How do you start to theme a ROM? I want to theme Padawan v5 with permission ofc. Can you do it with windows?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Yup, in fact you might prefer it because of the existence of a tiny little photo editing program perhaps you've heard of it, photo shop.
You'll need a hex editor program I suggest notepad++
You need java runtime environment installed and in your environmental variables path.
Then you can install the android sdk for adb.
Now, you'll need an apk compilation tool.
Once you're able to decompile and recompile an apk without any changes and there's no errors you're ready to begin the fun.
The main 2 files used in a system theme are
/sytem/app/systemui.apk
/system/framework/framework-res.apk
The images are located /res/drawable-xhdpi of each apk....for stock dpi anyhow
Other things will be hex values in xmls
I think I'll keep buying them from the market. . .
studacris said:
Yup, in fact y might prefer it because of the existence of a tiny little photo editing program perhaps you've heard of it, photo shop.
You'll need a hex editor program I suggest notepad++
You need java runtime environment installed and in your environmental variables path.
Then you can install the android sdk for adb.
Now, you'll need an apk compilation tool.
Once you're able to decompile and recompile an apk without any changes and there's no errors you're ready to begin the fun.
The main 2 files used in a system theme are
/sytem/app/systemui.apk
/system/framework/framework-res.apk
The images are located /res/drawable-xhdpi of each apk....for stock dpi anyhow
Other things will be hex values in xmls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
rangercaptain said:
I think I'll keep buying them from the market. . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha in not to long I'll be pretty good at it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
studacris said:
Yup, in fact y might prefer it because of the existence of a tiny little photo editing program perhaps you've heard of it, photo shop.
You'll need a hex editor program I suggest notepad++
You need java runtime environment installed and in your environmental variables path.
Then you can install the android sdk for adb.
Now, you'll need an apk compilation tool.
Once you're able to decompile and recompile an apk without any changes and there's no errors you're ready to begin the fun.
The main 2 files used in a system theme are
/sytem/app/systemui.apk
/system/framework/framework-res.apk
The images are located /res/drawable-xhdpi of each apk....for stock dpi anyhow
Other things will be hex values in xmls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What tool do I use to compile apks and recompile them?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
There's a few to choose from
Apktool
Apkmanager
Apk multi tool
Up to you
studacris said:
There's a few to choose from
Apktool
Apkmanager
Apk multi tool
Up to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you soo much you do not even know how much this helps me!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
studacris said:
Yup, in fact y might prefer it because of the existence of a tiny little photo editing program perhaps you've heard of it, photo shop.
You'll need a hex editor program I suggest notepad++
You need java runtime environment installed and in your environmental variables path.
Then you can install the android sdk for adb.
Now, you'll need an apk compilation tool.
Once you're able to decompile and recompile an apk without any changes and there's no errors you're ready to begin the fun.
The main 2 files used in a system theme are
/sytem/app/systemui.apk
/system/framework/framework-res.apk
The images are located /res/drawable-xhdpi of each apk....for stock dpi anyhow
Other things will be hex values in xmls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the android adb for? Also what is XML ?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Once all of the theming is done how do I make it installable via apk?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Adb is the android debugging bridge
Xml is a file extension type containing plain text entries and hex color codes, then compiled into the resource.arsc within an apk, you'll need to decompile the apk to edit with notepad++
studacris said:
Adb is the android debugging bridge
Xml is a file extension type containing plain text entries and hex color codes, then compiled into the resource.arsc within an apk, you'll need to decompile the apk to edit with notepad++
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to decompile the apk? Can't seem to fiqure it out...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Never mind went with apkmanager and now seeing all the pngs. Let the fun begin!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
GIMP always gives me this error and it says *colorize only works in RGB layers*. I don't know what to do :s
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ZacksBuilds said:
GIMP always gives me this error and it says *colorize only works in RGB layers*. I don't know what to do :s
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
select image on the top row. You will see the selections in the pop up. Select mode. Change the mode to RGB. Then you can edit the image. No need to change it back. Just save.
Sent from my Big Ass Outlaw Phone
---------- Post added at 09:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 PM ----------
Helpful hint .... Anything that is a .9 image ...leave alone for now.
Sent from my Big Ass Outlaw Phone
Bubbajoe40356 said:
select image on the top row. You will see the selections in the pop up. Select mode. Change the mode to RGB. Then you can edit the image. No need to change it back. Just save.
Sent from my Big Ass Outlaw Phone
---------- Post added at 09:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 PM ----------
Helpful hint .... Anything that is a .9 image ...leave alone for now.
Sent from my Big Ass Outlaw Phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for me being so annoying but what is a .9 image? How can you tell?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
The image will have a .9 on the end of the name. They at harder to theme. You have to take care to not alter the black edges or you will break the image and the theme will not compile.
Sent from my Big Ass Outlaw Phone
Bubbajoe40356 said:
The image will have a .9 on the end of the name. They at harder to theme. You have to take care to not alter the black edges or you will break the image and the theme will not compile.
Sent from my Big Ass Outlaw Phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the .9 pngs have a black edge that you can't go over or else it will break? I just use colorize>then I make it red
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
The black edges in A .9.png tell the os how to stretch the image properly in landscape mode.
If those single pixel wide lines are not exactly the same when you compile it will error and break the apk.
At first DON'T DO A HUGE BATCH OF .9.pngs, cause if you do like 50 images and you messed up 1 it's really hard to pin down which one it was.
Do a few, compile, do a few more, compile, and so on until you're done.
I would suggest leaving the .9 images for last.
Try some of the other images. Compile and install your theme. That way you can see what your doing and if you like it. The .9 images ... You will want to use the square selector tool in gimp to surround only the image ...never the black lines. Then edit the image.
I always do a few images and test ..you may think something looks good on pc ..then find it looks different on the phone.
Ooh, and if your married...be prepared for "the look" from her .. That will let you know when you've worked long enough.
Sent from my Big Ass Outlaw Phone
Related
So im wondering, when I edit a system apk this is the process I use:
Open apk with 7zip, I dont extract.
Replace all png's I want to and exit.
Simple yes? Heres the problem. How do I edit AndroidManifest.xml and add it back in? I can get the xml un-encyrpted and edit it but do I need to make the file encypted again before I put it back?
Any comments/suggestions welcomed
Thanks!
Sent from my U20i using XDA App
Possibly the best way I can answer that is by pointing you in this direction: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=849223
This is a very handy guide to fiddling with your system apps and will not only answer your question but may answer questions you didn't even know you had..
Wow thanks, just what I needed, I had a feeling I had to decompile/recompile it then move the files into the existing one. You'd think they made these things simple huh? XD
Sent from my U20i using XDA App
Oh, but this is simple. Relatively, at least. You just wait until you start having to write smali..
I just had a look, its pretty overwhelming. I code php though so its not that bad. I know the challenges ahead
Sent from my U20i using XDA App
jimcantfixit said:
I just had a look, its pretty overwhelming. I code php though so its not that bad. I know the challenges ahead
Sent from my U20i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really?? I used to do a lot of C++ back in the day so I'm okay with java but then it starts going over my head a bit. When I'm next in the mood to hack into the code of our little machine, I may end up stalking you mercilessly..
I would rather not install another app to change icons. How involved is it to actually pull the apk from the ROM, replace the stock icon and push it back through.
I messed with this some on my Vibrant decompiling apk's and doing basic icon and xml changes but that was so long ago I don't even know if the process is relevant. I also only played with non stock apks like launchers, never anything that is already compiled to the ROM initially.
I'm wanting to push in custom icons for Facebook, Twitter, camera, market ect....
Thank you
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
blizzard1017 said:
I would rather not install another app to change icons. How involved is it to actually pull the apk from the ROM, replace the stock icon and push it back through.
I messed with this some on my Vibrant decompiling apk's and doing basic icon and xml changes but that was so long ago I don't even know if the process is relevant. I also only played with non stock apks like launchers, never anything that is already compiled to the ROM initially.
I'm wanting to push in custom icons for Facebook, Twitter, camera, market ect....
Thank you
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you decompile look in the hdpi folder I and replace the picture named icon with one that have the same dimensions.
I think I'm not sure it was a long time when I messed with apps
Sent From My Optimized R3Dimensions
Kratz17 said:
After you decompile look in the hdpi folder I and replace the picture named icon with one that have the same dimensions.
I think I'm not sure it was a long time when I messed with apps
Sent From My Optimized R3Dimensions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too this is why I wanted to dbl check. Also, some of these apps split to another folder right? Would I need to pull both?
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Its not all that difficult, just have to decompile the app, swap icons in res/drawable/ folder I believe(might have to look elsewhere), recompile. Then as long as it's NOT a system app, sign it. Then push back to phone. There are a couple of tools to use. I like using just apktool, but apk Multi-Tool is good as well. Try them out, see which you like more.
Apk Multi-Tool
apktool
Do note though, doing it this way, whenever the app has an update(facebook, twitter,etc.) you will have to re-do this. Let me know if you have any other questions, i'll try to help.
and p.s. shortercut is a good lightweight app to add custom icons.
blizzard1017 said:
Me too this is why I wanted to dbl check. Also, some of these apps split to another folder right? Would I need to pull both?
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can (most of the time) swap the icon with 7zip, no need to decompile and recompile. Some apps put the icon in /res/drawable, some in /res/drawable-hdpi. If you need more help after trying this out go to the theme help link in my sig.
Hi,
I can decompile/compile/sign/zipalign fine using apktool, but when i have decompiled framework/systemui all the xml files come out with huge gaps between the coding. im using notepad++ to view/edit xml.
It doesn't affect the compiling but its hard to find code to change.
example: a normal xml with 5 lines of code will come out with about 20-30 lines.
Am i doing something wrong or is it apktool?
thanks.
stealo said:
Hi,
I can decompile/compile/sign/zipalign fine using apktool, but when i have decompiled framework/systemui all the xml files come out with huge gaps between the coding. im using notepad++ to view/edit xml.
It doesn't affect the compiling but its hard to find code to change.
example: a normal xml with 5 lines of code will come out with about 20-30 lines.
Am i doing something wrong or is it apktool?
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its an APKtool issue, emmm I got alot of errors using apk manager and apktool, I dont know whats the problem and still didnt find a solution. Everytime I use it I have to have errors... and its annoying
I could do many stuff if it would work !!
do you want my apktool folder? i can try and help if its the same as my setup. its a bit messy but works.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
stealo said:
do you want my apktool folder? i can try and help if its the same as my setup. its a bit messy but works.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check the link below ma8, even though its a mod tutorial thread, u have some usefull info regarding APK tool and also about decompile/recompile subject's over there, which might help u with ur issue
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29020343&posted=1#post29020343
Sun90 said:
check the link below ma8, even though its a mod tutorial thread, u have some usefull info regarding APK tool and also about decompile/recompile subject's over there, which might help u with ur issue
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29020343&posted=1#post29020343
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cheers.
i saw that this mornong. i got sweet [email protected]#k all done at work today. playin around with all that stuff. ive switched back to cm9 stable. still got issues with the xml's, a door knob probably knows more than me though.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
I created an app for my sister using ibuildapp.com
The issue is the ibuildapp website has a logo label on the bottom of the app that says "powered by ibuildapp" It is really annoying having that label and it ruins the look of the app by leaving a ton of space for the label which is not needed.
Anyone know how to get rid of that label via coding or something.
I have the app and decompiled app files if you need it.
If you know how or find out how can you tell me what you did to get rid of it.
Anyone know?
Dallasskater said:
Anyone know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can try to take a look at it, although I don't have any experience with android app development.
Sent from my HTC Rezound using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 12:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 PM ----------
Well a:
Code:
grep "Powered by iBuild App" *
Said:
Binary file classes.dex matches
So looks like you'll have to decompile the classes.dex and do some smali editing.
Edit: I was able to delete the "Powered by iBuild App" line by hex editing, but that probably won't get rid of the empty space.
wlmeng11 said:
I can try to take a look at it, although I don't have any experience with android app development.
Sent from my HTC Rezound using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 12:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 PM ----------
Well a:
Code:
grep "Powered by iBuild App" *
Said:
Binary file classes.dex matches
So looks like you'll have to decompile the classes.dex and do some smali editing.
Edit: I was able to delete the "Powered by iBuild App" line by hex editing, but that probably won't get rid of the empty space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Can u explain what u edited via hex. I am kinda familiar with hex. And for the extra space I will try to figure that out. Probably more hex editing for space.
Dallasskater said:
Thanks! Can u explain what u edited via hex. I am kinda familiar with hex. And for the extra space I will try to figure that out. Probably more hex editing for space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I searched for "Powered by iBuildapp" in the classes.dex
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
wlmeng11 said:
I searched for "Powered by iBuildapp" in the classes.dex
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I removed that text but when I recompile the app (if Im doing it right) it cant install the app.
uninstall the previous build before you install this.
Thanks but the empty space is still there. Possible to remnove?
shenye said:
uninstall the previous build before you install this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you help me too with this "powered by ibuildapp"?
You'll have to hex edit the classes.dex.. Search for the text you want to edit out and replace it with spaces.. Make sure to insert the same number of spaces as characters in the text you are removing.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Squirrel1620 said:
You'll have to hex edit the classes.dex.. Search for the text you want to edit out and replace it with spaces.. Make sure to insert the same number of spaces as characters in the text you are removing.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, already done
Ikko1989 said:
Thanks, already done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Guys
I´ve read this entire thread and tried to replicate everything.. and still my app wont get installed after editing the classes.dex file
So.. What I did:
Copied the classes.dex from the original app
Edited it according to my needs with an Hex editor (removed the "Powered by Ibuildapp" text), replaced every letter with a space.
Copied the edited classes.dex file to the app.
Resigned the apk with with "auto-sign" application.
Still the app wont install
Please guide me through this, it seems so easy.. what am I doing wrong...
Thank you!
Ok, so here's what I would like to find/figure out:
My lady has an SGS 3 stock and I have an SGS 2 (running sho's 1.3.5). I'd like to have her using her stock messaging app and have both her and I be able to send and receive all the same smilies. Ideally I'd like to just drop the mms.apk from the stock sgs3 on my phone and call it good.
Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?
Please don't say, 'GoSMS is the $hit just use that.' a>I'm over 3rd party messaging apps and b>I just want to keep her device stock. c> that's not what i'm trying to accomplish here
I'm looking at just editing my smiley images, but wondering if there's a better way yet.
Thanks.
Dropping the MMS.apk straight in wouldn't work, since they're different devices. Your best bet is either GoSMS which you don't wanna use, or edit the smilies yourself.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Shawn said:
Dropping the MMS.apk straight in wouldn't work, since they're different devices. Your best bet is either GoSMS which you don't wanna use, or edit the smilies yourself.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, pretty much knew that but wasn't sure if there was a modded one floating around that would work. I'm going to try and grab hers, pull out the icons and mod mine using the APK Multitool. weeeeee :good:
Just get the SGS3 SecMms.apk, use root explorer and Extract All, Then get the SGS2 SecMms.apk from ShoStocks rom, extract all (you will need to rename the first extracted Sec.Mms to something like SGS3-SecMms other wise when you extract the second one from ShoStock3 it will overwrite the first extracted one). Now go into the folder of the apk's and find the emo_im_blahblahblah's and copy all from the SGS3 and place them in the SGS2 most likely same exact folder. Now use root explorer and zip the folder. Then go to zipped folder location, long press and rename it from Sec.Mms.zip to Sec.Mms.apk Next use root explorer and copy the NEW one you made and go to the /preload folder. Paste it there. Then long press on the .apk again and SET PERMISSIONS and make sure it is set to rw,r, r. Now long press again and select MOVE and go to preload/symlink/system/app and PASTE. HIT OK. Now reboot phone. Done. This should now have the same emoticons.
ALSO MAKE SURE THE EMOTICON FILE NAMES ARE THE SAME.
(YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO SET THE PRELOAD FOLDER TO "MOUNT R/W" to be able to paste it there and move it).
Sent from My SGH-I777 Running Spiderman Themed AOKP or Spiderman Themed CM10
---------- Post added at 12:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 PM ----------
nizbot said:
Yeah, pretty much knew that but wasn't sure if there was a modded one floating around that would work. I'm going to try and grab hers, pull out the icons and mod mine using the APK Multitool. weeeeee :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldnt need to decompile it. Just extract it and rezip and rename to .apk
Sent from My SGH-I777 Running Spiderman Themed AOKP or Spiderman Themed CM10
I must be smokin crack. Every 'stock' sgs3 secmms.apk i can find has the same icons as sho's mms.apk. I'll have to snag her phone tonight and have a closer look.
nizbot said:
I must be smokin crack. Every 'stock' sgs3 secmms.apk i can find has the same icons as sho's mms.apk. I'll have to snag her phone tonight and have a closer look.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot to mention that. I tjink all the samsung stock firmwares use/used the same emoticons inside the mms.apk. Are you sure she isnt using some app or something else from the market? Maybe they have their own emoticons?
Sent from My SGH-I777 Running Spiderman Themed AOKP or Spiderman Themed CM10
RockRatt said:
I forgot to mention that. I tjink all the samsung stock firmwares use/used the same emoticons inside the mms.apk. Are you sure she isnt using some app or something else from the market? Maybe they have their own emoticons?
Sent from My SGH-I777 Running Spiderman Themed AOKP or Spiderman Themed CM10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So for fun, I've added my own preferable versions of the existing png's, rezipped and moved to my phone. All is good.
Now for our next exercise...Would you happen to know how to add emoticons to an existing messaging app? For example, the sender has an emoticon that uses the text: <3 My messaging app doesn't know what to do with that, so I get the characters instead. The sender sees a heart. Does that make sense?
I'm sure I'd have to add/link some xml to a new png in the same drawable folder. Just not sure where that piece of code is/goes. Maybe you can just point me to a good faq or how-to so I don't have to take up your time.
Thanks man.
I'm almost 100% sure the messaging apps pickup basic things like a heart, but it might look different on each device. As for adding them, give me a little bit and ill look around.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Shawn said:
I'm almost 100% sure the messaging apps pickup basic things like a heart, but it might look different on each device. As for adding them, give me a little bit and ill look around.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems the stock...well at least the mms.apk in Sho's rom doesn't (see attachment).
here's the problem with that one specific emote...
now how to fix it :-\
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Try Decompiling the MMS.apk and find the code for that emoticon and try editing.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Shawn said:
Try Decompiling the MMS.apk and find the code for that emoticon and try editing.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it. Edited the corresponding line (21) in res\values\arrays.xml
Old value: <item><3</item>
New value with the correct syntax: <item><3</item>
result...
Glad to see you got it fixed.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app