Related
First - Let me start by saying I did a search of black notification bar and didn't really find anything specific to the vibrant. Actually I did find when using the search but still confused. Initially I was just uing the auto fill pop up for information.
Second - Instead of posting in Q&A, I figured it would be better posted here since it's a theme/app. Moderator please move if appropriate. Thanks.
Third - This is strictly for Stock JL5 deodexed.
With that out of the way...
The black/sort of transparent bar is driving me crazy. I'd like for the notification bar to be just straight black. Initially, I was running NeroV3.0 and liked how the notification bar was completely black. But, I just wasn't digging the gingerbread theme. So, I borrowed some of Sombonix's pngs and just copied them to my framework. That was a completely disaster. Man, am I glad I made backups.
Can any of you themer gurus help me out?
what's the name of the png file that is the notification bar? I am on my way home as we speak so I can help as much as I can from there.
I thought this is all I would have to replace but was I sorely mistaken.
statusbar_background.9.png
I am by no means a themer, but I have modified my notification bar, basically all I did was find the notification bar I wanted and used adb push to copy over the framework-res.apk from the desired source to system\framework whilst in cwm.
What all PNGs should I be modifying? There's so many in there that has to do with status bar that I'm getting lost. Also, although I'm running launcherpro, do I need to modify both the framework and twframework?
Yes there's three folder u should be looking at. One is ib the framework-res.apk. the other two are In the twframework.apk. there's 2 seperate folders u need to look into.. I believe one is hdpi, the other might be hdpi-4.. u must change all status bar png. Although I could be wrong because different roms place their png in diffrent folders.. and have a different set up...
Thanks for the tip. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of stare and compare tonight.
Yeay! I did it. Thanks for everyones help with your suggestions. Here is what I ended up doing.
1. Copied my framework and twframework from my phone on to my PC.
2. As a test, took this status bar from here: http://www.devsforandroid.com/forum/index.php?threads/axura-skins-and-themes.39/ (Thanks junkdruggler and Master).
3. Did a search of *status*.
4. Copied *status* to the appropriate places on my framework and twframework.
5. Created a zip.
6. Flashed zip via CWM.
I think one problem is I tried just copying the framework and twframework over and the OS doesn't like me doing that while it's running.
Sooooo basically I've never actually gotten all technical with the the theming on android. Nothing legit like you guys. But isn't it just a series of file replacements? Im an artist and have spent all my life drawing n such, and if someone would show me what to replace and how to safely do it I would give then whatever they need to release a flashable theme if anyone likes It. Im a very picky person. I like change on my phone baaddddd. If shown how; expect to see new themes like every other week if possible (depending on how difficult it is). Along with wallpapers that I usually spend hours trying to find.
Any takers?
Use search. I found some great links in this forum alone on theme creation.
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium
I'm new to theming, but for my theme, UOT Kitchen helped me out! The only downside is that you can't do status bar, boot animation, or lock screen. There's a thread for UOT Kitchen some where around this forum. But your right, just file replacements. Look under the systemUI.apk and framework-res drawable-hdpi files with 7zip (or something similar). You can edit the images without unzipping the file!
I started with a UOT Kitchen file and added/changed stuff in the file. If you can't find an image or need help with changing something, try asking the ROM creator, the would probably know where the stuff is in the ROM.
If you fail, try and try again! I epically failed my first time and SBF a couple times because I was an idiot. Then I asked some questions and got started the right way. But make sure you do a back up before you flash a new file. I learned the hard way. A file can look fine to the phone at first, then it deletes everything it should, and then starts to copy files over like normal until a part of the file is bad. Then you have to SBF or restore.
Backing up is easy, just go into recovery and go to advanced, then back up, and choose to put the back up file under internal or external SD card. I do external, just my preference.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
A lot of it is file replacement. However to change some of the colors such as text and the color of the volume indicator (those are the only ones that I can think of right now) will involve replacing the color hex values in XML files. In order to get the xml files in a readable/editable format you'll need to use apkmanager or apktool. Those are used to decompile the apk packages. You can then edit what you need to (including images) then re-compile the package. Search around in this themes forum for Navenedrobs post about android tools. He includes a download for apkmanager, apktool and some other necessary tools. I use apkmanager myself.
I also use 7zip for some small edits as mentioned in the last post but I prefer to decompile then edit. Apkmanager makes it easy to then optimize the images prior to recompile.
Oh another that required xml edits for colors is AOSP calendar. Not too many images in there but lots of colors are defined.
Here's a link to naven's android tools post.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1261198
Theming is time consuming... its not quite as easy as simple image replacement especially on stretchable images also known as 9 pngs ... also if u want to start creating your own images that too could get tricky as u will need to use a program like gimp or another photo editing program.. gimp is the best in my opinion... sometimes it is necessary to add layers when creating your own images.... Hedwig... do use draw 9 patch for your. 9 pngs.... if not how do u edit those... I use apk manager to decompile and recompile each apk.. just curious if u know of a better tool for editing the. 9 pngs .. neways the way I started theming is with 7 zip... I went in and changed the images regular pngs and then tested it out uot kitchen is a good start but u r limited as far as how much u can theme
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Kevin3328 said:
Hedwig... do use draw 9 patch for your. 9 pngs.... if not how do u edit those... I use apk manager to decompile and recompile each apk.. just curious if u know of a better tool for editing the. 9 pngs ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you decompile the apk the 9.png images gain the one pixel border where the patch is drawn. I'm just careful not to edit any of the black pixels around the edges. When you re-compile the border is lost (values of those are stored). So, no, I don't use draw 9 patch at all. If you're making new images that you plan to compile into the apk the you can just draw the patches in gimp, photoshop, or whatever you use. Just remember to add a one pixel border all around to the size of your new image.
So, XGrinder911. Any of this discussion helping out or are we all just blah, blah, blah?
Well I was considering Adobe Illustrator? Might that program work to create images? And so I get this apk manager, it decompiles and whatnot then I edit the files. Recompiles and voila theme? I get using apk manager on like the calendar cause its an actuall app but what about things like the status bar n notification pull down? they are in serious need of a make over.
And I tried using the kitchen. Didn't work out for me. Got my loving boot loops. Even when replacing the framework res apk.
Ooohhhh! Is It that? That's the apk?
PS- Hedwig your my new best friend.
IDMA.DROID.X2 said:
I'm new to theming, but for my theme, UOT Kitchen helped me out! The only downside is that you can't do status bar, boot animation, or lock screen. There's a thread for UOT Kitchen some where around this forum. But your right, just file replacements. Look under the systemUI.apk and framework-res drawable-hdpi files with 7zip (or something similar). You can edit the images without unzipping the file!
I started with a UOT Kitchen file and added/changed stuff in the file. If you can't find an image or need help with changing something, try asking the ROM creator, the would probably know where the stuff is in the ROM.
If you fail, try and try again! I epically failed my first time and SBF a couple times because I was an idiot. Then I asked some questions and got started the right way. But make sure you do a back up before you flash a new file. I learned the hard way. A file can look fine to the phone at first, then it deletes everything it should, and then starts to copy files over like normal until a part of the file is bad. Then you have to SBF or restore.
Backing up is easy, just go into recovery and go to advanced, then back up, and choose to put the back up file under internal or external SD card. I do external, just my preference.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just want to say you DO NOT go to advanced for backup(nandroid)
You go to backup/restore
just clarifying
Good luck OP....hope to see some awesome theme soon....don't give up PLEASE! !!
ashclepdia said:
Just want to say you DO NOT go to advanced for backup(nandroid)
You go to backup/restore
just clarifying
Good luck OP....hope to see some awesome theme soon....don't give up PLEASE! !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah! Your right! Sorry about that!
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Wasn't trying to "get on your case"
just wanted to clarify
Haha didn't even notice it. I make a backup everydayyyy (flashaholic).
Question: is there anything I can do about those lil lines that separate lists like in messaging and settings? I hate them and we all know on this phone's screen they basically become invisible while scrolling anyway. Get them out of here.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
I used UOT Kitchen to color. Not sure what file you would change to take them away. Ain't no shame in being a flashaholic! I bootlooped my phone on purpose when I for bored
Ash, no worries. Glad you clarified. Don't know what I was thinking with the advanced haha
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
To "take them away" can't u just make em the same color as the menu
XGrinder911 said:
Haha didn't even notice it. I make a backup everydayyyy (flashaholic).
Question: is there anything I can do about those lil lines that separate lists like in messaging and settings? I hate them and we all know on this phone's screen they basically become invisible while scrolling anyway. Get them out of here.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file is in framework-res.apk
framework-res.apk\res\drawable-hdpi\dark_header.9.png
Do what ashclepdia said and change the color in the bottom of that image to match the top. You'll see what I mean when you look at the image.
(Or light_header.9.png if you're working with a light framework.)
hedwig34 said:
The file is in framework-res.apk
framework-res.apk\res\drawable-hdpi\dark_header.9.png
Do what ashclepdia said and change the color in the bottom of that image to match the top. You'll see what I mean when you look at the image.
(Or light_header.9.png if you're working with a light framework.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this exactly? All I see is a long rectangle with a hint of blue at the bottom.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
XGrinder911 said:
What is this exactly? All I see is a long rectangle with a hint of blue at the bottom.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That image is streatched across the width of the screen. Creating the menu item that has the blue line at the bottom.
Think of it as that image repeating over and over again side by side.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
hedwig34 said:
That image is streatched across the width of the screen. Creating the menu item that has the blue line at the bottom.
Think of it as that image repeating over and over again side by side.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait so where exactly is this rectangle?
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
Its a vertical rectangle repeated over and over again to make a skinny little horizontal line?? Wow, that's deep.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
I have a question too. How do you devs mod the build.prop? Is that mostly the difference between ROMs?
(Thought it would be better here instead if a new thread. Don't mean to thread jack)
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
IDMA.DROID.X2 said:
I have a question too. How do you devs mod the build.prop? Is that mostly the difference between ROMs?
(Thought it would be better here instead if a new thread. Don't mean to thread jack)
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the differences between roms isn't mostly the build.prop
the build.prop can easily(usually) be modified using root explorer or similar.(I am having trouble editing the additions that kejar has made to build.prop tho. Never had this problem before. But its just the extra entries at bottom I can't change.
The biggest differences in roms come from the UI and system frameworks and scripts inside init.d
There are a few performance tweaks and edits u can make inside build.prop but ur.choices are kinda limited in what can be.done. even the line in eclipse build.prop that mentions raising the touch points recognized by the screen to 5 requires changes elsewhere in the "framework" to allow it to actually recognize that amount.
Observations:
I was skeptical at first because there are no QHD resolutions listed in UOT kitchen, but figured if I supplied the files, then it would maintain the resolutions in the files.
Must have all three files to upload for it to compile correctly...
1. SystemUI.apk
2. Framework-res.apk
3. com.htc.resources.apk
I've changed the battery indicatior, added statusbar icons successfully, and change the background to more transparent on the Notifications/Quick Setting pull-down. I've also successfully changed the lockscreen icons.
I'm having difficulties making the statusbar more transparent, however. They have a setting on the Status Bar tab, but it seems to have no effect.
I did try to manually adjust the transparency on status_bar_background.png in Framework-res.apk, but it didn't seem to do the trick. Is there another file that is used based on the Sense base?
Nope. Those are the files needed, one bit of advice though--triple check the operational file it uses.
I.E. For boot animation, use the CM file directory, not the suggested data/local. It may be something in the framework.res file that needs to be changed. UOT works for EVERYTHING, provided you make sure the operational file is correct upon submission.
jeepers007 said:
I'm having difficulties making the statusbar more transparent, however. They have a setting on the Status Bar tab, but it seems to have no effect.
I did try to manually adjust the transparency on status_bar_background.png in Framework-res.apk, but it didn't seem to do the trick. Is there another file that is used based on the Sense base?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm Sense(or any ginger for the matter) responds to the status bar B/G used in SystemUI.apk(drawable HDPI). And the images used on all the qHD phones from HTC use the same size for .pngs as their WVGA counterparts(some things are bigger, but not many), scaling seems pretty good AFAIK.
Ace42 said:
Hmmm Sense(or any ginger for the matter) responds to the status bar B/G used in SystemUI.apk(drawable HDPI). And the images used on all the qHD phones from HTC use the same size for .pngs as their WVGA counterparts(some things are bigger, but not many), scaling seems pretty good AFAIK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found it! Giving that a try.
Thanks!
Trust me, it works. I cannot remember off the top of my head (bit drunk) but UOT works on just about everything. You need to double check where each enabled visual/operational is WITHIN your choice of rom. Then, you can triple check UOT's placement of the modified file.
I'm trying to remove the clock, but I couldn't find where that was located anywhere in there. Anyone have any pointers?
I'm a kitchen noob so I just made a simple battery change that I'm going to put on when it's done cooking.
(BeastMOD 1.3.1)
Spovik said:
I'm trying to remove the clock, but I couldn't find where that was located anywhere in there. Anyone have any pointers?
I'm a kitchen noob so I just made a simple battery change that I'm going to put on when it's done cooking.
(BeastMOD 1.3.1)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me look into it when I get home...I might be able (time willing) download your current rom and cook it--or at least find where to zap the clock so you can do it to your liking.
My battery cooking turned out to cause a boot loop so no-go on that. I appreciate any help you can offer and let me know if there's anything I can do to make things easier.
Spovik said:
I'm trying to remove the clock, but I couldn't find where that was located anywhere in there. Anyone have any pointers?
I'm a kitchen noob so I just made a simple battery change that I'm going to put on when it's done cooking.
(BeastMOD 1.3.1)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The clock is in the service.jar.. The kitchen won't work for that mod.
okay, I think I'm starting to get more comfortable with this kitchen.
I've got transparent status bar, and modified status bar icons.
Now, I'm looking for some help with another graphic. I unlock my phone for use with a pin. I see lockscreen in UOT only seems to modify the icons and gesture styles.
Where can I look to change the color of the numeric pin keys?
Spovik said:
My battery cooking turned out to cause a boot loop so no-go on that. I appreciate any help you can offer and let me know if there's anything I can do to make things easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is imperative that you open your rom .zip and extract:
com.htc.resources.apk
framework-res.apk
SystemUI.apk
All are found within your particular rom package. Upload via UOT's upload page. That is how their kitchen knows what to change and give you an individualized .zip to flash. If you want an in-depth explanation, PM me and I would be happy to go through the whole process step-by-step. Once you get the gist, it is easy as pie.
As for the clock, yea...it is under services.jar and UOT does not change that. There can be another way to delete it, if I have time today I will try to make a flashable .zip for just the clock delete--unless someone beats me to it.
Yeah, I went through the UOT guide and video tutorial before I started working with UOT (I really do RTFM) and it still crashed out on me. I'll give it another shot when I have time available and I can get in.
As for the flashable zip, I'd love you long-time.
Spovik said:
Yeah, I went through the UOT guide and video tutorial before I started working with UOT (I really do RTFM) and it still crashed out on me. I'll give it another shot when I have time available and I can get in.
As for the flashable zip, I'd love you long-time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not going to have the time to make a clock delete zip....work is busy and getting ready for the holiday. It's not too hard for someone familiar with the sdk to use smali/etc. To push the needed code.
Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G using xda premium
TheSneakerWhore said:
I'm not going to have the time to make a clock delete zip....work is busy and getting ready for the holiday. It's not too hard for someone familiar with the sdk to use smali/etc. To push the needed code.
Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen some code about it, but didn't know if it's exclusive to the device type, or if it's the same basic thing for gingerbread so I never jumped. I'll see if I can mess with it later this week.
Spovik said:
I've seen some code about it, but didn't know if it's exclusive to the device type, or if it's the same basic thing for gingerbread so I never jumped. I'll see if I can mess with it later this week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you pull the services.jar file out of the Rom you want to flash to, you are fine.
Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G using xda premium
Can anyone who is good with UOT Kitchen put together a walk-through? I was told it basically walks you through it, and to an extent it does, but it didnt work for me with my SystemUI and Framework-res from the UnNamed 1.3.1 ROM.
Sorry if this is a VERY Noob question but I'm having trouble with it.
I love the idea of being able to mod my own stuff without having to ask for everything. This is sort of asking to teach the horse to find water rather than giving it the water.
BTW this is the UOT kitchen I am referring to in case anyone is unfamiliar and wants to give it a go
http://uot.dakra.lt/kitchen/
What steps did you take?
I tend to upload the files first then proceed to adding the mods.
Did you pull the files off your phone or the zip file?
sent from the Dark Obelisk.
It was off my phone with ES File Explorer. I chose the mods i wanted to make then uploaded the files as the last step, sort of just going through the tabs in order left to right. Then I submitted it and waited, when it came up in the pick up section it said there was an error with it.
If someone can make a youtube video or something of them doing a successful mod? I think that can help, maybe also point out common mistakes or misconceptions people run into?
It seems like a very straight forward process but there seem to be several areas which can trip people up because its sort of a do-all tool for many devices and roms which don't necessarily interchange.
Edit:
I think I found my mistake, I've been playing with it and it seems I misplaced one file, I put twframework-res into the framework-res spot, i found framework-res and put that in the correct spot and the twframework-res into its spot.
Do I need to use all three files or will just framework-res do? I read in another post that you just need framework-res.apk for things like battery mods and other status bar items.
Edit2:
So I sort of got it to work, I did a custom battery and scroll bar but the overscroll glow didnt show up, not sure why.
There are a few screen shots of it and I'll up up the file if anyone likes it and wants to flash it, like I mentioned earlier I'm using UnNamed 1.3.1 so I'm assuming it should work with UnNamed ROMs. There is also a png of the battery, its the Jazzk one.
Normally just framework-res.apk and SystemUI.apk are used for dropdown menu, animations, icons etc.
I'm guessing twframework-res.apk falls into the same thing, involving itself in everything like com.htc.resources.apk does for HTC Sense devices.
The kitchen said to include twframework-res.apk if you are using touchwiz, which from what I understand is what UnNamed uses.... but dont quote me on that haha
Unless your on an AOSP like CM7 then yes your using using touchwiz.
sent from the Dark Obelisk.
AntwanL said:
The kitchen said to include twframework-res.apk if you are using touchwiz, which from what I understand is what UnNamed uses.... but dont quote me on that haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if unnamed uses touchwiz 4.5, which i think it may, the reg tw-framework-res.apk won't work. You have to be sure its the stock tw launcher if your going to use the tw-framework file for UOTKitchen.
Enzopreme said:
if unnamed uses touchwiz 4.5, which i think it may, the reg tw-framework-res.apk won't work. You have to be sure its the stock tw launcher if your going to use the tw-framework file for UOTKitchen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesn't
From what I've learned playing around with decompiling the different system framework apks the touchwiz-res.apk is used when editing SystemUI.apk and Settings.apk which includes icons from the status bar and the system menus. The framework-res.apk contains the battery icon and things such as that.
I have been theming apps on my phone to give them black backgrounds. The white backgrounds bother my eyes. I'm doing pretty well but I am having a big problem with the LGSettings.apk. I have decompiled the apk and edited the colors.xml, styles.xml and parts of the manifest that i thought might change the theme. I then recompile and run the settings app but I never see any changes. I am trying to figure out what I need to edit to achieve white text on a black background. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I don't have the apks in front of me, but you may need to theme more than that one. I think you'll need:
LGSettings (which you currently themed)
Possibly: LGSettingsAccessibility/LGSettingsProvider
These two may or may not have anything to theme in them, so you may need to decompile to take a look.
Ok. I'm getting there. The background item and textcolor item were lurking in the lge-res.apk. I am still having trouble finding a way to change the blue action bar color (1) and the color of the white section headers (2). Anybody know what these might be called and what apk I need to look in? Thanks a lot!
skyman88882002 said:
Ok. I'm getting there. The background item and textcolor item were lurking in the lge-res.apk. I am still having trouble finding a way to change the blue action bar color (1) and the color of the white section headers (2). Anybody know what these might be called and what apk I need to look in? Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. I found the action bar - I used 'Widget.Material.ActionBar.Solid' to hard code the background color. Now I just need somebody to help me find those white section headers. Anybody? Thanks so much!
Well after two hours of poking around the apks I finally figured it out. Pretty easy to make all the changes in lge-res.apk. pm me if interested in doing this kind of theming
skyman88882002 said:
Well after two hours of poking around the apks I finally figured it out. Pretty easy to make all the changes in lge-res.apk. pm me if interested in doing this kind of theming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, great work!
I remember doing something similar when I was doing this to my Galaxy S3, trying to find the various apk's where Sammy had changed things. It was a great feeling to find and change things.
skyman88882002 said:
Well after two hours of poking around the apks I finally figured it out. Pretty easy to make all the changes in lge-res.apk. pm me if interested in doing this kind of theming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI THERE, I WAS WONDERING IF YOU CAN SHARE THOSE APS's, COUULD YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE?
elmanolette said:
HI THERE, I WAS WONDERING IF YOU CAN SHARE THOSE APS's, COUULD YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. Please in the future don't use all capital letters. I know you didn't mean this in this case, but it's generally considered "shouting", and for longer strings it makes it harder to read. Thanks for understanding.
roirraW "edor" ehT said:
Hi. Please in the future don't use all capital letters. I know you didn't mean this in this case, but it's generally considered "shouting", and for longer strings it makes it harder to read. Thanks for understanding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry man, i'm understand!
I definitely intend to share my findings. However right now i am redoing the theming trying to push all the edits into LGsettings. Since I did the editing in the lge-res.apk it has a lot of unintended consequences on other parts of the system
subscribed.
i despise white backgrounds.
Brian
i cant find any color.xml in any stock apps?
skyman88882002 said:
I have been theming apps on my phone to give them black backgrounds. The white backgrounds bother my eyes. I'm doing pretty well but I am having a big problem with the LGSettings.apk. I have decompiled the apk and edited the colors.xml, styles.xml and parts of the manifest that i thought might change the theme. I then recompile and run the settings app but I never see any changes. I am trying to figure out what I need to edit to achieve white text on a black background. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do you theme? i can never find the color.xml file in any stock app?
Glitch15 said:
how do you theme? i can never find the color.xml file in any stock app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a deodexed ROM/apk file to decompile to find those resources.
RMarkwald said:
You need a deodexed ROM/apk file to decompile to find those resources.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my Rom is deodex, can you pm me a step by step guide to get to the color.xml?
it would be nice if you can post a brief guide about theming it.. so people can have benefit.
knowledge is meant to share after all
minhas729 said:
it would be nice if you can post a brief guide about theming it.. so people can have benefit.
knowledge is meant to share after all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there! Good to see you on this thread Minhas729. I'm really sorry for the delay, I have just been slammed on the home front and haven't had time to play around with this stuff.
I'm still not happy with the theming I'm doing but I plan on posting my work in process files in the next 5 or 6 days.
In the meantime, let me share my knowledge (it isn't much!)
I think I am going to change the thread title to Theming for Dummies (Like Me) (anybody know how to change a thread title?). so step one will be in the next post.....
OVERVIEW
(Ok - so here is a quick overview of the theming process as I do it. Again, I am just a novice and I just stumble around so if I get the terms incorrect forgive me.
1) The first step in theming an apk is to decompile the apk. Unzipping the apk is not going to work. This is because there are special files like styles.xml and colors.xml that are hidden in a 'values' folder in the res directory. As far as I know, you cannot access these special files by simply unzipping the apk.
2) To decompile you need an apk tool - I use 'Tickle My Android' (I'm going to call it TMA going forward) - it has a great developer with excellent instructions. The way decompiling works is you first have to create a mini-work area on your computer. You do this by decompiling and installing the framework-res and lge-res apks from your phone to your computer. TMA needs these files to decompile other apps because most apps reference a bunch of things in the framework-res and lge-res files Installing TMA is pretty easy and the instructions on the thread are excellent. The only issue I had was finding a good version of apktool.jar to use in conjunction with TMA - one that worked well with marshmallow apks. The apktool is the actual tool that does all the work - TMA (in my understanding) is simply a very well designed user interface to use the apktool. So you need an apktool that will recognize marshmallow files and be able to decompile them. I use "apktool_2.1.0-a64a03-SNAPSHOT"" as my apktool.jar file.
3) Once an apk is decompiled, all the apk components will be saved in a 'working' folder. You can then go in and edit colors and and styles using an xml editor.
4) Once you have made your edits you use TMA to recompile and sign the apk. Then you move the file back to your phone, place it in the proper device directory, fix permissions, reboot and cross your fingers.
Ok - that is the overview - go off and start trying it. One suggestion - dont try to push files from the phone to the pc with TMA - just use your usb cable.
more to come...
skyman88882002 said:
I think I am going to change the thread title to Theming for Dummies (Like Me) (anybody know how to change a thread title?). so step one will be in the next post.....
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Edit your first post in a web browser. Choose Advanced mode and there'll be a field to edit the title.
Below are links to download the themed lge-res.apk and lgsettings.apk. MAKE A BACKUP FIRST (I'm not responsible for anything that goes wrong if you try these files). Once downloaded you will need to use a root browser to copy the files to the appropriate system directory and to change the permissions. Keep in mind, this is a work in process, if you enter settings and click on the bluetooth or wifi sections you will notice that the background is not themed yet. I'll repost when these are fixed.
lge-res.apk download link
LGSettings.apk download link
Keep in mind that you have to install both files if you want the full black background.
Ok. I think I worked out most of the bugs. The files are now set up in a flashable zip. Test it out and let me know if you see any issues. If it is working well I will start a new thread in the Themes section and work on the systemui as well. Thanks. Download link below:
download