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
Hi everyone
sorry for posting the same theard twice
I posted my question here couz it is not a normal question
I have xperia arc 2.3.4 rooted
I am trying to make my own theme and here is what i done
1- i copied the framework-res.apk from my system
2- i decompile it useing Apktool last version
3- i changed a lot of pictures inside it with the same name and type (.png all)
4- i edit a xml file by adding more lines ( the battery xml )
5- i complied it useing apktool without any problems
6- i signed it with apksign without any problems
7- i replaced it with the one in my system with root explorer and it forcedclose and then i restart the phone
The phone booted to the locke screen and it was new with my new pictures and the new battery also was new with my pictures
But when i unlock the phone and type the pin code EVERY THING FORCED CLOSE ! And the phone rebooted with the same problem
Now what the f... I did wrong what is the problem ? I have been working all day on it with a big fail !!!!!!! Plz help plz plz
Are the permissions correct?
sinkster©
sinkster said:
Are the permissions correct?
sinkster©
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes
Mr.Smile said:
4- i edit a xml file by adding more lines ( the battery xml )
6- i signed it with apksign without any problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are your problems right there...
Firstly, you cannot add anything to an apk, without adding a unique id in public.xml.
Secondly, you don't need to sign system apps.
iridaki said:
Those are your problems right there...
Firstly, you cannot add anything to an apk, without adding a unique id in public.xml.
Secondly, you don't need to sign system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what to do now ? How i maked work
i have used winrar to replace images and it work but without replaceing the xml
for xml i decompiled the file and edit the xml by adding few lines then i compile it and took the xml from it to the file i edit with winrar but it does't work i think the problem that i have edit the xml but did't add a unique id in public.xml couz i don't know how to do it
Mr.Smile said:
for xml i decompiled the file and edit the xml by adding few lines then i compile it and took the xml from it to the file i edit with winrar but it does't work i think the problem that i have edit the xml but did't add a unique id in public.xml couz i don't know how to do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to count in hex and add the new drawables, being careful not to have duplicate ids.
Also you need to edit the battery display and animation files so that the new images are used.
I recommend UOT Kitchen if you are not that experienced.
iR¡[email protected]!* via Tapatalk 2
Sorry for my english.
I using SGS2 with stock firmware 4.0.3 no brand XXLPF, i unzipped the file SystemUI.apk but I can not read xml file.
I am using linux (gedit, vim) and windows (notepad++) and is impossible to change them seem encoded.
thanks
You need to decompile the apk and then the xml's will be readable and editable with notepad++
There's lots of threads with info but here's a good place to start http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1433053
What's the problem?? I'm following the steps step by step and its always telling cannot find sources what I'm doing is
Opening a cmd on apktool folder
Type
Apktool if framework-res.apk(works normal)
Apk tool d framework-res.apk frameworkres(extracts the folder but doesn't show all lines like in the tutorial)
Then i edit some photos in drawable-hdpi
Apktool b frameworkres framework1.apk
Then it tells me it can't find sources
And types about 50 lines of errors
What should I do??
I followed tutorials exactly what they did and didn't work with me
Please help
Y U WANNA KNOW FROM WHERE SENT??
Thankyou all guys for your help
thanks for your support
y u wanna know from where sent??
im trying to edit the settings.apk to add/remove entries from it.
My question is, can this be done through decompiling the apk and editing xmls, or do i need to edit the source code/java files?