Okay, so just getting straight to the point, here are my 2 questions:
1. Why dont ROM devs release the MD5 image (The nand image created when you back up your phone) rather than releasing the zip file? Is it because the MD5 is larger, or is it just a preference. My thought process was that if you release the MD5 rather than the ZIP, then you wouldn't have to worry about signing the zip and things like that. Just release and flash, I could be wrong though. Any thoughts?
2. Would it be possible to simply build MIUI or CM7 on top of a Sense build rom? Like have sense as the base of the roms, but (deodex) and add MIUI apps to the rom to give it the MIUI look and feel. Same with CM7. I ask because I know that a lot of roms that aren't sense do not have the 3D capabilities that Sense Roms have (HTC being stingy with the source for 3D, i guess!), and if you did it this way, it would be the best of both worlds. So is it possible?
I was just sitting at work and thinking about these questions, and figured why not come to XDA and get some insight I might have missed.
Thanks,
Ognimnella
ognimnella said:
Okay, so just getting straight to the point, here are my 2 questions:
1. Why dont ROM devs release the MD5 image (The nand image created when you back up your phone) rather than releasing the zip file? Is it because the MD5 is larger, or is it just a preference. My thought process was that if you release the MD5 rather than the ZIP, then you wouldn't have to worry about signing the zip and things like that. Just release and flash, I could be wrong though. Any thoughts?
2. Would it be possible to simply build MIUI or CM7 on top of a Sense build rom? Like have sense as the base of the roms, but (deodex) and add MIUI apps to the rom to give it the MIUI look and feel. Same with CM7. I ask because I know that a lot of roms that aren't sense do not have the 3D capabilities that Sense Roms have (HTC being stingy with the source for 3D, i guess!), and if you did it this way, it would be the best of both worlds. So is it possible?
I was just sitting at work and thinking about these questions, and figured why not come to XDA and get some insight I might have missed.
Thanks,
Ognimnella
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Click to collapse
1) There is no such thing as an "MD5" image. MD5 is a hash value generated by using an algorythm .. I'm sure there are better articles on google explaining md5 and the md5sum value.
We only use the md5sum value in the custom recovery as a way to verify when restoring the image from your /sdcard is still the same as it was when the custom recovery dumped it from the partition in the backup process.
We also use the md5sum value to verify the file downloads correctly. If you check out my stock ROM thread - [ROM] joeykrim-original-1.2.0 Odex *Stock Rooted 2.08.651.2* - you will see I provide the md5sum value under each download link. This allows the user, after they have downloaded the .zip file to make sure their md5sum hash matches mine. If it matches, it was downloaded correctly. If not, there was an error somewhere in the download.
2) Unfortunately it is a bit more complicated then simply overlaying AOSP/CM/MIUI apps on top of the stock Sense ROM. Since none of the HTC Sense ROM is open source, it is near impossible for any developer to compile them from scratch. All changes being made to the stock Sense ROM by Sense ROM developers are through reverse engineering, making changes to the smali code and compiling back.
AOSP/CM/MIUI all claim, and probably most do, compile all their apk and other files straight from the source code giving them full control over all features/functions.
The reverse engineering process is very difficult and sometimes the code can be incomplete making it near impossible or extremely time consuming to create from scratch.
I tried my best to articulate the definitions and major issues correctly. I'm sure if somebody can add more detail or a different aspect they will. Hope that helps!
Related
just do i use my recovery image to install a theme? like rename theme to update.zip, power on holding home and end, click update.zip....
so im pretty sure about that but...
my rom/radio will still be there untouched right?
like this will only replace the image files or w/e is needed to make a theme?
thanks a bunch!
edit*
unlocked hero, modac. 2.9, not the permanent recovery image!
There are 2 ways to flash an image. When you go into recovery and choose "Flash update image" you will probably have 2 options.
1. Apply sdcard: update.zip
2. Apply sdcard: choose zip
Method 1. Move zip file unchanged to SD card and choose 2nd option then browse for the correct zip file.
Method 2. rename image file to update.zip , upload to your SD card and choose option 1
It doesn't affect your rom/radio etc.
Always best to do a nandriod backup before installing a theme, so that if you decide you don't like it or it doesn't run smoothly you can then do a nandriod restore which will put everything back to the way it was before you installed the theme.
thank you very much!
Goose247 said:
It doesn't affect your rom/radio etc.
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i beg to differ. the rom is affected, as parts of the rom are exchanged with the parts modified to create the theme.
basically the images that are used to create the gui are altered and then repacked. if you extract a theme update file you will find several apk's of system apps inside, extract these and you will eventually find the images.
usually to create a theme the original app from the rom is used and only the images are altered, not the application code, so it won't make any difference for the functionality, but it leads to themes being tied to one version of a rom, and working only with that rom version.
thanks, yea i wasnt sure if i clicked update.zip, if it would erase the whole rom, and only put the alteered stuff on... leaving me without a functional rom
ahah but now i get that it only erases the parts being added!
thanks
kendong2 said:
usually to create a theme the original app from the rom is used and only the images are altered, not the application code, so it won't make any difference for the functionality, but it leads to themes being tied to one version of a rom, and working only with that rom version.
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That's basically what I meant about functionality and images
if either of you know anything about creating themes could you check over into the dev section and answer my questions?
thankss
xsirhc6x said:
if either of you know anything about creating themes could you check over into the dev section and answer my questions?
thankss
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Click to collapse
Beyond my knowledge. But if I was to do a theme I would download a theme and have a look at all the image files and work from there
and your a genious.. lol it looks like someone who knows what there doing put together an apk with all the images, so all i gotta do is edit the colours.. then update it like the person who updated that theme did! thank youu
If we have a base rom even from a backup.
Couldn't we edit simple things in the rom. Like host files for blocking adds. Add the changes that the super charger script makes. Disable/remove alot of blur like we do now with titanium backup. Longer wifi scan times. ect.
How would you get the base rom and how do you edit the files contained in the rom. I'm used to linux I run it at the house. If its like editing cfg files and what not. I might be able to make my own rom for myself.
Figured out you can open apk files easily with winrar.
And if all else fails sbf here i come
infinity8x3 said:
If we have a base rom even from a backup.
Couldn't we edit simple things in the rom. Like host files for blocking adds. Add the changes that the super charger script makes. Disable/remove alot of blur like we do now with titanium backup. Longer wifi scan times. ect.
How would you get the base rom and how do you edit the files contained in the rom. I'm used to linux I run it at the house. If its like editing cfg files and what not. I might be able to make my own rom for myself.
And if all else fails sbf here i come
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Can't wait to see what you come up with... I'll test it.
You don't need a custom rom in order to block ads. There its a hosts file floating around that does that in one of the X2's subforum.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
or get ad free from the market...and guess what? it's free! >.>
It's true that those small changes don't require a custom rom but I think tinkering with the idea and trying to put something together would be a great learning experience and could lead to the first "custom rom".
Questions should be posted in the general forum. I will recommend you visit the chef central forums where they have all the tools and possible many answers for rom building.
Cheers and thread moved.
If I am running a deodex rom, that is sense 3.0, can I flash customizations such as a transparent Rosie or custom lock screen from a diffrent deodex rom?
Should be able to without a problem unless its states on the mod thread its only compatible with certain roms. But always make a nand before flashing any mods for a safety net incase anything does get mixed up or just to revert if you wanted to.
Locked & Loaded
" Shooter on Deck "
Ilovemywife said:
If I am running a deodex rom, that is sense 3.0, can I flash customizations such as a transparent Rosie or custom lock screen from a diffrent deodex rom?
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Click to collapse
the suggestions in the first post reply are great.
in addition here are a few thoughts which came to mind: different mods are done on different files in the android system. two mods might change the same file or two mods might change different files. if the two mods both change the same file, swapping that file in and out means you'll only get one or the other version of it modded but might have to find a version of that file with both mods performed on it.
ideal beginner solution would be to at least open up the .zip file which contains the mod and check with file is being replaced on your system. it'll give you a good starting point to gauge from as the more mods you flash the more you'll see which files are being modified.
ideal advanced solution would be to understand how the file was modified and perform the modification yourself .. this takes more time and labor but leads to the greatest control over your system. if you're interested in this route, SteelH has a great list of [HOW-TO] guides in the EVO 3D themes & apps board which detail out the exact place to change code in order to accomplish the mod.
hope that helps!
Ive Noticed that the DX2 Has number of atrix ports and a couple of roms.. Any how i would love some more support than CM7 for the photon. I know we only have a handful of wonderful devs for the photon and they can only concentrate on so much at once.
I am wanting really bad to contribute..Can some one show me where to brush up on my skills I am wanting to attempt to Dev. I know IT HAS BEEN ASKED i just want to go to the right places...Just seems like there is not enough interest in the photon in general.. I have all the free time in the world right now...
Id like to thank all the wonderful Devs in the photon forum and for making CM7 boot!! Some good ISH!! i cant wait!!
If you want to make a custom, stock-based ROM, it is fairly easy. A number of us on the forums just think that it is not very necessary to have so many ROMs when there is little-to-no changes between them.
Anyhow, the basic gist is like this:
Find some app/theme you want to include into a ROM. Extract the ROM (.zip), and then place those files into their respective folders. Generally, themes are in framework-res.apk files and go in /system/framework. Apps usually go into /system/app. Keep in mind if you want to port a theme, you will have to resize the images and rename them (usually), which involved extracting the .apk, modifying the necessary files, and then pushing them back into an unextracted copy of the .apk (to deal with signing issues). When you are done with your modifications to the ROM, highlight/select all of the folders and files (usually META-INF, system, boot.img), and compress them into a zip archive. Bam, new ROM made.
mrinehart93 said:
If you want to make a custom, stock-based ROM, it is fairly easy. A number of us on the forums just think that it is not very necessary to have so many ROMs when there is little-to-no changes between them.
Anyhow, the basic gist is like this:
Find some app/theme you want to include into a ROM. Extract the ROM (.zip), and then place those files into their respective folders. Generally, themes are in framework-res.apk files and go in /system/framework. Apps usually go into /system/app. Keep in mind if you want to port a theme, you will have to resize the images and rename them (usually), which involved extracting the .apk, modifying the necessary files, and then pushing them back into an unextracted copy of the .apk (to deal with signing issues). When you are done with your modifications to the ROM, highlight/select all of the folders and files (usually META-INF, system, boot.img), and compress them into a zip archive. Bam, new ROM made.
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Thanks BRO!!!! And Thank you for all your hours and dedication you have put fourth with school and all!! I would not of held on to my Photon If it weren't for you!! Honestly!!!
If you guys want I could upload my recent creation.
Its yays deodexed rom with the alien theme embedded in. I can't seem to get the blur launcher to work though and I could slim it down. Remove ringtones notifications and apps if ya'll want...its nothing special just themed no special tweaks.
Don't think you can add tweeks without unlocking the BL...
AJC9000 said:
If you guys want I could upload my recent creation.
Its yays deodexed rom with the alien theme embedded in. I can't seem to get the blur launcher to work though and I could slim it down. Remove ringtones notifications and apps if ya'll want...its nothing special just themed no special tweaks.
Don't think you can add tweeks without unlocking the BL...
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Click to collapse
That would be awesome!!!! Im working on something NOw!! I would like to use what u created!!
Its pretty much yays rom + kenneths theme and a working settings apk lol
You want it stripped down as possible? I suck at making update zips for gapps and such but I can strip it and you can command mount the things you want.
and applications? not everything is shareable I try to make a build did not work well but gets stuck on the logo of motorola
what are you adding and taking away?
ok so im loving the svn and superlte and all that, can someone please give me some direction as an order to flash all the different mods and such? i understand different orders for different purposes im just looking to get mine as fast as possible and able to tweak the hell out of everything and . Also a follow up question when checking out and after exporting i add my apps and such what do i gotta do besides zipping up the file to make it flash right? has always i appreciate any feed back anyone can give me
BigTexastrev said:
ok so im loving the svn and superlte and all that, can someone please give me some direction as an order to flash all the different mods and such? i understand different orders for different purposes im just looking to get mine as fast as possible and able to tweak the hell out of everything and . Also a follow up question when checking out and after exporting i add my apps and such what do i gotta do besides zipping up the file to make it flash right? has always i appreciate any feed back anyone can give me
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Click to collapse
Not sure I'm quite up to date on the latest ROM slang lingo, but I'll do my best to provide some insight from a developers point of view.
In regards to creating a ROM .zip, which I think is what is referred to as, "checking out and after exporting I add my apps and such what do i gotta do besides zipping up the file to make it flash right?", the process is fairly generic. The ROM .zip (update.zip) file will be processed and loaded in the custom recovery.
The directions are generally all located in the updater-script file under META-INF/*. If the only action being done is adding apps to /system/app on a ROM .zip which already contains apps in /system/app, nothing should need to be changed in the updater-script file.
If apps are being added to /data/app, but nothing in the ROM currently installs to /data, might need to a copy_recursive to updater-script to make sure the /data directory from the ROM .zip is installed properly.
If there are other questions, the more detailed the links and question, the better we can answer! Hope some of the technical details help resolve the question!