[Sony Cross-Device Development Themes and Apps] arnabJ:
Create your own Xperia™ Theme

[Now no need to wait for new themes to come up. Have a look/colour in your mind? Want to have a special theme for yourself? Then why to be dependent upon others? Do it all by yourself with the help of my guide.]

Hello,

I made this guide because there was no official documentation or how to about this. I have gone through the official themes + few other themes from market and got the idea from them.

I have myself tested this guide before posting so its 100% working. I have Stock Xperia Google Android 4.3.

If you just want to change System Accent Colours and/or App BG, Navigation Bar BG, etc. then try this Xposed Module of mine.

Xperia Themes - Xposed Module

​

Note :

At the time of writing this guide I assume that you have a basic knowledge of Android Developers Tool[ADT]. I also assume that you are familiar with Android apps and their development process.

What things you gonna need to follow my tutorial :

A computer / laptop [seriously speaking it's one of the most important thing lol. ;)]

Java installed and added to environment path[if you are windows user like me]

ADT + Eclipse [I recommend ADT bundle]

Theme files [check attachment for these]

My guide for sure.

Time and Brain.

FOR FAQ'S PLEASE READ POST #3 BEFORE ASKING THE ALREADY ANSWERED QUESTIONS AGAIN.

The guide / tutorial starts now :

PART ONE : CREATE XPERIA THEME, CHANGE SYSTEM COLOURS.

Start/open ADT

Go to File > New > Android Application Project

Give your desired name to the Theme, The Android Application Project.

Give your desired package name to the app.

Set Minimum Android Requirement to Android Jelly Bean 4.3 and Maximum to Android Kitkat 4.4/4.4.2

In the next screen un-tick the option to add app icon and Activity

Choose the workspace folder else tick to set the default one.

Now open AndroidManifest.xml and add this Permission :

<uses-permission android:name="com.sonymobile.permission.RUNTIME_SKIN" />

Now replace the <Application ...></application> Node with this code :

<application
android:label="@string/semc_theme_title"
android:icon="@drawable/semc_theme_lockscreen_wallpaper"
android:allowBackup="false">

<uses-library android:name="com.sonymobile.runtimeskinning" />

<meta-data
android:name="com.sonymobile.runtimeskinning.core.image_wallpaper"
android:resource="@drawable/semc_theme_wallpaper" />

<meta-data
android:name="com.sonymobile.runtimeskinning.core.lockscreen_background"
android:resource="@drawable/semc_theme_lockscreen_wallpaper" />

</application>

Please note : You may change the theme icon.

Now just after

<uses-permission android:name="com.sonymobile.permission.RUNTIME_SKIN" />

Add this block of code :

<runtime-skin version="1">
<asset path="android.zip" target="android">
<laf-version-filter from="1" to="1" />
</asset>
<asset path="com.sonyericsson.uxp.zip" target="com.sonyericsson.uxp">
<laf-version-filter from="1" to="1" />
</asset>
</runtime-skin>

Please note : You will need to push android.zip & com.sonyericsson.uxp.zip files with all theme resources to the asset folder.[You can find these two in attachments]

Note :You can add asset reference for more apps as you extend the theming support.

For Example you can add this to add support for theming SystemUI.apk :

<asset path="com.android.systemui.zip" target="com.android.systemui">
<laf-version-filter from="1" to="1" />
</asset>

Also note that you will need to push com.android.systemui.zip file with all theme resources to the asset folder.

Now save AndroidManifest.xml

You will get errors. Nothing to worry. Its known and easy to fix.

Open themeProject > values > strings.xml

Change

<string name="[COLOR=Red]app_name[/COLOR]">Pink</string>

To

<string name="[COLOR=Red]semc_theme_title[/COLOR]">Pink</string>

Save and close the file.

Now Reopen AndroidManifest.xml

Left Click in between the texts underlined with red, then Right Click and press "Quick Fix" in the pop-up menu. Then You will see a new pop-up menu as in the pic below. Then click on "Disable Check in This Project"

To correct the errors in Application node move Wallpaper and icon pictures to drawable-xxdpi according to your need.

Now download "XperiaThemesApktoolbySArnab©®" zip file from the attachments below and extract it at your desired location.

I specially made this Apktool set folder for Xperia™ Themes.

Inside the extracted folder you will find Apktool files for Windows OS[Linux and MAC users you need to replace Windows specific files with your OS's files.] along with Xperia™ Apps specific folders for making Xperia™ Themes.

All you need to do is add assets to this folders and use provided Apktool to recompile them. They will be automatically get compiled as .zip file instead of .apk file as .zip file is needed for Xperia™ Themes.

In android folder :

You need move theme png resources if you want to change the look, into respective drawable folders.

FOR THIS FOLLOW THE PART TWO OF THE GUIDE IN POST #2

In com.sonyericsson.uxp folder :

You need to edit res > values > colors.xml as per your theme colour preference.

Now when you think you are ready to create the theme use Apktool[Or your desired tool] to recompile android, com.sonyericsson.uxp and all other app specific folders from "XperiaThemesApktoolbySArnab©®".

[*]Now Move all the zip files from specific folders to the assets folder of your project.

[/LIST]

When everything is set your theme project tree should be like this to great extent.

Test the theme through Eclipse else export by signing and share your masterpiece with others.

GUYS AM ATTACHING MY THEME SOURCE SO THAT YOU ALL CAN GO THROUGH THAT IF YOU FELL INTO SOME PROBLEM.

PLEASE RATE THE THREAD WITH 5 STARS IF YOU THINK MY GUIDE IS HELPFUL.

ALSO CLICK ON TIP US SO THAT THIS GUIDE CAN COME UP ON XDA PORTAL.

ADD A LINK TO THIS THREAD IN YOUR SIGNATURE TO EXTEND THE NEWS OF THIS THREAD AND ALSO TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK-YOU.

Update 1 : I have updated the guide at places where users were having problem following it.

I have also added special Xperia Themes ready apktool folder with app specific folders to make it easier to create Xperia Themes.

CREDITS :

@funky0308 [IT WAS HE WHO GAVE ME THE IDEA TO EDIT ASSETS FILES THROUGH HIS GUIDE OF EDITING XPERIA THEMES]

SONY FOR THIS AWESOME OPTION TO THEME OUR MOBILE. @SArnab©® [THAT'S ME] FOR CREATING THIS WHOLE GUIDE.