[SKN] VGA Skins for Standard WM Dialer (Black/Transparent/Sunset + MORE!)

[Davey101]

Description updated 08 Nov 2008

I stopped using the HTC Diamond dialer after I found out that it uses 10MB of memory (8MB on some improved ROMs like SwiftBL) at all times and is partly responsible for the device's laggy dialer performance.

The default WM dialer is an ugly grey but after finding this thread about QVGA skins (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=295951) I decided to make my own black skin. I'd like to thank the starter of that thread, Raceit, for helping me to get started with the image files and trying to fix them for me. Cheers dude! :)

I don't know how to make CABs yet so here's a zip. (EDIT: CAB available in post #3.) The orange colouring in the screenshots was part of my theme, not part of the skin. :)

To install, first disable the HTC dialer, see post #2 for more details.

If you would like to install the black 3D skin pictured below, the easiest method is to install the CAB provided by mic_888 in post #3. If you plan to use another skin that doesn't have a CAB then I advise installing the CAB anyway, then copying the images files from the ZIP archive into the Windows folder. There are 2 advantages of installing a CAB - firstly so that the image files are unprotected and easier to overwrite and secondly to make uninstallation easier. Just uninstall the CAB to remove whatever skin you are using and revert to standard the standard WM grey skin.

Hint: The Matrix, Flat Black and Sunset skins in this thread feature transparent buttons with different edge colours, feel free to use them with your own backgrounds. It's just a case of replacing the two png images with your own choice of portrait/landscape images :D

EDIT: Matrix and Flat Black skins added, see post #24 - CAB now added!
EDIT: Sunset skin added, see post #29 - CAB now added!
EDIT: Grey/White skin added, see post #71 - CAB now added!
EDIT: Dark TouchFlo skin by nhvoltagenh, see post #74-#75

Please also check out the skins by holdemdogg, starting at post #49!

Edit: More Skins, good ones too...
Ryon Skin (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=508920)
Noonski Diamondish Skin (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450773)

---
Dave

[Davey101]

The main drawback of the standard WM dialer is that you cannot use it for video calling. Not an issue for me personally.

The advantages are that it saves almost 10MB of memory, even on ROMs with an optimized dialer, and gets rid of that slight lag when making or answering a call when you're not sure if it's actually going to do anything. A further benefit is that the answer and reject keys are much more difficult to press accidentally, removing the need for an additional locking program (Answerkeys Disabler, TouchLockPro, S2U2, etc.)

The HTC dialer can be disabled using DiamondTweak or Schaps Advanced Configuration Tool. You must also disable the HTC Volume Control if you wish to be able to adjust the volume in-call. The only working method that I know of is to use this CAB here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2718080&postcount=7). :)

Edit: It turns out that disabling the HTC dialer also loses the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar. I had a quick google and found this solution (http://www.careace.net/2009/04/17/bluetooth-icon-patch-for-samsung-windows-mobile-ppcs/). I've tested it and it works fine on my Diamond. File attached below for convenience. :)

Edit 2: The developers of the bluetooth icon app have released a new version that's more compatible with VGA! See below.

[mic_888]

Made a cab - I haven't tested it though :)

[Davey101]

Made a cab - I haven't tested it though :)

Perfect! Tested OK.

Thanks! :)

[urikasit]

cab doesn't work. and image files can't be copy to the windows folder.

[ciberus]

Great work I was looking for this and will include in my Lite rom, can you tranform also Phone_DPI_192 files? (call history), many thanks....

[Davey101]

Great work I was looking for this and will include in my Lite rom, can you tranform also Phone_DPI_192 files? (call history), many thanks....

Nice one, glad someone else finds it useful! Can you post any more information? I don't know where those files are.

If anyone has any requests for other colours or designs, let me know. Also please feel free to post your own designs here. :D

[stuckonashelf]

so all i do is run the cab and then 10 mb will be freed up? does this work on the sprint diamond?

[raspdeep]

Any idea how to undo disable HTC volume control if I plan to go back to default HTC dialer?
Is the cab changing some registry settings?

[Davey101]

so all i do is run the cab and then 10 mb will be freed up? does this work on the sprint diamond?

No you need to disable the HTC dialer and volume control too. See post #2 for details. I don't know enough about the differences in the sprint but I expect so.

Any idea how to undo disable HTC volume control if I plan to go back to default HTC dialer?
Is the cab changing some registry settings?

I don't really know what that cab does. Have you tried uninstalling from remove programs then soft-resetting?

[Mandragore]

If anyone has any requests for other colours or designs, let me know.
Well done, I'd like to try this!

But, as I use skilty's TF3D Matrix theme (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=425176) with it's skinned dialer, I'd like to request a Matrix WM dialer skin, please. For personal use and to share it in the Matrix Trilogy theme (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=430024) resource thread.

Maybe you want to have a go at it? It would be great if you could design one with 'real' 1234567890 digits. Perhaps from one of the free Matrix fonts (http://www.free-fonts.com/matrix_fonts.html).. And it would be bonus if you could design another skin with 'actual' Matrix font digits, like these (http://www.myfont.de/fonts/charmap/631-Matrix-Code.html).

Or maybe you can just use skilty's dialer artwork? I could ask skilty. Anyway, TIA!

[ZeuBug]

Thanks Davey101! :)

I'm waiting for that since a long time!!!

[Davey101]

Well done, I'd like to try this!

But, as I use skilty's TF3D Matrix theme (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=425176) with it's skinned dialer, I'd like to request a Matrix WM dialer skin, please. For personal use and to share it in the Matrix Trilogy theme (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=430024) resource thread.

Maybe you want to have a go at it? It would be great if you could design one with 'real' 1234567890 digits. Perhaps from one of the free Matrix fonts (http://www.free-fonts.com/matrix_fonts.html).. And it would be bonus if you could design another skin with 'actual' Matrix font digits, like these (http://www.myfont.de/fonts/charmap/631-Matrix-Code.html).

Or maybe you can just use skilty's dialer artwork? I could ask skilty. Anyway, TIA!

News flash!

The Matrix trilogy ended, lamely, 5 years ago! :p :D

I think it might be easiest to use transparent buttons with a simple green border so that the matrix background image is seen through the buttons. I'll see what I can come up with, unless you'd like to have a go?

I don't know how to change the button font, sorry.

[ZeuBug]

I use Vito Winterface....
I have made these buttons but not centered!
(I take the same gif mesure of Black VGA Dialer skin: 86x56, 128x54, 142x56 and 180x54)

If somebody could help me...

THX!!!

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2889/34014652ye9.th.png (http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=34014652ye9.png)http://img262.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php) http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5357/63356995my2.th.png (http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=63356995my2.png)http://img262.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

[Davey101]

I use Vito Winterface....
I have made these buttons but not centered!
(I take the same gif mesure of Black VGA Dialer skin for example, 86x56, 128x54, 142x56 and 180x54)

If somebody could help me...

THX!!!

Sorry I don't understand that!

[ZeuBug]

Sorry I don't understand that!

My (very) bad english or my problem??? :confused: :D

[Davey101]

My (very) bad english or my problem??? :confused: :D

Your problem (maybe because of your English!) :)

[creeky]

Hi all,
Is anyone able to develope a Dialer skin that increases the numeric button sizes, There is a big bar of space at the top of the dialer that could be used for the other buttons we use, Or can we remove the call history list to increase the buttons?

Dan

[Davey101]

Hi all,
Is anyone able to develope a Dialer skin that increases the numeric button sizes, There is a big bar of space at the top of the dialer that could be used for the other buttons we use, Or can we remove the call history list to increase the buttons?

Dan

I'm sure it is possible but that would involve replacing or editing the dialer software, not just the skin. The standard software has a fixed layout and we can replace the images used but not change their size or position.

It might be worth looking around for an alternative dialer...

[Mandragore]

News flash!

The Matrix trilogy ended, lamely, 5 years ago! :p :D

I think it might be easiest to use transparent buttons with a simple green border so that the matrix background image is seen through the buttons. I'll see what I can come up with, unless you'd like to have a go?

I don't know how to change the button font, sorry.
Ouch :D

Well, I don't know how to change anything on the WM dialer, so please, try transparent buttons and a simple green border and I'll check it out. Cheers!

[Davey101]

Ouch :D

Well, I don't know how to change anything on the WM dialer, so please, try transparent buttons and a simple green border and I'll check it out. Cheers!

Ok, I'll see what I can do :D

[superpc]

can u make one with plain black non glossy button, with white frame(non round edge)? i tried to modify it myself, was only able to change the numpad, but not the "talk" "speed dial" and all the other buttons while dialing

[ZeuBug]

I use Vito Winterface....
I have made these buttons but not centered!
(I take the same gif mesure of Black VGA Dialer skin: 86x56, 128x54, 142x56 and 180x54)

If somebody could help me...

THX!!!



An image is better than my english... :D
The problem is inside the red circle:

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/4079/testxa0.th.png (http://img95.imageshack.us/my.php?image=testxa0.png)

[Davey101]

Ouch :D

Well, I don't know how to change anything on the WM dialer, so please, try transparent buttons and a simple green border and I'll check it out. Cheers!

I went with a grey border that changes to white when pressed, hope this is ok!

can u make one with plain black non glossy button, with white frame(non round edge)? i tried to modify it myself, was only able to change the numpad, but not the "talk" "speed dial" and all the other buttons while dialing

I made a plain black theme then realised afterwards that you wanted a non-round edge! I'll add another one soon!

Edit: CABs now added!

[Davey101]

An image is better than my english... :D
The problem is inside the red circle:

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/4079/testxa0.th.png (http://img95.imageshack.us/my.php?image=testxa0.png)

Are you sure the image sizes are correct? :confused:

Edit: Do any of the other skins work?

[superpc]

I went with a grey border that changes to white when pressed, hope this is ok!



I made a plain black theme then realised afterwards that you wanted a non-round edge! I'll add another one soon!

:D this would work fine too, round edge is just an option
thanks for spending time on my request!

[Mandragore]

I went with a grey border that changes to white when pressed, hope this is ok!
Thanks a lot! I'll give it a go and share a link to your handywork.

[Davey101]

No problem!

Note that both of the above designs feature transparent buttons, with only a slight variation in edging colour. There's nothing to stop you using any background image or colour you like!

I think I'm going to stop using the black theme I first posted and go with transparent buttons over a version of my main today screen image. :D

[Davey101]

As above, here is the new skin I'm currently using, matching my Today background. I have included the full wallpapers too.

It has transparent buttons with black edging - feel free to take the buttons for use with your own backgrounds.

Edit: CAB now added!

[sureloch]

I am having problems uninstalling this dialer, it's there even if I try uninstalling the cab. This dialer seems to be messing with my hardware buttons even if I load oem diamond dialer.
Any Ideas how to get rid of this program????

[Davey101]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble! However, these skins consist purely of image files (with no executables or registry changes) and cannot mess with your HW buttons.

Can you be a bit more specific? Which program are you using to disable/enable the HTC dialer? Did you also disable the HTC Volume Control? If so you also need to remove the HallengreeN cab and remember to soft-reset.

[sureloch]

Thanks for responding. I did not disable the volume control. I am using diamond tweak, setting number 1.8. The htc dialer now seems sluggish and the harware buttons are often dead. It seems like there is a software conflict as if both dialers are running.

[Davey101]

Thanks for responding. I did not disable the volume control. I am using diamond tweak, setting number 1.8. The htc dialer now seems sluggish and the harware buttons are often dead. It seems like there is a software conflict as if both dialers are running.

You could try using Schaps Advanced Config and then soft-resetting to see if there is any difference. I don't expect there will be but it's surely worth a try.

Other than that, I have no useful ideas, sorry. It sounds like a dialer issue (rather than a skin issue) so it might be best to do a search on that and maybe start a new thread to see if anyone else has had similar problems with switching dialers.

[Krzysiec]

Can anyone make the same colours dialer like on startup of manila ? Not black but very grey U know what i mean ... i mean this one when U type PIN code.

[sureloch]

You could try using Schaps Advanced Config and then soft-resetting to see if there is any difference. I don't expect there will be but it's surely worth a try.

Other than that, I have no useful ideas, sorry. It sounds like a dialer issue (rather than a skin issue) so it might be best to do a search on that and maybe start a new thread to see if anyone else has had similar problems with switching dialers..
OK, The hardware keys problem doesn't seem to be from your dialer skin. The problem is related to the power saving features on the phone. I will open a new thread if I need help or if I find a solution. Thanks again.

[angler]

Having disabled HTC Dailer Skin and use the default Windows Dialer Skin in addition to this black VGA dailer skin frees 10mb+ memory. The cab file has also disabled the HTC volumn control and makes the default Windows volumn control back to work.

Most important, the ringtone lag can be solved no matter using wave file ringtone or not. The Diamond can wake up and start ringing just after the 1st ring after the caller's calling. It is not a wave file but a mp3 ringtone.

[seugene]

I cannot delete two of the files (the two with png extension) from the device because they are marked read only, hidden and system, and I cannot change that. Any suggestions?

[Davey101]

I cannot delete two of the files (the two with png extension) from the device because they are marked read only, hidden and system, and I cannot change that. Any suggestions?

There are a few solutions...

I think the easiest one is to install the cab in post #3. You should then be able to copy other images into the Windows folder, overwriting the ones installed by the cab. Just uninstall the cab to revert to standard.

Edit: Congratulations, BTW. :)

[seugene]

Installed the CAB from post #3, now even more of the files cannot be replaced (neither of them, I think). And I get the message the cab cannot be removed, and so I am stuck with the dialer skin I do not like.

Hard resetting is not a problem and will return me to the original settings, but I want the phone to start ringing on the first ring, not the third. Any ideas?

This is a CDMA Diamond, by the way.

Thanks for the congrats. Congrats to all you people around the world as well. :)

[Davey101]

I don't know enough about the CDMA Diamond to know what the differences are... now that the cab is installed, which skin do you have - black or default grey?

Have you tried using ActiveSync on a PC to drop the files into the Windows folder? Lastly, now that the HTC dialer is disabled, is the ring behaving the way you'd like or is it still too delayed?

[seugene]

The skin changed from the original as at the bottom of page 26 here (http://member.america.htc.com/download/web_materials/Manual/HTC_Touch_Diamond(Sprint)/Touch_Diamond_Sprint_User_Guide.pdf) to the one in the attached image. The ring sound does come on sooner now - at the second ring rather than the third before, but ideally I'd like it to come in immediately. And the bigger more finger-friendly dial list on top of the skin was nice as well.

[4D3]

thanks alot for this ill give it a try now!

[Davey101]

The skin changed from the original as at the bottom of page 26 here (http://member.america.htc.com/download/web_materials/Manual/HTC_Touch_Diamond(Sprint)/Touch_Diamond_Sprint_User_Guide.pdf) to the one in the attached image. The ring sound does come on sooner now - at the second ring rather than the third before, but ideally I'd like it to come in immediately. And the bigger more finger-friendly dial list on top of the skin was nice as well.

Looks like the installation has been only partly successful for some reason. The image you've posted shows the default grey WM6 dialer, as supplied with the phone, with one difference - just one of the button images (back arrow/call history) has been overwritten with one of my black button images.

The picture in the user manual is of course of the HTC dialer not the WM dialer, which is why it has a different sized list at the top. Did you actually disable the HTC dialer before installing the cab? I don't know what the results would be if you didn't.

Try disabling the HTC dialer (see post #2), doing a soft reset then installing the cab again.

[seugene]

I had previously totally missed the part about DiamondTweak and disabling HTC dialer, sorry. Installed it now. "Disabling HTC dialer" is option 1.8 "Phone Pad Style" there, right? Then yes, I set it to "Windows Mobile". Then I reinstalled the cab from post #3, and it seemed to work for the most part - I do have the WM dialer skin with black buttons. The only weird thing that iis happening is shown in the attached image. Any way to change the "Talk" button to "Hold" when in call and to "Conference" when another call is connected?

And last but not least - the phone still starts ringing on the 3rd ring (on the 2nd if the screen is already lit up when the call comes in). I'd like to get the phone to ring sooner.

[Davey101]

Hi,

That talk button shouldn't be there - it's very strange because it should be a black button that says "Hold". The actual text saying "Hold" is provided by the WM dialer, not by the skin. That is, all of the images that make up the skin are unlabelled.

No idea what's gone on there and no idea how to fix it since this is only a skin, sorry. For further assistance on the ringtone delay, please see the multitude of threads on the subject :) Some say that using WAV ringtones helps and others say that disabling the HTC dialer does help too. For me, it helps by removing the extra large answer and reject buttons and reduces general dialer 'lagginess'.

[iliescu902]

hey guys great ideea in changing the appearence of this standard wm dialer. i have been using it since i've got my diamond cause it save A LOT of memory and the ringing lag dissapears completely.

since i don't use videocalling, the only thing bothering me is the plain aspect. it would be nice if more visual improvements could be made.

p.s. can the incoming call notification (the white box with answer / reject) be changed in any way ?

[Davey101]

hey guys great ideea in changing the appearence of this standard wm dialer. i have been using it since i've got my diamond cause it save A LOT of memory and the ringing lag dissapears completely.

since i don't use videocalling, the only thing bothering me is the plain aspect. it would be nice if more visual improvements could be made.

p.s. can the incoming call notification (the white box with answer / reject) be changed in any way ?

What sort of improvements did you have in mind? :)

As far as I know, the incoming call notification uses the same colours as any other notification. You can change the colours by changing your WM theme, either in a theme editor or by using UI Tweaker. The notification background is the same as a normal window background but the notification title bar colours can be set independently.

[Jalfrezi]

downloaded looks smart many thanks - keep up the good work :D

[holdemdogg]

:Dhttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/dialerscreen.jpghttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/dialerscreen2.jpg
Made it this morning hope ya'll like it

[holdemdogg]

:D:Dhttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/bluescreen.jpghttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/bluescreen2.jpg

[holdemdogg]

:D:Dhttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/redscreen.jpghttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/redscreen2.jpg

[Davey101]

Very nice, I especially like the gold one! Were they done in PhotoShop and did you have any problems with getting the transparent pinks to work properly?

I notice you've used my black skin as a starting point... I used the original grey skin as my starting point but made the decision to flip the buttons by 180 degrees so that they were bottom-lit rather than top-lit. :)

Do you think maybe top-lit would work better with the gold?

[holdemdogg]

Very nice, I especially like the gold one! Were they done in PhotoShop and did you have any problems with getting the transparent pinks to work properly?

I notice you've used my black skin as a starting point... I used the original grey skin as my starting point but made the decision to flip the buttons by 180 degrees so that they were bottom-lit rather than top-lit. :)

Do you think maybe top-lit would work better with the gold?

Thank You
Yes I used your skin as a starter I used paint.net The easiest way I found was to use the magic wand and select everything except the transparent pink that way it stayed the same.

I Like the way you flipped them if you post the original gray file for me I''ll try the gold and see what it looks like.

[Davey101]

Thank You
Yes I used your skin as a starter I used paint.net The easiest way I found was to use the magic wand and select everything except the transparent pink that way it stayed the same.

I Like the way you flipped them if you post the original gray file for me I''ll try the gold and see what it looks like.

I don't think I have a copy of the original skin to hand. The easiest way to get one is to uninstall/delete the new skin and then original ROM files will be visible after a soft reset.

Don't worry too much, it was only a suggestion. Keep up the good work! :)

[holdemdogg]

:Dhttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/brightgold-1.jpghttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/brightgold2.jpg

[holdemdogg]

OK lol my last gold one lol
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/goldbricksscreen.jpghttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/goldbricksscreen2.jpg
Looks better on the phone:D

[johanromijn]

I went with a grey border that changes to white when pressed, hope this is ok!



I made a plain black theme then realised afterwards that you wanted a non-round edge! I'll add another one soon!

Thanks mate!

I really like the Black Flat Dialer!!

This is the first skin for Standard WM Dialer that made me disable the HTC Manila Dialer.

[holdemdogg]

:Dhttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/redsnakeskin.jpghttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/redsnakeskin2.jpg

[holdemdogg]

:Dhttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/cashscreen-1.jpghttp://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r44/CreekBendFarm/dogg/cashscreen2-1.jpg
looks better on phone

[xboxhaxorz]

Well the mb gain is great, however i was a fan of the diamond dialer even before i had the diamond so i used this http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=101926&d=1217046405 so now that i have the diamond i enjoy it even better.

BUT if possible you could create a skin with the look in the link than well the best of both worlds, mb gain and still looks great. Ya video call isnt really important for US users. Another thing, i know your just a skin guy, but if you could do the curtain as well than you are THE man.

[raindem]

Made a cab - I haven't tested it though :)

Thank you for your share.:D

[Davey101]

Well the mb gain is great, however i was a fan of the diamond dialer even before i had the diamond so i used this http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=101926&d=1217046405 so now that i have the diamond i enjoy it even better.

BUT if possible you could create a skin with the look in the link than well the best of both worlds, mb gain and still looks great. Ya video call isnt really important for US users. Another thing, i know your just a skin guy, but if you could do the curtain as well than you are THE man.

I suppose a TF3D style skin is possible... a grey & black background with the TF3D block pattern, accompanied by rectangular grey keys.

I can't alter the button placement or change the white text unfortunately.

If I get chance this week I may knock something together.

[xboxhaxorz]

Button placement isnt a problem. Basically just ya a TF3D diamond style, black would be my choice, but im sure others would want white. Im not sure watcha mean about the text? You have it white in your main post. Also it would be preferable to have black keys similar or exactly as this is http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=432031.


This is the link for the pic i posted in case you need it :)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=403484

[neemypeemy]

As above, here is the new skin I'm currently using, matching my Today background. I have included the full wallpapers too.

It has transparent buttons with black edging - feel free to take the buttons for use with your own backgrounds.

These are awesome, thanks!:)

[Davey101]

These are awesome, thanks!:)

No worries, glad someone likes them. :)

In case anybody wants to know where the sunset photos are from, they were taken in Hisaronu, Oludeniz, Turkey, looking roughly in the direction of Fethiye. The two versions are almost the same shot except that the landscape version uses 3x optical zoom. They're exactly as they were taken, except that they've lost a fair bit of quality in the conversion down to VGA! :D

[Jalfrezi]

bump need to download it from my phone cant be arsed to search again

great stuff tho

[rallinson]

Description updated 08 Nov 2008

I stopped using the HTC Diamond dialer after I found out that it uses 10MB of memory (8MB on some improved ROMs like SwiftBL) at all times and is partly responsible for the device's laggy dialer performance.

The default WM dialer is an ugly grey but after finding this thread about QVGA skins (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=295951) I decided to make my own black skin. I'd like to thank the starter of that thread, Raceit, for helping me to get started with the image files and trying to fix them for me. Cheers dude! :)

I don't know how to make CABs yet so here's a zip. (EDIT: CAB available in post #3.) The orange colouring in the screenshots was part of my theme, not part of the skin. :)

To install, first disable the HTC dialer, see post #2 for more details.

If you would like to install the black 3D skin pictured below, the easiest method is to install the CAB provided by mic_888 in post #3. If you plan to use other skins from this thread then I advise installing the CAB anyway, then copying the images files from the ZIP archive into the Windows folder. There are 2 advantages of installing the CAB - firstly so that the image files are unprotected and easier to overwrite and secondly to make uninstallation easier. Just uninstall the CAB to remove whatever skin you are using and revert to standard the standard WM grey skin.

Hint: The other skins in this thread feature transparent buttons, feel free to use them with your own backgrounds. :D

EDIT: Matrix and Flat Black skins added, see post #24
EDIT: Sunset skin added, see post #29
---
Dave

Thanks Dave,

Could you mind change the contact's background color using Black, thank you!!

Like this, but below link is using HTC dialer, not windows standard:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=438412&highlight=diamond+stock

[Davey101]

Thanks Dave,

Could you mind change the contact's background color using Black, thank you!!

Like this, but below link is using HTC dialer, not windows standard:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=438412&highlight=diamond+stock

Hi,

Not possible with this skin I'm afraid. You can do it yourself by changing the Windows colour scheme to black - this will also affect all other lists and menus.

[rallinson]

Hi,

Not possible with this skin I'm afraid. You can do it yourself by changing the Windows colour scheme to black - this will also affect all other lists and menus.

How to change the scheme to black?
HTC diamond default using black color already.

[ajdj]

Hi,

Not possible with this skin I'm afraid. You can do it yourself by changing the Windows colour scheme to black - this will also affect all other lists and menus.

Hi Davey, I've been using the standard HTC dialer for a while now but even the modified versions like this one LINK (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2365614&postcount=16) still lag behind and eat loads of memory.
The only reason I dont use the WM dialer is because of the ugly grey skin..and as I'm using an Ignito and like the blue O2 theme I cant use your nice black skins either. I wanted to know if it is possible to make a VGA WM dialer skin which has the same basic white colours as the standard HTC dialer (i.e. white background with grey selection areas) just like this one colourwise:

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3056/pccapture80ya7.png

I would really appreciate it if you have the time to make this simple skin, Im sure other people have been looking for something similar aswell.

[Davey101]

Hi Davey, I've been using the standard HTC dialer for a while now but even the modified versions like this one LINK (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2365614&postcount=16) still lag behind and eat loads of memory.
The only reason I dont use the WM dialer is because of the ugly grey skin..and as I'm using an Ignito and like the blue O2 theme I cant use your nice black skins either. I wanted to know if it is possible to make a VGA WM dialer skin which has the same basic white colours as the standard HTC dialer (i.e. white background with grey selection areas) just like this one colourwise:

This is my first attempt. The button colour isn't perfect - I simply took the buttons from the standard grey skin and swapped over the pressed and unpressed images. If somebody wants to have another go, be my guest! :)

[ajdj]

Thanks alot Dave, thats exactly what I'm looking for :)
only a few things ive got to add :p

1- ive found this white manilla wallpaper and wanted to know if u could use this one as a background instead? http://xs135.xs.to/xs135/09036/white967.jpg

2- ive tried taking the same coloured buttons of the standard dialer and size them down to the WM dialer. and it actually works fine but as the font colour is white and the background and buttons are very white its almost impossible to see the writing :o so is there anyway to make the font colour black, or any other colour for that matter??

3- this ones just a little fuss of my own but the colour of the "talk" and "end" buttons is not exactly the same of the htc dialer so i also took them and resized into WM dialer size.

basically when i installed my own skin it was all fine except the writing and the border of the buttons..they werent 3d but apparently that is not possible anyway in WM dialer.
i installed yours though and everything is fine, using it atm actually ;)


heres all the files i used in my skin...maybe their of use to you
http://rapidshare.com/files/185137777/ajdj_white_dialer.rar.html

[Davey101]

Nice work! If you would like any files making into a cab, let me know. :)

There must be a registry value to set the text colour but I've not been able to find it yet. You can use any background you like, just save it as a png file the right size and copy it into the Windows folder.

Personally, I think transparent buttons work best, over the top of plain coloured backgrounds or simple pictures - like in the flat black or sunset skins. The fact that we can only use one background for all of the dialer screens makes it difficult to do much else. :)

I've actually gone back to the HTC dialer now that they've got slide-to-answer working properly. I don't have any memory issues now and I figure I can live with the ring delays.

[nhvoltagenh]

heres a few VGA im working on


http://www.the-web-station.com/imagehost/users/VOLTAGE/htcoldschool028.jpg

http://www.the-web-station.com/imagehost/users/VOLTAGE/htcoldschool029.jpg


should be done tonight.

I think im going to hit these skins fairly hard, as im burnt out a bit on s2u2

[Davey101]

Nice work! :D

Liking the wisbar skin too.

Edit: nhvoltagenh seems to have been banned but the above skin can be found here:
http://www.skinzone.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=63

[Dynomite232]

heres a few VGA im working on


http://www.the-web-station.com/imagehost/users/VOLTAGE/htcoldschool028.jpg

http://www.the-web-station.com/imagehost/users/VOLTAGE/htcoldschool029.jpg


should be done tonight.

I think im going to hit these skins fairly hard, as im burnt out a bit on s2u2hi was wondering if u ever ended up making this nice skin looks awsome

[letsgoflyers81]

I'm wondering if it would be possible to create a VGA version of the Touch dialer, or at least something that looks like it. I just switched from the HTC dialer to WM on my Touch Pro because of how much faster it rings. If it can't look like the Diamond/Touch Pro dialer, it'd be nice if it can look something like this:

[drjim]

I just installed the black dialer cab from post #3 and then I discovered the blue dialer and installed it using the zip provided. But the black dialer still comes up on my Fuze when I press Phone. Can someone tell me how to uninstall the black dialer or allow the blue dialer to override it?

FYI, I don't see it in Programs or anywhere I could think of looking in File Explorer.

Thanks.

[4D3]

I'm wondering if it would be possible to create a VGA version of the Touch dialer, or at least something that looks like it. I just switched from the HTC dialer to WM on my Touch Pro because of how much faster it rings. If it can't look like the Diamond/Touch Pro dialer, it'd be nice if it can look something like this:


Im with you, i think that the HTC dialer takes so long to ring, it is worth losing the eyecandy for functionality.

but i would also love to have that dialer!!

[mitsi]

Hi All,

I love the idea of improving the windows dialer because of the memory and lag issues, but no-one seems to have noticed or even cared that when using the windows dialer, the bluetooth icon no longer appears in the taskbar when bluetooth is activated. I want to know if bluetooth is on or off and without the LED's of other phones, this is the only way (except manually going into the comm manager) of knowing whether bluetooth's on or off. If anyone knows of a fix to be able to use the windows dialer AND be able to have the bluetooth icon, I would be very greatful indeed. You are all right to think the windows dialer is ugly and in need of a make-over!!! :)

[james_5111]

Why the bluetooth icon will not show ?

[mitsi]

Why the bluetooth icon will not show ?

I wish I knew. It just doesn't show if you use the Windows Mobile dialer instead of the HTC dialer. Try it and see!:D

Anyone know of a fix for this so we can have the bluetooth icon AND the windows dialer and save the memory and phone lag?

By the way, I also had a problem with my contacts which was that when I went into the contacts tab and then "all people" softkey, then highlighted any person, the screen came up without any details of that person. To get over this, I installed Resco Contact Manager. So then, I had THREE phone dialer skins. The Windows one, HTC and Resco Contact Manager. In addition I have an MP3 as my ringtone (which I reduced in size with MP3 trimmer).

With all of this, my phone lag was awful. It would take 4 rings before my phone rang. I missed some calls this way. I have since solved the problem with the contacts page by flashing my ROM :) So now I don't need the Resco Contact Manager (although I did like the interface). But the phone still rings 3 times before it rings (if you know what I mean).

I would love to make it ring instantly when a call comes in. To get closer to this, I think you have to get rid of the HTC dialer & just use the Windows Mobile one... BUT then you have no bluetooth icon.... Oh dear, one problem always leads into another!! :D That's the fun of these phones isn't it?

[dsixda]

I wish I knew. It just doesn't show if you use the Windows Mobile dialer instead of the HTC dialer. Try it and see!:D

Anyone know of a fix for this so we can have the bluetooth icon AND the windows dialer and save the memory and phone lag?

By the way, I also had a problem with my contacts which was that when I went into the contacts tab and then "all people" softkey, then highlighted any person, the screen came up without any details of that person. To get over this, I installed Resco Contact Manager. So then, I had THREE phone dialer skins. The Windows one, HTC and Resco Contact Manager. In addition I have an MP3 as my ringtone (which I reduced in size with MP3 trimmer).

With all of this, my phone lag was awful. It would take 4 rings before my phone rang. I missed some calls this way. I have since solved the problem with the contacts page by flashing my ROM :) So now I don't need the Resco Contact Manager (although I did like the interface). But the phone still rings 3 times before it rings (if you know what I mean).

I would love to make it ring instantly when a call comes in. To get closer to this, I think you have to get rid of the HTC dialer & just use the Windows Mobile one... BUT then you have no bluetooth icon.... Oh dear, one problem always leads into another!! :D That's the fun of these phones isn't it?


Can you try adding the icons to your phone and check? You can add them from the Phone Canvas OEM:

BT Discoverable.bmp
BT Discoverable Mask.bmp
BT On Mode Mask.bmp
BT On Mode.bmp

[mitsi]

Can you try adding the icons to your phone and check? You can add them from the Phone Canvas OEM:

BT Discoverable.bmp
BT Discoverable Mask.bmp
BT On Mode Mask.bmp
BT On Mode.bmp

I have tried inserting these files into my Windows folder. This still doesn't show the bluetooth icons when using the standard Windows dialer instead of the HTC one....

[Davey101]

I've just had a very quick google and found a solution to the missing Bluetooth icon issue. :)

Details added to post #2.

[mitsi]

I've just had a very quick google and found a solution to the missing Bluetooth icon issue. :)

Details added to post #2.

Dave,

Great find - works on my Diamond. Goodbye HTC Dialer and hello shorter sound lag on incoming call and a bit more ram! Thanks a million! :D

[dsixda]

Edit: It turns out that disabling the HTC dialer also loses the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar. I had a quick google and found this solution (http://www.careace.net/2009/04/17/bluetooth-icon-patch-for-samsung-windows-mobile-ppcs/). I've tested it and it works fine on my Diamond. File attached below for convenience. :)


Thanks Davey. BTW I replied to that thread, requesting them to update the icons with a less blocky version.

[Mr. Makk]

Description updated 08 Nov 2008

I stopped using the HTC Diamond dialer after I found out that it uses 10MB of memory (8MB on some improved ROMs like SwiftBL) at all times and is partly responsible for the device's laggy dialer performance.

The default WM dialer is an ugly grey but after finding this thread about QVGA skins (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=295951) I decided to make my own black skin. I'd like to thank the starter of that thread, Raceit, for helping me to get started with the image files and trying to fix them for me. Cheers dude! :)

I don't know how to make CABs yet so here's a zip. (EDIT: CAB available in post #3.) The orange colouring in the screenshots was part of my theme, not part of the skin. :)

To install, first disable the HTC dialer, see post #2 for more details.

If you would like to install the black 3D skin pictured below, the easiest method is to install the CAB provided by mic_888 in post #3. If you plan to use another skin that doesn't have a CAB then I advise installing the CAB anyway, then copying the images files from the ZIP archive into the Windows folder. There are 2 advantages of installing a CAB - firstly so that the image files are unprotected and easier to overwrite and secondly to make uninstallation easier. Just uninstall the CAB to remove whatever skin you are using and revert to standard the standard WM grey skin.

Hint: The Matrix, Flat Black and Sunset skins in this thread feature transparent buttons with different edge colours, feel free to use them with your own backgrounds. It's just a case of replacing the two png images with your own choice of portrait/landscape images :D

EDIT: Matrix and Flat Black skins added, see post #24 - CAB now added!
EDIT: Sunset skin added, see post #29 - CAB now added!
EDIT: Grey/White skin added, see post #71 - CAB now added!
EDIT: Dark TouchFlo skin by nhvoltagenh, see post #74-#75

Please also check out the skins by holdemdogg, starting at post #49!

Edit: More Skins, good ones too...
Ryon Skin (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=508920)
Noonski Diamondish Skin (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450773)

---
Dave

can you tell me how to create a wm dialer skin?

[Davey101]

can you tell me how to create a wm dialer skin?

It's just a case of editing the 14 image files with Photoshop or similar. Any parts of the buttons that need to be transparent must stay the exact same shade of pink.

Thanks Davey. BTW I replied to that thread, requesting them to update the icons with a less blocky version.

Looks like you were successful! I'll update post #2. :)

[frapipda]

Looks like you were successful! I'll update post #2. :)

Hello, I'm brand new there, but still have the same issue :
- want to have windows default dialer to avoid lag
- want to have bluetooth icons on top.

I tried the BluetoothIconNotifier.CAB from post #2.
Still a bit ugly imo, regarding nice Tsowen icons besides. Is it the "less blocky version" ?
I tried to change the icons in BtIconNotifier.exe file from the cab, and put others icons with reshacker. very simple 32*32 icons, 2 and 16 colors.

Then how can I have nice icons, like these of tsowentaskbar6v3.1(lite) ?

I use WM 6.1. Found things about 6.5 on http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=512971 #6, but not for 6.1 ?
--
Frapi

[Davey101]

Hello, I'm brand new there, but still have the same issue :
- want to have windows default dialer to avoid lag
- want to have bluetooth icons on top.

I tried the BluetoothIconNotifier.CAB from post #2.
Still a bit ugly imo, regarding nice Tsowen icons besides. Is it the "less blocky version" ?
I tried to change the icons in BtIconNotifier.exe file from the cab, and put others icons with reshacker. very simple 32*32 icons, 2 and 16 colors.

Then how can I have nice icons, like these of tsowentaskbar6v3.1(lite) ?

I use WM 6.1. Found things about 6.5 on http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=512971 #6, but not for 6.1 ?
--
Frapi

Hi,

I suggest you ask the developers of the patch (CarAce) if they will produce a new version using Tsowen's bluetooth icon. They clearly like Tsowen's icons as they have linked to them elsewhere on their site. :)

[Darren8448]

Sorry to bother you, ive been using your skins for a while but have changed theme so wish to delete them. When I do remove them im left with a horrible white skin with grey buttons??

Do anyone have the original grey/black skin??

Many thanks

[Davey101]

Hi,

How did you install and how are you trying to delete? If it was with a cab, have you tried uninstalling the cab and soft-resetting?

Otherwise, try deleting the 14 image files using Total Commander, Resco Explorer or similar. The orginals in the ROM should reappear and will be used after a soft reset.

Cheers
Dave

[thunderbird_09]

I can't find the standard dialer images to modify,they should be in the /windows folder?

Edit: Problem is solved, I found it here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1153474&postcount=4).

[Davey101]

Glad you found what you needed. Aren't those ones you've linked to QVGA size?