I want to preface this by saying that I am in no way, shape or form a graphic artist. I've picked up a bunch of techniques out of necessity over the last 15 years of being a Web developer but most of my techniques can be done faster and more efficiently by a qualified graphic artist. That said, I've managed to produce some pretty decent stuff over the years considering I don't really have a clue. So use this guide to help you put your graphics knowledge to work by creating some amazing themes.
I created a theme for GO Launcher EX called "Sepia Theme for GO Launcher EX" (shameless plug: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.aac.go.sepia) and figured I'd share my experiences on how I created it. It took me three nights to create the theme above but I imagine if I was an actual graphic artist and wasn't learning as I did it I could have done it in a day (I'm also counting testing time and time to package and post to the Market). Anyway, here's how I did and how you can too.
Attached to this post is an Android Eclipse project that you can use as a template. I originally created the project using the GO Dev Team's Theme Factory which actually created the project (Link: Theme Factory) and was the base for the Eclipse project in this post. I found that while a good start, the Theme Factory did not allow for certain code customizations (such as adding multiple wallpapers and preview graphics) as well as not allowing for custom namespaces which is really needed to make the theme your own. So, after using the Theme Factory to create the initial Android code, I imported it into Eclipse, stripped out all the garbage and cleaned it up a bit. All the graphics used are the default ones added by the Theme Factory so you will want to change them in your own theme. Here are some of the things you will want to customize when making your own theme (these are the absolute basics and if you are a graphic artist you will have no trouble digging in and customizing every other aspect). I highly recommend you download and open the Theme Factory and at least check it out. It's very rough but will clue you in to what graphics you should be customizing to create a theme. This assumes that you know how to use Eclipse and if you don't, that is beyond what I'm willing to discuss here. There are plenty of places to read up on that.
Icons
To add icons to the theme there are several steps you will need to take. First, create your icons. Once you have the icons you want for your theme you will want to add them to your project. Icons are placed in the GOThemeTemplate/res/drawable-hdpi. Once added there, you will need to reference them in two .xml files in Eclipse. Open GOThemeTemplate/assets/drawable.xml. Using the name of the png file you just added to the drawable-hdpi folder (do NOT add the ".png"), add a new <item> element for each. You will see a bunch listed there as examples for you but it will be in the form of
HTML:
<item drawable="png_name" />
Next, add a corresponding line to the GOThemeTemplate/assets/appfilter.xml file. It will be in the following format
HTML:
<item component="ComponentInfo{com.package.name/com.package.name.LaunchActivity}" drawable="png_name"/>
The tricky part here is the component attribute. In order to enter the correct information for the brackets after ComponentInfo, you will need to find the correct package name for the app that the icon represents and the default activity that is launched when the icon is clicked. While this could be a ridiculously tedious process, the is a wonderful Web site that does all the work for you. Simply visit http://activities.droidicon.com and enter the app's name in the search box. At the time of this writing they have cataloged nearly 110,000 apps with they package names, main activity, icon and the proper format for three popular launchers' themes (ADW, Launcher Pro and GO Launcher EX). So once you have the proper package name and activity for the app whose icon you wish to replace (it is the last option and it even selects the text when you click it saving you one step), paste it between the brackets. Finally, in the drawable attribute, add the name of the png for the icon as you did in the drawable.xml file (again, do not add the ".png").
The theme template attached to this post contains the correct <item> tags for over 200 icons (sorry, icons not included, that's your job). There are many icons included as examples but only those created with the Theme Factory.
The last thing you will need to deal with for the icons is the default icon back. In the GOThemeTemplate/res/drawable-hdpi folder you will find a file called iconback.png. This is the icon that will be placed behind all icons on the device that do not have a specific icon created for it. All icons will be scaled to fit atop this icon. The default is 70% of the icon's size. This can be changed in the appfilter.xml file in the <scale> tag at the top of the file. It looks like this: <scale factor="0.7"/>. Just change the factor attribute (1 being the actual size). You can change the name of the icon back image using the <iconback> tag in the appfilter.xml. There is also a transparent image that goes atop both icons called iconupon which can be changed using the <iconupon> tag. This creates an illusion that the three icons are one.
Theme Configuration
When users click Menu > Themes in GO Launcher EX they will be presented with a graphical representation of all the themes currently installed on their device. You want them to find your theme too. You will be working with a file name GOThemeTemplate/assets/themecfg.xml and there are a few images you will need to create and they are all to be placed in the GOThemeTemplate/res/drawable-hdpi folder.
A thumbnail preview image exactly 110x180 in png format. You can view the image I left from my theme as an example. It's themepreview.png and the name of this image is defined <preview> tag (you can change this if you wish).
One or more screenshots also in PNG format that are placed in the drawable-hdpi folder as well. These are also defined in the <preview> tag and and I have left three example screenshots as well.
Each drawable above is defined in the <preview> tag with attributes labeled img1, img2, img3, etc.
Finally, when users are previewing your theme you can provide them additional information such as the theme's name, your Web address and contact information. This is done in the GOThemeTemplate/res/values/themeinfo.xml file. There are two <string> elements with name attributes for defining the theme's name (as displayed on the theme chooser screen, not in the Market) and theme's information.
Wallpapers
To add wallpapers to your theme, you will need to modify at least one file (two if you want to change the name of your default wallpaper). You will need to edit the GOThemeTemplate/res/values/array.xml file. Open this file and edit the <string-array> element with the name attribute of <string-array name="wallpaperlist">. You will add an item element for every wallpaper you wish to add. For example, let's assume you have three wallpapers with following names:
wallpaper_sand.jpg
wallpaper_barrel.jpg
wallpaper_cloud.jpg
You would place these three wallpapers in the GOThemeTemplate/res/drawable-hdpi folder and then add three <item> elements to the XML file like this.
HTML:
<item>wallpaper_sand</item>
<item>wallpaper_barrel</item>
<item>wallpaper_cloud</item>
To define which wallpaper loads as the default wallpaper when the theme is applied, edit the Wallpaper attribute of the <Desk> element in GOThemeTemplate/assets/desk.xml.
Before users can a wallpaper other than the default wallpaper you will need to add thumbnails of the wallpapers. To do this, create thumbnail images in PNG format with dimensions of 170x142. Save them using the same name as the JPGs but add "_thumb" to the end. So, wallpaper_sand.jpg becomes wallpaper_sand_thumb.png.
Your Theme's Name
To name your app as it will appear in the app drawer, open GOThemeTemplate/res/values/strings.xml and edit the <string> element with the name attribute of "app_name."
Your Theme's Icon
To change the icon for your them, change the icon.png in the GOThemeTemplate/res/drawable-hdpi folder.
Package Name
You will need to customize the package name for publication in the Android Market. This name must be unique. Frankly, if you are actually using Eclipse and are editing these file then you should already be familiar with this. You will need to open the GOThemeTemplate/AndroidManifest.xml file and edit the "package" attribute in the <manifest> element.
Further Customizations
This tutorial really gives you a very basic overview on adding icons and wallpapers to your theme and how to get the basics accomplished. To really make your theme a theme and to stand out and be unique, there are dozens of other PNGs that you will need to edit, each being responsible for a specific UI element. For example, to add your own folder icon, edit the GOThemeTemplate/res/drawable-hdpi/folderback.png image. You will have to figure out what each icon does and how you can best edit them. The Theme Factory is an extremely useful tool for this and I highly recommend that you use that program alongside this tutorial and Eclipse project when creating your theme. The Theme Factory will guide you image by image and show you previews of what each does. However, I found that that's about the only things it's good for. When compiling my theme I found that Eclipse was the most efficient method. As mentioned above, multiple wallpapers and screen previews are not possible as of yet using the Theme Factory so you will need to manually edit the files anyway. I suggest starting with this project as it is really just a cleaned up version of what the Theme Factory produces and to use the Theme Factory as your images guide.
Download Template
You can download the Eclipse project theme template at the end of this post.
I hope that this guide helps you and if you have any questions, feel free to post it here. I can't promise that I'll answer (I'm not on here as much as I used to be) but my hope is that this becomes a good spot for theme creation discussion.
Reserved for possible future use.
Thank you (x2) for taking the time to put this together! What a great resource. I made my own adw theme but got very confused between the other go launcher theme tutorial threads. This is fantastic!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Thanks for your post. I'm just thinking about making my first theme for Android in general So, I think I'll have a try with Go Launcher EX...
Thank You for your great tutorial. I am a great fan of MIUI ROM, but now I am on CM9 ICS while waiting from official MIUI ROM for Galaxy S. I managed to tweak a theme for Go Launcher based of MIUI, and I am very happy with this theme. The only problem for me is how to add more icons on the theme. What I did was to edit res\values\public.xml and change whatever app available with my own. For example, from:
Code:
<public type="drawable" name="weibo" id="0x7f020049" />
to:
Code:
<public type="drawable" name="evernote" id="0x7f020049" />
The question is how add new id (like id="0x7f020049")?
Awesome job!!
sawari said:
Thank You for your great tutorial. I am a great fan of MIUI ROM, but now I am on CM9 ICS while waiting from official MIUI ROM for Galaxy S. I managed to tweak a theme for Go Launcher based of MIUI, and I am very happy with this theme. The only problem for me is how to add more icons on the theme. What I did was to edit res\values\public.xml and change whatever app available with my own. For example, from:
Code:
<public type="drawable" name="weibo" id="0x7f020049" />
to:
Code:
<public type="drawable" name="evernote" id="0x7f020049" />
The question is how add new id (like id="0x7f020049")?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those look like they came from smali file. I can't help with editing those. You shouldn't have to do that to build a theme. The source is available attached to this post. You can technically recreate/modify any theme from that.
Thank you very much for sharing this..
I have gotten everything to work except the menu background, menu text color, menu icons & menu dividers (pretty much everything about the menu).
I saw those options in desk.xml and I tried editing them but for some reason, the changes didn't take.
Also, couldn't change the folder background even though I changed the necessary images in drawable-hdpi.
Please let me know if you were able to change those things.
Thanks in advance.
This may be a dumb question, but when I have the files modified as stated above, how do I turn this into an apk for loading into GO launcher?
I'm receiving the "error parsing package" when I change the name in Astro.
Cool..
BrooklynAvi said:
I want to preface this by saying that I am in no way, shape or form a graphic artist. I've picked up a bunch of techniques out of necessity over the last 15 years of being a Web developer but most of my .........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank u so much for this,.. now i can make the GoEX theme my self,
Nice tutor!!
This is the theme that i created..
The theme here, but still for Launcher Pro,
the Go ex are still in progress
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1363692
and here's the Screenshoot taken with AVD for GoEx..
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Thanks again for this great tutorial...
Great job, many thanks
My way to create theme was: create resources and structure in Theme Factory, make detailed works in Eclipse and finnaly compile .apk using my own script coz Eclipse generate errors when exporting
Regreads
Pandik.
Android Different Theme
Hallo.
Has anybody succesed impleted Market protection system (liblary) into Go Launcher Theme? I tried fev times but with no succes
Pandik.
Has any one been able to change the menu background, menu text color, menu icons & menu dividers (pretty much everything about the menu), using this template?
I can't get it to work. Any help would be much appreciated.
sonnysekhon said:
Has any one been able to change the menu background, menu text color, menu icons & menu dividers (pretty much everything about the menu), using this template?
I can't get it to work. Any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do it with Theme Factory, its very easy.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
I just can't change the pressing colour of applications on home screen.
Any idea?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Isn't it graphic? Look for PNG files in 9.png format.
Sent from my Blade using xda premium
gkaipale said:
Do it with Theme Factory, its very easy.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd rather use eclipse as it's a real pain to get the theme factory working on my pc along with eclipse installed.
gkaipale said:
I just can't change the pressing colour of applications on home screen.
Any idea?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also interested in this.
pandik said:
Isn't it graphic? Look for PNG files in 9.png format.
Sent from my Blade using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already changed the png images and inverted the text color in desk.xml but the changes don't take effect.
Also experiencing a lot of lag when using the icon picker feature. The list stops displaying icons towards the end as well.
Anyone else having this issue?
I guess I have to go the Theme Factory route...
Package name problem~
4 May 2012 >> I solved this problem by myself, Thank you
Thank you for your post!
NOW I am trying to make my own theme and release it on the Android Market.
But it overwrite over and over when testing on my phone.
I think it should not overwrite on the other theme, but it does all the time.
I also had changed 'package name' on 'Manifest' file, but same problem happened.
It just kept overwriting on the other theme that I made and installed on the phone.
Thank you
I'm looking for some Eclipse help. I load my theme in Eclipse and have had no probs exporting it and getting it to my tablet. All of a sudden now, when I change some program icons and rebuild the apk, the old icons are still being built, not the ones I changed in the HDPI folder. I looked through Eclipse to see if there was a way to clean temp files or cache, but don't know enough about the program to fix this. Any help would be appreciated.
Create a theme?
Woghh... That's what I want..
And this thread really helped me
Thx bro
Related
Create custom FlipFont files with font preview and icon.
*At present this only works on Galaxy S phones, but should work if FlipFont is ported or released on other devices*
Why do we need to jump through hoops?
It seems that the fonts in the MonoType apks on the market are digitally signed. This is what is preventing the use of any old font being added to an APK. I believe the FlipFont app is looking for the digital signature in the font within the APK. If its not there, it does not use the font and reverts to using the default font. It MAY be possible to edit the FlipFont APK so that it no longer looks for the digital signature. This should allow us to use any font without jumping through hoops.
If you can find the FlipFont Apk please post its location or better yet PM me with its location. If your really feeling spunky ADB pull the file off your phone and post it here, so we can take a look at it.
Lets trick FlipFont. Heres what you need.
Apk Manager 4.8 found here. This will allow you to decompile and edit the APK attached at the bottom of this link. Dont worry its much easier then it sounds.
FontCreator 30 day trial found here. This is a windows only program. If you know of a cross platform, open source or FREE font editor please let me know. The one on source forge is not stable enough for use at present and its install needs its own walk through.
***Link for FontCreator has been downgraded to version 5, which will allow you to save fonts during the 30 day trial, unlike version 6. Thanks sigeltek***
Photoshop or Gimp. Note you only need this if you want to edit the icon file for the app. I will not go over editing the icon in the walk-through, this should be pretty self explanatory.
Digitally Signed Monoglyceride font found here For some reason Mediafire sees this as a jpg file. Click the download this image button in the link and you will see its actually a .ttf file. ODD :ºp
The Monoglyceride APK attached at the bottom of this link.
Walk-through editing the Monoglyceride font with FontCreator.
Open the Monoglyceride.ttf font with FontCreator
Open the .ttf font you want to use.
Make note of the number of Glyphs at the bottom right side of FontCreator when you have your font selected.
Click the Monoglyceride font window in FontCreator and choose edit>select all at the top of the program.
Hit delete on your keyboard. This should delete everything in the Monoglyceride window.
click Insert>Glyphs... at the top of the program
type in the number of glyphs your font has in it and hit ok. You should now see a bunch of empty glyphs in the Monoglyceride window.
Now switch back to your font and again hit edit>select all
Hit edit>copy
Swith back to the Monoglyceride window and click edit>select all... and then edit>paste special...
This will open up the Paste Special window. Put a check in every box in Item section and choose "Add Mappings" in the mappings section and then click OK.
If this worked properly you should see all of the characters and mappings from your font in the Monoglyceride.ttf window.
Close your fonts window in FontCreator
Click File>Save as, rename the Monoglyceride.ttf with the name of your font.
Thats it you now have a digitally signed font. If you want to double check, open the new font in windows and you should see that the font is still technicaly the Bauhaus font, but it now contains your fonts characters. :º)
*** eweo911 has just informed me of a quick way to resize the font if it is too large. You can check to see if its too big by double clicking on one of the glyphs after preforming the Paste Special section of the instructions above. Its best to choose one of the uppercase letters. If the glyphs image goes above the guide shown for cap it WILL be a large font on the phone. These guides are set in the perfect position for our phones screen.
Here is the quote from eweo911:
I have figured out how to make the fonts smaller so you can adjust them to fit the screen better. Not sure if anyone else has done it yet but here is what I did.
After you do the "Paste Special" in font editor (per Ritalins how-to), you will need to make sure all of the glyphs are highlighted in the new font. Yiou will then go to "Tools" and then "Glyph Transformer". Once there, you will select the "Selected" button, then under Available Features you will expand the Outlines tree. Select scale and then you will have two variables for Outlines-Scale. Choose an integer that you want to test with and then hit "ok". Save as your new font name and that should be it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another helpful hint for eweo911, for those that want to use a font, but the new font is missing some of the special characters.
Here is the quote for eweo911
The process is pretty similar to the original.
1. Start out in Font Creator by opening your two fonts.
2. In your new font, choose to "select all".
3. Go to Edit and then Copy
4. Switch over to the monoglyceride font (or whatever you are using as the original font you will be making into the new font). Here, selct all glyphs as well.
5. Go to edit and the paste special, selecting all four Items and choosing "Overrule Same Mappings".
6. Hit ok and then save the file with your new font name.
This will place all of the new glyphs into the font you will be remaking while retaining all of the special characters from the original font.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Walk-through editing the apk with Apk Manager 4.8
Download the monoglyceride.apk listed below.
Copy the apk into place-apk-here-for-modding folder in the Apk_Manager_4.8 directory.
Run script.bat and choose option 9
Open Apk_Manager_4.8\out\assets\fonts in explorer
Replace existing monoglyceride.apk font with the .ttf font you edited in FontCreator
edit all XML, yml and smali files to include the font name or font.ttf depending on the entry in the original file. Just replace monoglyceride in these files and folder with the name of your font. Pay attention to capitalization in the existing files, and make sure to do the same when replacing with your file name.
Edit the last folder name in the smali folder tree from monoglyceride to the name of your font
Edit the icon.png in the drawable folder with one of your own.
Compile apk - option 11
Sign apk option 12
Check the Apk_Manager_4.8\place-apk-here-for-modding folder and you should see repackaged-signed.apk along with the original monoglyceride apk. Rename your new signed.apk file the same as the monoglyceride one and just check the name at the end with your font name. This is not REALLY necessary, but do it for consistency sake.
install apk on your phone
This might take you about 30 minutes the first time you run through it, but after you get accustom to the steps you should be able to bang through it in about 10 minutes.
Well here you go, here is my first custom FlipFont APK.
Monoglyceride
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
http://www.mediafire.com/file/b63fa44f7ks7e3d/com.monotype.android.font.monoglyceride.apk
Its working perfectly for me, but let me know if you have any issues.
Reserved for further changes.
Yes!
As a major font fanatic myself, I applaud you sir If you get this working I have a boatload of fonts I'd want to try... Flux would look stunning on this screen...
http -- ://new.myfonts.com/fonts/t26/flux/
http -- ://new.myfonts.com/fonts/fontbureau/fb-agency/
Etc...
Few steps forward, few steps back.
First off I will say that the font is a little hard to read and too light, but this is just for testing so its not that big a deal right now.
Ok so I got hold of a font that about the same size as the Bauhaus font. After doing everything in the above posts and installing the font, the restart was a LITTLE bit faster. It still seems to choke for about a minute or so after the desktop first appears and the pass based lock screen is sometimes unresponsive on first try. Overall its running much better, but still not perfect.
Also some words see to get clipped off for no reason as you can see in the image attached on the text for the Astro bluetooth icon. Not sure why this is happening.
Seriously, 160+ views and no comments. Does no one have ANY experience with font development, XML or apk development?
None, but we all want new fonts....
-bZj
down8 said:
None, but we all want new fonts....
-bZj
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I figured it out. But because of that comment you cant have any.
:ºp
pretty sweet.
Need someone to develop an app that does the entire process.
something that you can just drop any .ttf and you get the .apk out of it.
Ive been trying to edit an xml for a week to change the font color... you have actually gotten further than I have... keep up the good work... I hope you figure it out...
junkdruggler said:
Ive been trying to edit an xml for a week to change the font color... you have actually gotten further than I have... keep up the good work... I hope you figure it out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try this right here, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=535630 . It was made for a cyan template so I don't know if it will work on SGS.
What I would also like to see is if we can locate, remove and port the FlipFont apk. Anyone up for trying that part?
Your font looks great on my Captivate. Thanks for sharing
ritalin said:
Other info and things Ill try next
Before going through the time consuming method of editing the .ttf font file listed above I wanted to see what would happen if I left the original font APK alone and just removed the all of the internal naming. This area contains things like the font name, vendor, license agreement, copyright, ect... After I removed those entries in the file, windows still showed it as Digitally Licensed, but the font FAILED when recompiled and installed in Android.
I am going to try moving these entries over to another font and try again. This may not work, because from what I have read about digitally signed font, editing them breaks the signing. There is hope that this is not true based on the fact that I DID edit the font (characters, ect..)and it still worked. [/INDENT]
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright so I gave this a try and it made the font fail. It will install and show properly in the settings preview window, but after applying it and restarting the font shows up as the default font. My guess is that the font DOES HAVE TO BE digitally signed with the right key in order for it to function in FlipFont.
I have simplified another method of using the existing digitally signed font and copying another fonts characters and glyphs into it. I will post a how to when I find a free or open source font editor so everyone can do it.
Thanks for the guide. I'll try it later.
Thanks david.. Been there done that... I got it done its just force close looping the phone...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
ritalin said:
Well I figured it out. But because of that comment you cant have any.
:ºp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was just meant to show interest.
Tried the font, and it rocks - thanks for the dev work!
-bZj
Has anyone managed to find the FlipFont apk? I would like to take a look at it to see if the digital signing check for fonts can be removed.
I am also thinking about creating a dropbox directory for the fonts, with two folders. One for the APKs the other for just fonts that people have tested and know look good on our screens.
If you want access just shoot me a PM.
How do you install the APK? HELP
Thanks
beckhamsoccerman said:
How do you install the APK? HELP
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just transfer it to your phone then open it up with your file explorer (astro, files etc)
This guide is to help people start creating Themes for ADW and understand what they are doing.
Instead of just replacing images by unzipping an APK I will tell you how to create your own theme from scratch.
I had a real struggle to find all this and I now I want to share what I found out
I will provide you with links with content that you should read and write some things by myself.
How to : Setup your working environment
How to : Make your own theme
Where should I put my images/xml?
The drawables (images/xml) should be putted in the drawable folder as standard. If you want to have different images for different pixel density(xhdpi/hdpi/mdpi/ldpi) make the folders: drawable-xhdpi,drawable-hdpi,drawable-mdpi and drawable-ldpi.
the text behind the hyphen (-) is a configuration qualifier. Android looks for these and if it suits the specific device it will choose the drawables from that folder instead of from the default folder. If a resource android looks for isn't found in the special folder it will instead look in the default folder for it.
If you want different images for landscape mode you would need to create a folder called drawable-land and if you want different images when the device is both mdpi and in landscape you would create a folder called drawable-land-hdpi.
Find out more about resource qualifiers
How do I add my own icons?
Find the name of the icon you want to replace at Theme Icon Name Database
Place your own drawable in the right folder.
E.g. To change the icon for the Android stock browser in a hdpi device I would ad a file called com_android_browser_browseractivity.png in drawable-hdpi. If I want the same icon for all devices that uses my theme I could add the same icon in the folder drawable.
How do I export my theme for testing?
Right click on you project in Eclipse and select export. Click the Android folder and select Export Android Application. Press next and then next again. Choose "Use existing keystore". Press browse.
In windows find C:\Users\ENTER YOUR USERNAME HERE\.android\debug.keystore
In Linux and OS X I think it is in: ~/.android/debug.keystore
The Password is android.Press next.Choose "Use existing key".
Alias: androiddebugkey
Password:android
Press next. Press browse and choose your destination of the apk. Click Finish and you are done.
Help! ADW force closes and I can't uninstall the theme!
Look here for sulution
If there is something that needs to be added send me a PM or write a comment.
I will add: program to use to create the images and eventually a complete sample theme with documentation.
If you find the tutorial good, please post to bump the thread.
hello
can you tell me how i make one of CUSTOM DOCK using the v0.3 dock_pack.xml standard in the theme ?
thanks
Nice guide damn thats a big youtube video lol
Hi there. Just wondering if you have gotten multiple wallpapers into a theme , and if they look right on screen?
I can change the wallpaper in the theme but i want to have a couple to choose from. Also i have tried a wallpaper that has a built in 'dock' graphic at the bottom. When i add it to a theme the dock is completely below the bottom. Any hints?
i hate that if after done with my theme and it says application not installed.
somebody knows how to fix it?
Introduction
This tutorial helps you get started creating your own themes for Apex Launcher. Since themes are packaged and distributed in the form of APK files, you'll need to know the basics about Android app development to make themes.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, you need to set up your development environment. Please install the required software in the following order.
JDK 6
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Android SDK
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Eclipse IDE
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
ADT Plugin for Eclipse
http://developer.android.com/sdk/eclipse-adt.html
How to install these developer tools is not within scope of this tutorial, For details, make sure to read and follow the instructions in the links provided above.
Creating Your Theme
Apex Launcher supports different components in its theme engine. Icon packs replace app icons on the desktop, dock, and in the drawer. Apex skins allows the customization of the look and feel of the launcher itself, including dock background, folder background, icon label color, etc. You may also change the font of icon labels and provide a bunch of wallpapers along with your theme. Each theme may contain one or more components.
Here are two sample themes to help you get started. If you are just creating an icon pack, please use the icon pack sample as a base and follow the instructions below to add icons to the theme. If you want to go for a complete theme design, start with the other theme sample which includes all types of components.
Download Apex Icon Pack Sample
Download Apex Theme Sample
Regardless of which sample theme you choose, the first step is to import the sample project into Eclipse. Here are the instructions.
Extract the sample archive file to your hard drive.
Open Eclipse, choose "Import..." from the File menu.
In the Import dialog, choose "Existing Projects into Workspace" under General, and click Next. Then browse to the sample project directory and click Finish.
Change the package name. To do this, first expand the ApexIconPackSample (or ApexThemeSample) project in the Project Explorer and then expand the src folder. Now right click "com.yourname.iconpackname" (or "com.yourname.themename") and select "Refactor > Rename...". Enter your desired package name and click OK to save the change.
Right click on your theme project in the Eclipse Project Explorer and select "Android Tools > Rename Application Package". Enter the same package name (as used in the previous step) and click OK.
Navigate to and open "strings.xml" under "res/values" and change the theme information to your needs.
Replace the icon.png files under the drawable folders to use your own icons. Note that the sample projects are configured in a way such that they will not show up in the drawer. However, the icons are still visible in the Apex Launcher theme settings.
Provide a feature graphic and up to 5 preview images in your theme. These are optional, so you may just delete the entries from "strings.xml" and the corresponding image files if you decide not to provide these images.
Now, let's get down to the different components. Again, you may include any combination of the following components in your theme.
Icon Pack
First of all, please make sure config_iconpack is set to true in "strings.xml".
HTML:
<bool name="config_iconpack">true</bool>
This will let Apex's theme engine know that your theme includes an icon pack component.
Next, open the appfilter.xml file under the res/xml directory. (Note: This file used to be located under the assets directory, but the new app encryption feature in JellyBean made it impossible for the theme engine to access assets of paid themes.) You need to add an entry for each activity that you provide an icon for, in the following format:
HTML:
<item component="ComponentInfo{com.package.name/com.package.name.ActivityName}" drawable="icon_name"/>
For instance, here's how we provide an icon for the Browser app in the sample project:
HTML:
<item component="ComponentInfo{com.android.browser/com.android.browser.BrowserActivity}" drawable="com_android_browser_browseractivity" />
<item component="ComponentInfo{com.google.android.browser/com.android.browser.BrowserActivity}" drawable="com_android_browser_browseractivity" />
Some apps (Browser, Camera, etc.) may have different package names but they share the same activity name. Therefore, specifying both the package name and the activity name can help avoid any ambiguity if you need to provide separate icons for such apps. Please note that we do not include the file extension (.png) for the drawable attribute value.
When providing icons, please make sure they are of the right size (i.e., resolution) depending on the screen density you are targeting. Generally, Android supports these density buckets: ldpi, mdpi, hdpi, xhdpi, and xxhdpi. Please keep in mind that xxhdpi is supported starting from JellyBean, so devices running ICS may not pick it up properly. The screen resolution and icon size for each density bucket is listed below.
Code:
Density Screen Icon (px)
ldpi ~120dpi 36x36
mdpi ~160dpi 48x48
hdpi ~240dpi 72x72
xhdpi ~320dpi 96x96
xxhdpi ~480dpi 144x144
It is not required to support every density bucket listed above, as icons generally can be scaled to the right size automatically. If you are targeting higher-end devices, we recommend using xhdpi (96x96) as a starting point, which should provide enough detail on high resolution screens. After you decide on the density to support, export icons as transparent PNG files and put them in the correct folder (e.g., drawable-hdpi, drawable-xhdpi).
Since it is impossible to create a themed icon for every single app, you may provide default icon background images to achieve a uniform look and feel. If provided, these background images will be placed behind each icon that does not have a specific icon created for it. If you decide to take advantage of this feature, please declare your background images in the appfilter.xml file, like this:
HTML:
<iconback img1="iconback" />
<iconmask img1="iconmask" />
<iconupon img1="iconupon" />
<scale factor="0.75" />
The corresponding iconback image file (e.g., iconback.png) is placed under the proper drawable directory. The sample icon pack project only provides one iconback image, but you can have multiple iconback images as well, and the theme engine would randomly pick an image for each icon.
HTML:
<iconback img1="iconback1" img2="iconback2" img3="iconback3" img4="iconback4" img5="iconback5" />
All the unthemed icons will be scaled to fit atop an iconback. The scale factor is also declared in appfilter.xml, with 1.0 being the actual size (no scaling).
The Apex theme engine also allows you to mask icons using a transparent image (i.e., iconmask) or place an overlay (i.e., iconupon) on top of the icons. You may use a transparent iconupon image to decorate the icons (e.g., to achieve glossy effects).
The iconback, iconmask, iconupon, and scale tags described above are all optional, so if you do not want to use these features, just delete the tags from appfilter.xml and the corresponding image files from the sample project. In addition, the theme engine supports the icon shader feature for manipulating color values in icons.
For compatibility reasons, Apex also supports icon packs that do not use an appfilter. In this case, you must name the icon files properly so that Apex Launcher can detect and use them. Here's the naming convention:
Icon file name should be based on the full activity name
Always use lower case letters for file names
Replace dots with underscores
For example, to add an icon for the stock Android browser (com.android.browser.BrowserActivity) in your icon pack, add an icon with the name "com_android_browser_browseractivity.png" in the proper drawable directory. In case of conflicts, appfilter has higher priority and the icon file specified there will be used.
Finding the Correct Component/Activity Name
If you do not know the name of the activity, the "Activities" shortcut list may come in handy. Just long press on your home screen and select Shortcuts > Activities. The name of each activity will be listed under the label after you expand the desired app.
Since Apex Launcher 2.0, the activity picker has been improved to help you quickly find the correct component name for the app you want to theme. For each app, the package name is listed under the name of the app, and the name of each public activity is listed under the activity label. When the package name matches the activity name prefix, the activity name starts with a dot and the prefix is omitted for brevity. Otherwise, the full activity name is provided. Note that the main activity of each app is marked in blue and is the one that will appear in the app drawer. Here are two examples:
> Messaging
com.android.mms
>> Messaging
.ui.ConversationList
The activity name starts with a dot, which means you should concatenate it with the package name. The full component name for the Messaging app should be:
HTML:
ComponentInfo{com.android.mms/com.android.mms.ui.ConversationList}
> Chrome
com.android.chrome
>> Chrome
com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main
In this case, the activity name does not start with a dot, and is already the full name. The full component name for the Chrome app should be:
HTML:
ComponentInfo{com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main}
Besides the activity picker, you may also find the following websites useful:
http://activities.droidicon.com/
http://activities.tundem.com/
The next step is to declare the icons included in your icon pack. This can be done by adding an entry for each icon to the icon_pack array in "res/values/iconpack.xml". Here's an example:
HTML:
<string-array name="icon_pack" translatable="false">
<item>com_android_browser_browseractivity</item>
</string-array>
Again, we do not include the file extension (.png) in this array.
These declarations are important for the icon picker that allows users to change icons for apps/folders on the home screen. Only declared icons will appear in the icon picker when the user chooses your theme from the list.
Skin
The theme engine of Apex Launcher allows you to customize the look and feel of your desktop, dock, and drawer, by providing certain images and color values in your theme. The ApexThemeSample project includes all the things you may change, and it provides the default images and color values as the basis for your modification.
If you include a skin in your theme, make sure config_apexskin is set to true in "strings.xml".
HTML:
<bool name="config_apexskin">true</bool>
Feel free to use the sample theme as a starting point and replace any image in the drawable-xhdpi directory to your needs.
You may notice that some of the images are 9-patch drawables (those ending with .9.png). A nine patch graphic is a stretchable image, which Android will automatically resize to accommodate the contents. You can define stretchable regions that Android scales when the image is resized. The Draw 9-patch tool from the Android SDK allows you to easily create a nine patch graphic using a WYSIWYG editor. To learn more about nine patch graphics and the Draw 9-patch tool, please read the following references on the Android Developer’s site:
http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/draw9patch.html
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/graphics/2d-graphics.html#nine-patch
If you decide not to change certain images from the default theme, please delete the image from your theme package. For instance, if you do not want to theme the Apex action icons, you can just delete all the "ic_*.png" files from the drawable directory, and Apex will still use the default images. Doing so will help make your theme package slim by excluding unnecessary files and it also helps improve the performance of the launcher.
You may also notice a few xml files in the drawable directory. Those are state list drawables that select from different images based on their states. If you do not theme the drawer button, you will need to delete "all_apps_button_icon.xml" after removing both "ic_allapps.png" and "ic_allapps_pressed.png". Similarly, if you do not theme the drawer tabs, you will also need to delete the "tab_*.xml" files after removing the "tab_*.png" files. Otherwise, the project won't compile because these xml files depend on the other deleted images. For more information on state list drawables, please refer to the following link:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/resources/drawable-resource.html#StateList
To customize the color values for UI elements, please edit "colors.xml" and change the color values as you please.
Font
Place your custom font file under the assets folder and name it themefont.ttf. If this file is present in your theme, it will be automatically picked up by Apex Launcher. Please make sure that the font is working properly by testing it on your device.
Wallpapers
You may bundle wallpapers in your theme by putting the images inside the proper drawable directory. You also need to update "res/values/wallpapers.xml" accordingly, so that Apex will recognize the wallpapers. Here's an example from the sample theme:
HTML:
<string-array name="wallpapers" translatable="false">
<item>wallpaper_escape</item>
<item>wallpaper_outofthebox</item>
</string-array>
<string name="default_wallpaper">wallpaper_outofthebox</string>
All the wallpapers declared in the wallpapers array will be available from the Apex Launcher wallpaper chooser, while the default_wallpaper will be applied along with your theme (if the user chooses to). Note that you also need a lower-resolution preview image with a _small suffix in the file name for each wallpaper. For instance, place both wallpaper_escape.jpg and wallpaper_escape_small.jpg under the drawable directory. The preview image is only used in the wallpaper picker and the original image is used when applying the wallpaper.
Linking to Apex Theme Settings
If you like, there is a special Intent that you can use to direct users to your theme's details page in Apex theme settings, where they can apply your theme. Here's how:
Code:
final String ACTION_SET_THEME = "com.anddoes.launcher.SET_THEME";
final String EXTRA_PACKAGE_NAME = "com.anddoes.launcher.THEME_PACKAGE_NAME";
Intent intent = new Intent(ACTION_SET_THEME);
intent.putExtra(EXTRA_PACKAGE_NAME, getPackageName());
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
try {
startActivity(intent);
} catch (ActivityNotFoundException e) {
Toast.makeText(this, "Apex Launcher is not installed!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
finish();
You may include this piece of code inside your theme's activity (e.g., in the onCreate method) to launch Apex's theme settings. Please note that the sample projects are configured in a way such that no icon will show up in the drawer. If you need an icon for your activity, insert the android.intent.category.LAUNCHER category into the <intent-filter> section of your activity in the manifest file like this:
HTML:
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
<category android:name="com.anddoes.launcher.THEME" />
</intent-filter>
It is important that you must include the com.anddoes.launcher.THEME category so that Apex can recognize your theme.
Testing Your Theme
It is very important that you test your theme on a device and make sure it looks exactly the way you expect it to be. You may follow these steps to test your new theme.
Connect your phone/tablet to the computer via USB.
Turn on USB debugging via System settings > Developer options > USB debugging.
In Eclipse, right click your theme project, select "Run As > Android Application".
On your device, launch Apex theme settings and select your new theme.
Apply the theme and restart the launcher.
Look around and see if everything works as expected.
After you have thoroughly tested your theme, you are ready to distribute it to users.
Signing and Releasing Your Theme
To release your theme to other Apex Launcher users, you need to sign, optimize, and export the APK file, which can be done seamlessly with Eclipse and the ADT plugin. For details, please read the publishing section on the Android Developers website.
http://developer.android.com/guide/publishing/app-signing.html
If you publish your theme on the Google Play Store, you may want to update it later. In this case, it is very important that you version your theme properly. You may find the following link helpful.
http://developer.android.com/guide/publishing/versioning.html
That's it! I hope this tutorial contains enough information to get you started working on your own themes. Happy theming!
Apr 29, 2013
Apex Launcher 2.0 now comes with an improved activity picker to help you find the right component name.
Updated tutorial to include a new "Finding the Correct Component/Activity Name" subsection
Jan 17, 2013
Updated sample theme to include new Apex Action icons.
Dec 6, 2012
Updated sample projects to support iconmask.
Updated tutorial to include a brief discussion on icon sizes.
Oct 10, 2012
Updated sample theme to support icon label shadow colors.
Sep 24, 2012
Updated sample projects for better iconpack support.
Updated tutorial in accordance with latest Eclipse/ADT.
May 22, 2012
Added support for iconback and iconupon in v1.2.1
Updated sample projects to include default iconback and iconupon images
Updated tutorial with iconback and iconupon descriptions
May 18, 2012
Added support for appfilter in v1.2.0beta3
Updated sample projects to include appfilter and new Apex action icons
Updated tutorial with appfilter descriptions
Awesome addition to a great launcher. Looking forward to seeing some epic themes.
Can't wait for some great themes. Apex is so win, uNF!
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 w/Tapatalk 2
Oh great. Well laid out template.
Just to check, I don't need to change XML files if I was to populate the hdpi/mdpi/ldpi folders with images in this template, as everything is already setup to accept those files? I just should delete whichever file entries from the XML that I don't want to theme?
Or has it been setup to only use the files from the XML folder at this point.
I am planning to make a red holo theme but haven't finished downloading the sdk yet. (Travelling, its going to take some time).
Sent from my GT-I9000 running CM9 (ICS 4.0.4) using XDA premium app
Very nice!
themes
will these themes be dependent on phone resolution or will they work on any phone with apex launcher because my phone is mdpi and i am worried that my phone will have no themes
If a theme already supports ADW/Go icon packs, do you recommend including the Apex specific code? I'm just trying to think about all the overlap between the various launchers and the resources included in the theme.
Edit: NVM. Just re-read the part about Apex free only supporting Apex themes. That means Apex code will definitely be needed. Thanks.
Two suggestions/questions.
A) If a theme supports multiple launchers, potentially /ignore the other configurations and only list Apex? See my screenshot for details. I also noticed that if you add Apex theme support, the Go launcher entry is no longer listed. I think it'd be smart to consolidate a theme (that supports multiple launchers) down to a single entry.
B) Would you be willing to add an intent, similar to GO/ADW.EX, that would allow a theme to direct a user to the Theme Settings activity? I'd really like the ability to bring a user directly to the settings from my dashboard.
Screenshot:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Koveleski said:
B) Would you be willing to add an intent, similar to GO/ADW.EX, that would allow a theme to direct a user to the Theme Settings activity? I'd really like the ability to bring a user directly to the settings from my dashboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats key.
And/or have an intent we can flag so we can continue to use the 'apply theme' feature within our apps.
well, here's my first theme for Apex Launcher
Nice theme!
I am currently travelling and haven't been able to setup a workable environment for eclipse (I don't have my own pc with me and the shared pc isn't really up to standard).
Would someone be able to compile just a base unthemed apex theme so that for the short time I can do a quick hack to add different images? Yes I know its not ideal but until I get home in 6 weeks, I don't have much choice...
Edit: I just mean a full theme but only using current unmodded apex images.
Sent from my GT-I9000 running CM9 (ICS 4.0.4) using XDA premium app
how i load themes on apex ?
vladnosferatu said:
how i load themes on apex ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need the beta. I have pro so might be different. Its in the apex menu > about apex launcher. There is an update option and an option to select whether updates are "stable" or "beta".
Sent from my GT-I9000 running CM9 (ICS 4.0.4) using XDA premium app
thanks
drakenabarion said:
Oh great. Well laid out template.
Just to check, I don't need to change XML files if I was to populate the hdpi/mdpi/ldpi folders with images in this template, as everything is already setup to accept those files? I just should delete whichever file entries from the XML that I don't want to theme?
Or has it been setup to only use the files from the XML folder at this point.
I am planning to make a red holo theme but haven't finished downloading the sdk yet. (Travelling, its going to take some time).
Sent from my GT-I9000 running CM9 (ICS 4.0.4) using XDA premium app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about icon packs or complete themes? For icon packs, you need to declare your icon images in an XML file. For Apex skins, you probably don't need to change XML files (except strings.xml where you define the basic information about your theme). BTW, there is no xml folder in the provided sample projects.
opera38205 said:
will these themes be dependent on phone resolution or will they work on any phone with apex launcher because my phone is mdpi and i am worried that my phone will have no themes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apex themes should work on any phone, but YMMV with each theme.
Koveleski said:
Two suggestions/questions.
A) If a theme supports multiple launchers, potentially /ignore the other configurations and only list Apex? See my screenshot for details. I also noticed that if you add Apex theme support, the Go launcher entry is no longer listed. I think it'd be smart to consolidate a theme (that supports multiple launchers) down to a single entry.
B) Would you be willing to add an intent, similar to GO/ADW.EX, that would allow a theme to direct a user to the Theme Settings activity? I'd really like the ability to bring a user directly to the settings from my dashboard.
Screenshot:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of the latest beta, both of your suggestions have been addressed. A) Your theme would only appear once in the list even if it supports multiple launchers. B) Please refer to the new "Linking to Apex Theme Settings" section in the tutorial.
Please consider theme'ing the drawer using Golaunchers appfilter, instead of the icons naming, the icon naming method, is a bit "dated" as where it reacts the same way as ADW does with icons like Honeycombs Youtube icon, and all the angry birds stuff, it just wont accept it. Also, please consider an "iconback" option.
Thanks!
docsparks said:
Please consider theme'ing the drawer using Golaunchers appfilter, instead of the icons naming, the icon naming method, is a bit "dated" as where it reacts the same way as ADW does with icons like Honeycombs Youtube icon, and all the angry birds stuff, it just wont accept it. Also, please consider an "iconback" option.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your suggestion. We will add support for appfilter in the next version, and will consider "iconback" in the future.
I love to use Apex Pro... And I'm waiting for your nice themes
Keep up your great work
dennisxl said:
As of the latest beta, both of your suggestions have been addressed. A) Your theme would only appear once in the list even if it supports multiple launchers. B) Please refer to the new "Linking to Apex Theme Settings" section in the tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant! I look forward to the appfilter support as well. Thank you for being so responsive to my suggestions and your continued development.
As always, use at your own risk!
Quelle
BecauseI know I'm not theonly one whowants tounderstandit a lot,I'll showyoua way.Inspirationand ideasI got from this article. Huawei EMUI Themes gestalten und verändern [Teil 1]
What is needed:
- 7zip
- Sublime Text 3
Here we go. The prerequisite is time to rest and work accurately!
After you have installed the two programs are set to go.
Think up a folder where the issues come in here (.hwt). Always works only with copies!
Here you should create a subfolder with the topic name you now. There you unpacked the topic. Go into that folder and subfolders again sets each with the appropriate name. example:
com.android.settings = com.android.settings e
So you keep track of things.
The repeated her with the topic, which ye icons, etc you want to have.
Now comes the actual act. Take the issue of the want to edit it, in my case, Edward Returns.hwt and clicks it right (not extract!), Just select Open.
Next, locate the com.android.settings and open it again.
Here again open the res folder. Here delete the contents (click there and delete right).
Now we take the topic from which we want the icons. Also re-open and click through to the folder res. Now we select the content and push it, hold by the left, into the folder from another topic. We confirm the prompt with Yes. Now is the content in the other folder. Now we can both close, confirm the prompt with Yes and we already did it. Only on Mate7, select and look the topic. If you want, you can even assign a name. For the description.xml with Sublime Text 3 Open Notepad and then copy into the theme.
You can also use your own icons here on size, format and name eighth! It is also possible to take files from other themes if they do not exist.
Of course, goes even more, color etc, but you will still need to edit the corresponding .XML files.
Here are a few paths:
- Contacts com.android.contacts
- Gallery com.android.gallery3d: Here lies the Gallery widget.
- Player com.android.mediacenter: Here the player is widget.
- Settings com.android.settings: Here is what you see under settings and submenus.
- Links com.android.systemui: Here is what you see Status Bar / Benarichtigungen / Verküpfungen.
- Designs com.huawei.android.thememanager: Here is what you see under Themes.
- Clock / weather widget
com.huawei.android.totemweather / res
drawable-nodpi: Here are the wallpapers
drawable-sw360dp-xxhdpi: Here are the symbols
- Icons icons: This is what you see on the homescreen icons.
Thanks , i would like to create a theme for me, a dark one, simple and clear but unfortunately, i really didnt understand the procedure Is it possible for you to make a step by step guide ? Taking the default theme and changing it ?
I need one with dark toggle background, and white toggles, the one selected blue or red.
Than the notifications background black and white text and icons.
on settings , dark background and white text + icons.
So sorry i dont understand , i would have tried to make some themes
Thanks !
For the font you need to edit the corresponding XML files. This is tedious. It is easier to look for the best ducks already in coarse threads and replace only the background, symbols etc is.
A Guide for the XML I'm not going to write, which is too complex, as there is also still required Chinese.
You can read here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-7/themes-apps/mod-thememessages-notification-panel-t2973486
Or here keeping an eye out for suitable topics.
http://www.android-hilfe.de/root-cu...7/654285-themes-der-grosse-themes-thread.html
Fooox1 said:
For the font you need to edit the corresponding XML files. This is tedious. It is easier to look for the best ducks already in coarse threads and replace only the background, symbols etc is.
A Guide for the XML I'm not going to write, which is too complex, as there is also still required Chinese.
You can read here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-7/themes-apps/mod-thememessages-notification-panel-t2973486
Or here keeping an eye out for suitable topics.
http://www.android-hilfe.de/root-cu...7/654285-themes-der-grosse-themes-thread.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you dude !
cool instruction
i also want to edit this specific theme Edward Returns for my Ascend p7, the theme is as of now only for Mate 7 it cant be found on p7 online themes, so i downloaded this theme and installed on my p7, everything is as it should be except the icons, the system Apps icons are well, but the apps that i have installed their icons dont fit in the icon frame of the theme, they are bigger than the theme icons so they come on top of the frame, but some of the Apps that have smaller icons i can see the icon frame of the theme behind them. So i wanna know if it is possible to resize the icons so they fit the icon frame? and how it can be done?
Thanks in advance :good:
Unpack theme, edit icons and then copy the unzipped not matter.
Does anyone know how to change the background color in Messeges? i have a really cool theme but there is some error in its Messages App the background is white while the timestamp in the left side is also in white color so i can read the time... i dont know which line in themes.xml should i change????
Unfortunately, I do not quite understand you. The background images are. Just as the symbols of the timeline. About the xml you lay down only the text color and the assignment.
can you help me of that modified whatsapp called WhatsMaap changing icon cause it looks so bad because the whatsapp icon is circle so there is a black or green background the app icon
this is the app dude : https://plus.google.com/communities/111022663413469989470
I need to modify the text colour of notifications into NOTIFICATION PANNEL.
Not the standard text you find below email notification or whatsapp notifications, just the ones poping up with text surrounded by circle and asking to close a particular application consuming too much battery, for example.
Actually these notifications text are in black and, since the background is black, they aren' t readeble at all, while the others notifications (i.e. whatsapp notifications, email notifications, etc. etc.) are properly in white (see picture attached).
Considering that I need to keep the background as black, I would need to modify the notifications text colour only, from black to....white, or light blue, or other which result more readable on the black background.
I tried to edit and modify the hwt file, as well as the XML file contained into the com.android.systemui file, but unsuccesfully.
Can you explain me which file and line I must modify in order to have fixed this?
None can help me??? Fooox1, Kolembo,Hannanzikrea, please assist.
I've edited the stat_sys_battery_15.png file on a theme, but every time my phone goes down to that level the battery icon reverts to stock. All other times the battery icon displays the custom one. Anyone know why and/or how to fix this?
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mighty_moose said:
I've edited the stat_sys_battery_15.png file on a theme, but every time my phone goes down to that level the battery icon reverts to stock. All other times the battery icon displays the custom one. Anyone know why and/or how to fix this?
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You should add another .png file with name stat_sys_battery_15_new.png and stat_sys_battery_7_new.png
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hannanzikrea said:
You should add another .png file with name stat_sys_battery_15_new.png and stat_sys_battery_7_new.png
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Okies, thanks. I thought they were extraneous and deleted them... Then forgot all about them lol
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My modified dark theme
https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0Bw1wBQi9rn3WMnc1cHQ0eVNUQTQ/edit
Here's my modified theme Dark Knight v3.2.9. Some bug fix for Honor 6.
Hey everyone,
I've decided to share my personal icon pack. I've personally designed each icon using Inkscape and built the apk.
I've made it because I was annoyed by other icon packs always lacking some icons that I wanted.
Many icons (like those of google apps) look like the originals, just without the shadows.
My icon pack doesn't have many icons (about 100). The interesting thing is that I'm sharing also the source code to build the .apk (using Eclipse) and the .svg files to modify the existing icons/create new ones (using Inkscape), so that you can create your own personal icon pack.
The icons are for FHD screens, so 192x192. You can make them larger by exporting again the .svg files.
Atteched below you can file the apk file, the .zip source and some examples.
You can reuse and modify this app, just give me credit.
No requests please: I uploaded the source of the apk file and the icon svg files. If you want to add an icon just do it on your own.
Suggestion: to add a new icon you have to modify appfilter.xml, drawable.xml, iconpack.xml, add the icon in the res folder and then compile.
enryea123 said:
Hey everyone,
I've decided to share my personal icon pack. I've personally designed each icon using Inkscape and built the apk.
I've made it because I was annoyed by other icon packs always lacking some icons that I wanted.
Many icons (like those of google apps) look like the originals, just without the shadows.
My icon pack doesn't have many icons (about 100). The interesting thing is that I'm sharing also the source code to build the .apk (using Eclipse) and the .svg files to modify the existing icons/create new ones (using Inkscape), so that you can create your own personal icon pack.
The icons are for FHD screens, so 192x192. You can make them larger by exporting again the .svg files.
Atteched below you can file the apk file, the .zip source and some examples.
You can reuse and modify this app, just give me credit.
No requests please:I uploaded the source of the apk file and the icon svg files. If you want to add an icon just do it on your own.
Suggestion: to add a new icon you have to modify appfilter.xml, drawable.xml, iconpack.xml, add the icon in the res folder and then compile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this Open Source Project!
A few questions
Thanks a lot for this project. I could finally fulfill my dream of making my own icon pack.
I have a few questions, though. I don't understand what a few files are foo, in the project. It'd be great if you could explain thier function. The list of the files:
Values:
res/values/bools.xml [I see those are some booleans in there, but, when are they ever used?]
res/values/colors.xml [Those state the theme colours, but, where's the style used?]
res/values/dimens [No idea what this folder does]
res/values/styles.xml [Its stating the themes of the app, but, again, are those used anywhere?]
Assets:
assets/app_func_theme.xml [What does this file do?]
assets/desk.xml [What does this file do?]
assets/themecfg.xml [What does this file do?]
Drawable:
res/drawable/grid_selector.xml [I guess, it determines how the list of icons is presented, but, it doesn't work in all launchers, right? I mean, in Nova launcher, I didn't get any grid, I got one in ADW though.]
res/drawable/square_over.xml [It's used in the grid_selector.xml file, but, how's it affecting the app in any way?]
I don't intend to be mean or offensive, but, I am a very newbie Android developer and thus, probably didn't understand what these files are doing. It'd be great if you can clear this out for me.
Once again, thanks a lot for the source code!