Develop Bugs

Help with .psd template files

I really never used photoshop before but I want to mod some icons I saw on here, it comes with a PSD file, assuming I understand, I can use it as template to create my own icons. The icons are just text, like "APPLICATION" I need different text so I want to use the PSD file to create more but I don't know how?
Can anyone help me?
I attached the psd file

Do you even have photoshop?
if you do just open the file and start editing

I do have it, but I don't understand how I can just start editing it and create same font style/size?

choose the text tool, hover over the letters (make sure youre on the text layer), click, and a 'cursur' should pop up and you can start editing.

BriEE said:
I really never used photoshop before but I want to mod some icons I saw on here, it comes with a PSD file, assuming I understand, I can use it as template to create my own icons. The icons are just text, like "APPLICATION" I need different text so I want to use the PSD file to create more but I don't know how?
Can anyone help me?
I attached the psd file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- You need the font the icons are made with. Hopefully it's something standard like Helvetica or Tahoma. If not go to daFont and download the font.
- Open the .PSD and play around Photoshop is .. a world of fun!
- Saving the icons you've made in the right format is also a good thing. PNGs are nice, Non-interlaced.

[VIDEO GUIDE] Guide to create and replace a costum icons for Touchwiz (25/02/2011)

Hi guys and sorry if I'm allowed to make a small guide (I'm learning) to create and replace icons touchwizgtg base to include those that beat us more about working with photoshop ...
I hope this little guide is helpful to all of you who want a little modding the graphics of your terminal
Well I leave you to better understand this video, good vision
LINK VIDEO GUIDE
Sorry for the video is in italian linguage
P.s. sorry for some typos that I made for the rush (type icons should be 87x87 and 85 as set in the video)
Requirements
TouchWiz installable package with recovery from
STEP 1
Open photoshop and create a new file size you want (eg 300x300) with transparent background
STEP 2
Once created the icons we want, save it in png format, ritagliamola so as to leave no spaces around and in ridimensioniamola 87x87 pixels and save
STEP 3
With 7Zip, navigate inside the Touchwiz.apk, and extract the folder to the Desktop hdpi-drawable (just to get the name of the file we need) copy the name of the png you want to replace (in this case "homescreen_menu_marketbg_0") and rinonimate your icon with that name
STEP 4
Also in the surf with 7Zip Touchwiz.apk, until you enter the following location touchwiz.apk \ res \ drawable-hdpi.
Once this is done you just need to drag your new icon into that folder and answer yes to the question that the program will do.
STEP 5
Now you just need to replace the "old" TouchWiz with this modified by you, or rootexplorer or flash recovery
Special thanks:
Sconcau84 forum
Batista70forum

[Q] Inquiring about HTC Sense UI skinning

Hello everyone, I am indeed new to these forums and the android development scene as a whole. I would have posted this in the development forum but since I have less than 10 posts....
Anyway, I've got an HTC Desire Z on the Bell network. Completely standard phone, no majors modifications done to it. What I would like to know is if it is possible to rip the skins that HTC includes with its Sense UI onto a computer to partake in graphical modifications, then put them back onto the phone under a different name/title (from Slate, for example, to Slate 2.0).
I would love a customized skin, but I'm a little reluctant in attempting a complete modification (Cyanogen Mod for example).

Welcome, can't help with your question. But wanted to let you know that this is the correct section for your question. Post this type of stuff in the development thread and you would of got flamed.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Rule: Now remember: if you want post result of your work (modified skin) you MUST have permission to use .png's from person who originally created them or also from me (if you are using png's from one of my skins in this thread). If you are only modifying skins for personal use, you can use what you want without asking anybody.
Note1: I'm using Windows 7 32 Bit PC, so tutorial is written for this platform. In "[]" are my comments. If you seeing "" you're not writing it, only sentence between them.
Note2: If you want relese skin, post it, and I will create link to your post in my second post, over tutorial.
Note3: If anybody would have any problems or will find any bug in my tutorial - post it.
So, you have awesome idea for a skin for Desire HD, but you don't know how to build it? Here is your answer:
Download & install 7zip.
Download & install Java Development Kit (JDK) & Java Runtime Environment (JRE): http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/ja...ads/index.html
Download & install Android Software Development Kit (SDK): http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Download Auto-sign.zip by Dave Da illest 1: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?uwzjjydnm2r
Download Apktool by Brut.alll: http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/downloads/list
I. Installation of Auto-sign:
1. Unpack Auto-sign.zip to any folder and you're done.
II. Installation of Apktool:
1. Unpack: "apktool-install-windows-2.2_r01-3.tar.bz2" and "apktool1.3.2.tar.bz2" to "C:/Windows" directory.
2. Pull from your Desire HD: framework-res.apk and com.htc.resources.apk. They are in "root/system/framework" directory. Save them on your PC.
3. Place com.htc.resources.apk in "C:/Users/'your name'/" directory.
4. Open terminal/command line [Start->Run->type "cmd"->press <enter>] and type "apktool", press <enter>. Then you should see usage help.
5. Write: "apktool if com.htc.resources.apk DesireHD" [There should be created directory "C:/Users/"your name"/apktool/framework" and 2 apk files in it].
III. We will start with modifying standard, HTC made Slate skin. First, we must pull Slate.apk from "root/system/app" folder. In this directry there are also skis: Metal.apk, Wood.apk, Blackboard.apk.
1. Extract pulled Slate.apk with 7zip. [Right mouse button click on skin .apk, from menu choose: 7zip->Extract to "Slate\"]. Now you can edit/replace all .png's stored in "Slate/res/drawable-hdpi; drawable-port-hdpi; drawable-land-hdpi".
2. Place pulled original Slate.apk in "C:/" directory.
3. In command line write: "apktool d -f -t DesireHD C:/Slate.apk".
4. There should be created directory "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate".
5. Editing name of skin, colors, and other miscellaneous things [in decompiled .xml files]:
a. Name of skin: with notepad we are editing AndroidManifest.xml in "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate" folder.
-line: <manifest android:hasCode="false" android:versionCode="8" android:versionName="2.2" package="com.htc.skin.Slate"
change to: <manifest android:hasCode="false" android:versionCode="8" android:versionName="2.2" package="com.htc.skin."your name of skin without spacebar""
with notepad we are editing strings.xml in "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate/res/values" folder.
-line: <string name="skin_name">Slate</string>
change to: <string name="skin_name">"your name of skin"</string>
b. Colors: with notepad we are editing colors.xml in "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate/res/values" folder. [Colors of specified areas of Sense UI are in HTML code. You can check and edit them with help of some sites].
c. Flipping of clock and screen indicator courve line: with notepad we are editing integers.xml in "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate/res/values" folder.
-line: <integer name="clockwidget_flip">1</integer> means that clock will flip. If "1" changed to "0", clock will not flip.
-line: <integer name="rosie_scrollbar_curve">0</integer> means that screen indicator will move in curve line. If "0" changed to "1", indicator will move in strait line [there is no mistake here!].
6. Now if you edited .xml's in the way you want, you must compile .apk of skin. In command line write: "apktool b -f C:/Users/"your name"/Slate "your name of skin without spacebar".apk" [for example: apktool b -f C:/Users/****/Slate Dick_Slate.apk].
7. In "C:/Users/"your name"/" directory will appear compiled skin .apk.
8. Open it with 7zip. [Right mouse button click on skin .apk, from menu choose: 7zip->Open archive]. You will see in this directory 2 folders: assets & res, and 2 files: AndroidManifest.xml [which is edited already] & resources.arsc.
a. In "assets/image" directory there are stored preview.png [which you see when you choosing skin in Skin Picker, on your phone] and wallpaper.jpg.
b. In "res" directory there are folders: drawable [which contains .xml's], drawable-hdpi, drawable-land-hdpi & drawable-port-hdpi [containing .png's which you will replace]. Now you can drag'n'drop previously prepared
[in point III.1.] .png's [or whole folders], so your new files replace those in opened .apk. Close 7zip window.
9. Now take edited "your name of skin without spacebar".apk to Auto-sign root directory [see point I.]. Change it's name to update.zip. Drag'n'drop update.zip at Sign.bat file and in command window press <enter> when signing will be finished. There should appear new file called update_signed.zip. Now you can change it's name to "name of you skin".apk and youre done. This file is installable on your Desire HD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please. Use google search first. I just searched "Modify HTC Skins Android Sense" and that was the 3rd or 4th hit.
Here's the link for the entire thread.

I must not have searched for the right thing then. Thanks for your help in finding this for me!

Anytime mate, Good luck with the skinning.
PS: if you skin something nice, post it! xD

[Q] Begginner's Theming Question

I am very interested in theming and I downloaded all the recommended software/programs mentioned in the theming threads...
However I can NOT find the answer to my question---
once I have everything I need to edit/create a theme how do I actually begin?
What I mean is, for example, if you want to edit a .PSD file you would open Photoshop to edit the file....
so which program do I use first to open the theme I plan to edit? and is there a "stock" theme to edit as I like or would I download...say...the Evo stock ROM and edit the files in there?
I think I read I should begin with 7z? is this right?
All I've found so far is alot of technical explanations for someone who has experience...once I find out the basics I'm sure it will all fall into place...
if there IS an easy answer posted can someone PLEASE point me in the right direction?
Thanks.
*EDIT*
I was double-clicking on framework-res.apk (following instructions) which was why it wasn't working...once I extracted the file using 7zip all the drawable files were there...I had NO IDEA there were THIS many .png images to edit...lord have mercy...this is gonna be FUN.

If u use a program called apk manager u can put an apk in the and decompile the apk. That mean it opens up the resources.arcs and the classes.dex files and also turns the bianry XML files to readable XML. Meaning u can use this to edit XML and smali files to change colors(mostly in xml files) and also rearange things if u know how to edit smali files. The decompiling also show u all the pngs and the .9 PNG files. The .9 PNG files here will already be showing there draw 9 edit so all u really have to do is edit the image leaving the very edges alone and ur done. Then once all ur edits are done u can recompile the apk and push it back to ur phone. U might have to resign the apk or however u want but there is an easy way to get started. The framework apk is a system apk so u might have to select the correct way to decompile it.
Hope this helps.
See other tutorials on how to create flashable zips and how to edit smali files and XML files.
Usually codes in XML files for colors are set in an eight digit code that cool look like this...ff000000(black) or this ffffffff(white). If u good XML color codes u can find many sites that give show u colors and there codes but to help it works like this...ffrrbbgg....meaning ff (amount of transparency) rr (red) bb (blue) gg (green). I might have put colors in wrong order but u get gist I hope.
Just make sure when editing ur PNG images that when u save them u save them as a PNG only also when editing .9 png files(stretchable pngs) that u leave it as a .9png file. When u save it if it asks just save as PNG but the .9 will stay.
Hope this helps a little
Btw the amount if edits through out an entire them (many apks) is rediculous and many people have no clue how time consuming it can be.
If u need further help u can gtalk me and id be happy to walk u through the process. [email protected]

yeah I downloadad all the tools needed but where I got stuck was, once I have the tools, ROM, etc where do I actually begin at?
I was reading the Ultimate Theming Guide by Google (here) but got confused when it said "double-click the framework-res.apk"...it should have said "extract framework-res.apk with 7ZIP"....when I double-clicked I got all the crazy-looking letters that seemed to be encoded...when I extracted with 7ZIP I saw all the drawable images...all 800+ of them...had no idea there were that many...
so all I have to do, as far as small changes, is edit the .png images in the drawable folders, archive it back together and sign it? do I make it a .ZIP or an UPDATE archive?

broad_st_bully said:
yeah I downloadad all the tools needed but where I got stuck was, once I have the tools, ROM, etc where do I actually begin at?
I was reading the Ultimate Theming Guide by Google (here) but got confused when it said "double-click the framework-res.apk"...it should have said "extract framework-res.apk with 7ZIP"....when I double-clicked I got all the crazy-looking letters that seemed to be encoded...when I extracted with 7ZIP I saw all the drawable images...all 800+ of them...had no idea there were that many...
so all I have to do, as far as small changes, is edit the .png images in the drawable folders, archive it back together and sign it? do I make it a .ZIP or an UPDATE archive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u want to flash it yes if u want to just copy and paste to ur phone then no. If u c & p it then make sure u set the permissions after

smurf
so if i edit the 9.pngs say just the color i dont have to run them through draw9patch or anything like that?

dased14 said:
smurf
so if i edit the 9.pngs say just the color i dont have to run them through draw9patch or anything like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u edit their colors u have to run in draw9patch and then recompile them. There is a program called "xultimate-d9pc" that u can use to recompile them. Do a goodle search and Ull find the script. Its easy to use and easy to setup. If u don't ur .9 files will look jacked up

i have that(couldnt get it to work right) i'll try it again. thanks smurf

dased14 said:
i have that(couldnt get it to work right) i'll try it again. thanks smurf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get it to work I created a folder call draw 9 compiler. I put the script and the folder called originals in there. Inside the original folder I creates a few folders called drawable, drawable-hdpi, drawable-mdpi, drawable-ldpi. Then after I edit and draw9patch my images I put each one in the ffolders they belong in and go to xultamate-d9pc and click k on it and it will create a done folder u can go into and and all the images will be fixed in there

I'll try that, thanks for the tip
now the voices are 3d

sweet that looks to work perfect only thing extra i had to do was make original/res/then the other folders you said. thank you smurf

dased14 said:
sweet that looks to work perfect only thing extra i had to do was make original/res/then the other folders you said. thank you smurf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ur welcome and yeah my bad I meant to tell u Res file first. But glad its working

[Q] Question to developers ?

Hi,
I am trying to create a theme for Note 2 with Note 3 mods. I am currently using DN3 v3 rom.
These are my questions :
1. I would like to know where installed apps from play store keeps there icons "I want to change them"
2. Where are all the stock apps "pre installed apps" located ?
3. Do i need to do any xml programming when replacing the app icons ?
Please tell me the path to those locations if you know it :fingers-crossed:

Each app is an apk file, and it contains icon(s). So there is no central place where all icons are stored.
the best you can do is to create an iconpack theme. just download one (it is apk file as well) and see how it's done. apk's are just signed-zip files, so you can open them (unzip) with any app like winzip or total commander (it is harder putting it back together). There are a lot of iconpacks available, just google it.

dalanik said:
Each app is an apk file, and it contains icon(s). So there is no central place where all icons are stored.
the best you can do is to create an iconpack theme. just download one (it is apk file as well) and see how it's done. apk's are just signed-zip files, so you can open them (unzip) with any app like winzip or total commander (it is harder putting it back together). There are a lot of iconpacks available, just google it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks i use "Ninja Morph" on the phone so it should be easy enough to unpack and then repack i hope

I need help i cant find the META-INF folder. Where would i find that folder ?
I got a message as showen in the picture that i need to copy 2 files where to i found the AndroidManifest.xml but i cant find the other one called META-INF and i have looked everywhere in the decompiled folder. What should i do ?