why is there a lack of new themes?

[david1985]

i know a theme is hard to make but why is there so many plain themes being made these days

[opasha]

i know a theme is hard to make but why is there so many plain themes being made these days

i guess...get down on your knees and pray for one you like...lol...or post your suggestions of what you would like to see in a theme.

[sykopompos]

Well I have said in my thread for blinded by faith that says I am open to suggestions and feedback. So if you got any ideas just let me know and I would be more than willing to try to work people's ideas in

[mrnv45]

Well I have said in my thread for blinded by faith that says I am open to suggestions and feedback. So if you got any ideas just let me know and I would be more than willing to try to work people's ideas in

i dont know how to creat one or i would.. i do graphixs..im just to busy right now to learn that actual details of this and that..

but if any themers wanna get down on a new theme let me know! in a pm! i probably wont find this post anymore lol..

[cacheinjection]

Check out darkstar and experion!
i think they are fairly new and exciting,
i work mostly on darkstar. but try and pop my head in on experion now and again!

Cache

[blackknightavalon]

I actually keep saying they should port all the old themes for JF's 1.42 RC33 build. THOSE were effin masterpieces.

[dmm0816]

Well I have said in my thread for blinded by faith that says I am open to suggestions and feedback. So if you got any ideas just let me know and I would be more than willing to try to work people's ideas in


flashed your theme for the first time yesterday and its tight...i left what little suggestions i could think of for you in your thread lol

i usually use marks theme, mblend, blackice, and now blinded by faith....alternate everyday or 2

[brandenk]

Make your own theme: *MOD EDIT* We aren't here to promote other sites.

Edit: PM me if you want to know how to make your own theme and you cant find the info

[Stericson]

Lets not promote other sites guys, especially when the appropriate content is already on XDA. I understand referring someone elsewhere when the content is not available on XDA, but when it is available on XDA we need to be referencing that content unless its outdated and not viable any longer.

Stericson

[B-man007]

Lets not promote other sites guys, especially when the appropriate content is already on XDA. I understand referring someone elsewhere when the content is not available on XDA, but when it is available on XDA we need to be referencing that content unless its outdated and not viable any longer.

Stericson

well then...opasha's theme isnt on xda......

@ OP, if you want to see opasha's theme, its located here: http://androidoverdrive.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=72

[sahurbari]

If I knew how to make them this thread wouldn't exist is it just me or are most of these themes made are meant for the adp phone just seems that most of the themes out there are made for the dark g1's.The only themes in my opinion for the white g1 is the alienaqua theme from prash an the plastic theme

[mohsinkhan47]

Yeah, I have also seen themers come and go. We should encourage them(*cough* donation *cough*). And plus if you already like the theme try to make it better by posting your comment on the theme. Critize the theme. The more ideas you give the better it is for that themer and for that theme. You should check out my thread on final fantasy 7 on xda and on my site mk47.weebly.com for previews to my theme. My site also starting to have font for any rom and theme from my thread. Just check it out and post ideas on other themers thread.

[digitallysick]

A lot of the themes are terrible. Enoch has the best theme. The rest are ugly, cluttered, or immature.

We are just now starting to see decent minimal themes

[FckingAllen]

i really want to see more unique themes. off the wall shit. and PROFESSIONAL looking artwork done on them. tired of all these amateur themes with terrible photoshop work. but thats my opinion. i love a lot of them at the same time =]

[mohsinkhan47]

i really want to see more unique themes. off the wall shit. and PROFESSIONAL looking artwork done on them. tired of all these amateur themes with terrible photoshop work. but thats my opinion. i love a lot of them at the same time =]

You should help out in the theme making process( not trying to put on a stop). Help with finding a template if you have a great idea tell us themers or post a request. Try to find good artwork and we themers will try to work on it. Like for example systemforce was orginally another artist work but prash liked the idea and used it. Now look at it people were going crazy over that theme ( like I did). I'll see what I could do to hellp you guys out. I am too looking for a cool theme. A user wants me to make systemforce to blue and white. I thought about it and I am starting to customize the theme.

" You could live your life for yourself, or you could help bulid the future." -- busybox(I think that what it said from ddms)

[sahurbari]

I wish someone can make a video on youtube on how to do this I would have no problem making themes I enjoy the features that most of them give.Plus I understand how people feel an the themers feel.I think that most of these themes are just clones of one another with things switched around but @ the end of the day they do this for us.

[Jerzeeloon]

I can understand not making as many themes right now because CM is releasing new builds all the time,but I sure wish more people would release themes for dwang 1.13,this rom is amazingly fast and stable.

[opasha]

I can understand not making as many themes right now because CM is releasing new builds all the time,but I sure wish more people would release themes for dwang 1.13,this rom is amazingly fast and stable.

i would make themes for that rom, but i don't like it because i can't adb push my apps to the /system/sd/app the way i can on cyanongen's rom. this is because i wipe my data and my ext before switching from cyan's to dwang's and that's the problem i ran into. i could push them to /data/app but that is on internal memory and that's bad. if someone could PM me on how to fix this issue, i'd gladly switch over to that rom and makes themes for it :).

[djdarkknight96]

i would make themes for that rom, but i don't like it because i can't adb push my apps to the /system/sd/app the way i can on cyanongen's rom. this is because i wipe my data and my ext before switching from cyan's to dwang's and that's the problem i ran into. i could push them to /data/app but that is on internal memory and that's bad. if someone could PM me on how to fix this issue, i'd gladly switch over to that rom and makes themes for it :).

To add to that, try Metamorph. It lets you theme your phone with bits and pieces you would like.....especially if you like white themes. More and more themers are adding their bits so soon we will be able to make our own themes without the knowledge of how to produce them!

[opasha]

nevermind fixed my ext to have the push work :). ill try and port themes to dwang soon.

[amac25]

A lot of the themes are terrible. Enoch has the best theme. The rest are ugly, cluttered, or immature.
We are just now starting to see decent minimal themes

Where's your pretty, uncluttered, and mature theme?

If I knew how to make them this thread wouldn't exist is it just me or are most of these themes made are meant for the adp phone just seems that most of the themes out there are made for the dark g1's.The only themes in my opinion for the white g1 is the alienaqua theme from prash an the plastic theme
At least one of you is attempting to make your own instead of just whining. I have a white g1 i don't think themes are made with specific color phones in mind just my opinion tho i could be wrong.

i really want to see more unique themes. off the wall shit. and PROFESSIONAL looking artwork done on them. tired of all these amateur themes with terrible photoshop work. but thats my opinion. i love a lot of them at the same time =]

When you really "want" something don't you go get it? or do you whine about it till your mommy makes it for you? Im getting tired of ungrateful ppl do you know how much time we put into doing this and ontop of that for free no one pays us for this we do it out of kindness for the community I could've just as easily kept my theme for myself for personal use only and maybe i should've but i decided to share it. Its simple if you don't like em don't use it stick wit stock or better yet if its so easy make your own what is the point of insulting the hard work of the ppl that are trying to give you something for FREE especially when you don't have the skill to do it yourself i could see your argument if you paid for it but come on its free what do you really want. Its stuff like this that makes the good themers leave or start making market themes and no i'm not talking about myself i am FAR from a professional i do it for fun but at least i try. If you want something professional looking use any of prash's themes they are by far the best out there imo. I see alot of good concepts coming out and being taken on by themers and there is a decent collection of themes here at least where not stuck using stock anymore you should be grateful for that instead of whining about what we don't have. These are just my thoughts and opinions i'm not speaking for any other themers here but this thread is really making me consider why i even do it at all anymore with the exception of the few ppl that realize we don't have to do this.

[prash]

I had really hoped this thread was a joke.

You try changing 1200+ images only to get complaints about someone wanting it in a different color no matter what color you made it in :]

[david1171]

A lot of the themes are terrible. Enoch has the best theme. The rest are ugly, cluttered, or immature.

We are just now starting to see decent minimal themes

Next time I will try and take every image from your theme.

i really want to see more unique themes. off the wall shit. and PROFESSIONAL looking artwork done on them. tired of all these amateur themes with terrible photoshop work. but thats my opinion. i love a lot of them at the same time =]

I am deeply sorry I have only used any kind of photo editing software for a few months. Thanks for the motivation. It is appreciated by all.

When you really "want" something don't you go get it? or do you whine about it till your mommy makes it for you? Im getting tired of ungrateful ppl do you know how much time we put into doing this and ontop of that for free no one pays us for this we do it out of kindness for the community I could've just as easily kept my theme for myself for personal use only and maybe i should've but i decided to share it. Its simple if you don't like em don't use it stick wit stock or better yet if its so easy make your own what is the point of insulting the hard work of the ppl that are trying to give you something for FREE especially when you don't have the skill to do it yourself i could see your argument if you paid for it but come on its free what do you really want. Its stuff like this that makes the good themers leave or start making market themes and no i'm not talking about myself i am FAR from a professional i do it for fun but at least i try. If you want something professional looking use any of prash's themes they are by far the best out there imo. I see alot of good concepts coming out and being taken on by themers and there is a decent collection of themes here at least where not stuck using stock anymore you should be grateful for that instead of whining about what we don't have. These are just my thoughts and opinions i'm not speaking for any other themers here but this thread is really making me consider why i even do it at all anymore with the exception of the few ppl that realize we don't have to do this.

I had really hoped this thread was a joke.

You try changing 1200+ images only to get complaints about someone wanting it in a different color no matter what color you made it in :]

Exactly, before I tried theme-ing, I had no clue how much work went into just setting everything up, much less editing hundreds upon hundreds of images. I have 32 .apk's in my theme themed. Between 1750 and 2000 images in my theme have been edited. Almost every .9.png has been edited, meaning that it has had to have guidelines made for it, and be compiled in eclipse then tested to make sure it even works.

This thread is really making me reconsider releasing anything else. When someone makes a theme, he/she make it for his/her self to use, and to turn around and be told it looks like crap. yeah, that is huge encouragement.

If you can whine about a theme not looking up to your standards, then you can release a theme that is up to your standards.

[jairomeo]

It really gives me a warm tingly feeling inside to see people ungratefulness for themers hard work to give everyone options. Sorry if in yoru head you'd like to see something different. You could always sit and take the time to learn how to do it, and make these mature themes you are looking for.

[Jerzeeloon]

nevermind fixed my ext to have the push work :). ill try and port themes to dwang soon.

Thank you.

[ionsof]

Everyone is doing a great job theming and is appreciated but, i agree the themes from the old JF builds were absolutely amazing:). also i have been craving a nice hero theme for cm 4.2.7.1. if anybody is intrested.

[brandenk]

This is exactly why I just make my own themes for myself and just share it with you guys. If I've already spent the time for myself then I dont mind sharing but I rarely go out of my way to cater to requests because its never done right or not the right color, or something else needs to be changed too. Im not making money off of this, its not going to get me somewhere one day, I just do it for me, and you guys get the fringe benefit so enjoy it. :)

[ionsof]

ya that is very true, I wish i knew how to make my own themes.

[amac25]

i agree the themes from the old JF builds were absolutely amazing:)

I agree with that also those are the reason i started trying to make themes in the first place gloss suite, aero, system force, moondust etc..

[sykopompos]

Next time I will try and take every image from your theme.



I am deeply sorry I have only used any kind of photo editing software for a few months. Thanks for the motivation. It is appreciated by all.





Exactly, before I tried theme-ing, I had no clue how much work went into just setting everything up, much less editing hundreds upon hundreds of images. I have 32 .apk's in my theme themed. Between 1750 and 2000 images in my theme have been edited. Almost every .9.png has been edited, meaning that it has had to have guidelines made for it, and be compiled in eclipse then tested to make sure it even works.

This thread is really making me reconsider releasing anything else. When someone makes a theme, he/she make it for his/her self to use, and to turn around and be told it looks like crap. yeah, that is huge encouragement.

If you can whine about a theme not looking up to your standards, then you can release a theme that is up to your standards.

Wow david, calm down, boy. It is a lot of work but there is no need to go off
Keep releasing your shit cause a lot of people do like your work

[prash]

Everyone is doing a great job theming and is appreciated but, i agree the themes from the old JF builds were absolutely amazing:). also i have been craving a nice hero theme for cm 4.2.7.1. if anybody is intrested.

Wow I can't believe you just said the old themes were amazing then in the same line asked for YET ANOTHER hero based theme...

This is the issue, everyone wants Rosie/Sense based look, anything different and new doesn't get noticed because everyones too busy making yet another hero theme.

I really don't have anything against hero themes, and I even used the original one when it was out because it did look great, but rosie was new and shiny back then, now its like everyone and their dad had their turn with her and she's not looking so hot anymore.

Three big reasons why the JF days of themes were so great:


JF didn't release a new rom for months. I love CM and the rom but as a themer its a pain in the ass to port over all the 1000+ files each time theres a new update, not to mention the fans start bugging you if you don't get to it right away and abandon you. Metamorph is doing a real good job of saving us from this now though. Hopefully everyone moves over to using Metamorph.


No hero. Simple, there was creativity because everyone wasn't after the same exact look in different shades. You saw multitude of themes because they were encouraged and welcomed. Right now anything new and just a tad different gets pushed aside for the scores of hero themes. Again nothing against them (read above) just how the 'fans' are responding.

I just saw a decent looking idea in the android themes forum called Crisp, to me it looked different and seemed like a great start to a full theme someone posted, yet its already getting negative comments. Fine if you don't like it its ok, just don't discourage the new theme makers.


Exclusivety. This is a new thing around here, people want fame out of making themes. Back in JF days, we made themes for ourselves, then shared them for others to use. That was it, simple. Now people are trying to compete and out-do each other and trying to be 'first' at everything then want credit.

Then people get power ego trips and keep their 'secrets' to themselves. Posting exclusively on other sites keeping away from the center of the community (here) and holding off because..well because they want their name to be somehow associated with android themes. Really, if you're making themes to get famous, then you're in for the wrong reasons.


Android itself is a community effort, especially the custom roms. Share, teach and nurture the new theme makers and you'll see more and more people coming up with new ideas. Criticism is fine, just be constructive about it not 'THIS SUCKS' "WASTE OF THEME" type comments I see sometimes.

Anywho I've ranted enough, just a themer's perspective. Hope it helps those who understand to keep going and not let users drive you off from making themes.

[DeaDnuLL]

I had really hoped this thread was a joke.

You try changing 1200+ images only to get complaints about someone wanting it in a different color no matter what color you made it in :]

Close Prash but it is more like 2,227+ give or take a couple. That is CM mod anyway ;)

[DeaDnuLL]

To all the people complaining about themes. "Oh I don't like the color or Oh it is to childish" There has never been an easier time to theme since the release the metamorph. If you are to lazy to take the time and watch 3 - 5 video on how to make a theme don't bitch about the lack of themes. I would also like to point out that most ppl who start a theme never finish it, it is like I posted earlier 2,227 files and 165 dir (and that is after metamorph) with images that require you to compile them and 90% of the time don't come out the way they were meant to. Oh and god help you if one of the packages changes nothing like a little trial and error to fix it. If you don't like the full themes you find on xda go download dxtop, ahome, open home and download them off the market since most of them have all of 15 - 20 icons in them.

If you want to learn how to theme offer to do a port for a existing theme I am sure there are lots of theme developers out there that would love someone offering to port there theme to another rom. I bet they would even help you port the theme and help you learn the ins and outs.

JF didn't release a new rom for months. I love CM and the rom but as a themer its a pain in the ass to port over all the 1000+ files each time theres a new update, not to mention the fans start bugging you if you don't get to it right away and abandon you. Metamorph is doing a real good job of saving us from this now though. Hopefully everyone moves over to using Metamorph.

I agree Cyanogen makes a great rom but he updates like a mad man!!! ;)

Then people get power ego trips and keep their 'secrets' to themselves. Posting exclusively on other sites keeping away from the center of the community (here) and holding off because..well because they want their name to be somehow associated with android themes. Really, if you're making themes to get famous, then you're in for the wrong reasons.

I am one of those ppl who hosts there theme on another site (all though i keep an XDA thread) and it has nothing to do with ego trips, keeping it off XDA, or being famous (if I wanted to be famous I can safely say I would be doing something that made me money not costs me hosting fees). I just find it easier to manage content on my web server then on a forum thread. I can have a gallery and do static tutorials that way I am not asked 110x how to do the same thing (it would be pointless to start a new thread for a theme specific tutorial) which isn't easy to do on a single thread (cause people are lazy and don't read). I can also track the amount of ppl using it if I had 10 people downloading it I probably would quit development. I started Buuf when I saw it sitting there undeveloped and wanted to use it I had no idea that it was such a pain in the ass to keep up to date, had I known I probably would not have done it. Now I do it mostly for the people who enjoy using it and don't get me wrong I like to do it but it is a lot of work. I have posted my theme on other forums and since it is alot of work why not share it with as many people as possible. I also have a lot of links to XDA (I don't think I have links any where else) on my site which I am sure brings in some new traffic and had it not been for other sites It probably would have taken me longer to find XDA then it did when I first got started.

I would like to point out most ppl that do use my theme are very supportive which makes much easier to keep working on it. Like Prash said if you beat someone down when they first start there theme they will probably quit. I look at it this way if you don't have something nice or constructive to say keep your mouth shut since no one is forcing you to use the theme.

Last thing IMO if you want hero theme run a hero rom. Okay I am done my rant.

[amac25]

Wow I can't believe you just said the old themes were amazing then in the same line asked for YET ANOTHER hero based theme...

This is the issue, everyone wants Rosie/Sense based look, anything different and new doesn't get noticed because everyones too busy making yet another hero theme.

I really don't have anything against hero themes, and I even used the original one when it was out because it did look great, but rosie was new and shiny back then, now its like everyone and their dad had their turn with her and she's not looking so hot anymore.

Three big reasons why the JF days of themes were so great:


JF didn't release a new rom for months. I love CM and the rom but as a themer its a pain in the ass to port over all the 1000+ files each time theres a new update, not to mention the fans start bugging you if you don't get to it right away and abandon you. Metamorph is doing a real good job of saving us from this now though. Hopefully everyone moves over to using Metamorph.


No hero. Simple, there was creativity because everyone wasn't after the same exact look in different shades. You saw multitude of themes because they were encouraged and welcomed. Right now anything new and just a tad different gets pushed aside for the scores of hero themes. Again nothing against them (read above) just how the 'fans' are responding.

I just saw a decent looking idea in the android themes forum called Crisp, to me it looked different and seemed like a great start to a full theme someone posted, yet its already getting negative comments. Fine if you don't like it its ok, just don't discourage the new theme makers.


Exclusivety. This is a new thing around here, people want fame out of making themes. Back in JF days, we made themes for ourselves, then shared them for others to use. That was it, simple. Now people are trying to compete and out-do each other and trying to be 'first' at everything then want credit.

Then people get power ego trips and keep their 'secrets' to themselves. Posting exclusively on other sites keeping away from the center of the community (here) and holding off because..well because they want their name to be somehow associated with android themes. Really, if you're making themes to get famous, then you're in for the wrong reasons.


Android itself is a community effort, especially the custom roms. Share, teach and nurture the new theme makers and you'll see more and more people coming up with new ideas. Criticism is fine, just be constructive about it not 'THIS SUCKS' "WASTE OF THEME" type comments I see sometimes.

Anywho I've ranted enough, just a themer's perspective. Hope it helps those who understand to keep going and not let users drive you off from making themes.
WOW! It couldn't be said any better and thank you u just changed my mind about continuing to make themes. I agree about the crisp theme also it didn't look that bad to me seeing as this was my first half ass attempt at a theme http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=516243 but i was lucky enough to have good feedback to push me to keep learning. It took me forever just to find out where the icons were so i applaud him just for that alone.