link and if you want try my method which isn't in some way most efficent since you have to zoom and look closely every pixel in image to see if looks like orginal one!
Png files are listed in folder I wrote before on start of guide. Most of us who mod markets don't mod mdpi folders since most users use hdpi devices. But if you want you can edit.
Also one notice in market folder drawable-hdpi-v4 don't touch these 2 files since when edited on compiling you always get an error. Not sure why; tried every method to edit them but didn't work?!
Files are:
- title_bar_light_shadow.9.png
- title_bar_shadow.9.png
Also don't edit png called transparent.png.
After your done with editing and changing png files your ready to compile you new app (market).
Like written before you need again CMD (Command prompt) and run these command to compile file:
apktool b -d Vending
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you notice now there isn't .apk extension in compiling command and it because your compiling folder where you edited files. Now you have to wait for apktool to finish compiling files and it takes few minutes for that if no errors.
Little about errors little "bug" in apktool is that it doesn't create any log file so you can see which error your getting and you can't scroll windows much since it has quite lines written on screen and neither one is problematic xml or png file. So to see which error are you getting run command again to compile and when it starts to write errors hit Pause/Break key on your keyboard and YOU HAVE TO BE FAST!!!!! If you were fast enough just scroll with mouse and look for line after command where it says ERROR and there will be name of you "wrong" file and problematic part in it.
If your file is compiled and new apk is created it is in folder Vending in subfolder called dist. Now you can notice that there are 2 new subfolders created build folder and dist folder.
In build folder is your new app but not in apk format and if looking in it you can see only few folders in res folder and not all folders are listed like in res fodler where it's de-compiled. Now second folder called dist folder is folder where is created your apk file ready to be installed.
You thought it's done. Right? Well almost just a little thing and it's finished and this is where you need 7zip program. Most of apps need to be signed in order to android system can recognize them and if not signed apk file won't run if pushed with root explorer or installed if running it from zip file in CWM.
You need to open your orginal file called Vending.apk in 7zip and also open second 7zip and in it open new created Vending.apk located in Vending subfolder dist which we wrote few rows before.
When 2 apk files are opend each in it's own 7zip you can notice that your orginal file has META-INF folder and new one doesn't have it. Right?
Now in orginal apk file in 7zip select folder META-INF and file AndroidManifest.xml and drag it to 2nd 7zip with your new created apk file. In new 7zip you'll be asked if you want to copy or replace files and you just click on Yes button. (Thanks to pendo who told me about this)
Also your new apk file is smaller in size compered to orginal one and don't bother with that since it's normal. You'll see with each color edited in xml files apk will be different size.
Now your done and your file is ready to use and also signed. There are few methods about signing apk files but this for me presonally is easiest and quickest one. I know that apk manger can sign zips since I don't use it don't really know how it works and also apk manger uses most parts of apktools
but it has interface for users and creates log file for errors.
Before releasing apk file in public try it on your phone and see who it looks like; minor bugs you didn't notice you can fix later.
Your decision is do you want to use apktool or apk manager.
Hope this will help. In basic this is it and for most of apps can help but once you start it modding you'll learn few tricks. Most of us here will help if any problem like few users here helped me to get started with some basics
Guide about theming in general
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
If I find any other interesting guide I'll post it and if any problem or suggestions please feel free to post or pm me.
One thing in the end. DO NOT POST OR LINK GUIDE OUTSIDE FORUM PRIOR CONTACTING ME!!!
Regards,
ante
reserved?!
00.ante said:
reserved?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great Guide... Just needed the starting point !!!!
Thanks! Just what I requested!
Hi 00.ante, i love your work for the market and i hope that your skills will be used for your new team ^^ What a great tutorial and no one click the "thanks button", amazing !!!
By the way keep your mind and have a good day
Best regards.
Edit: Voted !
First of all, great guide here! I'm sure it will help a lot of people out!
On a side note, when I edit .9.png files I just "cut" out everything within the black lines and paste onto a new layer (use "paste in place" so the image doesn't move on you), make my color changes, then "merge down" the layers until it's layer 0 again, save .png as original - done. That way you don't even have to look at the black lines, you know they are correct because you didn't edit them. Just thought I'd throw this piece of information out there to hopefully save some people some time.
Great guide and an exellent resource for future themers. I will include a link to this in my sticky thread in captivate land.
Thank you
xtremekilla09 said:
Great guide and an exellent resource for future themers. I will include a link to this in my sticky thread in captivate land.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
Sent from Steel Blue themed i9000 using blue XDA app
What a great idea... gonna have to try this out.
bdemartino said:
First of all, great guide here! I'm sure it will help a lot of people out!
On a side note, when I edit .9.png files I just "cut" out everything within the black lines and paste onto a new layer (use "paste in place" so the image doesn't move on you), make my color changes, then "merge down" the layers until it's layer 0 again, save .png as original - done. That way you don't even have to look at the black lines, you know they are correct because you didn't edit them. Just thought I'd throw this piece of information out there to hopefully save some people some time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
How do you change icon for app like you do with the market icons?
davey11 said:
How do you change icon for app like you do with the market icons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like in amrlet I use gimp or photoshop on png's.... if you mean totally cahnge icon it can be done but it needs to be same dimensions.
00.ante said:
Like in amrlet I use gimp or photoshop on png's.... if you mean totally cahnge icon it can be done but it needs to be same dimensions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I meant how to "push" it into the app, so it shows in app drawer and other places like TB.
davey11 said:
Sorry, I meant how to "push" it into the app, so it shows in app drawer and other places like TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For apps if you just want to change icon then open apk file in 7zip manager and from it drag folder drawable-hdpi in res folder to lets say your desktop and find ping waht are you looking for and edit it with gimp or photoshop. But only edit this way png extensions not 9.png.
Then when your done just drag folder back to apk opened in 7zip or just png file you edited.
Thanks 00.ante. With this guide and a few hours of experimenting, I made my first themed market.
Looks great
Is there a way to change to background image on the top of the market. I know how to change the color but changing the actual image would be great...
Anyone...
thanks in advance.
theme a market app
Is it possible to theme an app you got on the market and have it still show up. I am just learning how to theme apps, don' t know much at all. The specific app I am working with is titanium backup. I changed the color of the icon, got it to work, but now the app no longer shows up in the store and I can't activate the pro version either. I'm sure you can theme an app and still have it show up in the market, I have used custom roms that have themed apps that showed up in the market. The theming disappeared after updating, which is expected. Is it possible to do this after each update, not sure about the pro version though.
Were can I find the apk in my rom are they in the data/app folder ????
Thanks
Sent from my SGH-T989
[TUT][HOW TO]Make your LockScreen Clock BIGGER & ALIGN CENTER FOR ICS (tested) & JB.
I Just wanted to modify the clock display on the Lock Screen by BIGGER size and also in the CENTER of the screen. I went thru and referred various threads here (actually it's on for various issues) but couldn't get all at one thread. I got some idea to achieve this and also got it done.(See the Attaches). Hence I want to put them collectively here...
WARNING:
You should not attempt to do this on a device that does not have a recovery, because if something goes wrong you may have to reinstall your ROM (not very likely though but I'm not responsible). You should probably have back up framework-res.apk and you should also have some experience modding and some experience using Apktool & Linux.
Required tools:
1. APKTool (You may have already but use this one since I searched everywhere & finally worked with this) rename it as apktool.jar and move it to the C:\windows directory (or Root Dir)
2. Patched aapt (Copy this one also on windows root dir)
3. Zipalign (unzip and put this 2 files also on C:\Windows root, used for signing the apk)
4. apktool.bat Note : Unzip this file and move ONLY apktool.bat to C:\windows directory.
5. 7zip or File Roller and Java on PC. Just find them and have installed.
6. Any root explorer installed on your device with file mount permissions.
7. Notepad++ (not regular notepad) required to open/manipulate the xml files on PC.
How to Modify the display settings:
1. Copy framework-res.apk from /system/framework folder to your PC. Make a copy of framework-res.apk & keep it somewhere as BACKUP and will need later. Now we have to modify the apk file.
2. So we have to decompile the apk using apktool, go to cmd and change dir to where the apk file is. Now type as:
apktool if framework-res.apk
It will install the needed framework.
3. Now to decompile type as : apktool d framework-res.apk
Now the file is decompiled and stored on a folder of this file name.(framework-res)
4. Browse To "\res\values" on that folder and open dimens.xml with notepad++
5. Find those line:
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_clock_font_size">80.0dip</dimen>
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_status_line_font_size">14.0dip</dimen>
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_status_line_font_right_margin">42.0dip</dimen>
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_status_line_clockfont_top_margin">22.0dip</dimen>
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_status_line_clockfont_bottom_margin">12.0dip</dimen>
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_pin_margin_left">40.0dip</dimen>
6. You have to change the values as:
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_clock_font_size">90.0dip</dimen> [Change: To increase font size]
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_status_line_font_size">14.0dip</dimen> [No change]
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_status_line_font_right_margin">50.0dip</dimen> [Set right margin to make centre]
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_status_line_clockfont_top_margin">23.0dip</dimen> [set margins from Top]
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_status_line_clockfont_bottom_margin">12.0dip</dimen> [No change]
<dimen name="keyguard_lockscreen_pin_margin_left">40.0dip</dimen>
save them and exit.
7. Now this step will be different than you have seen before. To build the apk make sure you are in the terminal in the directory where framework-res exists and type:
apktool b framework-res almostdone.apk
Now it takes some time to create the output file.
8. Open the backup file (kept seperately on start) with file roller/7-zip in a window.
9. open almostdone.apk with file roller/ 7-zip On another window.
10. From inside the almostdone.apk window drag resources.arsc to the root of backup.apk window (This will replace the file)
11. From inside almostdone.apk drag the res folder into the backup.apk It's done !!.
12. Now needed to zipalign the apk. Type as: zipalign -v 4 backup.apk done.apk
This will optimize the apk. The output is done.apk.
13. Now rename the done.apk as framework-res.apk and install it on your device (i.e on folder /system/framework ) I achieved this by ES File explorer. Enable 'file mount system' on settings of Es File explorer. Then copy modded apk, paste into /system/framework. Make sure you give it the same permissions as all the other apk's in the system/framework directory. Then reboot. Or you could make a flashable zip to install it.
IT'S DONE NOW. YOU CAN GET THE CLOCK BIGGER AND ON CENTER !!
I really thank blindndumb and powerpoint45 for their useful post which helped me a lot....
Isnt it basically the thread on the Android development and Hacking section with possibly on change of certain values?????
I dont see any credits to the original dev who did this
csoulr666 said:
Isnt it basically the thread on the Android development and Hacking section with possibly on change of certain values?????
I dont see any credits to the original dev who did this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I'm not a genius, and GENIUS are not born by birth.
Thanks for your PRAISE!. I didn't MENTION that i INVENTED this method. Pls go thru it again...! (even i haven't edited yet !).
I said that referred many threads but can't get done what I want on a single thread. So I just wanted to help others and didn't ASK ANY CREDIT for this but just put this collectively here under one. If you want to remove pls do it if you can.
Thanks any way.
Is there an option to change the alignment of the clock in the lock screen? I'm using CM 10.2 on my Nexus 4 and the clock is thin font and centered. I want it thin font but right-aligned, like on the Galaxy S4 Google Edition. Let me know if that is an option. Thanks!
Ultimate Editing and Theming Guide
Preliminary Requirements:-
PC with Windows(Please avoid Windows Vista)
Java JRE or JDK
APK Multitool
framework-res.apk, SystemUI.apk, twframework-res.apk for installing
7-zip
Notepad++
Android Device for testing
Photoshop or equivalent image editing software
android-sdk(for 9 png editing)
Lots and lots of patience and mind
What this guide includes:-
1. Easiest Decompiling and Recompiling Guide *Must Read before continuing*
2. Explanation of 9 pngs and how to edit or make them
3. How to Batch edit pngs (Not 9 pngs) (Changing color, etc)
4. How to change path thickness of Pattern Lockscreen to ICS style
First Step:
Decompiling: [MUST READ]
We are assuming that you have installed JAVA, Android SDK and apk-multitool without any problems
1. Copy your mobile's framework-res.apk, SystemUI.apk and twframework-res.apk in others folder in directory where you have extracted apk-multiool
2. Open Setup.bat. Choose 2 :- Installing Framework-res
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Setup.bat
Choose 1 (framework-res.apk)
Choose 2 (twframework-res.apk)
Choose 4 (SystemUI.apk)
Window will close each time you choose an option
You will have to restart Setup.bat each time
3. Now place the apk you want to edit in place-apk-here-for-modding
4. Now open script.bat. (If you see any error, either you haven't installed JAVA and SDK[adb] or they aren't implented, Please install them properly before continuing). Click any key to continue
APK-Multitool Window
5. You will see the above window. Now, make sure you have installed all frameworks and Compression level is set to 9.
6. Now, we will choose our project. Click 24. A list of files present in place-apk-here-for-modding will be in front of you. Choose any file
7. Click on 9. Now decompiling will be in process.
8. After it is complete, go to projects folder, you will see a folder with the name of apk you decompiled
Decompiled apk example
If it is decompiled properly, then there will be apktool.yml file in it
9. Do your modifications. Now, you can edit .9.png files (they will be discussed later) and xml files which were uneditable first
You will notice that there will be many new folders which weren't present in compiled form of apk. These all folders are generated from a file called resources.arsc present in compiled form which is absent in decompiled form
Such an example is of values folder which contains crucial xml files like styles.xml, strings.xml, ids.xml, etc
Always open xml files with Notepad++, it will mark commands and syntax making it look aligned and making it easy to understand
Example of decompiled xml file
Also, you can edit 9 patch files also which will be changed from now on
Example:-
We will discuss 9 png in detail later on
10. After you have done your modifications and you are ready to recompile the app, choose 11 (Compile System APK) if you are editing System App or 12(Compile Non-System App) if you are editing other than System App
11. a) If System App:-
After some time it will ask that if you want to copy additional files other than signatures to ensure less amount of errors, then choose y
After extracting some files, it will ask you to delete files from keep folder
Simply go to keep folder,
If you edited any pngs and there are many and you are lazy enough to delete one by one, then delete the whole folder in which you edited pngs
If you edited any xml file, then delete that xml file AND ALSO DELETE RESOURCES.ARSC
Why? Because we told that values and several other folders are generated from resources.arsc while decompiling
Now, if we don't delete resources.arsc, the modification we did in values folder will be reverted to original state
After doing this, go to script.bat again and press any key to continue
11. b)If its not system app:
Just recompile it and sign it man through the menu in apk multitool man.
It is easy as hell. Tutorial of non-system app has been ended here
12. Now, you will get another apk name System_ apkname.apk
Open both apks as archives by 7-zip
13. Last and most important step:-
Just drop the files you edited from new apk to old apk in correct folders. By now, you may have understood that resouces.arsc INCLUDES your edited xmls
14. Now, the final apk is not System_apkname.apk but apkname.apk (the original file you started with). Push it and enjoy
9 PNG Discussion
These are special types of pngs that can be stretched to fit the need of program or different scenarios or cases. It contains 1 pixel lines on each border of different lengths for different things
As told above, we can't edit 9 png in compiled form as it will lose these lines which define its properties. So, we first need to decompile apk in order to edit 9 pngs
So, after decompiling apk, open 9 png in Photoshop and select the part inside that 1 px border and edit anything you want (Hue, Saturation, Bevel, Emboss, ANYTHING)
Now save it (save it as a normal png and then rename it as .9.png because photoshop doesn't recognise 9 png extension and image will loose its RGB format)
Explanation of 9 png:-
You can read this for more information
If you have doubt that you have gone wrong somewhere or you have made a new png from scratch and want to test if it is correct or not:
(Check all 9 png files you edit as they can cause Force Closes or bootloops)
Go to folder where you extracted android-sdk and go to tools folder and open draw9patch.bat
A window like this will open up:-
Drop you 9 png here
A new window will open with you 9 png on it
Tick on show bad patches
If you see red rectangles, you have a bad 9 patch image. You will need to delete or add those lines in png to remove all red boxes. If you want to delete, press Shift and start moving cursor over lines you want to delete. You can choose method of hit and trial to remove all rectangles and move the lower scale to see how your image size is adjusted
Or you can do what I do:
1. Remove all lines
2. Add single dot on top centre and left centre border of image (That can be taken as stretchable area)
3. Add lines on right and bottom of image where you want to fill content. Now, click on Show Content
The purple area you see in image is the content area (Text will be filled there. Eg:- Popup Menu)
4. Now, you can adjust these lines acoording to your need that what you want for stretchable area and content area until an unless there comes an red triangle
5. When it is done. Save the file. DONE
Easy, isn't it?
That's what theming is
Batch Editing pngs in Photoshop
Well the scenario is you have 200 pngs and you want to change their color, hue, add effect to them, etc. Definitely not worth the time you will spent doing this one by one. So, here, I will cover how to batch apply same edits on to your infinite pngs. Here, I am taking example of changing color of battery png from green to purple, you can apply any attribute to your image in the same way. I repeat it is not for .9.png files. Read above guide for reference
Let's start
1. First copy all your pngs you need to edit in a separate folder. I have made a folder named Battery Base and pasted my all pngs of battery there.
Now create another folder where your edited pngs will be saved. For eg:- Battery Done. (Don't create it inside Battery Base folder)
2. Open Adobe Photoshop and Choose Window>Actions or Alt+F9
3. Click on the note like file (Create new Action)
Rename it to anything you want . I have chosen Battery_color
Then click on Record. Now, you will see that red circle is enabled and now everything you do on image will be recorded and will be applied on each image.
4. Now, do this very carefully, don't miss any step.
We will do every thing that we want Photoshop to do with each file we want to edit.
a) So, first we want Photoshop to open the image. So , click on Open and choose any png from Battery Base folder (Choose a file with more color so that you know what color exactly your file will be after editing. That is why I chose 90 percent battery here).
b) Now, after opening, we want to change Color of png from green to purple. So, choose Image>Adjustment>Hue and Saturation or Ctrl+U
A dialog box with 3 sliders will appear. Move upper slider to change color. You can move other slider to change saturation and brightness if you want. Now, if you got it right, click on OK.
Every step of yours is being recorded, so don't do unnecessary stuff you don't want to do on other images. Nonetheless, if you have done it, then Drop down the Battery Base Action in action palette and you will see your every action there, If you want to delete any action , you can delete it from there. You can also add any action before pre completed action by clicking above that action and performing it.
Now, you can do anything you want to be done on your rest of pngs.
c) Now, we want Photoshop to save this png to carry on working on others. So, Go to File>Save as... and save it as a png in Battery Done folder. Photoshop will ask you to choose, so choose smallest compression and no interlace.
d) Image is saved but we also want Photoshop to close the png so that it does not open 200 tabs for editing 200 pngs. So, click on close (Small cross on title bar of png). If, it asks that do you want to save changes to png . Say no, because if you say yes, the png in Battery Base will be changes and when batch processing is done, that png in Battery Done will be of different color that all others.And also, your all green pngs in Battery Base folder will turn purple too. But we want purple images in Battery Done and green in Battery Base.
5. Now, we hae done what we want, so, we will stop recording the Action. Click on that square in Actions Palette.
6. Fun Starts. Now we will do the batch processing.
Go to File>Automate>Batch
In the dialog box, Choose the action to be Battery_Color (or obiviously any action you created)
Source folder: Battery Base
Destination Folder: Battery Done
Tick both Override Action 'Open' commands and Override Action 'Save as' commands
Click on OK. Sit back for 3 to 5 minutes(204 pngs) and TADA
You can apply any action in same way. Such as bevel, glossy, pale, etc to innumerous amount of pngs
Guide to change path thickness of Pattern Lockscreen to ICS Style
Guide to changing path thickness of Pattern Lockscreen to ICS style
I wandered places searching this off. I found some traces in direction of my destiny but none of them worked fully correctly
So, as stated, I searched a lot for this mod and came face to face with failures and smali errors. So, I had to figure it out myself some modification to do in it to make it work.
Note: IT is not COMPLETELY my mod but I have done modifications in it to make it work. This is based on a guide for Froyo outside of XDA.
Pre-Requisites:
1. PC with Java JDK or JRE
2. Deodexed ROM
3. 7-Zip
4. classes.dex decompiling tool
5. Notepad++
6. Patience
7. Carefulness for editing smali files
Let's Start
1. First we would have to decompile classes.dex inside framework.jar
For that, you can use my Tool ROM Tool v2
First using 7zip, Right click on your framework.jar and open it as archive and drag and drop classes.dex in input folder of the tool
(Note: If you don't have classes.dex in framework.jar [only META-INF and preloaded-classes.dex], then your framework isn't deodexed)
Now, open Script.bat and choose 1 (Decompile classes.dex)
2. Now, we will make the changes. Go to decompiled folder and go to \classout\com\android\internal\widget and open LockPatternView.smali in Notepad++
Search for mDiameterFactor:F [Ctrl+F]
See the code above it.
It should be like this:-
Code:
const[COLOR="Red"]/high16[/COLOR] v2, 0x3f00
If it is, then you will have to remove red part /high 16
Because it will not allow the change of code we will be doing which will have a different hexadecimal value which will not be supported till this code is in effect
Now, it will look like this:-
Code:
const v2, 0x[COLOR="Red"]3f00[/COLOR]
Now, we will change the thickness value 3f00 to 3dcccccd
Final code will look like this
Code:
const v2, 0x3dcccccd
Save it
I am attaching final and before smali for comparison below.
View attachment 1936707
(Note: If you don't have /high 16, it's good , then just just change the value and save)
3. Go to Script.bat again and choose 2 (Recompile classes.dex) and after it's done, you will get classes.dex
Drop it in framework.jar
4. Push framewotk.jar in /system/framework
Eg:
Copy it in platform-tools folder of android SDK and type following with pressing Enter after each command
Code:
adb remount
adb push framework.jar /system/framework/
adb shell chmod 644 /system/framework/framework.jar
adb shell killall system_sever
Last command will Hot Reboot your phone to apply changes. It is fast and better than rebooting phone.
5. Enjoy
Screenshots
Before
After
Credits
A member from other forum to answer a question to other member of that forum
Google for letting me search somethings
Samsung Galaxy Ace s5830i members for supporting me so much
This is a work in progress.
Will add more things soon
Credits:
@d3cka for teaching best abour 9 pngs
@deathnotice01 for helping me
Miscellaneous Google and xda posts
Reserved for FAQ about Apk Multitool and theming
Great things upcoming by you? huh! :good: keep your work on Hope to see more from you
Hmmm..batch editing works in gimp
-------------
"Blah blah blah blah blahblah blah blah"-No One
74M3NUMB3RS said:
Hmmm..batch editing works in gimp
-------------
"Blah blah blah blah blahblah blah blah"-No One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I find Photoshop more user friendly and I am used to it.
For instance, I themed whole phone like WP8 in 8 hours in PS. That would have taken about 15 hours in Gimp
iamareebjamal said:
But I find Photoshop more user friendly and I am used to it.
For instance, I themed whole phone like WP8 in 8 hours in PS. That would have taken about 15 hours in Gimp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well its the best free alternative for me...
And I'm not saying gimp is better than PS...
I dunno y u r teasing it
I just said if the batch editing works in gimp :sly:
And u were like PS is better than gimp
Sent un Galaxia Tab Dos Siete Pun Uno
74M3NUMB3RS said:
Well its the best free alternative for me...
And I'm not saying gimp is better than PS...
I dunno y u r teasing it
I just said if the batch editing works in gimp :sly:
And u were like PS is better than gimp
Sent un Galaxia Tab Dos Siete Pun Uno
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry
iamareebjamal said:
Sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry too
I just wanna know if it works in gimp
Sent un Galaxia Tab Dos Siete Pun Uno
Commenting bcz I want this in my participated tab great job too!
Sent via the muffin launch _/^\_
74M3NUMB3RS said:
Sorry too
I just wanna know if it works in gimp
Sent un Galaxia Tab Dos Siete Pun Uno
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are asking, then yes, we can batch edit in Gimp
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/use-gimp-to-batch-edit-your-images-windows-specific-instructions/
nice man !
This deserves a bookmark
Any suggestions about adding any guide?
iamareebjamal said:
Any suggestions about adding any guide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U cud add a guide for changing layouts of apps like framework and all
Never seen a guide for it but people will always need one for reference ..:thumbup:
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda app-developers app
anubhavrev said:
U cud add a guide for changing layouts of apps like framework and all
Never seen a guide for it but people will always need one for reference ..:thumbup:
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Challenge accepted
But I need more reference like changing layout of framework like what? Rearranging items or theming the UI? Or changing the whole UI(Oppa dcsms style)?
First two I can make but I truly don't know how to change UI like dcsms, evanlocked and b12h... do!
Thanks a lot! I was searching a useful guide for editing .9.png files without this miserable draw9patch.bat
I'll edit all my .9.png with Photoshop and only proceed to some verifications with this tool.
Your part about "Batch Editing pngs" is interesting too. I'm going to modify some battery pngs so...:good:
Thanks, but I don't think guide is serving the purpose greatly or reaching the masses, I should have created separate guides for separate topics
I'm modding a theme and I've just started .9.png files.
I modified the color in Photoshop and saved as .png then I renamed to .9.png as mentioned in the guide.
I dropped the file in better9patch.jar and I have the first picture ('before'). I saw red areas so I pressed Shift and highlighted the top and the left. Then I obtained the 2nd picture ('after').
Everything is fine? Can i save the file now?
Thanks for your advices!
Memphis_ said:
I'm modding a theme and I've just started .9.png files.
I modified the color in Photoshop and saved as .png then I renamed to .9.png as mentioned in the guide.
I dropped the file in better9patch.jar and I have the first picture ('before'). I saw red areas so I pressed Shift and highlighted the top and the left. Then I obtained the 2nd picture ('after').
Everything is fine? Can i save the file now?
Thanks for your advices!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically you've removed the stretchable part of image
It's not good
Just put one dot in upper center and left center. Can you please tell me the name of png you are editing to better assist you.
Thanks
Precious Guide
iamareebjamal said:
Basically you've removed the stretchable part of image
It's not good
Just put one dot in upper center and left center. Can you please tell me the name of png you are editing to better assist you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is where the files is located: C:\Android\APKTool\theme_name\res\drawable\dropbox_ss_action_item_background_focused_holo_light.9.png
Could you please attach the corrected file?
Here is my file modified via Photoshop (blue to green): HERE
Original .9.png HERE
EDIT
If i compare my modified file with the original one the rendering is the same as my file named 'before'.
Hi guys I'm just sharing the work of the XDA member Flextrick.This is a simple tool which helps you to compile/decompile and sign the apk's.
- Easy handling: Select your apk and push the "decompile" button!
- This tool makes modding much faster and easier, no cmd handling any more.
- You can read the log which is integrated in the tool to find your mistake in the error.
Requirements:
Winows OS XP / 7 / 8
Installed Java on Windows
Installed Microsoft Powerpacks
Installed .NET framework
How to use this tool?
Follow this small how to!
Here you go..
Well, first extract the AndroidApktool folder to C:\. Otherwise it propably won´t work
-copy your framework-res.apk and other files you want to mod in the "Files" folder (this folder is for all your files you want to mod, don't pick files from any other location)
-Next you have to start AndroidApktool.exe
-select your framework-res.apk and push the "install" button (check log for errors)
Decompiling and recompiling apk files:
-select the apk you want to mod/decompile and push the "decompile" button (check log for errors)
Note: You can check the "use baksmali" checkbox, then e.g. the useless .line text will be removed
-your decompiled apk will be located in C:\AndroidApktool\Decompiled_apk\"apkname" as a folder
-if you want to compile your apk again, select your decompiled folder, check the "apk" radiobutton and compile it again (check log for errors)
!!!NOTE!!! After compiling you have to copy the AndroidManifest.xml and the META-INF folder from your old apk to your newly compiled one!! Otherwise you´ll get bootloop! (Don't check the smali checkbox, it will create a classes.dex file from you smali files)
-your recompiled apk will be located in C:\AndroidApktool\Compiled_apk\"apkname"
Decompiling and recompiling jar files:
-select in the combobox ".jar" (check the "use baksmali" checkbox for deleting the useless .line comments)
-select the ".jar" file you want to mod
-push the "decompile" button
-your decompiled jar file will be locaten in C:\AndroidApktool\Decompiled_jar\"jarname"
-for recompiling you have to check the "jar" radiobutton and select the folder within your decompiled ".jar" file
-push the compile button
-your compiled jar file will be located in C:\AndroidApktool\Compiled_jar\"jarname"\classes.d ex
-delete the "classes.dex" file in your ".jar" file
-copy the new "classes.dex" file you compiled in the ".jar" file
Signing apk files:
-select the ".apk" you want to sign
-push the "sign" button
-the signed apk file is located in C:\AndroidApktool\Signed_apk\"apkname_signed"
Downloads 1.Windows 8 - http://www.mediafire.com/download/3xc18gs3we9gt8h/AndroidMultitool_2.1.zip
2.Windows XP/Windows 7 - http://www.mediafire.com/download/5aby5m5zh9vj1h9/AndroidMultitool_2.1_Win7.zip
Questions and answers:
Q: The programm does not start, it crashes.
A: Please install Powerpacks, this one: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...-684E8AD6F0AE/VisualBasicPowerPacks3Setup.exe
Q: What do you mean exactly with "!!!NOTE!!! After compiling you have to copy the AndroidManifest.xml and the META-INF folder from your old apk to your newly compiled one!! Otherwise you´ll get bootloop! " .. I don't understand.
A: You have to open your old apk (this one you selected for decompiling in the folder /files) and copy from that apk the AndroidManifest.xml and the META-INF folder to the apk you just decompiled and recompiled.
Original Thread : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2326604
Credits :
Flextrick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice share bro!!!!!
powerpack link not working!!!!!! wat to do?????????????
kumar akarsh said:
powerpack link not working!!!!!! wat to do?????????????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this one http://download.microsoft.com/downl...-684E8AD6F0AE/VisualBasicPowerPacks3Setup.exe
update the download links please :crying:
radiocity966 said:
update the download links please :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updated!
Hey, thanks for sharing!
You can update to 3.0 if you've got some time.
Maybe also my new app is interesting for you guys: Sysfile Copymaster
Makes it easy to work with system files.
Greetings
Flextrick said:
Hey, thanks for sharing!
You can update to 3.0 if you've got some time.
Maybe also my new app is interesting for you guys: Sysfile Copymaster
Makes it easy to work with system files.
Greetings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright! :thumbup:
I'll try your app soon!
Thanks for the update alert!
It refuses to recompile... no matter what.
It just won't compile. I edited nothing, recompiled it to test, and got a huge number of errors about it not being able to find directories. I moved the AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF folder...
TheTechnoToast said:
It just won't compile. I edited nothing, recompiled it to test, and got a huge number of errors about it not being able to find directories. I moved the AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF folder...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Post your query in the original thread.
aniket.lamba said:
Hi guys I'm just sharing the work of the XDA member Flextrick.This is a simple tool which helps you to compile/decompile and sign the apk's.
- Easy handling: Select your apk and push the "decompile" button!
- This tool makes modding much faster and easier, no cmd handling any more.
- You can read the log which is integrated in the tool to find your mistake in the error.
Requirements:
Winows OS XP / 7 / 8
Installed Java on Windows
Installed Microsoft Powerpacks
Installed .NET framework
How to use this tool?
Follow this small how to!
Here you go..
Well, first extract the AndroidApktool folder to C:\. Otherwise it propably won´t work
-copy your framework-res.apk and other files you want to mod in the "Files" folder (this folder is for all your files you want to mod, don't pick files from any other location)
-Next you have to start AndroidApktool.exe
-select your framework-res.apk and push the "install" button (check log for errors)
Decompiling and recompiling apk files:
-select the apk you want to mod/decompile and push the "decompile" button (check log for errors)
Note: You can check the "use baksmali" checkbox, then e.g. the useless .line text will be removed
-your decompiled apk will be located in C:\AndroidApktool\Decompiled_apk\"apkname" as a folder
-if you want to compile your apk again, select your decompiled folder, check the "apk" radiobutton and compile it again (check log for errors)
!!!NOTE!!! After compiling you have to copy the AndroidManifest.xml and the META-INF folder from your old apk to your newly compiled one!! Otherwise you´ll get bootloop! (Don't check the smali checkbox, it will create a classes.dex file from you smali files)
-your recompiled apk will be located in C:\AndroidApktool\Compiled_apk\"apkname"
Decompiling and recompiling jar files:
-select in the combobox ".jar" (check the "use baksmali" checkbox for deleting the useless .line comments)
-select the ".jar" file you want to mod
-push the "decompile" button
-your decompiled jar file will be locaten in C:\AndroidApktool\Decompiled_jar\"jarname"
-for recompiling you have to check the "jar" radiobutton and select the folder within your decompiled ".jar" file
-push the compile button
-your compiled jar file will be located in C:\AndroidApktool\Compiled_jar\"jarname"\classes.d ex
-delete the "classes.dex" file in your ".jar" file
-copy the new "classes.dex" file you compiled in the ".jar" file
Signing apk files:
-select the ".apk" you want to sign
-push the "sign" button
-the signed apk file is located in C:\AndroidApktool\Signed_apk\"apkname_signed"
Downloads 1.Windows 8 - http://www.mediafire.com/download/3xc18gs3we9gt8h/AndroidMultitool_2.1.zip
2.Windows XP/Windows 7 - http://www.mediafire.com/download/5aby5m5zh9vj1h9/AndroidMultitool_2.1_Win7.zip
Questions and answers:
Q: The programm does not start, it crashes.
A: Please install Powerpacks, this one: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...-684E8AD6F0AE/VisualBasicPowerPacks3Setup.exe
Q: What do you mean exactly with "!!!NOTE!!! After compiling you have to copy the AndroidManifest.xml and the META-INF folder from your old apk to your newly compiled one!! Otherwise you´ll get bootloop! " .. I don't understand.
A: You have to open your old apk (this one you selected for decompiling in the folder /files) and copy from that apk the AndroidManifest.xml and the META-INF folder to the apk you just decompiled and recompiled.
Original Thread : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2326604
Credits :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link Not wrking man. Please Solve It .!!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42639253
GREETZ FROM TEAM-OPTIMA!!!
Im sorry I use google translations. I wanted systemui/res/values/dimens.xml replace i give link' dimens.xml pleasee
Is there any way to change the res / values / dimens.xml file in the system ui on the link that I give friends with the dimens.xml on the link I exported? I can not decompile-compile java problem on my pc.
SystemUI link: https://yadi.sk/d/Nc4pLw7u3Aj2md
New dimens.xml link: https://yadi.sk/d/sUChH0rl3Aj3iZ
xbayliss said:
Im sorry I use google translations. I wanted systemui/res/values/dimens.xml replace i give link' dimens.xml pleasee
Is there any way to change the res / values / dimens.xml file in the system ui on the link that I give friends with the dimens.xml on the link I exported? I can not decompile-compile java problem on my pc.
SystemUI link: https://yadi.sk/d/Nc4pLw7u3Aj2md
New dimens.xml link: https://yadi.sk/d/sUChH0rl3Aj3iZ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's simple if you're using Windows PC
just do it with WinRAR Sofware
> open SystemUI.apk using WinRAR
> delete "dimens.xml" in the existing SystemUI.apk sub-folder
> drag and drop new "dimens.xml" in the same sub-folder
> WinRAR automatic regenerating new SystemUI.apk package
Do With Your Own Risk, because i don't know what are you modify in that SystemUI.apk
i've just give you a simple method to modify (replace) file in the SystemUI.apk
DON'T FORGET to have nandroid backup before using the new SystemUI.apk
DON'T FORGET after you replace the SystemUI.apk, reboot into recovery and clear Dalvik Cache & Cache
Good Luck :laugh:
BayuCiptoaji said:
it's simple if you're using Windows PC
just do it with WinRAR Sofware
> open SystemUI.apk using WinRAR
> delete "dimens.xml" in the existing SystemUI.apk sub-folder
> drag and drop new "dimens.xml" in the same sub-folder
> WinRAR automatic regenerating new SystemUI.apk package
Do With Your Own Risk, because i don't know what are you modify in that SystemUI.apk
i've just give you a simple method to modify (replace) file in the SystemUI.apk
DON'T FORGET to have nandroid backup before using the new SystemUI.apk
DON'T FORGET after you replace the SystemUI.apk, reboot into recovery and clear Dalvik Cache & Cache
Good Luck :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Winrar is doesn't resuource.arc mod. Winrar is doesn't find values folder. I'm sorry.