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Just achieved root using azuzu's method and the fist thing I attempted was to get rid of the dull-dark backgrounds on the Stock ROM and use the bright blue backgrounds from the Xperia 1.6 days, which was also ported to 2.1
I modified the framework-res.apk on PC and used RootExplorer to overwrite the existing framework-res.apk but still I dont see any changes in the backgrounds. Any idea what's amiss? Here is a strp-by-step writ of what i did:
1. Use root explorer to copy the existing framework-res.zpk to /SDCARD/
2. Transferred the apk to PC, replaced the existing semc_bg.png and semc_general_bg in the archive.
3. Transferred the modified apk to sdcard.
4. Using root Explorer on the phone, copied the modified apk to /system/
5. Changed the permissions to match the original apk
6. Copied the modified apk from /system/ to /system/framework/ and overwritten the original apk
7. The file gets overwritten successfully - but there is no change in the system background images
Whare am i going wrong? AFAIK there is nothing wrong with the apk (I have learnt that an incorrect framework-res.apk can brick the phone!)
You also need to edit system/framework/SemcGeneralUxpRes.apk
Locate SemcGenericUxpRes.apk (system/framework) and SystemUI.apk (system/app).
They will also need to be modded for a full theme on GB.
*Edit- Lol, M_I ya beat me to it
Thanks @My_Immortal and AyDee.
I had checked the SystemUI.apk and there was nothing to edit in the package. Checking the SemcGenericUxpRes.apk now, will let y'all know soon!
It worked!!! Thanks guys...my UI looks much lore alive now! http://media.xda-developers.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Also don't forget to replace the image for landscape mode too
here is something I wrote earlier:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16201956&postcount=12
riginal said:
Also don't forget to replace the image for landscape mode too
here is something I wrote earlier:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16201956&postcount=12
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@riginal : I worked out that bit myself, but thanks all the same.
i have been trying to change some strings in the SystemUI.apk file in synergy, just to see what i can make them say... but i keep getting the same issues.
WTF am i doing wrong? :l
alright, so i put a (framework) folder in the usr/local/bin folder and added synergy frameworks.
(com.htc.resources.apk) <--- labeled this 1.apk
(framework-res.apk) <--- labeled this 2.apk
i decompiled SystemUI.apk using [apktool d /Users/Rolando-Ramiro/Desktop/SystemUI.apk /Users/Rolando-Ramiro/Desktop/SystemUI]
and used textmate (application for mac to edit xml files) to edit the strings i wanted and then i built the file again using..
apktool b /Users/Rolando-Ramiro/Desktop/SystemUI /Users/Rolando-Ramiro/Desktop/SystemUI.apk
no errors on either part.
now i tried 2 things after this.
i unzipped the synergy rom and added the SystemUI.apk to system/app folder on my computer.
i compressed it once more and tried to flash it. Nothing happened.
so i got the SystemUI.apk (the one with the modified strings.xml) and just moved it from my sdcard to the system/app folder in my phone.
Right after that, i got FC.
so i went back to what i originally had.
any idea what im doing wrong?
i keep getting
install /sd card ...
finding update package
opening update package
Installing update...
then it goes back to TWRP
--> choose zip to flash
[ ] reboot after successful flash
[ ] zip signature verification
--> reboot to system
<-- back to main menu
anyone with input please let me know.
i have mac/windows
omg ^^..
I already said it many times to you:
1. Pull the SystemUI.apk from your rom.
(put the apk in the same folder with the apktool, the you just have to type teh name of the the apk,with out a complete path. just like in step two)
2. Decompile it:
apktool d SystemUI.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3. make the changes in the SystemUI folder
4. Recompile it WITH AN OTHER NAME:
apktool b SystemUI SystemUI_NEW.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DON'T overwrite the original SystemUI.apk! (In your 1st post you did this!)
5. open both apks with 7zip
6. when u made changes in the res folder drag&drop the ressources file from SystemUI_NEW to SystemUI
- when you see other folder in the 7zip, with xml/pictures you also edited drag&drop them also
7. You dont need do do anything more now!
- just zipping the apk and flash via cwm won't work, read here how to make one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=732957
- to try installing this apk won't work either.
8. The right way: copy the SystemUI.apk with ne new ressources file in it
and paste in on your sdcard. move it to /system and change the permission with root explorer to 644 or similar (just like all other apks in system/app) and then finally move it in system/app
- or just push it via adb to system/app
9. reboot
Edit: if u still don't understand how to do it, open teamviewer and give me id and pw =P
Rolando.Ramiro said:
i keep getting
install /sd card ...
finding update package
opening update package
Installing update...
then it goes back to TWRP
--> choose zip to flash
[ ] reboot after successful flash
[ ] zip signature verification
--> reboot to system
<-- back to main menu
anyone with input please let me know.
i have mac/windows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would imagine there is an error in your edify script somewhere. and did you resign the apk as a system apk after you recompiled?
i've done everything you said, I PROMISE!
but it still messes up...
how do i resign it?
i decompile SystemUI.apk
it makes a folder called SystemUI
i remove the original SystemUI.apk
then i edit the string, then compile it again.
(i am using the frameworks from the rom that i got the SystemUI.apk from)
once i compile it, i extract the original rom, and go into (system/app) folder and add the .apk
then i compress it back to .zip
i try and flash and i get same error.
i really did the same steps.
i havent tried it on PC though, but i do have it.
gonna do that today.
edit; ok so im reading over the steps that you gave me.
im half asleep right now so i didnt get to fully read them.
my bad! ill do that right now and let you know what i came up with.
edit 2; (15 mins later) i have zip signer 2 on my phone, im pretty sure that will work the same as ppcgeeks apk signer. right?
alright, so instead of creating an update script, i just wanted to push the application from my phone straight into it.
i followed the steps;
1. decompile
2. modify files
3. build with NEW name
4. use 7zip for both NEW and original .apks
5. move over any files from NEW that were modified into original.
6. compress (im not sure if i should of compressed or built again..)
7. move to /system/ and change to what all the apps in /system/app/ are (permissions)
8. move from system/ into system/app.
i still get FC.
sorry if i sound REALLY retarded. im just really unsure what im doing wrong so i have to write it all out.
j4n87 said:
omg ^^..
I already said it many times to you:
1. Pull the SystemUI.apk from your rom.
(put the apk in the same folder with the apktool, the you just have to type teh name of the the apk,with out a complete path. just like in step two)
2. Decompile it:
3. make the changes in the SystemUI folder
4. Recompile it WITH AN OTHER NAME:
DON'T overwrite the original SystemUI.apk! (In your 1st post you did this!)
5. open both apks with 7zip
6. when u made changes in the res folder drag&drop the ressources file from SystemUI_NEW to SystemUI
- when you see other folder in the 7zip, with xml/pictures you also edited drag&drop them also
7. You dont need do do anything more now!
- just zipping the apk and flash via cwm won't work, read here how to make one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=732957
- to try installing this apk won't work either.
8. The right way: copy the SystemUI.apk with ne new ressources file in it
and paste in on your sdcard. move it to /system and change the permission with root explorer to 644 or similar (just like all other apks in system/app) and then finally move it in system/app
- or just push it via adb to system/app
9. reboot
Edit: if u still don't understand how to do it, open teamviewer and give me id and pw =P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DUDE I ****ING GOT IT. :O
thank you so much.
posting screenshots right meow.
Rolando.Ramiro said:
DUDE I ****ING GOT IT. :O
thank you so much.
posting screenshots right meow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no need to resign/compress after drag/drop file...thats the way im doing it
Congrats that u finally made it..was a hard way =P
j4n87, that guide. it's beautiful.
You saved my day, Sir!
@j4n87:
Thanks a lot for your nice step by step guide - it really helped me a lot!
As a beginning, I tried to change the color of the statusbar's clock. My main mistake was violating your rule 6b:
6. when u made changes in the res folder drag&drop the ressources file from SystemUI_NEW to SystemUI
- when you see other folder in the 7zip, with xml/pictures you also edited drag&drop them also
So you have to copy the file status_bar.xml from SystemUI_NEW.apk/res to SystemUI.apk/res, too.
Thanks again!
Wolfgang
EDIT:
Here is a little timesaver for you when you have installed Android Development Kit (with adb command within your PATH) and you have a WLAN connection to your development PC:
- Install the app adbWireless from the market.
- To get SystemUI.apk installed, start adbWireless and type in your PC's terminal:
1. adb connect 192.168.1.100:5555
2. adb remount
3. adb push SystemUI.apk /system/app
4. adb shell killall system_server
ad 1) Take the values the app tells you.
ad 2) Makes /system partition writeable.
ad 3) You may have to add the correct path to the SystemUI.apk on your PC.
ad 4) That's the command for soft rebooting your smartphone which is faster than a normal reboot.
I tried to decompile, modify 1 xml file and recompile the framework-res.apk.
But everytime I do it, I either get into a boot loop, or when In succeed it displays glitches (like notification bar, and messed up lock screen, and settings)
This is for AURORA ICS 4.0.3 and I do have the latest aapt.exe file .. so I don't know what is wrong!
I tried to use the original framework-res but replace the resources file inside, stored and compressed methods.
Tried to get the compiled framework-res but add the META-INF and Manifest file (again, both with compressed and stored resources file) and always.. it just glitches or bootloops.. and the mod that I tried (ICS on screen buttons or the CRT effect when you switch off the screen, mainly used in Oxygen roms, but it's available in all ROMs).. it never works.. only glitches the lock screen, notification bar etc..
Any help?
Thanks.
I might know the answer to this..
Which files are you modifying in framework-res? And how are you pushing it back to your phone?
Sent from my U20i using xda premium
Would be great
I am modifying some files in the values folder, bools.xml, arrays.xml .. but even if I edit bools.xml alone, it still glitches.
To push it back: I go to recovery mode on my phone, plug it into my linux machine (the system partition mounts), paste the new framework-res.apk to replace the old one, fix permissions (otherwise it boot loops), and restart the phone. This method works for other files and never had any problems, like the android.policy.jar
Would be great if you can help me. Thanks
Well, the XML files you're editing are all part of resources.arsc so it's something to do with that which is causing the problem. I used to get all sorts of annoying bugs when I edited anything in resources.arsc and I eventually found out that I was pushing the final apk back to the phone incorrectly.
I use a Windows PC, not Linux, so I might not be that helpful but this is what I do to modify and replace framework-res.apk. Hopefully it'll help. What I do is..
Decompile framework-res.apk
Make my changes
Recompile the file
Use a program like 7zip to open the old and the new files
Drag and drop the "res" folder from the new file into the old
Extract resources.arsc from the new framework-res.apk and add it to the old one in "STORE" mode, so it's not actually compressed
Go into recovery, mount the system partition and push the old file
..and that's it. Works a charm every time.
I would have thought that you would need to do the same thing on Linux but with the additional step of correcting the permissions. If you do all that and it still doesn't work, then there has to be a problem with the actual mod you're trying to do.
Thank you very much, I actually tried that method. It sort of worked, but everytime it breaks the notification bar. It becomes like double the size and I'm not sure why.
Thanks.
Then the issue must be with the modification itself. What exactly are you changing to what?
Sent from my U20i using xda premium
I tried different ones.. but even a simple one.. enable CRT animation.. which is pretty much open bools.xml and edit one true to false.. it breaks it :/
After reading from articles , now more or less I got some idea on how to create a theme for a custom rom , but still there's something I don't know .
1) First , I extract files from a rom using 7zip . Then , I extract out the content of framework-res.apk and make some modifies / changes to those .png files . So , after completed those modifies , I just open archieve on the original framework-res.apk , drag and drop the one I modified to replace the original one ? After that , how do I pack it in .zip file that can be updated in open recovery ? .xml file shouldn't be modified right ?
2) What if I do this , I get a theme.zip made for the rom , and then I extract the contents of the theme.zip using 7zip , then again I modify the .png files and after completed , I packed it again by open archieve on the original theme.zip , drag and drop the one I modified to replace the original one ? Does this works ?
3) What if I modify other system apps such as calender.apk ? Using the same method , extract , modify , drag and drop , replace , then again how do I pack it in .zip file that can be updated in open recovery ? Is there any "bond" between those system apps and framework-res.apk ? Can I just modify anyone of both ? Or I have to modify both system apps and framework-res.apk to get it works ?
Thanks
nikctsh said:
After reading from articles , now more or less I got some idea on how to create a theme for a custom rom , but still there's something I don't know .
1) First , I extract files from a rom using 7zip . Then , I extract out the content of framework-res.apk and make some modifies / changes to those .png files . So , after completed those modifies , I just open archieve on the original framework-res.apk , drag and drop the one I modified to replace the original one ? After that , how do I pack it in .zip file that can be updated in open recovery ? .xml file shouldn't be modified right ?
2) What if I do this , I get a theme.zip made for the rom , and then I extract the contents of the theme.zip using 7zip , then again I modify the .png files and after completed , I packed it again by open archieve on the original theme.zip , drag and drop the one I modified to replace the original one ? Does this works ?
3) What if I modify other system apps such as calender.apk ? Using the same method , extract , modify , drag and drop , replace , then again how do I pack it in .zip file that can be updated in open recovery ? Is there any "bond" between those system apps and framework-res.apk ? Can I just modify anyone of both ? Or I have to modify both system apps and framework-res.apk to get it works ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's what I know so far. I'm still trying to learn as much as I can:
1) If you are making a theme by trying to replace pngs in an existing framework-res.apk file, you can do this: open the apk file within your zip program, and edit the apk there (so you'll have two zip windows open. Once the apk is updated, close the most recent zip window. The first zip window should recognize that you've updated the apk file, and ask you to update the first zip window.
I've been playing around with this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1432152
What it allows you to do is modify the files in Windows Explorer (or whatever file explorer you're using), and then let the script do the rest of the work for you. The actions it can do are: decompile apk, recompile apk, sign apk, created update.zip.
The xml files need to be edited if you want to achieve certain effects. For example, in the Gingerbread theme there are some edits that have to be made to a few xml files in order to achieve white text on black backgrounds on the popup menus. The nice thing about the framework flasher link from above is that it 'compiles' the files (meaning it will check if the .9.pngs are correct, and if your xml files point to correct assets), so you can go about doing xml edits and stuff without fear of bootlooping.
2) Yes, this should work.
3) If the updater script is a generic script (that is, it moves everything from the /system folder to /system, and /data to /data), then you can create directories in the update.zip that refer to whatever apk you want to replace, with the same structure as in Android. The cool thing about Metamorph, from what I gather, is that you can create folder structures with just the assets you want to replace, rather than the entire apk. This means that if you want to replace just a few images in Phone.apk, for example, you create a directory in the Metamorph script under /system/app/Phone/res/drawable-hdpi and add the images you want to replace in there. I think that's the way I want to create my themes from now on, I just need to figure out how to do it correctly
I tried the framework flasher , after located the framework-res.apk and run RunMe , it shows echo is off , the log process shows 'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
Do you have Java installed?
Mioze7Ae said:
Do you have Java installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No , I have no Java installed . Tried to install before but couldn't get the right version .
Java
I've yet to find one all inclusive theming reference. Just a lot of searching & reading & trial & error. This might be a good place to get started.
Edit: You'll also want to get the Android SDK
3rdstring said:
Java
I've yet to find one all inclusive theming reference. Just a lot of searching & reading & trial & error. This might be a good place to get started.
Edit: You'll also want to get the Android SDK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW , since I'm still too new to theming , I'm thinking of making my first step by changing the colour of a completed theme . This is what I'm currently doing : I extracted the files content of your DarkFroyo.zip and then extracted it's framework-res.apk . ( IT'S YOUR THEME , CAN YOU GIVE ME THE PERMISSION TO DO THIS ? ) I'm changing the original orange colour of all those icon to light pink using photoshop , then replace the original one . The files type are .png . Also , I changed the battery status icon and status bar background . However , I haven't touch those .xml files , I just leave it there . So after I complete , do I just flash it right away in my phone or I need to doing something like "sign" ? As for now , I don't have any idea about "sign" .
nikctsh said:
BTW , since I'm still too new to theming , I'm thinking of making my first step by changing the colour of a completed theme . This is what I'm currently doing : I extracted the files content of your DarkFroyo.zip and then extracted it's framework-res.apk . ( IT'S YOUR THEME , CAN YOU GIVE ME THE PERMISSION TO DO THIS ? ) I'm changing the original orange colour of all those icon to light pink using photoshop , then replace the original one . The files type are .png . Also , I changed the battery status icon and status bar background . However , I haven't touch those .xml files , I just leave it there . So after I complete , do I just flash it right away in my phone or I need to doing something like "sign" ? As for now , I don't have any idea about "sign" .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing the color in Photoshop is fine for normal ".png"s but ".9.png"s are special, they have a 1 pixel border with guides that define how they are stretched to fill a space (& are only visible is a decompiled state). Just editing a .9.png in Photoshop might break the .9 patch. Since you are trying to modify my theme it might also be wise to grab the "undo.zip" so if (when) something you try bootloops the phone you can flash the undo to get back to stock. I know had numerous bootloops when I was first starting out (still do occasionally).
3rdstring said:
Changing the color in Photoshop is fine for normal ".png"s but ".9.png"s are special, they have a 1 pixel border with guides that define how they are stretched to fill a space (& are only visible is a decompiled state). Just editing a .9.png in Photoshop might break the .9 patch. Since you are trying to modify my theme it might also be wise to grab the "undo.zip" so if (when) something you try bootloops the phone you can flash the undo to get back to stock. I know had numerous bootloops when I was first starting out (still do occasionally).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey 3rdstring. I noticed you release a new version of your theme for the ODEXED version of CM6. For APKs that have ODEX files (such as Phone), are you deodexing them using apktool, then reodexing them? A brief pointer would be nice!
molohov said:
Hey 3rdstring. I noticed you release a new version of your theme for the ODEXED version of CM6. For APKs that have ODEX files (such as Phone), are you deodexing them using apktool, then reodexing them? A brief pointer would be nice!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the only thing I'm changing in any of the odexed apks are images. I use a Metamorph file with ZipThemer to build the update.zip (& undo) after I've decompiled / recomfiled framework-res for the white menu text & 10% battery increments.
3rdstring said:
No the only thing I'm changing in any of the odexed apks are images. I use a Metamorph file with ZipThemer to build the update.zip (& undo) after I've decompiled / recomfiled framework-res for the white menu text & 10% battery increments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I ask is b/c I tried pushing a modified Phone.apk to CM6, but it didn't pick up any of the changes I added (images only). It made me think that the assets were already prebuilt in the odex file, so changing the apk wouldn't do anything unless the odex file was changed too.
I also tried applying a metamorph script on top of the odex ROM, but it caused a lot of fcs. I think it's b/c of the ODEXing too.
EDIT: My bad. Phone.apk is the calling screen, Contacts.apk is the dialer + contacts. DOH!!!
My edits are pushed correctly
Mod is working great but these touch wiz keys are disgusting looking especially when the menu key shows up. It moves all the buttons out of order.
Does anyone know of a way to flash the stock Android buttons. Thank you!!
Pretty sure all you have to do is replace tw_navigationbar back home menu and recent both pressed and hormal with the stock ones and recompile the apk then you could either put it on your phone and put it in with a file explorer or you could try making a flashable zip.
ok where would i find these files?
If you know how to use adb you can use the adb pull command to pull the framework-res.apk which is where you'll find the files if you don't you can use a file explorer to copy them to your sd card or somewhere that you can find them then you would need to decompile them then replace the files I mentioned above with the stock ones
ok so i did it through root explorer. inside the franwork apk. i went to res/drawable, res/drawable-hdpi and res/drawable-xhdpi. these three folders all contained the files u said like tw_navigationbar_back_normal and one that says pressed instead of normal. png files. Do I just replace these pngs with the stock ones or is there more to this? Thanks