Spen features on AOSP roms!

Hey all! I spent some time getting my favorite S Pen features up and working on CM11 and I thought I'd share my process.

My favorite features are Screenwrite, Snote, Sketchbook and the camera. Here are some pretty nice replacements.



To get this set up working you will need the following apps:

'SuperSU' https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.supersu&hl=en

'Note Buddy (S Pen Helper)' for a S Pen pop up window. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tushar.spen_helper&hl=en

'CM S Pen Add-on(Root)' to get Note buddy working. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tushar.cmspen&hl=en

'Screenshot Ultimate' for screenwrite features.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapps.screenshotultimate&hl=en

'Papyrus' a snote replacement. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.steadfastinnovation.android.projectpapyrus&hl=en

'Sketchbook' http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2467292

For those of you having trouble with Screenshot Ultimate scroll down to the bottom of the OP for a alternative method that doesn't require SuperSU.

Step one: Install SuperSU. Screenshot ultimate won't work without it. Even if you give it root access with the phones built in system. Every screenshot will come out black. It's best to install this first because CM S Pen Add-on won't play nice if you don't. If you flash an updated version of your rom later on you may need to reinstall SuperSU for continued use of CM S Pen add-on and Screenshot Ultimate.

Step two: Install all other apps.

Step three: Open CM S Pen Add-on(Root) and follow the in app instructions to get it running.

Step four: NOTE: (Note Buddy is full of features. Feel free to play around with it. I'm only giving you the basics. Here is a link to the developers page for a full list of features http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2162135 ) If you want a window with S Pen options to open up upon detachment you must do the following: Open Note Buddy. Click on the S Pen tab, click enable. Scroll down to AUTO-LAUNCH and click Enable. Click the button below that says blank+ and choose Application Shade. Give it a name. Close out the window. Pull out your S Pen and click the + symbol in the top right hand corner. Click applications and add Papyrus and Sketchbook. Click on shortcuts and add Take Screen shots for screenwrite.

For S Pen sounds I used this http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2474218 simply unzip the file, store it on your internal SD card in a folder of your choosing. Then choose your sound of choice for attachment and detachment.

Step four: Setting up Screenshot Ultimate: (Note: This app is also full of features. This will get you set up with the basics.) Open the app. Let SuperSU give it access. Next, the app will take a minute to set itself up. After it is done click on Triggers and scroll down to custom shortcut and open custom shortcut settings. Your page should look like this besides the notifications section. Those can be set however you want.



Go back to the app's home screen. Scroll to settings and open settings. Open general settings. Change format and quality to your liking. Scroll to timeout and click Disable all timeouts. Don't worry about the warning. If your page is set the way I have it in the screenshot you shouldn't have any issues. Close out the app.

Try it out. Pull out your S Pen. Once the window opens up click on take a screenshot. After the screenshot a screen titled EDIT options should pop up. Click on Draw. Draw something. Click on settings and save it. Click on view and open it in your gallery. From there you can share it on any app you like or as a MMS.

Step 5: Set up Papyrus and Sketchbook. You can do this by opening up each app. They are fairly easy to use so I won't go into those settings unless there is a need.

Step 6: If you want a pointer for your S Pen it can be turned on in your phone settings under Language & input. Scroll down to the end of the page for those options.

Here is a starting point for a TW camera replacement. Check out the comments after the article for even more suggestions. http://m.androidauthority.com/the-best-camera-apps-for-android-188148/
I ended up going with 'Camera Awesome' which isn't listed. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smugmug.android.cameraawesome&hl=en

For those having trouble with screenshot ultimate. Here is another method for screenwrite if you are using a Temasek rom. If you are not using a Temasek rom you may not be able to set up a shortcut, but you can take a screenshot by pressing down volume and power at the same time.

Get Note Buddy set up.
Download 'Aviary' or your favorite photo editing app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aviary.android.feather
Pull out your S Pen and click on the + sign on the top right hand corner.
Add shortcut.
Add Temasek Shortcut.
Add screen shot.

Now to do some screenwriting!

Put your S Pen back in and pull it out.
Click on the screen shot shortcut.
Pull down your notification window and extend the notification. Click share. Click Aviary.
Scroll through the effects until you find draw.
Pick your color and pen size. Zoom in or out if you need to.
Click Apply. Click done. Click view image. Open it with your gallery and share it with your favorite media app.

Enjoy!

If you like these apps please thank their developers!

Feel free to share your favorite S Pen feature replacements! Let me know if you have any questions or issues.

zmore said:

Thanks for this. I rarely use my pen, but when I do it's nice to have a quick popup with the Sketch app right in my face.

That said, Note Buddy has one of the most confusing setups I've seen in a while. I couldn't recommend it, or the paid version, to a non-geek until it was redesigned.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Hello I am the developer of Note Buddy and the CM S Pen Add-on. Can you maybe suggest how I can make the application easier to use?

Hey all! I've updated the OP with an alternative method for getting screenwrite set up. I'll still make a video for screenshot ultimate on Sunday since I really like that app, but the second method is much simpler.

I'm in development of a paid App that brings back many SPen features and adds many new functions (like a custom image as cursor, take screenshot drawing a shape on screen, etc...) for all Note 2+ devices and unofficial ROMs.

Check my signature if you want to partecipate to my Beta testing program.
I've got already 60+ user testing the App!

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk