I really want to start contributing back to the community here, although I'm a Java programmer by trade, I think I want to start out theming first( Have more personal interest right now in it ). Ultamitly I'd like to make a theme manager compatible apk for use with AOKP, but I'd be just as fine with CWM flashable to start.
Theming the UI elements would be first on my list, then I'd like to change the stock icons for any installed apps on the ROM, not sure if that's possible or not, someone told me it was but haven't found much on it. Lastly theming some of the GApps would come into play.
Any good, recent, tutorials on how to start out? I really don't care if it's windows, linux, or mac, familiar and have them all running. I'm very comfortable in eclipse and with Java, XML, command line, etc... So the only real learning curve for me is the "Hello World" for theming AOKP, and maybe some hints on best practices( Like how to test out your theme without having to reboot all the time( if that's possible ), how to hunt down problems, anything to speed up the dev process.
Anyways there it is, any help out there?
Related
I wanted to know if there is a program that can do what you guys are talking about. I would like to make my own themes with themes made by other people. If the is no program then where would one start. Thx in advanced.
Ok I don't want to piss people off but how can I make a theme. Where do I start, is there a program to help you make themes instead of copying off of people. That's what I really like to know.
What mind of theme are you talking about? There are different methods for different types of themes.
I think u just need Photoshop and u have to edit the images then repack them to the zip for install just be sure u don't lose where the icons are placed and don't rename them... I think.... but I have no idea "/
CM7 wtf else....
Well I'm talking about themes poeple make that are in android market. I dont know what type of themes they are. Forgive me I'm new to android, I had a iPhone 4 and used winspc to change themes other people made on cydia.
Now do you just got to only use Photoshop cuz I use gimp is it the same.
You can use any image editing software. Read this thread. It pertains to the same thing that you are trying to do. You will use almost the exact same process to edit themes made by others.
Like the previous posters have mentioned, Photoshop or Gimp photo editor which is free would be your best bet, if you wanna make your own designs... If you want to theme your home screen using other people's work visit this thread, might help you out a bit.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=901649
It also has an instruction on how to change the icons after you make the design
Good luck!
If you use anything that is not yours, ask first. A lot of time goes into making a theme (even a not-so-good one) and I've seen too many people just say "credit goes to blah blah" but never asking. Please be considerate of the work of others.
As for actual theming it all depends on what you are theming. Some apps (launchers and widgets mainly) have built in theme functionality and should have a guide specific for them. Theming a ROM is a lot more time intensive and involves decompiling frameworks, setting up development tools, dealing with many possible problems, hoping compiling works, being frustrated about forgetting something, testing, etc. etc.
good info was looking for something very similar
Is making a them for a stock MT4G that uses the theme installer different than those made for custom ROMs?
It seems the androidian theme is the only one that can be installed and used on a stock MT4G. I'd love to see that exact theme with the green replaced by a dark gray.
I would like to develop a new lockscreen for the my Vibrant. I've looked at some of the app versions. I like the concepts, but it seems like a lot of people complain about battery life and lag of the screen. I would like to make an actual lockscreen, not an overlay.
I am currently running Bionix 1.2.1. I would like to either add the lockscreen as an option on the menu provided in the Bionix Rom or flash the lockscreen in clockwork.
My first questions is, is this possible? Second question is how, or where is there somewhere i can look to get started?
I've looked around in the forums and I haven't seen any guides or any good info on this.
This would be my first jump into development for Android, but I'm willing to put in the time and effort as long as I can find a starting point in this area or get some help.
If this is built deep into the ROM and a difficult process I can find a different project, but I'm always up for a challenge. Any help would be appreciated.
MechDan said:
I would like to develop a new lockscreen for the my Vibrant. I've looked at some of the app versions. I like the concepts, but it seems like a lot of people complain about battery life and lag of the screen. I would like to make an actual lockscreen, not an overlay.
I am currently running Bionix 1.2.1. I would like to either add the lockscreen as an option on the menu provided in the Bionix Rom or flash the lockscreen in clockwork.
My first questions is, is this possible? Second question is how, or where is there somewhere i can look to get started?
I've looked around in the forums and I haven't seen any guides or any good info on this.
This would be my first jump into development for Android, but I'm willing to put in the time and effort as long as I can find a starting point in this area or get some help.
If this is built deep into the ROM and a difficult process I can find a different project, but I'm always up for a challenge. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's built-in quite deep, a lot of files need to be edited. Whitehawkx actually PMed me on how to do this the other day, and it sounds quite complicated.
You'll first obviously need to create your .png's to dictate the lockscreens appearance. Then you will have to have coding knowledge, along with knowledge of smali/baksmali and editing .xmls. Thats a VERY brief overview until someone more knowledgable jumps in.
I can do some programming. I've done C++ and I have done some visual basic for work. I just haven't done any Java. I think with all the information here and on Google's developers page I could work my way though it. I would just need a general guideline. I can edit the .png's. I don't think that would be much of a problem.
It might be easier if I could edit an existing one. I like the concept of the puzzle lock. I just think it is kind of hokey. It would also be nice to have a little be more info on the screen and to have emails show up.
Would you be willing to send me what Whitehawkx sent to you? I'm not sure if that is ok.
I don't mind researching my way through it and learning as I go, I was just hoping someone had done something similar.
MechDan said:
I can do some programming. I've done C++ and I have done some visual basic for work. I just haven't done any Java. I think with all the information here and on Google's developers page I could work my way though it. I would just need a general guideline. I can edit the .png's. I don't think that would be much of a problem.
It might be easier if I could edit an existing one. I like the concept of the puzzle lock. I just think it is kind of hokey. It would also be nice to have a little be more info on the screen and to have emails show up.
Would you be willing to send me what Whitehawkx sent to you? I'm not sure if that is ok.
I don't mind researching my way through it and learning as I go, I was just hoping someone had done something similar.
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Click to collapse
modifying would be the way to go... and unfortunately it has nothing to do with java coding, but dalvik bytecode (which is a major pain... untermensch & whitehawk are heroes with that bytecode).
Anyways, I believe it's in services.jar. You'd have to pull out classes.dex from it and decompile. check this post on how to decompile. and you're going to need the smali & baksmali jars...
anyways after you decompile you're stuck with lots of .smali files which contains the bytecode you would need to modify... it's really difficult to understand it heh
Whitehawkx said:
So you are using the other four lockscreens but want to get the rotary to work as well and are looking for what files are necessary for that to happen, correct?
The files I changed to get the rotary working on KB1 are as follows
Framework-res.apk
~public.xml
~strings.xml [I think one change here]
~Images are already in stock frameworks and already in place
android.policy.jar
~New smali used for rotary. All have "rotary" in their title
~changes to LockPatternKeyGuardView.smali
Settings.apk
~Changes to DisplaySettings.smali
~Changes to arrays.xml
I believe these are all the files I had to modify to get the rotary working.
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Click to collapse
heres what he said when i inquired. unfortunately he didnt go into much detail, i did send him another PM....but keep in mind these are the steps to simply inject an outside lockscreen into your current ROM, not necessarily how to build one from scratch
hopefully these steps may still give you an idea of where everything is located
I always wanted one that opens from the middle of the screen like a matinee curtain. That would be awesome.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Thanks guys! I'll start working with that and see what I can come up with. It looks like I have a lot to learn about it.
I'll try working through it and hopefully I will come up with some more specific questions that may be easier to answer.
Also, if you think of something that may help, let me know. I would appreciate it very much.
With the starting points already given i would build the lockscreen using aosp then port it to your rom. Once compiled you can decompile then different it
Sent from my Incredible using Tapatalk
Hi guys
i am a complete novice when it comes to modding and roming phones
i have however, with some difficulty managed to install villain rom on my phone
the next step for me is to start modding and to begin with i need your help.
My primary objective is to be able to select certain elements of peoples themes and roms and modify them to create my own personalised galaxy s2
I have mad a short list by no means defitive on things i would like to do, as well as providing other novices with a good thread on where to begin your modding days
1. Install the Bravia HD engine
2. Custom icons
3. Custom status and drop down bar
4. Get rid of the horid stock grey and white anywhere on the phone
and thats pretty much it for now.
I look forward your responses and advice on where to begin my journey...
Many Thanks
To the top
Hey guys, I recently got into the chef scene and feel iv had great progress thus far.
My rom null_ for the SGSIII (link in signature for further info) has come a long way since its first release a while back.. Im wanting to take it to the next level tho.
What I am aiming to do is a add a custom menu to the system settings .apk, Something like "Rom tools" similiar to AOKP's, which would simply list links external apk's of my choice with there icons. Doesnt have to be nothing majorly flashy..
Id obviously have to disable the launcher icon for these apk's also.. seems easy enough..
If anyone can point me in the right direction to a guide or help me out on this project I would appreciate it very much. Pretty much any information is welcome.
Thanks for reading.
Disturbing question in a dev forum, I know. But I have to try it at least.
Okay, I'm a graphic designer with no knowledge in coding apps. I am able to customize CSS-code to some degree, but maybe that's not relevant.
All I want to do is to make MANY nice icons (which is enough work for my taste), bundle them into one package that is compatible with Nova, Apex, etc., and upload it in Play Store.
Any tools out there that are helpful and easy to use? Preconfigured templates with an UI, maybe?
Or would it be just a waste of time?
Thanks for any advice.
Tann
Tannhäuser said:
Disturbing question in a dev forum, I know. But I have to try it at least.
Okay, I'm a graphic designer with no knowledge in coding apps. I am able to customize CSS-code to some degree, but maybe that's not relevant.
All I want to do is to make MANY nice icons (which is enough work for my taste), bundle them into one package that is compatible with Nova, Apex, etc., and upload it in Play Store.
Any tools out there that are helpful and easy to use? Preconfigured templates with an UI, maybe?
Or would it be just a waste of time?
Thanks for any advice.
Tann
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eclipse, with the Android SDK and plugins will give you just about everything you need to create an icon pack (except the necessary artistic ability :silly: ).
http://tools.android.com/recent/assetstudiointegration
-Mike