Database Info

Icons for folders? (and possible discovery)

Is it possible to make icons for our folders in the apps menu?
I opened the Office Mobile folder and there was a .ink file with the office icon. I moved it to another folder (named Utilities) and this folder now had the office folder icon. Any hint of how this could be used?

well, windows mobile has a special folder design, no?
Good job on the discovery.
You could probably create custom folders for apps.

It is really very simple.
It's not ink its lnk, a shortcut file. If you manage to open it in text editor you will see a simple text string pointing to a dll, exe or ico file.
WM looks for a shortcut named 'icon.lnk' in folders and if it finds it will assign the folder the icon shortcut is pointing to.
You can look to windows\start menu\programs\games for an example of such file.
Also make sure it has the 'hidden' attribute or you will see it when opening the folder from start menu.

So it was lnk with an "L"? When I opened the file with word, it was pointing to a DLL file and it didn't open quite well with Word.
Thanks for the highlight, I'll try making icons
I might post them later.

I'm having more trouble to find free glossy folder icons than anything else...

Alright, I tried once, failed. Trying again and again!

Yes thats Lnk with "L" as in lamp (sorry, habit picked up from phone customer support)
Do not use Word or any other fancy editor as they do not handle plain text files well and may shove some garbage in there when you save the file.
Use notepad or even dos edit command.

levenum said:
Yes thats Lnk with "L" as in lamp (sorry, habit picked up from phone customer support)
Do not use Word or any other fancy editor as they do not handle plain text files well and may shove some garbage in there when you save the file.
Use notepad or even dos edit command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I'll try that, thanks!
EDIT: I found a thread on brighthand that says only DLL files can be used as a source. Then if I'm not mistaken you must specify the code line where the icon is situated. The best solution would be to make a really small app with an icon then use this icon.
I'd try it right now but some piece of **** called ActiveSync refuses to work for a random reason.
EDIT 2: Activesync fixed, now working with a ressource editor and some DLLs to get it all working

Simply copy the .lnk to your desktop (PC). use notepad to editi t.
1. open notepad
2. open file xyz.lnk ....simple.

Alright, here's my progress:
-Downloaded a copy of shellres.dll, the location of the existing icons (because you can't take it from the phone)
-Using Ressource Hacker, I changed the icons (in Icons Group) for iPhone icons (other free icons aren't nice)
-Now I copy the edited shellres.dll to the Windows folder (didn't work elsewhere)
-I make a copy of a icon.lnk file in every folder I want to see the icons of and edit the ressource number to match the one in the DLL.
Here's a standard icon.lnk file: 1#SHELLRES.dll,-8216
Translated to: 1#[location of the dll],-[ressource number]
And edited to: 1#iconpack.dll,-8210
Screenshots coming soon.
Now the only problem is that the whole process is not automated. I don't know much about programing so I can't make a program that makes .lnk that points to the right icon.

There you go! What do you guys think?
BTW it only shows up in 256 colors, which is bad considering how nice the icons were...
EDIT: The whole thing is 1.4 freaking MB in size, so I gotta find icons that come in 32x32 instead of full packs including vista icons. Each icon was 80kb in size...

Try GIMP. It's free (open source) and it can edit icons. I didn't check if it can manage the different images that are packed in a single ico file but its worth a try.

I have gimp but I suck at using it. Anyway those icons are perfect for me but don't hesitate to ask for help to install your own.

Icons, changing, developing

Hello guys,
i have few question i have find out how to change a icon using exe files in shortcuts. But is little bit consuming a storage, for example if you would like to use opera.exe (6MB) like an icon for opera mini running through the shortcut from esmertec jbed. It is a time saving solution for me for now, but is there a chance to use ico or png files? Or do i have to make my own dll library files? Because it seems like Windows mobile, by itself, cannot work with ico and png files at all. So what i want to know is:
1) Which software is good for making icons dll library files for WM6.1 (free one could be great)?
2) Does WM6.1 work with both ICO and PNG files?
So if i will find out these two things i will start developing icons for most used apps and i will share it here. Have tons of icons but i have not found the way how to sucesfuly build working dll library file...

You could try using an existing DLL resource file and use Reshack to replace the icons with yours. probably not the most elegant solution, but the price is right.

joemanb said:
You could try using an existing DLL resource file and use Reshack to replace the icons with yours. probably not the most elegant solution, but the price is right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for reply, will try that one i tried to use outress.dll but i was not able to copy it from Windows folder. So i am going to search for other one.

[Tutorial] How to create Titanium skins (WM6.5)

Theres one thing I have to say before I begin: Make good skins!
Theres nothing wrong on reusing stuf from others (with due credits and permission, if needed) but dont go for the easy mix, make some good graphics with cool transparencies and plently of bling.
Please dont make ugly skins (like I did) for example, the M2D skin thread is huge, but only some are thrully nice and different.
Each person has its own taste, but lets all make an effort to raise the bar.
The skin change can be as simple as editing the 2 main images: The main tab and the minimized tabs, you can do much, much more, but those 2 images are the main change to the visual effect.
The minimized tab is very simple, its just a PNG inside the Windows folder named CHome_listback.png (its hidden, so use Resco Explorer if needed).
The main tab is a png inside a DLL with other icons, for that you need to edit the DLL with a special program.
To edit the DLL (containg the main graphics and icons):
----------------------------------------------------
- Download ans install the PE Explorer trial: http://www.heaventools.com/download.htm
- Copy bronzeres.dll from the Windows folder to your SD card then to your PC.
- Open the DLL in PE Explorer and click on View > Resources
- See all the files inside the RC Data folder and double-click the png number 3000 for portrait or 4000 for landscape.
- Import a new PNG into that new screen and save the dll when finished (backup yours first).
- Download, export an open MSigner and open your dll inside this software.
- Copy that dll into your SD Card and then into the Windows folder (use Resco explorer if it denies access).
- Reset and enjoy.
To change the layout of the plugin you need to edit the Titanium_*.cpr file on your Windows folder (like Titanium_240x320.cpr, or whatever your screen resolution is), its a "simple" XML inside, you can see it with Notepad.
See this link for a detailed explanation of it:
Titanium Walkthrough by drkfngthdragnlrd
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3601164&postcount=2
You can download here a (bad) example of a simple skin.
More tools for developers:
--------------------------
A Guide to Windows Mobile 6.5 by joel2009
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3626556
CPL/CPR online creator:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=520857

Worked like a charm...
Great tutorial...
Many Thanks

Thanks, Iwas trying to look at the bronzeres.dll with reshacker and getting really confused. All I saw was a bunch of code. No images. I'll try this PE Explorer out. Anybody know if there is a chrome or grey theme already? Do we not need to sign the dll as in previous skinning like taskbar?

Hmmm... to be honest I dont remenber if I signed it, I dont think i did... :/

PNG Format
Hi TWolf,
thanks for the perfect instructions. Just tried myself. WAnt to change the 3000.png. But if I export it into Photoshop and create a new one with transparnency Titanium just shows background after having copied the new dll.
Do you know the specifications of the PNG?
Thanks
Januwar

there is also a tutorial for cpr files?
would be nice like the one for manila 2d, where people put lines and explanations...

Januwar said:
Hi TWolf,
thanks for the perfect instructions. Just tried myself. WAnt to change the 3000.png. But if I export it into Photoshop and create a new one with transparnency Titanium just shows background after having copied the new dll.
Do you know the specifications of the PNG?
Thanks
Januwar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm.. I used simple 32 bits alpha transparent pngs from flash or paint shop pro... :/
KeRmiT80 said:
there is also a tutorial for cpr files?
would be nice like the one for manila 2d, where people put lines and explanations...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link on the first post of Titanium Walkthrough by drkfngthdragnlrd has some info on that.

when i replace the file and reboot it. I get a blank today screen and its set on windows default so i guess i'm doing something wrong. Same problem as januwar

Thats strange, could you test this?
Open your file on the signer and after its signed try to put it on the windows folder again...
I wasnt sure this step was really needed..

signed file works
thank you!!!
now just a question...how to add icons to "collapsed" tabs?
what i understood is that is possible to link to an external icon or use one in the bronzeres.dll...
...i'd like to know how

Thanks, added to the tutorial.
That depends of the plugin, if it uses icons that are inside this dll, then they can be changed too... If they use external pngs, thats even easier.

yes but only if the plugin already has the code to display an icon in the cpr right?
dont' know...it's the right place to ask for an example?
how to add an icon (not to change only) can you show the lines to add to the cpr for a generic tab? maybe it's possible to use the chome editor, i saw some registry entries related to icons in tabs editor...
something easy...newbie level please

its exacly the same procedure, just instead of being that icon number, its another one... :/
In some cases, if you edit the registry to a full path png file, it will use it.

no sorry maybe i didn't explain myself...
default plugins in titanium has only text when not selected, right?
now if i want (like i saw in some themes) to add an icon on the left to a non selected tab i think i have to edit the cpr and add some lines to create a link to a number in case of bronzeres or to an external png.
what i need is an example of these lines to add to cpr so i can replicate on my own for all my installed plugins.
i hope i've been more clear this time
ps :sorry for the dumb question as i told you i'm newbie, thank you for your help

Theres already a thread, as I said, to show ppl how tu use the cpr files... :/
You can see a example of what I did here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3788297&postcount=45
I added this to the condensed view of my resolution cpr:
Code:
<Image ID="[B]ICON[/B]" Left="0" Top="0" Width="36" Height="36" />
And this to the registry:
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\CHome\system\CondensedPage]
"[B]ICON[/B]"="\\[I]My Documents\\Themes\\Titanium System Panel\\sd.png[/I]

thank you
i've read the walkthrought but i couldn't find these...maybe i have to search in the whole thread

These nice people copied the first post text and did even gave credit to xda:
http://pocketpc-live.com/pocket-pc/how-to-create-titanium-skins.html
Send them a nice letter of thanks.

OK...color me stupid, but I don't see CHome_listback.png on my device...I read and followed:
"The minimized tab is very simple, its just a PNG inside the Windows folder named CHome_listback.png (its hidden, so use Resco Explorer if needed)."
from the first post, but it is not there. it sharts with CHome_send..... and then a list of CHome_ Win..... images, but no CHome_listback.png!!
Any suggestions or ideas as to why?
Thanks

Strange, maybe it could be a different build, to be sure, copy my png from the UGLY SKIN to your Windows folder.

syrguy1969 said:
OK...color me stupid, but I don't see CHome_listback.png on my device...I read and followed:
"The minimized tab is very simple, its just a PNG inside the Windows folder named CHome_listback.png (its hidden, so use Resco Explorer if needed)."
from the first post, but it is not there. it sharts with CHome_send..... and then a list of CHome_ Win..... images, but no CHome_listback.png!!
Any suggestions or ideas as to why?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, I could'nt find CHome_listback.png at all with Total commander/or Resco - just the same list as above.
I'm using NRGZ rom on the Diamond

Changing icons in EXE will not work with Ressource Hacker

Hello community,
my first post and it's so tricky.
I will change the Icons of an EXE. I searched the Devs and with mister Google but I don't find another way exept the tool "Ressource Hacker". I can see the icons in Ressource Hacker, but there are two Icons (32x32 and 16x16) inside the file. If I change one type of icon, the other one will be lost. When I go to the folder "Icon Group" in Ressource Hacker, there is an icon within two icons. Like in a TIF-graphic with 2 or more pages inside. I can see that in the graphic viewer "IrfanVIEW". Doing a TIF with the icons and rename it to "*.ICO" will not appear in Ressource Hacker. Do I save the patched EXE-file, I can see the changed icon on the pocket PC. But when I copy the file from the SD-Card back to the Program-Folder, the old/original icon comes back.
Must I create an icon-file within two icons (32x32 and 16x16)? If this is correct, how can I do this? If not, what suggestion do you have for me?

do you mind posting the images and .exe that you are trying to change? I should be able to help

YUP!!!
or you can try the PEexplorer... but, does the exe is signed?

@bilborian: Thanks for your help, but there are too much EXEs. I will change my design to a neon design and all programs in the program launcher should be neons.
@ + QUE PPC: Oh, the PEexplorer ist just a little bit too expensive for that little project (129$ for private user). And what do you mean with signed EXEs?
But now, I got it. After a softreset can I see (not all) the new icons.
This works not with all EXEs, some of them have more than one icon inside, because they have different icon matrixes (for example 16x16, 32x32, etc.). I have a problem to select the right matrix for my Trinity (32x32), so I can not see all new icon in my edited EXEs. How can I indicate the right matrix to change a 32x32 icon?

[Q] Tutorial: Create or Change own Softbar for CHT2?

Is there a Tutorial on how to change an existing or create a new Softbar for CHT2?

iselia said:
Is there a Tutorial on how to change an existing or create a new Softbar for CHT2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure out there are some tutorials, but its actually not that hard:
You will need the program cfc_gui and a program like gimp or photoshop. You have to find the 5E90131C_manila file in your windows directory and copy it to the sd card and after that put it somewhere on your pc.
Open cfc_gui and open the folder the manila file is in. Than in the lower right corner select save as and change it as a image file.
Now you will have a image with 512x128 pixels. Open in your photo editing program a document with these dimensions.
After that you can start editing or creating a new one. The other image is only a guide so that you dont create a file that isnt usable.
If you have the image ready, then just open cfc_gui again and select the 5E90131C_manila. then in the lower right corner you press replace and choose your image. Now you have the image stored in the manila file. After that you can take the 5E90131C_manila and put it into the windows directory of your phone and overwrite the old one. After that restart sense and you are done

Thank you!
I will try it.
If I am not able to do it, after your explanation, I have chosen the wrong profession (M.SC. Computer Science) *g*
btw.
You created some great Themes and Customizations!
In which Manila files will I find the icons for cusomization? Not only the background?

iselia said:
Thank you!
I will try it.
If I am not able to do it, after your explanation, I have chosen the wrong profession (M.SC. Computer Science) *g*
btw.
You created some great Themes and Customizations!
In which Manila files will I find the icons for cusomization? Not only the background?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe^^ I am sure you will manage that, if not, just ask again
The icons are a lot easier. Just make an image with 128x128 pixels and name it:
CHT_softkey_win
CHT_softkey_menu
CHT_softkey_tabslider
CHT_softkey_phone
CHT_softkey_web
and
CHT_softkey_lock
after that just place them in your windows directory of your device and after a sense restart you are done

Great, if I get some good results I will post them.

how can i link missed calls count and sms and email to softbar and show them insted of link to oben the default web, phone, slider, lock, etc

Check this thread if you havent already.
there is a couple examples and Nordpolcamper uploaded a little guide/ template.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=993177
for me it was hard to get it aligned perfectly. you could always paste a softkeybar on your wallpaper and use a transparent softkeybar as the actual bar itself.
let me know how it goes.

thanks but this is not what i was asking for ,, i want to to have my missed calls and sms email, notifications shown on task bar .. like the notification bar widget but the task bar counts it so i have for example in my taskbar instead od lock button an image (custom softkey) you know we have at CHTEditor>softkeys>custom key1,2,3 with run path1,..etc and command line and icon path but

dody said:
thanks but this is not what i was asking for ,, i want to to have my missed calls and sms email, notifications shown on task bar .. like the notification bar widget but the task bar counts it so i have for example in my taskbar instead od lock button an image (custom softkey) you know we have at CHTEditor>softkeys>custom key1,2,3 with run path1,..etc and command line and icon path but
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mmhm I dont think, that this is actually possible right now. There is no program you could asign for the softkey.
What you are looking for I have only seen on android devices.

hope see it soon

How can I combine my changes in a .cab file?
Any tutorial out there?
Usually I use the search function, but never sure where to look for (hd2, win 6.5.x ...)

iselia said:
How can I combine my changes in a .cab file?
Any tutorial out there?
Usually I use the search function, but never sure where to look for (hd2, win 6.5.x ...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe^^ well the easiest way to make a cab is using Quick Cab. Just search it and you will find it Lanch the taxi like exe and then go to files, then select all your files on the left side and then select windows on the right side and press add.
After that go to create, select the name for your program, enter your name and then go to browse, select where you want to save it, then enter the cab name press ok and then press create.
After that you are already done

Uploaded my first version.
Give it a try if you like it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=12191104#post12191104

iselia said:
Uploaded my first version.
Give it a try if you like it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=12191104#post12191104
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looking good But I would recommend, that you use higher resolution icons for the softkeys, because they appear to be blurry^^

It's only the screenshot I think.
They look good on my device.

hey nordpolcamper i wann to make softbar too ,i read ur tutorial and when i make that,how can i make cab file to just install it not to copy in folder on my phone and overwrite files?

trezack said:
hey nordpolcamper i wann to make softbar too ,i read ur tutorial and when i make that,how can i make cab file to just install it not to copy in folder on my phone and overwrite files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats quite easy But if you really want to work on the Softbars, I highly recommend just overwriting the files. Cause if you always install a cab you will get a very huge list in your programs list and that can be very messy. But if your eyes are set on it, I would suggest you download quickcab.
For simple cabs this is the best program and its very easy to use. Just set the directory to the windows folder, add what you want to copy and then give the program a name and a name for the Cab and press generate and everythings already done.
If you need help, just say so

i will just overwrite till i make a good one. ty for help

i have your nordpolcamper gingerbread theme its great..but when i make softbar its only picture ..how did u made icons for softkeys for web phone and startmenu?

here you go
Nordpolcamper said:
Hehe^^ I am sure you will manage that, if not, just ask again
The icons are a lot easier. Just make an image with 128x128 pixels and name it:
CHT_softkey_win
CHT_softkey_menu
CHT_softkey_tabslider
CHT_softkey_phone
CHT_softkey_web
and
CHT_softkey_lock
after that just place them in your windows directory of your device and after a sense restart you are done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse