yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
It's very tempting to just include the folder with for example the icon's used. But giving it some extra thought I see all kinds off potential problems with that.

For example in my current setup I use 2 sets of icons. The icons used in the Zooper widgets are included in the upload. So if I use the upload only as a backup for myself that's OK, but if I want to share the widgets with others they will probably be able to change some icons to match there setup and apps used and I will need the full icon pack for that.

Like you found out for "Desktop VisualizeR" no icons are included at all, if I want to share that widget I need to include the icons anyway.

Including the Icon packs I use in my current setup would mean an additional 15MB to upload, and with every revision I would need to upload them again. Also I then will be uploading someone else's work and I need to give credit somewhere. It could even be that the icons or whatever need to be include isn't freely available, in that case including it won't even be allowed.

One thing I dislike about a lot of home screen shadings is that often the icons aren't even mentioned or just referred to as Icons by xyz and then good luck finding them, that would also be solved by adding a link to the theme.

So my thought is that's for simplicity and completeness it's much better to have the option to include links to icons packs etc used in the theme. And to make it easy for the user to upload it would be great if we can setup a list off used ad dons in the app, so next time with can just pick a link to include without having to look for the link every time.

For example in my current setup I would then need to include the following links and that's it.

icons SC 78 White

icons SC 47 MINI
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Thank you for your opinion!

You have an interesting question : legal one! Definitely I am not good at dealing with intellectual property laws :)

including a link to an icon pack is not a technically possible solution because each application uses its own path to unzip the file. So that information should also be provided by the theme maker.

However icons included in an Apk available on the play store doesn't have any of these issues. The widget store à Uri link. An Uri is like a Web address but to point to a resource inside the device. It s up to Android to give the real file address. No path to manage, no issue in finding the link, no legal question. If it s on the play store it should be available for distribution. Credits are already on the play store page.

This solution implies a restriction: the skin can only include icon from apk, no random image. Is it acceptable for you?
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Does anyone knows an application with a purpose similar to desktop visualizer?
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
I wasn't trying to educate you on intellectual property laws, by experience I know something about it but I'm sure you could teach me a lot on that subject.

My idea is to add a link to an icon pack purely for informative purposes so the users wanting to use the theme can download it separately and complete or change the theme. I understand that it can't be inserted in the theme automatically. Only to make it easy on users uploading their theme wanting to add the link it would be useful to have links to often used icon packs, or other useful links stored somewhere. So when I make a new theme using an earlier used icon pack I can very easy, without having to look for the URL again, insert the link to the icon pack to theme theme description.

Until now I never user icon packs in the form off an apk in my skins, I like the freedom of using image files.

I hope this makes sense. I edited my post on G+ to give you an idea what I mean
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
I made lots of test with DVR, I look at many homescreen on mycolorscreen and I came to the conclusion that I need to let the user to add one folder with its own stuff inside.

I fully understand the need to not only rely on APK. If you create your own icons it would be horrible to have the need then to create an apk! So that is definitely not a good solution.

Then I can certainly also add a credit field to link with the resources. So the one who installs the theme can then go to the original page of the creator.

What do you think about it? Right path this time?

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
I tried transparent panel on my device. Icons was missing for the reason I exposed in previous posts. It's strange that it didn't worked for you. Did you noticed an error message? Did you had a look to the backup and restore logs? They can be reached from the top bar.

Let us know what is inside these logs

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Sounds like a super option :good:

There is no right or wrong path here. I'm not trying to impose my opinion on all (well I do but I'm open too better ideas :laugh:) just giving my opinion as asked.

Where are just having a good discussion. Shame not more people join our discussion here.

---------- Post added at 02:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ----------

One other thing that crossed my mind.

As it now (or I missed something) in order for this to work the downloading party needs to have the same set of apps installed as the uploader.

Say I want to use someones Zooper widgets but I use an other launcher, would it in the future be an option to say I only want the Zooper part of the skin and skip the rest?
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
It may be possible to add an option to not take all the widgets but it s not possible to change of home. Each widget has an id and only the home knows all of them. There is o easy and general way to extract these id. However it is technically possible to simulate it because many homes have an import module. However I have not really tried if it really works.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Deleted
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Looking at sites like http://mycolorscreen.com/ it looks like the majority of users either use Nova or Apex. It would be nice if we could easily swap between them.

But spending an other $3 and have them both installed is also not that big of a deal.
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Not sure if I am looking at the right place but this is what I did: I went to Install -> Transparent Panels (Theme selection) -> Menu Key -> Read backup log.

It says "Home screen restored". Nothing else. Am I looking at the right place?

---------- Post added at 06:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------

Just for testing, I created a backup from my own Nova Launcher setup, changed the current setup by moving icons/widgets around and "installed" my locally created theme. Worked perfectly fine. When the phone rebooted, I got my old setup back. So it seems to be restoring my own backups well but is failing to do so when I attempt to install someone else's theme.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
The Transparent Panels was made while running a Nova beta version. Could it be that you are trying to restore a version made with Nova beta on a non-beta version?

[MENTION=267078]snoopy33[/MENTION] do you use Nova beta or the released version?
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Nope. Updated my Nova Launcher to 2.2 Beta 3. Still no luck.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Released one.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Thats good news then, uploading from a beta and importing in the released version works.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
I thought about that and they have to make it work because it s the same situation than updating the home from a previous version.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
I agree, on the Zooper forum I have read posts that users were not able to load templates made with a beta version on non-beta versions.

That made me thinking about it.

BTW I'm also running a Zooper beta :D
[Android Apps and Games] iWalter:
I can help you with the spanish translation =)
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
hey guys upload to gdrive still not working oskin crash :/
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
Here

Inviato dal mio Nexus 4
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Hi Spupuz,

I have made tons of modification on the version I am working.

I can't tell you if it will fix yours, but right now I am too far from the version I distributed on Play Store to have an idea of what's happening.

My hope is that today I will release a version which includes support for external files as discussed previously here.

Then you will be able to do a new test and if it doesn't work, then I will focus on your issue!

I am under heavy devpt, I wan't to finish before the end of my summer holidays (I know we are already in September, let me believe I still have time :)

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Hope the new version fixes my issue as well :)
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Hi,

This time, and unlike OBackup project, I didn't make the stupid mistake to hard code the words in the Java code.

So, I am ready for this step.

Do you know a good tool for that purpose, which website is used by other projects? I search a free one.

Google translator toolkit it too much complex to use and the one I have found last time goes to bankrupt !

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Just pushed a new version, let me know how it works!
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
Still got problems

Inviato dal mio Nexus 4
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Thanks for the bug report

You have not added an ext folder isn't it? I have too this bug. I will release something in the next few hours.
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Have the themes changed? I am not able to import any theme, it gives me IllegalStateException with "One field is not init in SkinInformation: additionalFolders"
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
This version is not compatible with previous. Better to clean data first
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
I did that. Infact, I uninstalled and re-installed the latest update. Still can't import themes.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Give me a bit of time I will upload the Transparent panels theme again made with the last OSkin version.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Hi Kantjer,

Is it working for you?

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
No just tried, I'm also getting the error.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
New release

I have fixed the crash when there is no added folder and I added a dialog to delete previous files if it s the first launch with this version.

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
https://plus.google.com/107422181158068566048/posts/V6eZz7mAFxi
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Installed the latest update, still fails to import old themes. I was successful in importing the new transparent panels v2 theme. However after applying, same problem as earlier i.e. on rebooting only the wallpaper changes and Nova Launcher resets to default settings.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
I have a slightly different report.

On my S3 it failed the same way like Par123.

But it almost worked for my Nexus 7. The only missing icons are the one of Vizualizer.

There is still hope!

Will think about all these things...

Thanks to both of you for your help.

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
The missing icons for Vizualizer is probably my fault. I copied all the icons to my sd but Vizualizer is still setup to use the ones from my DropBox. I will change Vizualizer to use the icons in the included folder.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
That's what I thought. And it s the same with zooper. I thought it was OK to have folder icons but I looked at your screenshot and it is not :)

Is it the same thing?
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
I have changed the Vizualizer app to use the icons on the sd.

I will change Zooper to do the same, and upload again.

---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 AM ----------

I have v3 of my Transparent panels theme uploaded with all icons now set to use the ones from the included folders.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Just tested, VisualizeR works, icons included but not zooper. I am not a zooper expert but I think there is a dedicated folder on the storage. May be it needs to be included.

When I want to find the correct folder rapidly, I rename several folders I suppose to be linked with what I am searching, and then I restart my device. Then I look if the widgets has been reseted or not.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
I see all the icons used in the ZooperWidget/Bitmaps folder on my internal sd

EDIT: v4 uploaded, ZooperWidget/Bitmaps included.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
What? You are wondering what happens if I copy a theme from a phone on a Nexus 7??? OK look!

Edit : posting image doesn't work on XDA application?

Btw icons works now!

When the application will works for everybody I will write guidelines
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Screenshot
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Thats easy to rectify using the scaling function in Zooper.

The same thing happens when I import a Zooper theme made for an other resolution.

Read this for more info
[Android Apps and Games] Jaspervaneyck:
Tried it, seems legit, trying to copy cool screen now.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Would be fabulous to make universal theme!
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Its probably something to do with TouchWiz framework I am guessing since it does not work on your S3 as well as on my Note 2, but works fine on Nexus 7.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
I think this is as universal as it can be. The scaling thing is just how Zooper works. Once you know how it works it takes only a few seconds to set the widgets for the required screen size and resolution.

The imperfections you see are due to my sloppiness, this was my first ever Zooper theme and instead off cutting the lines at the correct place I cut the widget so it wont not show it :o

Now my flaws become visible its time to start thinking about my next and better theme.

---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------

It is legit, were only sharing the settings not the actual programs.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
If I scale my Zooper widgets down by about 20% my screen looks more or less the same.

Except for the silly lines extending all over the place, I have corrected them.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Mmmmhhh I have a complex issue here.

I have finally found the reason why it works on my Nexus and not my S3.

The path to the device storage is different.

I tried to simulate it with some symlink but at each reboot symlinks inside /mnt folder are deleted.

Basically it means I have no clue right now how to make generated themes 100% compatible between different brands. I imagine most custom ROM base their work on AOSP so the path are similar. That's probably why I can install the theme from Kantjer on my Nexus.

I don't really know what to do here.

I can help by adding a tag on the G+ post indicating the path to the internal storage, so when another user start a search of themes on G+ he can limit to only compatible themes.

That's a stupid limitation, if anyone has an idea, I would be happy to take it.

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
My Rom isn't AOSP based, it's pure Samsung TW. What Android version do you have running on your S3 and Nexus. I'm using 4.2.2 on my S4.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
4.2.2 on the S3 stock rom and of course 4.3 on the Nexus.

I have checked and your stock rom has the same path that the Nexus and different from the S3.

May be I have been a bit alarming for nothing. I have a Workaround idea to make things compatible between different devices without big hacking stuff. Not yet tested. Will have busy week. Will probably try it on Sunday.

Anyway my previous solution to the storage path was ugly, some way I am happy it fails to work as expected!
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Not sure if you have been following this but mycolorscreen is launching a new App that allows "one-click" import of themes from their site. It's in limited beta phase right now though and not open to general public yet. It's going to be very interesting to see how they achieve this.

Source: http://phandroid.com/2013/09/05/mycolorscreen-themer-app-beta-signup/
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
Yes end of the game....

Inviato dal mio Nexus 4
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
And after a long speech... an update!

With this version I am able to install Kantjer theme on both my Nexus 7 (like before) AND on my S3.

So this version should support any external storage implementation.

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] Zenety:
Getting this error on the latest version.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Version from the Apk here?
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Same for me, didn't have time to post the screenshot yet.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Thank you for the bug report.

Fixed.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Thanks, just uploaded v6 of my Transparent panels theme with this latest version.
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Totally agree with the OP. This project is far from dead. There are lot of uncertainties with themerapp - I am not sure if it can be as smart and feature-rich as OSkin considering they are trying to do all in one-click (I don't even know how it is possible). I have a lot of doubt on how themerapp would work but it is all speculation for now. I love what OP is doing and I am sure once all the bugs are squashed out it is going to revolutionalize the way people theme their droids :)
[Android Apps and Games] pbecks1963:
bug?

bug? (latest beta version)

I am on an Samsung Galaxy S 3 (cyanogen rom 10.2, android 4.3)
[Android Apps and Games] Zenety:
Excellent! Working perfect now.

Read a few posts before yours and download that version.
[Android Apps and Games] pbecks1963:
Already did! That's the error i get
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Try deleting the apps data, and then try again
[Android Apps and Games] pbecks1963:
Yes! Works now.

ps; if i want to backup my local copy (skin) to pc. What folder/files should i copy?
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
The folder is in /storage/Android/data/com.pommedeterresautee.oskin

But there is better way. When you generate or import a theme a compressed version is kept. Inside the application, go in install part, then open the theme. In the top bar you have a button to send the compressed version of the theme through email. I use that for my own test. That way in few clicks you have your copy.

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] pbecks1963:
GREAT! (used mail and skydrive)
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Tried the latest version with V6 transparent panels theme. Seems to be working but need to iron out some bugs.

1. After applying the theme, phone went into bootloop. Had to restart 2-3 times to get it to finally boot (got a scare for a few minutes). When the phone restarted, it showed up the initial wizard which comes when you install a new ROM. Got a heart-attack thinking all data was gone but luckily it was still there when the wizard ended.

2. Theme is for 1920X1080 so it did not scale very well but that is expected but what was not expected is that I lost some shortcuts in the App Drawer of Nova. I presume it shows all shortcuts from the theme creators install. I also had a lot of shortcuts with no apps which I presume are Apps installed on Kantjer's phone which are not installed on mine. Can this be fixed?

3. Also the theme complained about missing widgets and something related to path in SD? Not sure what that was for? Do I have to follow any specific instructions to install that theme?

4.Is the test theme you have created working on the latest build? or do you need to update it?

Cheers and the latest build looks like we are getting closer to that stable release, so great job :)
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Thank you a lot for this very complete bug report.

1/ I am playing with permission, I really need to fine tune some parts. It seems to me these bugs can easily be avoided.

2/ I don't think so. I ll think about it

3/ it should not happen. Which icon have this issue? Bottom?

4/ no I have tested with the version 4 of Kantjer theme.

I have lots of work to do relative to my day job. Will develop on Tuesday or Wednesday.

But it won't mean I will not make progress in my head :)

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Can you remember a few off the app icons you had in the app drawer so we can determine if they came from my theme.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Icon que stored in the database of the home. Structure of the database is different from home to home so there is no real way to filter icons.

But I will search a way.

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
Flash Tools, Lotus, Weer & verkeer to name a few.
[Android Apps and Games] kantjer:
Yes there mine, those are all drawer groups.
[Android Apps and Games] Pat123:
I think it's important to have this otherwise people will end up with missing shortcuts after installing someone's theme and they will have to manually add all the missing app shortcuts. I don't even know if it's possible to add shortcuts to App Drawer.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Depends of the home.

The first solution I can think of is to build another application like desktop visualizer and attach an icon to a category. So the icon open email, on your device it may mean Gmail and on mine another application.

That's the best idea I have.

Icon creation is a simple process, takes few lines in Java. But creating an entire application, even super simple takes one day or two.

So my priority is to have OSkin in a stable state before anything else, no heart attack because of almost reseted device.

My friend who helped me with the server of OBackup is learning Android SDK through the code of OSkin. May be OShortcut would be a good mission for him?

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
still having problem uploading files on gdirve, app force closes... :/
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Mhhh do you have disabled play service to reduce memory use (I know some rom do that which is not a good idea as more an more new android functions are now done through this service)?

If not, and if you have Google plus installed, can you send me a logcat realized just after the crash?

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
umh ok i have an idea why i could have problems... i'm using greenify app to consume less battery as i can and i'm greenifying google drive app and google plus app... can be that the problem?
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Google plus may be the issue as it is used. I detect if it's installed but greenify probably kill it each time it tries to launch without user interaction. Let me know what happens when this protections disabled.
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
ok tested and it's not related to greenify status for gdriver or gplus apps.
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
And you are sure play services works? Any logcat?
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
i can provide you a logcat but i need some minutes :)
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
I am at work I can wait... I am busy anyway :D
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
sent via hangout to you :)

---------- Post added at 01:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B67GQAfL6im7NjYzQW5Jb2UwNTg/edit?usp=docslist_api

Inviato dal mio Nexus 4
[Android Apps and Games] snoopy33:
Finally, rewrote the process of backuping and restoring.

Should avoid the errors regarding permissions (Welcome screen after restart and so on).

Again, internal files structure of the copy has deeply changed, so it s not compliant with previous version.

Moreover new file structure make it easy to add widget selection at the installation step as requested (not yet implemented, but just need to make an UI, other stuff are already here).

[MENTION=815448]spupuz[/MENTION] : Not worked on the GDrive issue, had an issue with my Google account. I requested few minutes ago permission for you log.

Let me know how this version works,

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
i gave you the permission