[Guide/Tutorial][17/06/12]How to make "basic" theming mods + .9.png tutorial

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dully79

dully79

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[Guide/Tutorial][17/06/12]How to make "basic" theming mods + .9.png tutorial

If you find this guide useful then please rate the thread, i dont really care about thanks, thanks.:)

Give a man a theme and he can flash for a day.
Teach him how to theme and he can flash for a lifetime.
wink.gif


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"What's in the guide??"

*Basic image editing
*Using UOT kitchen to change the battery icons
*Popular image names and locations (GB)
*How to decompile using apk manager4.9
*Editing .9.png's
*How to use the universal theme.zip
*Create a batch Hue action in Photoshop

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm constantly seeing people asking for minor changes to ROMS, Themes, Mods etc, so i thought i would post this to let the talented people get on with what they do best, and the rest of us can stop harassing them for simple tasks that we are all capable of ourselves.

"Could you add these images from this ROM to your theme?"
"Can you change the colour of the battery in you ROM?"
"Is it possible to have different status bar colour?"

Well people it's time to learn some basic theming/modding/skinning, whatever you want to call it.
Lets say you want to change the colour of the battery....
1zmhtlw.jpg
b7gp51.jpg
​
What you will need:

*7zip (free)
*Greenfish icon editor pro (free/ windows) or *Gimp (free/ all platforms)



Getting going:

[1]
Firstly open up your ROM/Theme/Mod with 7zip and navigate to:

"system/framework/"

*If framework-res is a folder drog and drop to a suitable location on you pc.

*If it is an .apk then extract it and unpack.
TIP: drag it out then right click>7zip>extract to "***".

TIP2: Create a copy of this folder in case you make a mistake!!

[2]
Now navigate into "framework-res/res/drawable-hdpi/", in here are your battery images named "stat_sys_battery.png"

[3]
Open up Greenfish/Gimp, and drag across the images you want to adjust.

[Greenfish] Select Filter>Hue/Saturation
In the window that opens adjust the properties until you get your desired effect.
Save and close.

[Gimp] Select tools>color tools>hue-saturation
In the window that opens adjust the properties until you get your desired effect.
Save and close.

[4]
When your happy with the results open up(NOT EXTRACT!!) the Universal Theme template provided using 7zip and navigate to-
"system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/"
Drag the newly adjusted images across.
Close and place on your sdcard to be flashed from recovery.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now lets say you want to use different signal images....
dnhpoy.jpg
258s8pj.jpg
​
[1]
Get the ROM/Theme/Mod containing the images you want to use
Open up with 7zip and navigate to "system/app/systemUI.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/"
in here are your signal images named "stat_sys_signal.png"

[2]
Open up(NOT EXTRACT!!) the Universal Theme template provided using 7zip and navigate to-
"system/app/systemUI.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/"
Drag the desired images across.
Close and place on your sdcard to be flashed from recovery.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That was easy was'nt it!:)
There are free software programs out there like gimp that let you batch process images but im not aware of the methods used, if anyone is then please post.


Please feel free to post helpful info and ask questions about locations of images or anything else related. Hopefully myself or anyone else in the know will help.


If you want to go deeper into theme-ing here is an amazing guide:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=916814


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>> Universal Theme empty template <<<

Thanks to JR soft and also Intronauta for universal theme http://www.htcmania.com/showthread.php?t=258333 .Based on the "VillainTheme system" tool by VillainTeam. More info etc, head to www.villainrom.co.uk.
 
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Siberian Tiger

Siberian Tiger

Retired Senior Moderator / Tiger's Eye
Dec 4, 2010
4,724
6,930
Piraeus
dully79 said:
I'm constantly seeing people asking for minor changes to ROMS, Themes, Mods etc, so i thought i would post this to let the talented people get on with what they do best, and the rest of us can stop harassing them for simple tasks that we are all capable of ourselves.

"Could you add these images from this ROM to your theme?"
"Can you change the colour of the battery in you ROM?"
"Is it possible to have different status bar colour?"

Well people it's time to learn some basic theming/modding/skinning, whatever you want to call it. Ill add more info to this as necessary.




Please feel free to post helpful info and ask question about locations of images or anything else related. Hopefully myself or anyone else in the know will help.


Like i said is is a very basic guide, if you want to go deeper into it, here is an amazing guide:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=916814

>>> Universal Theme empty template <<<

Thanks to JR soft and also Intronauta for universal theme.(based on the "VillainTheme system" tool by VillainTeam. More info etc, head to www.villainrom.co.uk).


Hopefully this helps some people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks dully .Very usefull guide indeed.I use paint.net for changing colour but i found really usefull this empty template :D

And a little help.The only thing i do is to make the necessary changes png's or xml's into system/app or framework is that right?
Do i need anything else eg extras?
Thanks again!!!
 
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dully79

dully79

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Apr 29, 2010
2,844
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Your very welcome.

I use "actions" in photoshop for batch processing, but i also have another program which is really good called "AbleBatchConverter", unfortunately thats paid software.

Greenfish is ideal for minor adjustments- its a small file size, easy on resources, quick and has some good features, but best of all........it's free.:)
 
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dully79

dully79

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Apr 29, 2010
2,844
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droidcandy.weebly.com
siberian tiger said:
Thanks dully .Very usefull guide indeed.I use paint.net for changing colour but i found really usefull this empty template :D

And a little help.The only thing i do is to make the necessary changes png's or xml's into system/app or framework is that right?
Do i need anything else eg extras?
Thanks again!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse


If you put any xml's into the framework folders there is a good chance it will break it from being "Universal"

The "XTRAS" depends on what your doing.
The "XTRAS" folder is where you put apk's to be installed instead of just images in the system folder.

Example how to use "XTRAS" folder:

Open "Vending.apk"
Goto "res/drawable-hdpi/"
Drag and drop in images with matching names
Close apk

Open UT empty template
Goto "XTRAS/app/
Drag and drop Vending.apk inside
Close and place on sdcard for flashing

When flashed this will install "Vending.apk" into "system/app/"


Hope this helps.:)
 
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J

jrsoft

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2009
69
15
Madrid
Universal-Flasher-tool_v3.0

Hello everyone!

This version of the template that you use (2.X) is somewhat outdated. Version 3.0 has many new features, and is much faster and safer.

http://www.multiupload.com/HOP6RWMNOB

Basically, has a new advanced configuration file (MOD.config) where you can enable / disable functions (more information inside the file).

Have also been replaced binaries zip and busybox with a new binary 7z, much faster. The process is much faster now than before.

It also supports theming non-system applications (though not recommended).

Enjoy it!!! :D
 
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dully79

dully79

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Apr 29, 2010
2,844
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jrsoft said:
Hello everyone!

This version of the template that you use (2.X) is somewhat outdated. Version 3.0 has many new features, and is much faster and safer.

http://www.multiupload.com/HOP6RWMNOB

Basically, has a new advanced configuration file (MOD.config) where you can enable / disable functions (more information inside the file).

Have also been replaced binaries zip and busybox with a new binary 7z, much faster. The process is much faster now than before.

It also supports theming non-system applications (though not recommended).

Enjoy it!!! :D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Does it support "sdcard"?
The last script supported "emmc", that's why I still use v.2*
 
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J

jrsoft

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2009
69
15
Madrid
dully79 said:
Does it support "sdcard"?
The last script supported "emmc", that's why I still use v.2*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Yes, the script autodetects the path of the sdcard. You can also manually set the path very easily to the new file MOD.config. Check this out:

Code: 
                             [SDCARD PATH]
##########################################
default_internal_sdcard=/emmc
##########################################

##########################################
default_external_sdcard=/sdcard
##########################################

*It's not necessary to modify this 
parameters unless you really need another
custom folder path for your sdcards in the
recovery. You should try before change
this!! and remember don't modify the 
generic "sdcard" folder name in XTRAS.
The system will adapt the paths depending
of this values.
 
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dully79

dully79

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UOT kitchen battery

Ok lets say we want to change our battery for the new flavour of the month.

If you plan on using a battery theme from UOT kitchen then just follow "UOT Battery" instructions.
If you want to use a theme you found floating around the forums that doesn't work for your ROM then follow "Custom Battery".


UOT Battery

Here is how to gain a new battery theme using UOT kitchen:

FOR ICS AND ABOVE USE SYSTEMUI.APK
  1. Get your "framework-res.apk", there are many methods to do this, i'll let you pick one.
  2. Go HERE and click the "file upload" tab, select "system files" and upload your framework-res.apk. To avoid problems please us a CLEAN/UN-THEMED framework-res.apk
  3. Now click the "battery" tab, check "use this mod", now choose whichever battery theme tickles your fancy.
  4. Click the "summary" tab and "submit work to kitchen"
  5. Wait for the kitchen to cook your files then flash your new battery theme from CWM
  6. Reboot and enjoy

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Custom Battery

Here is how to gain a new custom battery using UOT kitchen:


  1. Download and open up the battery theme you would like to use using 7zip.
  2. Navigate to "framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/"
  3. Count how many "stat_sys_battery_*.png" and "stat_sys_battery_charge_*.png" are inside and remember or write it down(keep this window open).
  4. Get your "framework-res.apk", there are many methods to do this, i'll let you pick one.
  5. Again navigate to "framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/" and count how many "stat_sys_battery_*.png" and "stat_sys_battery_charge_*.png" are inside, then close.
  6. If there is the same number of images in both files then goto "UT.zip" below, if not continue to step 7.
  7. Go HERE and click the "file upload" tab, select "system files" and upload your framework-res.apk. To avoid problems please us a CLEAN/UN-THEMED framework-res.apk
  8. Now click the "battery" tab, check "use this mod", now find a battery theme on UOT that uses the same number of images as what you wrote down earlier.
  9. If applicable scroll down to the bottom and select a charging animation style, I would reccomend hybrid.
  10. Click the "summary" tab and "submit work to kitchen"
  11. Once your theme is cooked open up the UOT.zip with 7zip and navigate to "framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/".
  12. Now select all the battery images from the window you left open earlier and drag and drop them onto the UOT.zip window, click yes to confirm and close.
  13. Now you have a modified framework-res.apk that will correctly display all the battery images, just simply flash from CWM recovery.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UT.zip

  1. Download the empty template from the OP.
  2. Open up the empty template and navigate to "framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/". If the directory doesn't exist just simply create the folders being case-sensitive.
  3. Now select all the battery images from the window you left open earlier and drag and drop them onto the empty template window, click yes to confirm and close.
  4. Now you have a universal theme.zip that will theme battery images on your ROM.


Here is a link for a esk02k's CWM flashable glass orb battery mod zip, it contains 100 discharging and 100 charging png's:
esk02k battery orb mod
Preview

And here is a link for my Power Battery mod, it contains 100 discharging and 100 charging png's:
Phone Candy Power Battery
Preview

Both links are in universal theme format.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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C

Crugath

Member
Sep 19, 2011
29
5
Guildford
Thanks for the guide, dully79. Got a quick question...

I am currently on a stock (but rooted) 2.3.4 rom on my international Galaxy S2. I am pretty noobish at hacking around with the Galaxy S2, so if I may.

Rather than editing framework-res.apk from a rom and then flashing the whole thing in CWM, can I just extract the framework-res.apk from the rom running on the phone at the moment, using Root Explorer, edit the PNG files that I want, save the PNGs back into framework-res.apk and then just overwrite framework-res.apk on the phone (again using Root Explorer), reboot the phone and then enjoy the changes I've made?

Or is that asking for a disaster?

I apologise for being incredibly ignorant in the ways of Android modding. I'm still getting used to all this Android modding stuff. Modding the Nokia N900 was no trouble at all!

I have made a full backup of the phone on CWM, and I have one of them USB Jigs, just in case...
 
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dully79

dully79

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I wouldn't recommend it as your framework-res.apk is constantly being called by various things. I tried it once using root explorer on my old HTC hero and ended up in a world of pain.

If you want to do edits on board the best thing would probably be:

1- copy and paste your framework-res on your sd.
2- extract your framework and make the edits you want.
3- download the UT empty template from OP and extract that, if the files are extracted individually instead of into a folder then put them into folder.
4- copy your new images into the extracted empty template in MORPH/system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/ (if the directory doesn't exist just create it being case-sensitive).
5- zip up the files INSIDE the extracted empty template folder using store add the compression method (beware that some zip apps don't seem to play nice with cwm).
6- flash from cwm

This method will only replace the images you added into the extracted empty template.

Hope this helps, if you need anything else just ask.:)
 
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Crugath

Member
Sep 19, 2011
29
5
Guildford
Thanks for the reply :D

So the empty theme template will work ok with the stock (but rooted) 2.3.4 Touchwiz rom that my phone shipped with?

Will the same method you described above also work for systemui.apk so I can edit the green Wifi/Bluetooth/GPS/Sound/Auto Rotation switches in the notification tray?

Thanks again :) I'm looking forward to shifting the green-ness of a lot of the graphics - I'd much prefer blue!
 
dully79

dully79

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Yes mate it will.:)
If you just want to change images use the MORPH folder with the correct directory to the images like described above.
And if you want to replace full apk's you place them in XTRAS.

Don't edit any .9.pngs, as in changing the hue, these need to be decompiled before editing.
You can swap compiled .9's for compiled .9's but be careful with them as these can cause force closes and boot loops. There are guides around xda about editing them.
 
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Crugath

Member
Sep 19, 2011
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5
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Another thank you to you, dully79!

I've followed the instructions you laid out, and I've turned the stock battery level (and charging indicator) blue!

I'd post a picture, but I'm not allowed to yet. Gotta shift my forum training wheels.

But I assure you, it looks goooooooood...

This is only just the beginning...

I'm going to make every single graphic a different colour, with lens flare! /vomits

Thanks again for this guide, this has started me off on the journey of Android discovery! :D
 
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dully79

dully79

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Crugath said:
Another thank you to you, dully79!

I've followed the instructions you laid out, and I've turned the stock battery level (and charging indicator) blue!

I'd post a picture, but I'm not allowed to yet. Gotta shift my forum training wheels.

But I assure you, it looks goooooooood...

This is only just the beginning...

I'm going to make every single graphic a different colour, with lens flare! /vomits

Thanks again for this guide, this has started me off on the journey of Android discovery! :D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

No probs mate, I'm more than happy to pass on what I've learned.
Don't hesitate to ask if you needed owt.:)
 
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Crugath

Member
Sep 19, 2011
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Seeing as you've offered, I think I'll take you up on the offer to answer more questions! lol...

I am trying to change the progress bar colour. I can find progressbar_indeterminate#.png, which is fine, but I can't find the regular solid progress bar. Do you know what that's called and where it might live?

And another, I'm trying to change the colour of the background of a slider for things like changing volume in the settings, I also can't find the PNG for that. If you know where I can look, please let me know!
 
dully79

dully79

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That's found in progress_horizontal.xml in framework-res.apk/res/drawable.

To make edits you need to decompile first to make the xml readable, then re compile.

Here is a blue progress bar with a grey background from my phone candy theme if you don't want to edit xmls, just extract it from the zip and put it in the correct directory in the MORPH folder.
 

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    dully79
    dully79
    [Guide/Tutorial][17/06/12]How to make "basic" theming mods + .9.png tutorial

    If you find this guide useful then please rate the thread, i dont really care about thanks, thanks.:)

    Give a man a theme and he can flash for a day.
    Teach him how to theme and he can flash for a lifetime.
    wink.gif


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    "What's in the guide??"

    *Basic image editing
    *Using UOT kitchen to change the battery icons
    *Popular image names and locations (GB)
    *How to decompile using apk manager4.9
    *Editing .9.png's
    *How to use the universal theme.zip
    *Create a batch Hue action in Photoshop

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I'm constantly seeing people asking for minor changes to ROMS, Themes, Mods etc, so i thought i would post this to let the talented people get on with what they do best, and the rest of us can stop harassing them for simple tasks that we are all capable of ourselves.

    "Could you add these images from this ROM to your theme?"
    "Can you change the colour of the battery in you ROM?"
    "Is it possible to have different status bar colour?"

    Well people it's time to learn some basic theming/modding/skinning, whatever you want to call it.
    Lets say you want to change the colour of the battery....
    1zmhtlw.jpg
    b7gp51.jpg
    ​
    What you will need:

    *7zip (free)
    *Greenfish icon editor pro (free/ windows) or *Gimp (free/ all platforms)



    Getting going:

    [1]
    Firstly open up your ROM/Theme/Mod with 7zip and navigate to:

    "system/framework/"

    *If framework-res is a folder drog and drop to a suitable location on you pc.

    *If it is an .apk then extract it and unpack.
    TIP: drag it out then right click>7zip>extract to "***".

    TIP2: Create a copy of this folder in case you make a mistake!!

    [2]
    Now navigate into "framework-res/res/drawable-hdpi/", in here are your battery images named "stat_sys_battery.png"

    [3]
    Open up Greenfish/Gimp, and drag across the images you want to adjust.

    [Greenfish] Select Filter>Hue/Saturation
    In the window that opens adjust the properties until you get your desired effect.
    Save and close.

    [Gimp] Select tools>color tools>hue-saturation
    In the window that opens adjust the properties until you get your desired effect.
    Save and close.

    [4]
    When your happy with the results open up(NOT EXTRACT!!) the Universal Theme template provided using 7zip and navigate to-
    "system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/"
    Drag the newly adjusted images across.
    Close and place on your sdcard to be flashed from recovery.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Now lets say you want to use different signal images....
    dnhpoy.jpg
    258s8pj.jpg
    ​
    [1]
    Get the ROM/Theme/Mod containing the images you want to use
    Open up with 7zip and navigate to "system/app/systemUI.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/"
    in here are your signal images named "stat_sys_signal.png"

    [2]
    Open up(NOT EXTRACT!!) the Universal Theme template provided using 7zip and navigate to-
    "system/app/systemUI.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/"
    Drag the desired images across.
    Close and place on your sdcard to be flashed from recovery.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    That was easy was'nt it!:)
    There are free software programs out there like gimp that let you batch process images but im not aware of the methods used, if anyone is then please post.


    Please feel free to post helpful info and ask questions about locations of images or anything else related. Hopefully myself or anyone else in the know will help.


    If you want to go deeper into theme-ing here is an amazing guide:
    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=916814


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    >>> Universal Theme empty template <<<

    Thanks to JR soft and also Intronauta for universal theme http://www.htcmania.com/showthread.php?t=258333 .Based on the "VillainTheme system" tool by VillainTeam. More info etc, head to www.villainrom.co.uk.
    View
    12
    dully79
    dully79
    How to decompile using apkmanager 4.9

    WINDOWS
    I dont use any other OS so i cannot write a guide. Google is your friend!!.


    So you have learned how to do the basics and graduated from the nursery (kindergarten if you prefer) and your intersted in making some real theme-ing modifications.:)

    In order to do this we need to be able to decompile our apk's.

    "Why do we need to decompile??" you ask....

    Well, just like a Piñata we need to smash it open (decompile) to get all the good stuff and allow us to correctly and easily edit such things as .9.png's, xml's and smali.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "What do we need??"

    1-Java
    2-Android SDK (we only need tools and platform tools)
    3-apk manager (obviously)

    Java​
    *Firstly we need java set-up.
    Open up a cmd window/ terminal and type or copy and paste:
    java -version

    If you recieve a message that looks like this-
    >>SCREEN<<

    Then ignore the next step and continue to Android SDK.

    *Go >>HERE<< and download the JRE for your system.
    *Install java by default following the prompts without changing any of the options.
    *We need to check java has installed correctly,
    Open up a cmd window/ terminal and type or copy and paste:
    java -version
    If you recieve the message then skip to Android SDK, if not proceed.
    *We need to add the path to java so it is recognised to be run from any directory follow these instructions for Windows:

    **Open My Computer and select "view system information" on the left pane.
    **Click the Advanced tab and then click Environment Variables.
    **In the "System variables" area click New.
    **Enter JAVA_HOME in the Variable name field. Enter the pathname of the JRE installation directory in the Variable value field. For example mine is: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_27;%JAVA_HOME%\bin; Click OK.
    >>SCREEN<<
    **Click OK.
    **Try step 1 again, success?? (MAKE SURE YOU USE A FRESH CMD WINDOW!!)
    For more information on path setting look >>HERE<<

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Android SDK​
    The android SDK allows you to download the latest platform resources but all we really need from it is the tools

    *Go >>HERE<< and download the SDK for your system.
    *Install by default following the prompts.
    *When installed click next and start SDK manager.
    *In the window that opens up check "Tools/Android SDK Tools+Android SDK Platform Tools", click install (everything else is optional for this guide!).
    *Add the path as we did earlier but this time add it to "Path":

    "C:\Program Files\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools;C:\Program Files\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools;"
    WITHOUT THE QUOTES!!!
    >>SCREEN<<

    *Check the installation by Opening up a cmd window/terminal and type or copy and paste:
    adb

    If you recieve a long message then all is good.
    >>SCREEN<<

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Apk Manager​

    *Get apk manager from >>HERE<< and extract to appropiate folder, eg "apk_manager".

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "How do i use apkmanager??" i hear you cry.

    Install the frameworks:​

    *Firstly we want install our frameworks to try and prevent any future errors for dependant apk's.
    *Navigate to to your default directory (TIP IT'S THE DIRECTORY THAT SHOWS WHEN YOU OPEN A CMD/TERMINAL WINDOW) example "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator"
    *In here create a folder called apktool
    *Inside apktool create a folder called framework
    *Inside framework place inside your framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk and rename them:
    framework-res.apk to 1.apk
    twframework-res.apk to 2.apk
    You can install extra frameworks if desired but change the tags for example i want to install ICS framework but i have GB installed simply do this:
    Copy over and rename
    framework-res.apk to 1-ICS.apk
    twframework-res.apk to 2-ICS.apk
    >>SCREEN<<

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Decompiling:​

    *Start the "script.bat" by double clicking. (At first time of running this will create the necessary folders).
    *Goto apk_manager\place-apk-here-for-modding\ and drop in the apk you want to work with.
    *Select option 22 and the number of the apk to decompile.
    *Select option 9 and let apk manager do its magic
    *When finshed check the log in the apk_manager folder for errors and rectify.
    *The decompiled apk is found in apk_manager\projects

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Compiling:​

    *Select option 22 and the number of the apk to compile.
    *Select option 11
    *When prompted choose y/n to system apk depending on its origin (market apps no!!) If it is a system apk then select y and y again
    *When the script has finished working navigate to apk_manager\keep and delete any file you modified. If you edited any xml's or "hidden" xml's for example values\colors.xml delete resources.arsc. If you edited smali delete classes.desc (if deodexed) then hit any key to continue.
    *When finished your new apk will be located in apk_manager\place-apk-here-for-modding\ with the prefix "unsigned"
    *COPY out of the folder Rename by removing the "unsigned" for use.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Signing:

    ***DO NOT SIGN SYSTEM APPS***DO NOT SIGN SYSTEM APPS***DO NOT SIGN SYSTEM APPS***
    ***DO NOT SIGN SYSTEM APPS***DO NOT SIGN SYSTEM APPS***DO NOT SIGN SYSTEM APPS***

    *Select option 22 (MUST BE "UNSIGNED" APK)
    *Select option 12
    *When finished working the apk will be located in apk_manager\place-apk-here-for-modding\ with the prefix "signed"
    *COPY out of the folder Rename by removing the "signed" for use.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Now you can add your new files to the universal theme zip.:)

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Here is a video on using apk manager:
    >>Video<<
    Quality isnt great.:(


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Credits:

    *Brut.all for apktool
    *Daneshm90 for apk manager
    *jesus freke for smali/baksmali
    *xda for being xda
    *The members who help this place what it is
    View
    9
    dully79
    dully79
    Image locations and names.

    Editing the two following apk's will dramatically change the appearance of your device.


    Where to find icons and their names-

    system/app/SystemUI.apk/res/drawable-hdpi:
    ​
    Status bar background:
    The status bar is controlled by a png oddly named "statusbar_background.9.png".

    Notification background:
    This is notification blind or curtain as some people call it. This is controlled by "status_bar_background.png".

    Quick settings/toggles:
    These are underneath the status bar when you pull down the notification panel and go by the name of "quick_panel_icon_***_png".

    Connection icons:
    All of the connection icons from 3g, WIFI, GPS and signal strength also live in SystemUI and go by the names of "stat_sys_***.png".

    "Clear" button:
    This sits on your provider bar when you have notifications. This goes by the name of "btn_default_small_***.9.png".

    system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi:​
    Buttons:
    The buttons that appear throughout the system are controlled by 2 sets of png's named "btn_default_***.9.png" and "btn_default_small_***.9.png".

    Menu's:
    The menus are controlled by images that contain the name "menu_***.9.png".

    Menu icons:
    The icons that sit on your menu background are conveniently named "ic_menu_***.png".
    (Beware that some apps use their own ic_menu icons!!)

    Pop-ups:
    These are the little windows that "pop-up" and display information and the background when you are choosing your widgets. These are cleverly named "popup_***.9.png".

    Battery:
    The battery icons are under the name "stat_sys_battery_***.png".


    TIP: Anything that appears in your status bar will start with the name "stat_"

    Be careful when editing .9.png's, these will cause force closes and boot loops if not edited properly. You have been warned!!!
    View
    8
    dully79
    dully79
    How to use the "Empty Universal Theme Template.zip".

    The zip is made up of 6 primary files:

    *META-INF
    *MORPH
    *tools
    *XTRAS
    *MOD.config
    *README.txt

    The "README.txt" contains credits and information on how the script works but illl try and explain it with more clarity.
    The only folders we need/use are "MORPH" AND "XTRAS", leave the other files alone.


    MORPH

    This folder is used for replacing the internal files of an apk.

    What does this mean?
    Basically you place in here your png's,xml's(compiled!!!), resources.arsc and classes.desc(if your deodexed) in the appropriate directory within the "MORPH" folder, example:

    I change my status bar png so i need to rebuild the path within "MORPH".
    If i open up the SystemUI.apk and navigate to my "statusbar_background.9.png" it will be located in "SystemUI.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/".
    The SystemUI.apk belongs in "system/app/" so we build a directory in MORPH that looks like the following:

    MORPH/system/app/SystemUI.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/statusbar_background.9.png

    TIP: If you are not sure where a file should be positioned in the MORPH folder just open up the apk your working on and follow the path, then re-create it within....
    Or
    Extract the apk and work your way from inside out deleting EVERYTHING EXCEPT for the files you are changing. Now you should be left with the apk structure containg just those files, you can now open up the empty template, goto MORPH and drag in the apk FOLDER you just edited.

    >>>Picture<<<


    XTRAS

    This folder is used for replacing apk's

    apk's should be placed in one of the following:

    XTRAS/system/app/ This is for system apk's
    XTRAS/system/framework/ This is for framework apk's
    XTRAS/data/app/ This is for market apk's
    XTRAS/sdcard/ This is for any extras you want to push to your sd card

    Hope this helps, happy flashing.:)
    View
    8
    dully79
    dully79
    The skinny on .9's

    What are are .9.png's and how do i edit them??


    .9's are very simple to use, it's when they are created incorrectly they become a pain in the arse.

    .9.pngs use a 1 pixel BLACK (000000) border to determine its characteristics and how it behaves.
    The green borders (top and left) controls which part of the image is stretched.
    The red borders (bottom and right) controls where the text is displayed on the image if applicable.
    The image below shows you how the borders contol a .9.png:
    I used green and red for display purposes!!.

    fjpxg4.jpg



    WHENEVER EDITING .9.PNG'S ALWAYS ENSURE THE BORDERS ARE NOT COMPRIMISED AND MUST BE A SOLID BLACK, RGB CODE= 000000


    You can use a graphics editor to create these borders but i prefer to use "draw9patch.bat" tool which comes with android sdk. draw9 lets you preview what your stretched image will look like.

    TIP: If your image has rounded corners avoid adding pixels around them like the image above. This will prevent the png from being stretched and looking like a turd!:)

    When do i edit the 9patch border??:confused:

    If you decompile an apk and make edits to a .9.png please check that your borders are unaffected and remain black/000000.

    If you create an image from scratch then expand the canvas 2x2 pixels (thats a 1 pixel border for each side) and draw your BLACK borders.
    Or
    Open it up with draw9 and add borders.

    Hope this helps.:)
    View

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