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
Hello. I really want to make my apps their own icons, but the only way to do that is to edit their coding. I'm no coder.
So, I come to XDA asking a simple question.
Are there any apps that allow me to import icons, or take existing ones, and swap them around to different apps? Or that let me assign an icon to an app?
This would make my phone look complete.
I have tried Reshacker, but that does not work
Please help!
If not, would anyone be interested in making one possible?
Many would donate, including me, and I could help with the graphics.
Sorry to double post this, just thought this would be the appropriate area for this.
This thread is about folder icons, but really, it's not any different to put an icon into an .exe with reshacker. You need to convert a .png file to an .ico file first (maybe that's what you're missing). IcoFx is really easy to use. Another tool is SK Shortcut Manager. If an .exe already has an icon in it, you can swap it out with SKSM for another from a .dll.
I would love to learn how to make themes; however, I can't find anything that remotely explains the process entirely. I'm seriously about to freak out (ya know, wanting to do that primal scream!) ...how could these directions be so hard to find?
P.S.
If there are magical threads I'm missing........and you post them......can you post the one that is thorough? Oh ya...sorry for the sarcasm......this is just so frustrating!
Glad you asked that question as I too also want to know the process of how to make a fully theme ;o)
You can start by downloading the programs to be able to see and edit the files you will be playing with. Mode9 Editor and CFC_GUI as well as others to see XML pages, etc,etc. AS to how to make a theme is all dependent on what type of theme you are looking to make. Are you looking to skin manila, titanium, SPB??????????
If you are looking to do manila then Mode9 is good for moving things around, changing how they function, and their look. If you are just going for look and simple use in manila I use CFC_GUI.
If you search you will find these programs. In their threads are directions on how to use each. Now I'm not going to get into specifics here because it's different for each type of GUI you want to use/skin. Needless to say a theme is just a series of images that create the over all look of said GUI.
So choose the GUI you want and start studying on that type. The info is out there you just need to narrow down the search perimeters.
and where to start when i want to create winmo themes (not manila) ?
thanks
As far as what? The menu bars? The curtains? As far as I know most of them are XML and png's.
ok im sorry if this is posted i have been looking all day on XDA and other forums nothing so far. im trying to learn how to make my own mods im not looking for a step by step guide but more a point in the right direction to some of the programs that are used maybe the file names and types (i have my own image editing program) just looking for a little help i guess. i am trying to make my own slider right now if you have any useful tips or anything please help me out thanks in advance
So you are looking to modify the images? If so this is not so much a mod but a theme. Changing the graphics is one thing but to make an actual mod like Cookies HomeTab or MaxSense, takes modding the actual file structure and the writing of code.
So if you are looking to just modify the graphics and theme of the phone look into modifying manila graphics. You want a program like CFC_GUI. This will allow you to download the manila image files and see there size and upload your own. You will still need something like GIMP or Photoshop to make your own image into a png of the proper size. You can also use a program called Mode9 to resize the size of the image allowed in a certain spot or even it's location all together. There are other things you can do and this would be getting more into modifying manila.
thank you! yeah im more thinking about themes i will let the pros handle the heavy stuff i have photoshop and Jasc PSP so thanks this was a lot of help i will look for that program.
Here is a post that gives a pretty good description on how to edit the graphics.
Post of other thread
Hello.
I'm a "vet" WinMo user - especially with Omnia i900.
I also made this "Ultimate-Total" theme fro Omnia (S2U2, Manila, etc) in Modaco.com, a quite popular one.
Anyways... I bought now a HD2 Leo. I found pretty soon, that it's NOT the same (easy) way to edit the Manila (Sense 2.5 in Leo).
In Omnia, I just opened the Windows directory, copied all the .png files in a temp folder, edited them and re-copy them back. (Or even better, I was extporting the Manila theme with the M2DC app in my PC, opened the file with WinRar, edited them, imported them back to the Manila file and copied back to Omnia...
In Leo, it's NOT THAT easy, at all!!!... Anyways, after so many months, I found many-many things already done (in cabs) and I don't have to worry much... But, I want to edit/modify all the Slider icons, the Slider sellection icon and the tab's large icons (when you're changing tabs, the large one in the middle of the screen)...
Can you people, please, please tell me, how can I do that? Can you write me down the proccess? What progs/apps I need? What's all these icons' dimensions?
Reply me back, m8s.
P.S.: I'm using rom with Co0kie inside. So, there is an EXTENDED (large) Home screen - with 2 additional screens (left-right). The WALLPAPERS MUST be larger than the original/usual one, then - and how much (dimensions)?
What would be this larger/wide wallpaper's size?
Skinning Sense/Manila files is not really that complicated as it looks at first.
They actually come with their own format, but at xda you´ll find easy-to-use conversion tools. Look for "m9editor" or "CFC GUI+".
Especially with the second one, you´ll find out how "easy" it is to find the graphics and their names.
An easy way to find out what files you need to change is to download the thing you want to change, check the files, and then start your work - modding in the png-capable image editor you prefer, convert the work to Manila/Sense files.
That´s about it.
EDIT: Just forgot about the wide wallpapers: Panorama is 1440x800 (3 times the normal one), in CHT 1.8.5 it was 960x800.
tictac0566 said:
Skinning Sense/Manila files is not really that complicated as it looks at first.
They actually come with their own format, but at xda you´ll find easy-to-use conversion tools. Look for "m9editor" or "CFC GUI+".
Especially with the second one, you´ll find out how "easy" it is to find the graphics and their names.
An easy way to find out what files you need to change is to download the thing you want to change, check the files, and then start your work - modding in the png-capable image editor you prefer, convert the work to Manila/Sense files.
That´s about it.
EDIT: Just forgot about the wide wallpapers: Panorama is 1440x800 (3 times the normal one), in CHT 1.8.5 it was 960x800.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thxs, really!