yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
System apks don't need to be signed, they retain their original signature.

Other apks must be signed. I find it easiest to use APK Manager. It's a great app. Basically, you drop the apk into a modding folder. Then you run the script and select the options you want. Then you push the apk to where it needs to go. Nice and simple.

What apk are you working with? And what changes did you make? Maybe if you give more detail someone here can help you a bit more..
[Android Themes] ronhoover88:
I use apkmanager only...i can decompile and do the edits...i'm actually doing the framework-res.apk...i want to change a few text colours...after finishing the edition and go to recompile i get a message saying delete all the changes you have made in the keep folder and delete resources.asrc also if any xml is edited...what do i do here i've only changed xml and not pngs so what exactly should i delete?

And one more thing what do i do with the resultant unsigned frameworks do i just rename and copy to the phone??
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
So, are you getting the unsigned framework file in your modding folder?

If so, then you just need to select option 8 and push it to /system/framework/framework-res.apk and hit enter. Apkmanager sorts the adb commands.

I'm not sure I understand your issue properly but I'm trying to help. From the sounds of your last reply, the framework-res.apk is appearing in your modding folder.
[Android Themes] ronhoover88:
Thanks for your help...i'm getting an unsignedframework-res.apk in my mod folder...and i also have the stock file which i first placed in the mod folder for decompiling...whenever i do xml changes my phone goes into bootloop!!!
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
Mmm.. can you confirm the exact option and syntax you're using to push the apk?
[Android Themes] ronhoover88:
I dont use adb to push it i use root explorer!!
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
Do you have Android SDK installed? Can you please push it using APK Manager?

It's option 8 from within the script and then then following syntax: /system/framework/framework-res.apk
[Android Themes] ronhoover88:
Alright will try and tell you...thanks a lot..
[Android Themes] silverxbv2:
When you recompile you answer yes and yes. When you get to the keep folder, open it up and delete any xml that you have changed and the resources.asrc. If the changes were made only in the values folders, then just delete the resources.asrc. Go back to the place here for modding folder, rename the unsigned framework-res.apk to framework-res.apk and install.

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTEyOTE1MzA3OQ
[Android Themes] ronhoover88:
Thanks a lot thats more like it..
[Android Themes] ronhoover88:
How to solve the .9 png errors and also some public.xml error!!
[Android Themes] roscoenr:
In apk manger always start with the first error once an error is given everything after comes back with errors
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
.9's can be a pain. So I do have a.9 question: after I edit a .9.png in Photoshop, assuming I don't touch the 1px border, do I still have to compile it or can I just save over the original .9.png ? I tried using draw9patch tool but can only colour 1px at a time, not so user friendly.
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
I think if you decompiled the apk you can edit the .9s & not touch the border & then save over the original & recompile, another option is the xUltimate 9patch tool. Then there is no need to decompile / recompile just to edit images, just unpack, repack.
[Android Themes] Bramton1:
awesome. Been looking for something like this.
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
Correct

No problem!
[Android Themes] spania85:
I just wanna thank you for this incredible guide. It's really useful. Really thanks a lot theimpaler747.
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
It's bread and butter for many of us, best thing you can do is hit Impaler's thanks button on the OP :D
[Android Themes] Granite1:
I've thoroughly confused myself now. :o

I've made a battery mod, and applied it to a rom, then flashed the modded rom. Works great!

What I want to do is create a flashable zip to just mod the battery, so I can distribute it. Then I'm stumped.:(

I've read so much I don't know whats right or wrong.

Any help is appreciated! :)
[Android Themes] silverxbv2:
Since the battery typically goes in framework, you can't make a zip to only modify part of the framework. Metamorph should work though.
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
I would put something like that in a morph, that way it wouldn't be phone / rom specific. If I really wanted to make a flashable zip, I would run the morph through ZipThemer to create the zip.

HTH

Chuck

Motorola Milestone XT720

Dexter's Froyo 1.3
[Android Themes] Granite1:
Haven't run metamorph too much yet. I'll do some research and come back if I get stuck. Thanks! :)
[Android Themes] philomeena:
Difference Between HTML & XML

Information about the XML is very Useful for me. But my doubt is what is the main difference between HTML & XML. Which one is most useful for .Net Point of View.
[Android Themes] GazKez14:
good job!!
[Android Themes] leagon:
good guide...easy to understand!

thank you, mate!
[Android Themes] djcedric:
is there a guide to skin sense 3 or is it not yet possible today?
[Android Themes] Dunc001:
OK, so I'm trying to do my very first smali edit to change the colour of the top bar battery in my MIUI rom following instructions from this thread and across in the MIUI.us forum. I know which line I need to edit but am now confused over colour codes and hope someone can un-confuse me :p

This is the line I need to edit:

const v5, -0xff2700

What's confusing me is that the OP states that the colour code will be 6 digits with an additional two leading characters (00 = transparent, ff = normal). So what is the colour code structure in the code snippet? I have tried inputting it into the Hex colour website in the OP and no combination I try gives me the actual colour currently on my phone! I want to use 19A3FF, so what should I change the line to? Is there something else going on in the line of code I need to know about, or is the way colour codes are handled in smali different to in xml?

Please shed some light for me...

EDIT - OK, just found section 5.1 of THIS guide which explains it to me (nothing like making stuff confusing for noobs like me :p). So now that I've found this can anyone explain to me the significance (if anything) of the -0x before the code, and the various 'v' references in smali (const v6, etc).
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
It's a notation to indicate that the number is a hex number. For example, if we use an example of the number 15, can you tell if this is a binary, decimal or hex?

So, using this example:

15b = binary

15 = decimal

0x15 = hex
[Android Themes] Nieass:
Hm let's try to make an theme in a few weeks :D
[Android Themes] Granite1:
@ Impaler,

Thank you so much for this guide! I've figured out how to easily create and swap out pngs, and create update.zips.

I haven't messed with xmls yet, next step. :D

Just wanted to show my appreciation to you and all the folks in here for the help!
[Android Themes] richjb78:
Haha just read the 1st page and my brain is fried!:D

I plan to get to grips with it as soon as I have a full free day though, something I really want to learn.
[Android Themes] L00n3y2k8:
Thnx. I hope this guide will stop my search for nice tutorials on how to make themes.

I'll keep reading and reading till i have a awesome theme :D
[Android Themes] takeshi.fukuhawa:
just amazing.. thanks!
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
Can anyone point me in the right direction to edit the blue background of my phone apk? I can't seem to locate the png. Its the one behind the phone, call log, contacts etc.
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
That would be in contacts.apk
[Android Themes] dully79:
I've been searching for this too, it's like looking for rocking horse ****! When I get some time I'm going to extract every apk and search for tab_***.

I bet it's stupidly obvious.
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
In contacts.apk, tab_selected.9.png & tab_unselected.9.png
[Android Themes] dully79:
Ive changed them in contacts and framework-res and it hasn't made a difference.:(
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
Themeing those files works for me but I saw this reply in another thread

"Depending on the rom, you will need to edit the phone apk, dialertabactivity.apk. and the contacts.apk to completely get a full look in the dialer."
[Android Themes] dully79:
I've also themed the phone.apk, I dont have dialertab.apk, ill just search through all the apk's on my system.
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
Thanks for all the replies. I forgot to mention, all the theming is done through the theme manager. Does that mean I should still edit the other apk's?
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
A theme manager theme will override any changes made to the apks so if you're using a theme that themes these elements you would have to change the theme.apk.
[Android Themes] Galaxy_NS:
This is exactly wt am looking for...
[Android Themes] Galaxy_NS:
Is there any app that u can see the theme that you designef directly..instead of flashing it over and over after each editing
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
Yeah that would be really nice. I think you can preview your work in eclipse
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
Changing the files you suggested had no effect. I just wish I knew what PNG it is. I've searched all the files, and can't find the one
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
Did you look in the theme.apk?
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
Yes, the theme I'm using is honeybread and it has no such files. I shouldn't need to edit the Contacts apk because the background changes every time I switch a theme with theme Chooser. That would mean its in the theme apk somewhere correct?

Edit: you were right all along. I overlooked the files you told me... Thank you very much!
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
Got it! Thanks guys! ;-)
[Android Themes] chris_banks2:
Great guide and links! Very helpful! thank you
[Android Themes] PhantomHacker:
If I wanted to just theme icons of a honeycomb deodexed rom on gtab 10.1. What's the best way of going about doing it? Thank you.
[Android Themes] dully79:
Just replying to myself and anyone who cares, the images I needed to change were in twframework-res.apk, thanks for trying to help though.:)
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
If you use theme Chooser they'll be in the drawable-hdpi or drawable-mdpi of the theme apk
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
One more thing... anyone know which file needs to be changed to switch this green icon pictured? I've changed every one to no avail
[Android Themes] dully79:
We dont have theme chooser on sgs2, the tabs that show in contacts and some others were located where I mentioned above.
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
I believe that will be badge_action_call.png in Contacts.apk \res\drawable-hdpi-finger
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
It's weird, I already changed that image but it stays green
[Android Themes] Imperticus:
I'm making a CM7 theme atm, and wanted to know - Is there a way of having 2 sets of battery icons, one with numbers and one without in a cm7 theme? So that when you check Battery Percentage under CyanogenMod setting the one with the number shows up?

Thanks in advance
[Android Themes] dfskevinohyeah:
Using apk manager my projects dont show up any help?
[Android Themes] decalex:
All of a sudden? Or never?

. . NS4G . . CM7 . .
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
can you explain the steps you're taking. eg: place apk in mode folder, run script, <what option on script are you selecting> etc.
[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
I'm sorry for asking so many questions, but does anyone know what apk needs to be edited to change the cyanogenmod power options? Thanks in advance
[Android Themes] francomile:
I think you need to change some xml files in framework.jar, you'll need to decompile it and change strings.there's a thread on this in forums about how to change power menu.

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[Android Themes] nbeebe24:
I recompiled the file you suggested, there were no XML files in it
[Android Themes] francomile:
I'look it and post you a thread link here.

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[Android Themes] ronhoover88:
You would actually get .smali files and not .xml both can be changed using notepad/notepad++
[Android Themes] francomile:
I change them with editpad lite

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[Android Themes] k0sh:
i post this question appmanager but until now nobody answer me , pleas ASAP someone answer me ?

can any one tell me what is wrong ?

suddenly the appmanager wont work and given me this

java version "1.6.0_16"

Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_16-b01)

Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 14.2-b01, mixed mode)

.apk) was unexpected at this time
[Android Themes] inversus:
tnks!

this is great
[Android Themes] :
Thx, really useful guides.
[Android Themes] venox2:
Thanks for the comprehensive guide...
[Android Themes] vilx:
Thanks for the guide, I'm going to try this out.
[Android Themes] iRhyiku:
I'm trying to change the settings menu background colour in a theme i am making, but I have no idea what to change, i can't find any graphics for it, and i dunno which xml to look in.

Please help, thanks :)
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
I dunno which XML it's in but you can do it using UOT Kitchen. Works like a charm.
[Android Themes] iRhyiku:
Thanks, but I'm sure you cant change this background colour in UOT kitchen:

sad panda.us/images/584246-5FSH71A.png

close the "sad panda" gap..
[Android Themes] Madala_ZA:
ah sorry dude. my bad. I was thinking notification drop-down.. sorry man!
[Android Themes] iRhyiku:
No Problem :)

I shouldve been more clearer.
[Android Themes] jpcoletta:
Nice guide! I am working on a new ADW Theme myself.
[Android Themes] mr.megi:
Is it possible to make a costum statusbar background when the phone is in the lockscreen ?

Im on Gingerbread 2.3.4
[Android Themes] Gunthermic:
Been doign this via Windows for a while and decided to put all this goodness on my new MacBook Air. Having issues so far.

finaly got the /usr/local/bin folder created and apktool copied over.

From term window I can type apktool and I get the help menu.

I have framework-res.apk and htc.com.resources.apk in a folder called "Synergy"

type in command apktool if /Synergy/framework-res.apk and I get an error:

Exception in thread "main"... error in opening zip file

if i type apktool d /Synergy/framework.apk I get error file not found or readable.

In my usr/local/bin there is only 3 files:

apktool.jar

aapt

apktool

Any guidance for a newbie doing this under a Mac OX(Lion)
[Android Themes] tommytomatoe:
Instead of typing "apktool if /Synergy/framework-res"...

Do this. Determine where your "Synergy" folder is located. Then "cd" to it.

So for example.

If its in your home directory

cd Synergy

apktool if framework-res.apk

apktool if com.htc.resources.apk

apktool d SystemUI.apk

Don't run "cd /Synergy". Using "/" assumes you are working with the root directory in which case you are not.

If your folder is on the desk top, use this one:

cd Desktop/Synergy

Or alternatively...

cd $HOME/Desktop/Synergy

Then the other apktool commands.

If you are interested you can try android-utility. There is a link in my signature. :-)
[Android Themes] ZaLiTHkA:
Just got a simple question here... I've got two themes that I'm trying to combine elements from into one theme, it's just a little project for myself (I won't be distributing it).

I want to put the notification icons from CirclesMod into the HoneyBread theme. I've got all the notification icon images I need, and I've decompiled the HoneyBread APK without any problems..

This is where I'm confused: the icons that are already there have different names and pixel sizes, and I can't find anything in any of the 69 different XML files that specifies the PNG size for the icon.

- Do I need to specify the PNG icon size or is it picked up from the file itself?

- Can I simply replace the PNG files in the HoneyBread theme and recompile the APK, or is it not that simple?

Correction: Can't find anything in the 74 XML files... I just found 5 more in another folder. And I'm just as confused as I was before.
[Android Themes] Gunthermic:
the png icon size it picked up from the file itself. You dont have to specify the size of the png.

I am not sure about replacing a status bar png (which is normally 32x32 if I remember right) with a png that is say 72x72.. I haven't done that myself. I always resize it to match correct size. Using Paint.net or GIMP.
[Android Themes] ZaLiTHkA:
Ok cool, that makes things a lot easier then.. I'll crack a beer and play around with it tonight then. :D

Hopefully my ADSL modem should arrive later this week and I'll get my internet at home up and running. For now though, I need to ask things like this at work and then try them when I get home...
[Android Themes] jvsykes:
Very useful! Thanks for sharing man : )
[Android Themes] wewoapsiak:
Hey guys. Question about editing the Contacts.apk in CM7 and I've searched and all I've found is how to using ThemeChooser, but I'm not up to that level yet. I want to add an image behind the dialer (like the leather in the attached image), but at this point of frustration I would be game for simply changing the black background to a different color to go with the theme.

Anyone know what xml files I need to edit to accomplish this? Again, this is editing the apk, not a themechooser theme.
[Android Themes] Branford:
Haha, problems right off the bat... I've got Windows 7 and tried to use APK Manager, but when I started the script it said I didn't have ADB, which I do. Then, after several tries, I got a popup window that said I needed adbwinapi.dll, which I downloaded but I guess it needs to go somewhere specific? I'm not sure... i just know it isn't working for me :P Any help would be greatly appreciated :D
[Android Themes] francomile:
Go to my computer right click on it and go to administrate (something that i can't remeber) then click on the botom right on path variables and click edit. Then scroll down until u see PATH, and add the path of the apk manager to get something like this: ;C:\your\path\ to\apkmanager; and save, after reboot the pc anf it should work

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[Android Themes] francomile:
Enviado desde mi GT-I9000 usando Tapatalk
[Android Themes] notsointeresting:
So ive been using the general guide and there is a diffrerent method to theming XML's in that one than what you posted.

Which one is easier and exactly which folder/XML do i change????? I get like 40 in a decompiles apk? (maybe more like 20)
[Android Themes] decalex:
It really depends on what you're theming. A good place to start looking is in values, colors.xml (or in res\Layout or sometimes drawables.)

. . NS4G . . CM7 . .
[Android Themes] xkape:
I have a question....

I am trying to theme my X2 with GB. The only real issue that's boggling me here is as such... My menus and sub menus text and the pull down noti bar text is black. Not so good with my black background. I went into the frame and edited the proper parts of styles.xml to get grey text and grey vertical and horizontal dividers but they don't show up. Everthing I have done shows up EXEPT.. text color changes. I just remembered I also edited the tex coor for the lockscreen to grey but it's still white as well. keyguard_screen_tab_unlock and keyguard_screen_tab_land_unlock (if memory serves me right). But, as I said, everything else took.. menu and noi bar to black, eri banner changed, etc..

I also edited systemui.apk and all went well there. Is there something in blur-res.apk or moto-res.apk that's overriding the framework edits? Or is it something else entirely?

As a sidenote, when google searching for the answer, I noticed stock GB was black menus with grey text and icons.. On my phone however, it was the opposite. Here's another tidbit of info... with blur, there are a lot of zz_moto_xxx_xxx.png files in the framework. None of them showed up on my phone to start with.. then I edited the frame and systemui and they showed up. So, I went back and edited those files as well and changed them. I don't now if any of that matters, I am just trying to spit out as much info as I remember so hopefully someone finds something useful to help me answer my question.
[Android Themes] Granite1:
Battery %

I'm currently working on battery mods and such for some of the new sense 3.0 roms. Problem I've run into is when I create a battery mod for MikG Beta, it only shows the percentages in increments of 20%. It worked fine on the Alpha-1 build, but now it won't work. :(

I really don't have a clue where to look or even what to mod to get the full prcentages to show. It's starting to drive me insane! :mad:

Any help is appreciated! :o
[Android Themes] indhimaga:
wow need a hardwork... :rolleyes:
[Android Themes] xx_bluedev_xx:
So why not take a look at a sense 3.0 rom, that already has battery images that count by 1's and see what they did, for example the coredroid 7.1 rom, which can be found in the htc desire hd thread, is just that, if you go under the systemui files, i believe it is, you can see their battery image files, see how they do it, and I'm sure that will lead you in the right direction.

Thanks button always appreciated.
[Android Themes] 3rdstring:
I can't say for sure in a sense ROM but in AOSP ROMs that would be controlled by stat_sys_battery.xml in the drawable folder.
[Android Themes] CamoGeko:
Any idea what needs attention if I'm missing the status bar?
[Android Themes] roscoenr:
Same for sense

Swyped from my Orange Peeled Synergist EVO
[Android Themes] xx_bluedev_xx:
statusbar_background.png located in the drawable-hdpi folder in the systemui.apk located in /system/app

Thanks button always appreciated
[Android Themes] CamoGeko:
Just to clarify, if my status bar is missing completely. All I need is that png back in place, right?

Will click thanks when I'm on my laptop...and will say thanks for now. :D

Transmitted from a Galaxy far far away via XDA telepathy.
[Android Themes] xx_bluedev_xx:
That would be the simple obvious reason :D, let me know if that isn't it lol
[Android Themes] Granite1:
Thanks a million, gotta get my xml skills honed. I'll get you a thanks once I get on my pc.
[Android Themes] Granite1:
I didn't know which xml to edit. I think I've got it now. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll get you a thanks once i get on my pc.
[Android Themes] erfannorouzi:
I cant open xml files

I try to open with notepad++

but show me this

1.almas.comlu.com/images/0205b87490c8.png

plz help me
[Android Themes] ronhoover88:
To read xml you have to decompile the apk, and not just extract it
[Android Themes] BennyJr:
Got a question..how do we know which xml goes where. trial and error? Like i want to make an inverted mms.apk but i dont even know which ones to start with.
[Android Themes] xkape:
Yes, trial an error. BUT, the more practice you have looking at xmls, you begin to understand the basic structure of how an app is built. So, it gets easier to "just know" which xmls to edit.
[Android Themes] CamoGeko:
Download apk manager and decompile the apk you want to change stuff in.

Transmitted from a Galaxy far far away via XDA telepathy.