Hello, I'm a graphic designer with some interest in learning how to create custom themes for my HD2. Where should I start? Are there any useful tools any of you current skinners use that help speed up the process, ie. templates or psd files with guides in place?
I've seen janneman22's post about creating WinMo themes, but am now curious if there are any differences with the HD2 roms? What I'm really looking for is a screen cap of a device home screen where the editable image locations are outlined and image sizes are listed for to each item. Are there any other good starting points besides janneman22's tutorial?
Thank you in advance for the help!
Hi
Maybe this give you a little help!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=689230
EDIT:I forgott something! Download mod9 editor http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=464984! Create a folder on your desktop put your manila files you want to work with in this folder. Open mode9 editor root to the folder. Here it is possible to convert the _maila files to PNG files and back.
When you have convert them to PNG you can edit the Grafiks in Photoshop or something like this. Then convert them back to manila files, create a cab or copy them to the Windows folder on your HD2. Restart and now you should see your work!
Hi there
Danke!!! This will help A LOT!
No problem, your welcome!
this tutorial might also come in handy....
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=700826
hope that helps
Related
Hello everybody!
Even if this is my first post on this forum, I use to visit this useful place since years, I tried many of those great WM6 ROMs made by our ROM cookers (thanks to all), then I tried to cook my own ROMs using tools recommanded in the Wiki.
But those kitchen tools weren't conveignent for my use, it was a lot of work and patience for making ROMs, we need to use many different programs and scripts, and I thought that the cooking process could be really simplified using an unified graphical interface like dutty's tool. I was patiently waiting for his Hermes Rom Koch V2, but finally I started to develop my own kitchen tool!
Here are some features of this program:
- ROM file manager (to add/delete/extract files or to create shortcuts)
- ROM layout editor (to edit init flash files)
- Registry editor (to modify/import/export default & user registry)
- CAB install files integration
- ROM creation from original OS image or dump directory
I posted some screenshots for better explanations.
This program simply use aWaiter and ImgFS tools for ROM creation/extraction.
For now I still have a lot of work on it, but I would like some advises from experienced developers on this forum, because even if my program works, I would like to know if the cooking process is porper and safe, and how I could improve it (for example using internal functions for ROM creation/extraction instead of external programs, implementing NBH tools,...).
If some of our XDA-developers are interested, I would really like to make this project an Open Source "all-in-one" ROM cooking program, gathering all the others kitchen tools in an unified graphical interface offering the easiest way to cook nice ROMs for our Hermes and certainly for other devices.
I know that I didn't give many details about my program but don't hesitate to ask me about it. I would also have few questions for developers.
Developers and ROM cookers, I'm waiting for your feedback!
Thanks.
This looks very user friendly, I will be watching closely. Good work.
What language is it in? (programming language that is)
Midget_1990 said:
What language is it in? (programming language that is)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I developed this program in C# (using .NET framework 2.0).
Thx for your work! It would be better if the tool support packages.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=296861
Where to download??
Thanks for the link. I already thought about working with packages because it seems to be a better way to make "clean" ROMs, but I couldn't find enough information about how to extract/build packages in ROM.
I tried bepe's package tool on my own cooked ROM and I noticed that removed files were marked as missing in packages, and all the files I added weren't moved from dump directory. There is nothing surprising, but I wondered if adding/deleting manually files from ROM, causing "corrupted packages", can have any effect on final ROM. If not then why packaging information (like .dsm and .rgu files) are still present in ROM after all packages were merged? What exactly contains .dsm files, and how to create them for adding new packages?
Could someone tell me more about building packages, or tell me where I could find all the information I need.
Thanks
I'm still working in this project, so I didn't plan any release yet.
Good idea and nice project.
Go on dude !
Good work.
Great work so far - I fullly support this project.
Lookign forward to the release.
schaps said:
Could someone tell me more about building packages, or tell me where I could find all the information I need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great project - and I agree, it definitely should support packages. If you've had a look at bepe's kitchen, you already know how much easier it is to understand the purpose of all the files in a ROM if they are organized in packages.
.rgu files are Registry "source code". They are not part of the package mechanism. And yes, when cooking a ROM you can leave them out, as they are not needed at run time. Saves a bit of space.
The .dsm files, otoh, are needed at run time.
When I cooked my ROM, I did find some information (written by bepe) here in the forum about how to make your own packages. Can't remember where that was, but I found it on my hard disk, so I simply quote it here again:
How-To build ur own OEM Package:
An OEM Package is just a simple folder containing files and registry settings for the ROM
First of all you'll need a GUID number for your Package.
Go to http://www.famkruithof.net/uuid/uuidgen to get one.
In my case:
283b9db7-cb03-4c1b-820e-ca49b2c3b5db
Necessary steps:
1. Create a new folder:
Dev/OEM/[Your package name]/
2. Create a empty text file:
Dev/OEM/[Your package name]/283b9db7-cb03-4c1b-820e-ca49b2c3b5db.dsm
(CreateOS.exe will finish this file for you)
If needed:
3. Create an UNICODE text file:
Dev/OEM/[Your package name]/283b9db7-cb03-4c1b-820e-ca49b2c3b5db.rgu
This file could be used to add registry entries to the ROM
First line is:
REGEDIT4
...
and there MUST be a empty line at the end!!
4. Create an UNICODE text file:
Dev/OEM/[Your package name]/initflashfiles.txt
This file could be used to create folders or copy files, shortcut on the ROM.
For Example/ Ilustration: Open or read Dev/LOC/initflashfiles.dat using a text editor or any premake initflashfiles.txt at one of the OEM folder.
and there MUST be a empty line at the end of iniflashfiles.txt also!!
Copy all files you need to Dev/OEM/[Your package name]/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope that helps. If I remember correctly, bepe told me that the OEM folder is treated a bit differently from the SYS folder, so it might be you can't create packages there. But then, you probably also shouldn't.
Oh, and about the initflashfiles.dat: you are aware that the initflashfiles.dat just copies files and does not move them? Using this feature extensively uses up ROM space very quickly, so it should be done for small files (like the start menu shortcut files) only.
Cheers
tadzio
Thanks a lot for your help tadzio!
I also read the different steps about how to add a new OEM package, I found information on this Wiki if someone is interested : http://wiki.ppcgeeks.com/index.php?title=Kitchen.
I think I know enough about it but what I would know is how to extract packages then to merge them for creating a ROM image, like do bepe's tools?
I confirm I also heard that OEM folder processing is different from SYS folder.
Concerning the initflashfiles.dat I guessed that files were copied from ROM to storage memory, good to have a confirmation. So it means that if we want to include a new program in ROM, we should better to let it in Windows folder than to put it in a Program Files folder, right? I have another question about initflashfiles.dat, I saw that it sometimes uses variables for directories instead of strings (for example Directory(LOC_XXX), Directory(0409_XXX),...), where could I find those variable declarations?
schaps for president
schaps said:
Thanks for the link. I already thought about working with packages because it seems to be a better way to make "clean" ROMs, but I couldn't find enough information about how to extract/build packages in ROM.
I tried bepe's package tool on my own cooked ROM and I noticed that removed files were marked as missing in packages, and all the files I added weren't moved from dump directory. There is nothing surprising, but I wondered if adding/deleting manually files from ROM, causing "corrupted packages", can have any effect on final ROM. If not then why packaging information (like .dsm and .rgu files) are still present in ROM after all packages were merged? What exactly contains .dsm files, and how to create them for adding new packages?
Could someone tell me more about building packages, or tell me where I could find all the information I need.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Schaps,
you can have a look in this link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=312985
it's a tool to re-build DSM file, which is better than just creat an empty .dsm file when making new package.
hope this help. It will be cool if your new tool support package.
hi, brothers
i am learning and trying DIY ROM.i meet a problem when i DIY exterdedrom. i put some software into the extendedrom and i want it can be show in windows\programs. but i can not do the shortcut action in winimage. is there any ideal about it?
i mean that how can i get the *.lnk file for *.exe file and put into dump folder? can i do it on PC?
liudileo said:
hi, brothers
i am learning and trying DIY ROM.i meet a problem when i DIY exterdedrom. i put some software into the extendedrom and i want it can be show in windows\programs. but i can not do the shortcut action in winimage. is there any ideal about it?
i mean that how can i get the *.lnk file for *.exe file and put into dump folder? can i do it on PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to link a shortcut to the extended ROM, you are NOT creating a link into the extended ROM, you should create a link in the "\windows\programs" directory which links to (WM6) "\_QHiddenPartition\somewhat.exe"
To make use that there will be a link built when fresh hard reset / flash, you should amend the initflashfiles.dat with a addition line: Directory("\Windows\Programs"):-File("somewhat.lnk","\windows\somewhat.lnk")
Hello, users of xda !
I have some questions about constructing my own ROM:
1. How to kill link Windows Media in Star Menu-Programs? Windows Media is not package and i can't edit his initflashfiles.txt file. So where I can kill his link?
2. How to add information about ROM, add image in setting About and modify copyright. See the pictures.
3. How to change waiting animation?
I will be very glad to everybody who would answer my questions!
mmmm ask to utaker VIA PM or in his kitchen thread
this has been modded in a file called Shellres.XXXX.mui Hexadecimal
to change the Windows animation you can find it inside a file called shellres.dll open it with a reshacker or PExplorer
to change the Windows media lnk just go to the media folder in sys and check for the RGU that has the lnks adress or make a shortcut in your functional rom to the place you want it... the go to that folder... and rewrite the existent lnk oh!
and delete its extension.
+ Que PPC said:
mmmm ask to utaker VIA PM or in his kitchen thread
this has been modded in a file called Shellres.XXXX.mui Hexadecimal
to change the Windows animation you can find it inside a file called shellres.dll open it with a reshacker or PExplorer
to change the Windows media lnk just go to the media folder in sys and check for the RGU that has the lnks adress or make a shortcut in your functional rom to the place you want it... the go to that folder... and rewrite the existent lnk oh!
and delete its extension.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi + Que PPC.
Sorry but I'm a Newbie and trying to navigate the site.
Having great difficulty (its so large & packed full of goodies.
Already an issue.
Acquired a TyTn/Hermes (UK Orange SPV M3100) and find that the Microphone does not work during calls.
It will work when Recording Notes.
The headset works OK for calls and Notes.
Recently the Microphone started working fine for 5 mins with calls and then would not work.
Is this a common problem ?
Can it be fixed Software wise.
Is it better to use a MicroSD Card to flash a new ROM
Is it better to use the HTC ROM first.
What is the best (Stable) WM version WM6.0, 6.1 or 6.5?
And what about TouchFlo.
Can I get that installed as well ?
Sorry about posting in the wrong place.
However I do a lot of voluntary work in the Third World.
(will be travelling soon !)
Most of the posts are quite old.
I am trying to find a Senior Member on the site.
Is there Personal Messaging Available.
Please direct me to it.
Thanks in Advance
+ Que PPC said:
this has been modded in a file called Shellres.XXXX.mui Hexadecimal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, after I modify this file with Restorator and rebuild ROM I didn't see any changes, because you need to modify file S000 in folder of Shellres.XXXX.mui which, I think, is clone of Shellres.XXXX.mui... I can modify it ONLY with HEX editor, but it is very difficult, and more easy to edit file Shellres.XXXX.mui with resource editor.
Maybe somebody know tool to convert Shellres.XXXX.mui to S00* files?
+ Que PPC said:
to change the Windows animation you can find it inside a file called shellres.dll open it with a reshacker or PExplorer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you write exactly path to this file, because I tried to open some file called shellres.dll, but I didn't see any waiting animation in it to replace with my one...
+ Que PPC said:
to change the Windows media lnk just go to the media folder in sys and check for the RGU that has the lnks adress or make a shortcut in your functional rom to the place you want it... the go to that folder... and rewrite the existent lnk oh!
and delete its extension.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't understand you... RGU files only contain reg links, not files... File links, as I know, exist in initflashfiles.txt...
Code:
No, after I modify this file with Restorator and rebuild ROM I didn't see any changes, because you need to modify file S000 in folder of Shellres.XXXX.mui which, I think, is clone of Shellres.XXXX.mui... I can modify it ONLY with HEX editor, but it is very difficult, and more easy to edit file Shellres.XXXX.mui with resource editor.
Not the folder man! the mui is already tranfomed into module... by that folder and its S000X files! search for the mui file! in your oem packages
When i get home i can provide you the path... but... wich app did you use to open it? open all the ress dlls maybe one of those is the good one. is in the oem folders.
Well so do the shortcut trick i told you then... or try editong the initflash files in lang XXX folder in your oem packages.
Sampler100 said:
Hi + Que PPC.
Sorry but I'm a Newbie and trying to navigate the site.
Having great difficulty (its so large & packed full of goodies.
Already an issue.
Acquired a TyTn/Hermes (UK Orange SPV M3100) and find that the Microphone does not work during calls.
It will work when Recording Notes.
The headset works OK for calls and Notes.
Recently the Microphone started working fine for 5 mins with calls and then would not work.
Is this a common problem ?
Can it be fixed Software wise.
Code:
Well its not a common issue maybe you need a new ROM
Is it better to use a MicroSD Card to flash a new ROM
Code:
I never upgrade VIA SD card i dislike it cause... i just have one! :) hahaha
Is it better to use the HTC ROM first.
Code:
What do you mean by first the HTC ROM?
What is the best (Stable) WM version WM6.0, 6.1 or 6.5?
Code:
I cant tell you cause the people says this... and this and this... so people has his favourites! try it all!
And what about TouchFlo.
Code:
Touch flo as is... its old... touch flo is the enhancement to roll in menus if you mind in Manila i can tell you... is nice but slow.
Can I get that installed as well ?
Code:
You can get installed manilla inside a 6.5 ROM or 6.1
Sorry about posting in the wrong place.
However I do a lot of voluntary work in the Third World.
(will be travelling soon !)
Most of the posts are quite old.
I am trying to find a Senior Member on the site.
Is there Personal Messaging Available.
Please direct me to it.
Thanks in Advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can PM me just click on my username and sent private messages... BTW hope you are HARD SPLED FIRST before you try to upgrade... once you can find the important threads to unlock your phone everything goes fine in WIndows mobile 6 subforum for hermes tytn.
hey there...i was wondering if anyone could take a sec to help a n00b out...
i've been working on a rom (6.5 build 23544) using Ervius visual Kitchen for gene by BesFen for a few days...i've finally found all the packages i want and made a few ones myself...i made a test rom and its running well...
but there's still one huge hole left in my finished build...so i just needed some help i.e. needed to know a few things
1. where do i change the the default splash screen (the orange windows image) that pops up after the boot screen
2. where to replace the startup gif image and wav sound
3. how to set an external theme as my default and removing the inbuilt themes that come bundled with the 6.5 builds
4. how to change the default icons (i have an icon pack as well a cab file of the same)
5. if there is a way to set up a shutdown animation and splash screen in the kitchen before creating the rom
6. edit any other settings and tweaks while still in the kitchen phase
7. change the start menu icons for the softkey buttons and start menu
8. edit the taskbar and softkey bar to make it transparent on the today screen as well as inside the menu
9. remove default ringtones and replace them with our own
i tried searching the net and going through the posts here but i'm drawing blanks...
i'd appreciate any solutions that come my way!!
solutions!!
found a few solutions myself...a lil' help from the boards...
if anyone else is interested in them, here they are-
1. the splash screen can be changed by replacing the welcomehead.96.png in the "SYS\28230\dpi_96_resh_240_resv_320\COMMON\Redist_dpi_96_resh_240_resv_320\" folder file with your own
while you're at it, you could replace the complete.96.gif file too
*but make sure that you have edited your images to the correct format and resolution before making the changes
2. the animated.gif and bootuphtc.wav files in the "kitchen\OEM\OLDGENE\COMMON\OEMOPERATORS" folder can be replaced with your own
4. add your icons in the "kitchen\SYS\28230\dpi_96\COMMON\Base_DPI_96" folder thereby replacing the default icons
*make sure that the names of the icons you add to this folder is the same as the default icons
6. to change the rom's date and give it your own name, make changes in the "mxipupdate_OEMVERSION_100.provxml" file in the "kitchen\OEM\OLDGENE\COMMON\OEMVERSION" folder,
this can be done by opening the file in notepad and making your changes in the 'value' section
do correct me or suggest an easier method if known to you
as for problems 3,5,7,8 and 9...research and testing is underway...hope to get past that hurdle soon...
use the attached folder and put it inside OEM
solve your ringtone by editing the *.rgu file and initflashfiles.txt file available in this folder
solve your theme problem by editing the *.rgu file and initflashfiles.txt file available in this folder
Note: I have used two different mp3 file for ringtone n message notification
vaibhav_batra_the_techguy said:
use the attached folder and put it inside OEM
solve your ringtone by editing the *.rgu file and initflashfiles.txt file available in this folder
solve your theme problem by editing the *.rgu file and initflashfiles.txt file available in this folder
Note: I have used two different mp3 file for ringtone n message notification
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried it out and yeah it works...thanx!!
any idea about gettin transparent task bars and menu bars??
i wanted to make them completely transparent, not transluscent...
i've gotten transluscent ones working in the start menu but i can't do anything about the today screen!!
i am also searching how to add new theme...but i found this is..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=650463&highlight=theme
saurabh88 said:
i am also searching how to add new theme...but i found this is..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=650463&highlight=theme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could just add the theme you want ( in .tsk format) in the kitchen\SYS\Themes_Lang_0409_DPI_96_RESH_240_RESV_320 folder...
tried it out and worked well...
all you have to do is go into settings\today\ when the phone starts and select which one you want...
as for setting your own theme as default...clueless...
guessing you have to extract all files from the theme and place them in the kitchen\dpi_96\COMMON\Base_DPI_96 folder and edit dsm and rgu's from somewhere to set it as default
personally...i've found a loophole to the whole theme problem (pardon the pun) so i don't bother with it anymore
more solutions...
3. to remove the inbuilt themes like dvf green, vera wang red, etc. etc. just delete the theme_dpi_96 folder in the kitchen\SYS\23544\dpi_96\COMMON folder...
to add your own themes copy the .tsk files into the kitchen\SYS\23544\dpi_96_resh_240_resv_320\0409\Themes_Lang_0409_DPI_96_RESH_240_RESV_320 folder and delete the inbuilt .tsk files you'll find there
*NOTE*
for those who want to have a modified theme, i suggest editing the .png images in the folder mentioned below...the ones with "classicblue" "default" and "black" at the start of their name to your preference and leaving the classicblue.tsk file untouched so that this theme becomes your own in case you install another theme and want to go back to your edited theme
7. edit the .png images in the kitchen\SYS\23544\dpi_96\COMMON\Base_DPI_96 folder...
the softkey icons are the ones with names like default_toolbarIconBubbleButton.png...they're all around the same area, so easy to find...
for editing, i suggest using photoshop of you have it, else an easier alternative is the paint.net editor available at http://paint.net
8. now i couldn't get a transparent taskbar and softkey bar on the today screen without using titanium but i did manage to get it to be fractionally more translucent but editing the .png files found in the folder mentioned above
i'll attach the files if needed...
my ROM's coming along so i'll keep you posted with more solutions as they come along...have fun cooking!!
Suggestion
Remove all landscape theme files, bcs no-one uses the GENE in landscape mode and it will make the ROM lighter in weight
vaibhav_batra_the_techguy said:
Remove all landscape theme files, bcs no-one uses the GENE in landscape mode and it will make the ROM lighter in weight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the rom i'm working on (and using for testing purposes) doesn't have landscape theme files...i've just added the wallpaper for kicks...
thanx for the input though...its weird getting 275 views and just 3 replies...
Hi welcome to my guide on the Basics of making and editing Skins for sense 4
Skins are incredibly easy to make and can be really good fun, they are also a good way for you to give back to the xda community without really breaking a sweat
What are Skins and how can i make them ?
Skins are HTC's equivalent to themes for The HTC sense U.I (Up to sense 5) and can change many things that you see in your phone, there are two main ways to create and edit the skins. The first and easiest way is using a popular program named VTS by the virtuous team which pretty much does all the tricky and confusing stuff for you, Which is good:good: or you can make it yourself and do all the work yourself, which is what my mini guide is all about :laugh: If you want to save yourself some time then download the VTS program and use this Guide http://www.virtuous-ten-studio.com/index.php/other-stuff/94-how-to-create-your-own-sense-skin
Requirements:
A phone or Device that actually runs Sense 4 *Duh
A computer or laptop that's newer then Windows 95
7zip or WinRar (google them if you dont have them already)
A programe called Notepad++
A brain & a bit of patience
Your HTC framework (com.htc.resources.apk)
And a base skin
1. Download the skin you want to use as a base for creating or editing (this will save a lot of time.) examples of base skins are ones we already have such as Matte/serene/aluminum which can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2038155
Your'e also going to want to get the htc framework .apk which is now known as "com.htc.resources.apk" from your phone found in the root of your device under system/framework/ ..... Make sure both of these apk files are in a folder on your computer where your going to remember
2. Now your going to want download this http://www.4shared.com/zip/Z8rB_hIS/file.html and extract it then put the FOLDER "APKTOOL" into a new folder called android and move it to the root of your'e C directory (or equivalent) Your'e also going to want to move both "Base skin.apk" and "com.htc.resources.apk" Inside the Apktool folder (just so its easier for you later)
After you've done this you're gonna want to install the framework and decompile the "base skin.apk" Use this guide to help you Decompile http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1989533
3. Okay so once you've successfully completed the above steps you can now finally edit the images of the theme as you please (the extracted should be in a folder in "C:\android\apktool"
In the folder named Assets you'll find 4 images in this folder you can: change the preview image that you would see in personalize before you select the theme, and the wallpaper that will be automatically set when you choose your skin in personalize
In the folder named res you'll see a load of different folders, but the only folders we care about for now is the folder called "drawable-hdpi" where you can edit .pngs as you like with a program like: Photoshop or Gimp. (Don't edit .9.png's though until your'e experienced)
As an example we can change the lock ring (see the screenshot below) (if you want inspiration for lockrings then check this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=22011398
In the res folder there is another folder called Values Edit Strings.xml with a program called notepad++. You'll see a line of text in the xml that says <string name="skin_name">Matte (or what ever the base skin was called)</string> you can edit "Matte" text to whatever you want the name of your theme to be e.g. " <string name="skin_name">Beats Skin by Joe</string>" then make sure you save.
4. So now you need to recompile the folder into an .apk refer back to this guide (the bit says finishing/recompiling finished project) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1989533
5 Now to finish it off you need to sign the .apk and align it, so use this https://code.google.com/p/apk-signer/
6. Now copy the Signed and aligned .apk to your device, and install it. :fingers-crossed:
*I don't take credit for any of the tools used in this guide, all i did was brought it all into one in this thread for you
However if you want to hit the thanks button then don't be shy about it
*I'll sort out the font and size of the text soon, add more screen shots, and make a video on how to do it so its slightly easier to see and understand
....
If you follow the simple steps above you'll get something like the Skin attached
Nice one! Added to Index.