[Oct-21-08] Manilla 2D DevTools v0.2.22 (added configuration)

[mpenguin14]

Manilla 2D DevTools (http://code.google.com/p/manilla2d-devtools/)

Latest Download Here (October 21 v0.2.22) (http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/Manilla2D-DevTools_v0.2.22.CAB)

If you find Manilla 2D DevTools useful and have not already donated to me, please consider giving a donation (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=409069)

Are you a Manilla 2D Skinner?
Are you a Manilla 2D XML Tweaker?
Are you interested in downloading yet another free open source application form Mpenguin14?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you should maybe think about trying out the Manila 2D DevTools.

It is current stage it is an extremely simple set of tools.

Tool Number 1: Disable Manilla 2D
This tool does exactly what you think it would do... it disables Manilla 2D :eek:
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but wait there's more... Since your today screen is completely barren after you disable Manilla 2D this tool will also enable the standard Windows Mobile date plugin and enable Manilla 2D DevTools Tool Number 2

Tool Number 2: Enable Manilla 2D Today Screen Plugin
This tool too does is exactly what you think it does... you click on it and it will disable all of your today screen plugins, and enable your "TouchFLO" today screen item.
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There are no more tools at the moment


I put this package together because I have been trying to help out a few xda-ers with some project and I am lazy, I didn't like having to go into "Start->Settings->Today" and then click the "Items" tab, and then unclick "TouchFLO" and then click "OK"... that is a total of 6 clicks with QuickMenu just to copy a file and then repeat the process in reverse... I am from the "on-demand" generation, so I made this simple 2 click tool to do it all for me.

HOW TO USE

1.) Add "DisableM2D-DevTool" to your Manilla 2D launcher tab.
2.) Click on your DisableM2D-DevTool icon
3.) Watch M2D disappear and notice how a new today plugin has appeared
4.) Copy over your modified XML/Image
5.) Tap on the "EnableM2D-DevTool" item on your today screen
6.) Notice how Manilla 2D tries to start up with your new settings (but we all know that %50 of the time it won't start up... but hey, that's when you use the M2DC restore tab to fix yourself back up :))



I am sure someone will say "You know you could have just done this with Mortscript" and hey, i thought about that... I use a variety of different Mortscript scripts that I have written in my Sashimi setup, BUT I wanted ot do some native Windows mobile coding (NO MFC OR .NET), and I wanted to learn the bare bones of making a today plugin so I put this together tonight (took me about 4 hours from start to finish)


Update October 21, 2008
v0.2.22
- Complete overhaul of code
- now this toolkit consists of 4 small projects
1 - EnableM2D, small win32 program that disables all today screen items but touchflo and refreshes today screen, if touchflo is hte only thing that is enabled then touchflo will be disabled, the today screen will be refreshed, and then touchflo will be enabled (basically for M2D to reload itself)
2 - DisableM2D, small MFC program that loads settings from an xml file and only enables the today screen items in the xml, if the xml doesn't exist then disable everythign but "Date" and "TouchFlo"
3 - EnableM2D-Plugin, today screen plug that just calls the EnableM2D program to show M2D
4 - DisableM2D-Settings, small MFC application that allows you to pick and choose what today screen items to enable when "DisableM2D" is ran

http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/Manilla2D-DevTools_v0.2.22.jpeg

http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/Manilla2D-DevTools_v0.0.5.jpeg

[mpenguin14]

*** reserved for future use

[mpenguin14]

*** Reserved for future use

[lepsyfou]

wow it's nice tool thank you very much

[kidnamedAlbert]

thanks bro.
looks very handy.
especially for my next bling bling theme ;D

[pdgpereira]

These are nice tools for people that have a long contact list on today. Any chance people can choose which app get loaded on to today screen?

[DrForIslam]

Thanks,nice tool

[Sian]

Mine oh mine... Cool~!

[claus1953]

Looks like something wrong with the download link.

Edit: solved it was a problem of my internet provider

[showaco]

Great tool:D, can't wait to see what you come up with next.:)

[mbarvian]

very simple, yet very effective

congratulation, and I look forward to future releases ;)

[respera]

Блин прожка гуд, но из за отсутствия возможности настоить экран сегодя кроме плагина часов всю радость сводит на ноль. Так, что пока в топку ее (((

[_fm]

Looks very great,.

Thanks for the great contribution sir !!

[_fm]

Блин прожка гуд, но из за отсутствия возможности настоить экран сегодя кроме плагина часов всю радость сводит на ноль. Так, что пока в топку ее (((

:confused:

Maybe this one mean "Thankyou",.

Just for you all that dont understand guys !!,. lol just kidding of course,. :D:D

[mpenguin14]

Hello everyone, sorry that I haven't commented since the original post

I am glad some people are finding this useful, I definitely find it useful for my own usage, right now my plans for this project are the following...

- Add 1 more feature, release the new feature (probably by next weekend)
- Fix any bugs, do any maitenance that comes up, and release that aswell

As you cna see, I just want to keep this project simple, plus this project is probably only useful to a select handful of people

Any chance people can choose which app get loaded on to today screen?

This is the one feature I plan on adding.

- I am going to add 1 more simple program (M2D-DevTools-Settings) that will look and act very similarly to the Today screen setting control panel "Items" tab. It will be a dialog with a list of your available today screen plugins with check boxes, (and maybe a move up and move down button... but we will see about these buttons)
- The user preferences will be saved in an xml file
- whenever you run the "DisableM2D-DevTool" the xml file will be read, and the today screen should only enable the items that you chose

This feature will make this small and simple utility not only useful for skinners and xml tweakers, but it will allow the casual M2D user to be able to switch back and forth between using M2D and using the traditional today screen.

can't wait to see what you come up with next.:)

me either... I am always open to suggestions for new programs, but it looks like M2DC will probably never be a complete project, there are just too many different things that *could* be done to it, and not enough time or interest in doing them all... but yeah, I am definitely open to making other small utility apps if people find them useful

Блин прожка гуд, но из за отсутствия возможности настоить экран сегодя кроме плагина часов всю радость сводит на ноль. Так, что пока в топку ее (((

can anyone help me with this one... google tranlator gives me


Blin prozhka Good, but from the lack of this screen Today plug-hours except for all the joy brings to zero. For example, that while the fire of (((


Not quite sure what that means

thanks again for all the feedback, glad to hear that it is helpful to someone other than myself

[mpenguin14]

Update October 21, 2008
v0.2.22
- Complete overhaul of code
- now this toolkit consists of 4 small projects
1 - EnableM2D, small win32 program that disables all today screen items but touchflo and refreshes today screen, if touchflo is hte only thing that is enabled then touchflo will be disabled, the today screen will be refreshed, and then touchflo will be enabled (basically for M2D to reload itself)
2 - DisableM2D, small MFC program that loads settings from an xml file and only enables the today screen items in the xml, if the xml doesn't exist then disable everythign but "Date" and "TouchFlo"
3 - EnableM2D-Plugin, today screen plug that just calls the EnableM2D program to show M2D
4 - DisableM2D-Settings, small MFC application that allows you to pick and choose what today screen items to enable when "DisableM2D" is ran

http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/Manilla2D-DevTools_v0.2.22.jpeg

[pdgpereira]

Update October 21, 2008
v0.2.22
- Complete overhaul of code
- now this toolkit consists of 4 small projects
1 - EnableM2D, small win32 program that disables all today screen items but touchflo and refreshes today screen, if touchflo is hte only thing that is enabled then touchflo will be disabled, the today screen will be refreshed, and then touchflo will be enabled (basically for M2D to reload itself)
2 - DisableM2D, small MFC program that loads settings from an xml file and only enables the today screen items in the xml, if the xml doesn't exist then disable everythign but "Date" and "TouchFlo"
3 - EnableM2D-Plugin, today screen plug that just calls the EnableM2D program to show M2D
4 - DisableM2D-Settings, small MFC application that allows you to pick and choose what today screen items to enable when "DisableM2D" is ran


This is a very useful app combo. You must read minds cause it is pretty much what I was thinking about on my last post here.
Confirm 1 thing please: I'm testing M3d and give inputs every time there is a change or add-in. It was just painful to go to the today screen to disable one and enable the other. Using the disableM2D will load M3d if selected on the settings extension, right?
Like wise, will EnableM2D kill M3d and load M2d? Did I get it right reading from your Post?

[mpenguin14]

This is a very useful app combo. You must read minds cause it is pretty much what I was thinking about on my last post here.
Confirm 1 thing please: I'm testing M3d and give inputs every time there is a change or add-in. It was just painful to go to the today screen to disable one and enable the other. Using the disableM2D will load M3d if selected on the settings extension, right?
Like wise, will EnableM2D kill M3d and load M2d? Did I get it right reading from your Post?

yeah, if I am understanding you should be able to have a decent setup for easy switching between M2D and M3D...

EnableM2D-DevTool will disable ALL today screen plugins that are currently loaded, if M2D is loaded (or more specifically the today Item named "TouchFlo") then the today screen is refreshed, then M2D is set to enabled, and the today screen is refreshed... so basically EnableM2D-DevTool will unload all today plugins and load "TouchFlo"

EnabeM2D-DevTool-Plugin is just a today plugin that does nothing other than run the EnableM2D-DevTool... so there is nothing special about the EnabelM2D today plugin, ie it does not have any functionality other than being on the today screen

DisableM2D will disable all plugins, and then enable the plugins that you have set to be enabled via the Manilla2D-DevTools-Settings program, so if you just select Manilla3D in the Manilla2D-DevTools-Settings program then DisableM2D will unload everything on the today screen and enable M3D.

Your request made me realize that this would be useful for my own purposes.. I plan on putting this on my wifes titan, that way I can easily switch her phone over to using M2D when I want to show her my latest work, and then switch her back to the old HTCHome afterwards, because well, not everyone prefers to use M2D all the time

Let me know if you have any other ideas on what else could be done to these tools

[pdgpereira]

Your request made me realize that this would be useful for my own purposes.. I plan on putting this on my wifes titan, that way I can easily switch her phone over to using M2D when I want to show her my latest work, and then switch her back to the old HTCHome afterwards, because well, not everyone prefers to use M2D all the time

Let me know if you have any other ideas on what else could be done to these tools

Sure. Just glad to help, some how, since I know zit about programing. I guess, for professional reasons, I will have to do something about it.
In the meanwhile, I will think about dev-tools so as not to ask you something of topic.

P.S.: My girl was offered a Kaiser (OFFERED!!) and I might pull your trick to see if she understands my passion about these subjects :)

[secoseco]

Hi mpenguin

thank you for this simple great tool, it's ultra-short way to disable the TouchFlo 2D and enable what I want for today plugins

I suggestion that you add a new tab for option to change TouchFlo skin by installing new skin from zip file or folder, just copy specified content zip file or folder to windows directory
I know that "Manilla 2D Customizer" is a great tool for skin changer, but many user don't prefer it for troubles in skin XML, and there is a skins require install the original skin first before install the new skin and it can do it by single simple click

thx

[mpenguin14]

Hi mpenguin

thank you for this simple great tool, it's ultra-short way to disable the TouchFlo 2D and enable what I want for today plugins

I suggestion that you add a new tab for option to change TouchFlo skin by installing new skin from zip file or folder, just copy specified content zip file or folder to windows directory
I know that "Manilla 2D Customizer" is a great tool for skin changer, but many user don't prefer it for troubles in skin XML, and there is a skins require install the original skin first before install the new skin and it can do it by single simple click

thx

thanks for the suggestion. I can look into implementing this, but I need to fully understand the feature... so the user would click on a button, choose a zip file, and when the user clicks ok the application would open the zip file, and unzip everything in the zip file to "\Windows"?

This wouldn't be hard to do, but does this do anything different than using the unzip functionality in TotalCommander?

I am open to hearing any suggestions for features, or changes to either of my projects (or even ideas for a new project) thanks

[kidnamedAlbert]

does the new version mean that i can use homescreen plus plus on the today screen and have it overclocking and locking my device while touchflo2d is running?

[mpenguin14]

does the new version mean that i can use homescreen plus plus on the today screen and have it overclocking and locking my device while touchflo2d is running?

unfortunately no... the new version just allows for one touch switching between Manilla2D and a different today screen setup

I dunno about this method, and I am sure you have already tried it, but maybe second today could work?

[kidnamedAlbert]

yeah i already tried second today but for some reason, it would mess up my phone.
like i would try to turn on screen but find out that it had been off.
when i uninstalled secondtoday, it didnt happen anymore.

[secoseco]

thanks for the suggestion. I can look into implementing this, but I need to fully understand the feature... so the user would click on a button, choose a zip file, and when the user clicks ok the application would open the zip file, and unzip everything in the zip file to "\Windows"?

This wouldn't be hard to do, but does this do anything different than using the unzip functionality in TotalCommander?

I am open to hearing any suggestions for features, or changes to either of my projects (or even ideas for a new project) thanks

Hi mpenguin

many user prefer to change the Manila skin by this step
1- unload TouchFlo from Today screen
2- copy orginal Manila skin files to \windows from a folder or extract from zip file
3- copy the new Manila skin files to \windows from a folder or extract from zip file
4- enable TouchFlo from Today screen again

why ?
some skin zip files not include the HTCHomeSettings.xml or some graphics depending on that you will install the new skin on the orginal Manila skin files in \windows
for that they do the steps above

for that we need a button for disable the Touchflo + install specified file to implement the step 1+2

but

if you need really big deal, you can implement the 4 steps to single click by adding a new tab has 2 input for 2 files "every one has specified file from the user to location and name of file", and a button when the user click on it do this
1- unload TouchFlo from Today screen
2- extract and copy first zip file "orginal Manila skin files" to \windows
3- extract and copy second zip file "new Manila skin files" to \windows
4- enable TouchFlo in Today screen again

thx

[mpenguin14]

Hi mpenguin

many user prefer to change the Manila skin by this step
1- unload TouchFlo from Today screen
2- copy orginal Manila skin files to \windows from a folder or extract from zip file
3- copy the new Manila skin files to \windows from a folder or extract from zip file
4- enable TouchFlo from Today screen again

why ?
some skin zip files not include the HTCHomeSettings.xml or some graphics depending on that you will install the new skin on the orginal Manila skin files in \windows
for that they do the steps above

for that we need a button for disable the Touchflo + install specified file to implement the step 1+2

but

if you need really big deal, you can implement the 4 steps to single click by adding a new tab has 2 input for 2 files "every one has specified file from the user to location and name of file", and a button when the user click on it do this
1- unload TouchFlo from Today screen
2- extract and copy first zip file "orginal Manila skin files" to \windows
3- extract and copy second zip file "new Manila skin files" to \windows
4- enable TouchFlo in Today screen again

thx

This is a very reasonable request, and since it is so simple I went ahead and put together a GUI.. please let me know what you htink

http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/M2D-SimpleSkinner.jpeg

This will be a new application that will be part of the Manilla2D-DevTools, I don't have a name at the moment... maybe "SimpleSkinM2D-DevTool" (feel free to suggest a better name)

This application will be a simple 1 page application, no tabs.

When you click on a "Choose File" button the file tree pops up and you choose a file from it, that file path is then put in the edit control just above the button.

When you click "Apply" (lower left softkey) or "OK" (upper right hand corner), I will turn off all today screen plugins. Then I will unzip every single file from the first zip, all files will go to the windows directory, it won't matter what the structure of the zip file is. I will do the same with the second zip file. Finally I will enable just the "TouchFlo" today screen item and exit

Let me know what you think

[BigE]

Cool idea, and great tweak for M2D on/off button. Not trying to upset anyone but take a peek here: http://mobile-sg.com/software/?p=mToday&platform=ppc

I am using mToday for a while, and does the trick for me pretty well, mainly because I can't run iGO under M2D (not enough RAM, I have a Trinity)

Cheers.

BigE

[pdgpereira]

@mpenguin14

I did remember something that is really annoying with M3d. Every time you switch to it, the camera hardware button gets changed to <Today> function, witch brings up the home tab. This stays like this when switching back to M2d. It becomes, again, a painful precess to go to settings and change it back every time.
Any chance your app can backup that specific key reg (manually on the setup page, so as not to back it up every time) and reapply it upon switching back? Maybe a maintain/restore-upon-switching-back-option (not with this name, any way) or a restore app by it self could be useful for other stuff as well (this was the only that was on top of my head right now).

[pdgpereira]

What this restore thing could be is something like PIM Backup but for other stuff. It could also be a theme restore (based on the 3rd post before this one), regional settings restore, owner info restore and other things that people have to change every time they flash a rom (not really sure sushi does this or just reinstalls programs).
Having said this, I'm not sure how what be the easiest and less resource consuming way to have an app restore the hardware button setup. Since different roms have different programs (and different reg entries), an option by option would be advisable (and/or back up the most common-to-them-all entries).

[pdgpereira]

On the same backup mindset: M2DC backs up .xml and default theme to its installation folder. In my case it came with the rom, witch means it will backup things to the device memory. Any chance either M2DC (or this last tool I suggested) could backup stuff to a chosen dir (Storage Card for the after-rom-flashing routine)? M2DC could even look for a preferedSettings file on the card on its 1st run. If it is set up so that this folder is always the same (storage card\M2DC\Backup, for example) the search time for these files would be minimal.

[mpenguin14]

Cool idea, and great tweak for M2D on/off button. Not trying to upset anyone but take a peek here: http://mobile-sg.com/software/?p=mToday&platform=ppc

I am using mToday for a while, and does the trick for me pretty well, mainly because I can't run iGO under M2D (not enough RAM, I have a Trinity)

Cheers.

BigE

@BigE, thanks for the find. mToday looks like a very good piece of software, and that site has a lot of other interesting software too.

I am not upset over it, while my software is pretty much the same, my app is geared to be a specific set of tools for M2D, rather than a general purpose utility. I plan on continuing to update this set of tools but will definitely keep mtoday in mind for future reference

@mpenguin14

I did remember something that is really annoying with M3d. Every time you switch to it, the camera hardware button gets changed to <Today> function, witch brings up the home tab. This stays like this when switching back to M2d. It becomes, again, a painful precess to go to settings and change it back every time.
Any chance your app can backup that specific key reg (manually on the setup page, so as not to back it up every time) and reapply it upon switching back? Maybe a maintain/restore-upon-switching-back-option (not with this name, any way) or a restore app by it self could be useful for other stuff as well (this was the only that was on top of my head right now).

This is a very interesting request, I have been thinking about the best way to go about it all morning. My overall idea is that backing up specific values in the registry is a little bit beyond the scope of the M2D-DevTools... BUT, i think that adding a new step after loading the today screen is appropriate... so I am thinking of adding a new step to run a mortscript of a specific file name... I currently run a mortscript as part of my sashimi process that disables all hardware buttons (well assigns their actions to none), so I can provide some examples is need be. And maybe I will put together a small utility that would create mortscripts on the fly, but that is a future project

thanks for the feedback and ideas, I will definitely be keeping them in mind

[secoseco]

This is a very reasonable request, and since it is so simple I went ahead and put together a GUI.. please let me know what you htink

http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/M2D-SimpleSkinner.jpeg

This will be a new application that will be part of the Manilla2D-DevTools, I don't have a name at the moment... maybe "SimpleSkinM2D-DevTool" (feel free to suggest a better name)

This application will be a simple 1 page application, no tabs.

When you click on a "Choose File" button the file tree pops up and you choose a file from it, that file path is then put in the edit control just above the button.

When you click "Apply" (lower left softkey) or "OK" (upper right hand corner), I will turn off all today screen plugins. Then I will unzip every single file from the first zip, all files will go to the windows directory, it won't matter what the structure of the zip file is. I will do the same with the second zip file. Finally I will enable just the "TouchFlo" today screen item and exit

Let me know what you think

first thank you that you are interest in this and do the preview quickly

for that let me rearrange it with you
I suggest that this new tool has name "DevTools Skin Change", and there is attachment interface which I imagine this tool will be like, and let me explain it


1- add option to install or not install orginal skin ( the X box)
2- add (chose skin directory) and brows only zip file and sort files in alphabet
3- store the file name of original skin and skin directory even you left tool for the next time run it
4- add preview area for (preview.jpg) file if present in the zip file of the skin, size of this pic is 75X100 pixel
4- skip preview.jpg file from copying
5- take care that some times there is a files with read only attribute in the zip file of the skin, for that it must be force copy

I hope that I explain it clearly

finaly thx to mpenguin14 the Manilla 2D Customizer (M2DC) creator which let others trying to imagine another tool for TouchFlo 2D to help all user forum

thx

[mpenguin14]

first thank you that you are interest in this and do the preview quickly

for that let me rearrange it with you
I suggest that this new tool has name "DevTools Skin Change", and there is attachment interface which I imagine this tool will be like, and let me explain it


1- add option to install or not install orginal skin ( the X box)
2- add (chose skin directory) and brows only zip file and sort files in alphabet
3- store the file name of original skin and skin directory even you left tool for the next time run it
4- add preview area for (preview.jpg) file if present in the zip file of the skin, size of this pic is 75X100 pixel
4- skip preview.jpg file from copying
5- take care that some times there is a files with read only attribute in the zip file of the skin, for that it must be force copy

I hope that I explain it clearly

finaly thx to mpenguin14 the Manilla 2D Customizer (M2DC) creator which let others trying to imagine another tool for TouchFlo 2D to help all user forum

thx

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation and mockup, I will try to put this together in the next few days.

I can see how some users would prefer this method of skinning to the M2DC theme manager... mostly because the m2DC theme manager tries to do all it can to be "smart" about applying skins, and this "Simple Skin Change" app would be "dumb", as in it will blindly unpack all files to the windows directory and overwrite any existing files without prejudice. SO basically if you use it maybe you will screw up your M2D setup. That is fine with me as this is a "DevTool" and is intended for advanced/power users, and M2DC is intended to be safe enough for anyone to use.

Thanks again for the detailed input, I really do appreciate the thorough and clear feature request, it makes the implementation much easier.

[secoseco]

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation and mockup, I will try to put this together in the next few days.

I can see how some users would prefer this method of skinning to the M2DC theme manager... mostly because the m2DC theme manager tries to do all it can to be "smart" about applying skins, and this "Simple Skin Change" app would be "dumb", as in it will blindly unpack all files to the windows directory and overwrite any existing files without prejudice. SO basically if you use it maybe you will screw up your M2D setup. That is fine with me as this is a "DevTool" and is intended for advanced/power users, and M2DC is intended to be safe enough for anyone to use.

Thanks again for the detailed input, I really do appreciate the thorough and clear feature request, it makes the implementation much easier.

thank you mpenguin14 for your appreciation to this simple thought which is nothing comparatively to your hard work in this project and the amazing M2DC project, and I believe that all Manila user evaluate your effort for development this tools

[hayaticik]

wow thank you mpenguin.. it is so good..I always have problems running IGO and M2D at the same time. now I can remove m2d and run igo and turn it back on when I am done using igo...what a relief for me..for that reason I was thinking going back to htc home plug in..now I am staying with M2d..thanks and thanks again..

[aeratos]

WTF >? can add throttle html anime clock? and weather animation??????

[mpenguin14]

WTF >? can add throttle html anime clock? and weather animation??????

I do not think I understand what you are saying.

If you are asking if this will allow you to Manilla2D at the same time as other today plugins, then the answer is "No".

This project just allows for simple 1 touch switching between using Manilla2D on your today screen, and using other plugins... not running them a the same time

[mpenguin14]

thank you mpenguin14 for your appreciation to this simple thought which is nothing comparatively to your hard work in this project and the amazing M2DC project, and I believe that all Manila user evaluate your effort for development this tools

hey I just wanted to let you know I am putting the simple skinner on hold for a few days... I think I am going to completely overhaul the way that M2DC applies theme files...

To my knowledge the main problem that people have with M2DC is that it does not copy over the xml settings properly... this is a very valid complaint, M2DC in its current form tries to be really smart about this, but it is still lacking.

here is the rough procedure that M2DC goes through when applying a skin file

Turn off M2D
Prepare a list of all files and their locations that M2D is currently using
Open the theme (zip/m2dct) file
read each filename out of the theme file
check to see if that file is currently being used by the latest M2D theme
if that file is being used, overwrite the old file with this new file from the zip
after overwriting all the theme files applyselect xml settings from the new theme to the actual htchomesettings.xml file
restart M2D
exit M2DC


The problem with this approach is that M2DC picks and chooses what settings to copy (right now it will only copy xml Elements that contain the string "POS" or "RECT"

The solution? Use the HTCHomeSettings.xml file that is included with the skin, and just modify the file paths in that.

So if your M2D installation has all hte files installed to "\Windows" and the xml file from the theme has all of hte files in "\Windows", then nothing changes... teh xml file from the theme is copied right on top of your current HTCHomeSettings.xml

BUT

if your M2D install has soem file sin "\Windows" and some in "\Windows\ManillaGfx" and your theme file xml has all files going into "\Windows" then M2DC will do some work...
After unpacking all of the files from the zip M2DC will have the HTCHomeSettings.xml file from the theme copied to "\Windows"
M2DC will then read the list of file sin use and their paths and modify the newly copied "\Windows\HTCHomeSettings.xml" so that the file gets its images from the proper place


Does his make any sense to anyone... and if so do you think it is a good idea?

I am going to start on this tonight, but my opinion can be very easily swayed, overall I just want to make M2DC be the utility that people can rely on to easily and reliably manage their M2D installations and i think that changing M2DC to better suit the preferences of users is a better idea than developing a new tool that is very similar to M2DC functionality

[debarron]

hey I just wanted to let you know I am putting the simple skinner on hold for a few days... I think I am going to completely overhaul the way that M2DC applies theme files...

To my knowledge the main problem that people have with M2DC is that it does not copy over the xml settings properly... this is a very valid complaint, M2DC in its current form tries to be really smart about this, but it is still lacking.

here is the rough procedure that M2DC goes through when applying a skin file

Turn off M2D
Prepare a list of all files and their locations that M2D is currently using
Open the theme (zip/m2dct) file
read each filename out of the theme file
check to see if that file is currently being used by the latest M2D theme
if that file is being used, overwrite the old file with this new file from the zip
after overwriting all the theme files applyselect xml settings from the new theme to the actual htchomesettings.xml file
restart M2D
exit M2DC


The problem with this approach is that M2DC picks and chooses what settings to copy (right now it will only copy xml Elements that contain the string "POS" or "RECT"

The solution? Use the HTCHomeSettings.xml file that is included with the skin, and just modify the file paths in that.

So if your M2D installation has all hte files installed to "\Windows" and the xml file from the theme has all of hte files in "\Windows", then nothing changes... teh xml file from the theme is copied right on top of your current HTCHomeSettings.xml

BUT

if your M2D install has soem file sin "\Windows" and some in "\Windows\ManillaGfx" and your theme file xml has all files going into "\Windows" then M2DC will do some work...
After unpacking all of the files from the zip M2DC will have the HTCHomeSettings.xml file from the theme copied to "\Windows"
M2DC will then read the list of file sin use and their paths and modify the newly copied "\Windows\HTCHomeSettings.xml" so that the file gets its images from the proper place


Does his make any sense to anyone... and if so do you think it is a good idea?

I am going to start on this tonight, but my opinion can be very easily swayed, overall I just want to make M2DC be the utility that people can rely on to easily and reliably manage their M2D installations and i think that changing M2DC to better suit the preferences of users is a better idea than developing a new tool that is very similar to M2DC functionality

The only problem I see with this, which also exists in currently the way M2DC works is with weather icons. If someone uses BI's weather icons, which I do, and installs a theme straight from the downloaded .m2dct file, which does not contain BI's icons or any weather icons, then their weather tab will be jacked up because of the position of the icons. Currently what I do to resolve this is copy the WeatherWidget section of my original XML to the downloaded XML. Doing what you are suggesting would not fix this issue. One suggestion would be to only modify sections of the XML which correlates to files contained in the .m2dct file. Not sure how easy that would be or how much it may slow down the apply theme process, but there may be better and quicker ways to accomplish this. This is my only problem with the way M2DC currently applies themes. Hope this helps.

[debarron]

I just looked at your TODO list and noticed the second thing on there was what I was talking about. Hope that isn't too difficult as it seems like it would be the best solution.

[aeratos]

I do not think I understand what you are saying.

If you are asking if this will allow you to Manilla2D at the same time as other today plugins, then the answer is "No".

This project just allows for simple 1 touch switching between using Manilla2D on your today screen, and using other plugins... not running them a the same time

ok thx :)

[secoseco]

The problem with this approach is that M2DC picks and chooses what settings to copy (right now it will only copy xml Elements that contain the string "POS" or "RECT"

The solution? Use the HTCHomeSettings.xml file that is included with the skin, and just modify the file paths in that.

So if your M2D installation has all hte files installed to "\Windows" and the xml file from the theme has all of hte files in "\Windows", then nothing changes... teh xml file from the theme is copied right on top of your current HTCHomeSettings.xml

BUT

if your M2D install has soem file sin "\Windows" and some in "\Windows\ManillaGfx" and your theme file xml has all files going into "\Windows" then M2DC will do some work...
After unpacking all of the files from the zip M2DC will have the HTCHomeSettings.xml file from the theme copied to "\Windows"
M2DC will then read the list of file sin use and their paths and modify the newly copied "\Windows\HTCHomeSettings.xml" so that the file gets its images from the proper place


Does his make any sense to anyone... and if so do you think it is a good idea?

I am going to start on this tonight, but my opinion can be very easily swayed, overall I just want to make M2DC be the utility that people can rely on to easily and reliably manage their M2D installations and i think that changing M2DC to better suit the preferences of users is a better idea than developing a new tool that is very similar to M2DC functionality

Hi mpenguin14

first I agree with you, modification M2DC is better than developing a new tool

I want to point out your attention to some errors, which is wrapped from some amateur skin designer

1- some times they not design the skin depend on the original Manila skin but depend on the skin in them rom device which some times modified from the cooker and the XML in this way will not be the original Manila XML and may be has modification in some icons position and designer did not include this XML in the published skin and when use this skin you get troubles

2- some times designer not include all graphic files in them file but only the modified graphics only with new XML file depend on that you have the rest original graphics files in \windows with the correct position as in original Manila skin which may be modified from previous applying another skin and when use this skin you get troubles again

the problem is very complicated because there is no rule for design and publishing the skin
for that I think that copy the original Manila files first will be limit the the troubles when you apply a new skin, and it must be consider that the original Manila files must be the reference guide for all skin designer

let me now talk about modification of M2DC and options that I hope

1- adding the ability to copy specified skin before apply the new skin
2- reading specified directory to load all skins in this directory instead of adding skins to M2DC one by one
3- sorting skins name in M2DC by alphabet even if I add new skin from another directory to facilitation skin chosen by name

thx

[mpenguin14]

Hi mpenguin14

first I agree with you, modification M2DC is better than developing a new tool

I want to point out your attention to some errors, which is wrapped from some amateur skin designer

1- some times they not design the skin depend on the original Manila skin but depend on the skin in them rom device which some times modified from the cooker and the XML in this way will not be the original Manila XML and may be has modification in some icons position and designer did not include this XML in the published skin and when use this skin you get troubles

2- some times designer not include all graphic files in them file but only the modified graphics only with new XML file depend on that you have the rest original graphics files in \windows with the correct position as in original Manila skin which may be modified from previous applying another skin and when use this skin you get troubles again

the problem is very complicated because there is no rule for design and publishing the skin
for that I think that copy the original Manila files first will be limit the the troubles when you apply a new skin, and it must be consider that the original Manila files must be the reference guide for all skin designer

let me now talk about modification of M2DC and options that I hope

1- adding the ability to copy specified skin before apply the new skin
2- reading specified directory to load all skins in this directory instead of adding skins to M2DC one by one
3- sorting skins name in M2DC by alphabet even if I add new skin from another directory to facilitation skin chosen by name

thx

These are all very good points,

When M2DC first supported skins it forced the user to make a backup of their original M2D skin, that way a user would never be able to completely mess up their M2D installation, the problem arose that this was taking up way to much space on peoples devices, so I removed the requirement for a backup.

With the same idea I wish I could release the default M2D skin pack, but I will not do this because of 2 reason


This would take up too much space on peoples devices, and I want ot respect limited resource devices
I am not comfortable releasing a skin at all, since M2DC is open source I need everything that M2DC includes to be completely free and open, and since I did not make those images I don't know their licensing rules


Now that I have said that, I think in the future I can figure out a good way to allow the user to specify a theme file to apply before applying a new skin

the other 2 requests should be fairly easy for me... adding a directory of skins and sorting the skins alphabetically by their name in the theme list, I will make sure the alphabetic sort gets used in the next release of M2DC.

I plan on getting a new M2DC out tomorrow night, this update will include the new way of applying themes, (using the actual theme xml file rather than trying to be smart about reading specific values from the theme xml)

If all goes well then I will try to release another update on Sunday night that includes support for picking and choosing which aspects of the theme to apply (ie so you could choose to apply just the home tab settings)

[secoseco]

These are all very good points,

When M2DC first supported skins it forced the user to make a backup of their original M2D skin, that way a user would never be able to completely mess up their M2D installation, the problem arose that this was taking up way to much space on peoples devices, so I removed the requirement for a backup.

With the same idea I wish I could release the default M2D skin pack, but I will not do this because of 2 reason


This would take up too much space on peoples devices, and I want ot respect limited resource devices
I am not comfortable releasing a skin at all, since M2DC is open source I need everything that M2DC includes to be completely free and open, and since I did not make those images I don't know their licensing rules


Now that I have said that, I think in the future I can figure out a good way to allow the user to specify a theme file to apply before applying a new skin

the other 2 requests should be fairly easy for me... adding a directory of skins and sorting the skins alphabetically by their name in the theme list, I will make sure the alphabetic sort gets used in the next release of M2DC.

I plan on getting a new M2DC out tomorrow night, this update will include the new way of applying themes, (using the actual theme xml file rather than trying to be smart about reading specific values from the theme xml)

If all goes well then I will try to release another update on Sunday night that includes support for picking and choosing which aspects of the theme to apply (ie so you could choose to apply just the home tab settings)

that is great, and waiting for new release from M2DC
now I think that our disquisition must move to M2DC thread

[mpenguin14]

that is great, and waiting for new release from M2DC
now I think that our disquisition must move to M2DC thread

I agree that it is best ot move M2DC discussion over to the M2DC thread... I just put up a call for beta testers over there so check that out if you are interested in that sort of thing



*** Manill2 2D Dev Tools Status Update ***

Simple Skinner got canned tonight... no longer in my code repository, M2DC should take care of that now.

As of now this project does everything that I need it to do... I can only think of 2 more things to add to it

- execute a mortscript after enabling M2D, and after disabling M2D
- add a setup.dll that can detect if the Enable-M2D plugin is running, if it is then the setup.dll will unload the plugin so that it can be uninstalled/updated correctly

I have no timeline on these tasks though

[Lox_Dev]

Hello,

May this tool will allow me to run HomeScreen ++ and m2d at the same time?

Regards.

[hardcore4ever]

Hello,

May this tool will allow me to run HomeScreen ++ and m2d at the same time?

Regards.

U need to install second today plugin to have both running at same time.

Here is it:

[Lox_Dev]

U need to install second today plugin to have both running at same time.

Here is it:

Do I? That will waste some ressource isn't it? Thaks anyway...

Well there is way to run HS++ without displaying anything on today screen.
No registry setting to MD2 to allow other today plugins?

[hardcore4ever]

Do I? That will waste some ressource isn't it? Thaks anyway...

Well there is way to run HS++ without displaying anything on today screen.
No registry setting to MD2 to allow other today plugins?

I don't agree with u.
Second Today is part of HS++, and it was made for these particular situations. ;)

[i900]

wow thank you mpenguin.. it is so good..I always have problems running IGO and M2D at the same time. now I can remove m2d and run igo and turn it back on when I am done using igo...what a relief for me..for that reason I was thinking going back to htc home plug in..now I am staying with M2d..thanks and thanks again..

I HAVE A SAMSUNG OMNIA i900 and I AM GONNA CAP THIS REPLY BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT A GOOD TODAY APPLICATION SHOULD BE: NO INTERFERENCE WHATSOEVER WITH ANY GOOD POPULAR SW APPLICATIONS LIKE BASIC NAVIGATION, PHOTO VIEWER/EDITOR, MUSIC PLAYER/EDITOR, MS OFFICE VIEWER/EDITOR, SENSOR GAMES, ALARMS, ECT.

THANKS FOR THE 2D DISABLE APP BECAUSE I TRIED IT AND RATHER HAVE A GOOD STABLE APPS RUNNING THAN A FANCY ANIMATED PAGE-TO-PAGE SKIN BUT BUGGY AND TO A POINT OF FRUSTRATING AND ANNOYING (SPB SHELL SKIN STILL #1 EVEN IT COSTS $30:D)

I installed the 2D manila (a custom version by Passeo from modaco site) and it messed up the iGuidance 4 Nav sw big time, heating up the phone because it became so unstable and needed to be turned off a few times. Also strange things happened randomly like the "my storage" folder disappeared, Audio player eats up program memory and can not be avoided by scrolling over, laggy opening applications (even after a reboot, it took a few seconds to be able tap in the simple numeric PIN when the screen was sitting there already but not responsive.

[PUMA13]

Manilla 2D DevTools (http://code.google.com/p/manilla2d-devtools/)

Latest Download Here (October 21 v0.2.22) (http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/Manilla2D-DevTools_v0.2.22.CAB)

If you find Manilla 2D DevTools useful and have not already donated to me, please consider giving a donation (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=409069)

Are you a Manilla 2D Skinner?
Are you a Manilla 2D XML Tweaker?
Are you interested in downloading yet another free open source application form Mpenguin14?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you should maybe think about trying out the Manila 2D DevTools.

It is current stage it is an extremely simple set of tools.

Tool Number 1: Disable Manilla 2D
This tool does exactly what you think it would do... it disables Manilla 2D :eek:
.
.
.
.
.
but wait there's more... Since your today screen is completely barren after you disable Manilla 2D this tool will also enable the standard Windows Mobile date plugin and enable Manilla 2D DevTools Tool Number 2

Tool Number 2: Enable Manilla 2D Today Screen Plugin
This tool too does is exactly what you think it does... you click on it and it will disable all of your today screen plugins, and enable your "TouchFLO" today screen item.
.
.
.
.
.
There are no more tools at the moment


I put this package together because I have been trying to help out a few xda-ers with some project and I am lazy, I didn't like having to go into "Start->Settings->Today" and then click the "Items" tab, and then unclick "TouchFLO" and then click "OK"... that is a total of 6 clicks with QuickMenu just to copy a file and then repeat the process in reverse... I am from the "on-demand" generation, so I made this simple 2 click tool to do it all for me.

HOW TO USE

1.) Add "DisableM2D-DevTool" to your Manilla 2D launcher tab.
2.) Click on your DisableM2D-DevTool icon
3.) Watch M2D disappear and notice how a new today plugin has appeared
4.) Copy over your modified XML/Image
5.) Tap on the "EnableM2D-DevTool" item on your today screen
6.) Notice how Manilla 2D tries to start up with your new settings (but we all know that %50 of the time it won't start up... but hey, that's when you use the M2DC restore tab to fix yourself back up :))



I am sure someone will say "You know you could have just done this with Mortscript" and hey, i thought about that... I use a variety of different Mortscript scripts that I have written in my Sashimi setup, BUT I wanted ot do some native Windows mobile coding (NO MFC OR .NET), and I wanted to learn the bare bones of making a today plugin so I put this together tonight (took me about 4 hours from start to finish)


Update October 21, 2008
v0.2.22
- Complete overhaul of code
- now this toolkit consists of 4 small projects
1 - EnableM2D, small win32 program that disables all today screen items but touchflo and refreshes today screen, if touchflo is hte only thing that is enabled then touchflo will be disabled, the today screen will be refreshed, and then touchflo will be enabled (basically for M2D to reload itself)
2 - DisableM2D, small MFC program that loads settings from an xml file and only enables the today screen items in the xml, if the xml doesn't exist then disable everythign but "Date" and "TouchFlo"
3 - EnableM2D-Plugin, today screen plug that just calls the EnableM2D program to show M2D
4 - DisableM2D-Settings, small MFC application that allows you to pick and choose what today screen items to enable when "DisableM2D" is ran

http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/Manilla2D-DevTools_v0.2.22.jpeg

http://manilla2d-devtools.googlecode.com/files/Manilla2D-DevTools_v0.0.5.jpeg

When i run the "disableM2d-DevTool" it´s return to the home page, but didn´t appear the "enableM2D-DevTool" ....Why?

[mpenguin14]

When i run the "disableM2d-DevTool" it´s return to the home page, but didn´t appear the "enableM2D-DevTool" ....Why?

not sure what would be going on there... did you maybe uncheck it in the M2D-Devtools Settings program?

[Canyue]

The new version is true, thank you!

[Roart]

Hi!
I have a problem DevTools with manila2d Iolite version.
Sometimes don't kill Manila2d.exe.

[waelio79]

it's very nice tool,
Thanks