This is a very basic guide to beginning themeing. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, just some simple steps that can be taken to make your own custom theme fairly easily. This guide should allow anyone to be able to grab images they like from any ROM and incorporate them into their own.
I SUGGEST YOU ALWAYS MAKE A BACKUP OF ANY FILE BEFORE YOU THEME IT AND NANDROID FIRST BEFORE FLASHING
Here is a basic overview of changing images in an apk:
1. Get your base file to theme – framework-res.apk, com.htc.resources.apk, phone.apk ect.
2. “Open” apk archive with 7-zip (don’t unzip!) and drag and drop the new images into the appropriate folder.
3. Flash new file.
Now some details:
1. The first step is to obtain the file you are going to theme. The file you are themeing ( i.e. going to flash to your phone) must come from the ROM you are currently running. Always use files from your current ROM as a base, however the images you want to change can come from other ROMs, or you can edit existing ones or make your own from scratch. You can obtain your theme base through an ADB pull of the files from your phone, or simply downloading the ROM zip file and extracting the files you need.
2. Now that you have the file to theme, don’t touch it! OK, more specifically, you won’t unzip or do anything to this file except “open” it with 7-zip (unless this is a market app, but more on that later). You are going to drag and drop the new icons into this file by “opening” it and navigating to the appropriate folder. The images you want to change are stored in the apk under /res/drawable-hdpi. Once you have your new icons from other sources, open your base file and navigate to this folder and drop them in.
3. Now you can flash this new file. I have provided empty zip files that you can place your themed files into and flash in recovery. Place your framework-res.apk and/or com.htc.resources.apk into the /system/framework folder located in the zip file provided. Now highlight the META-INF and system folders and zip them up. You can now place this file on the root of your SD card and flash. System apps can be placed under /system/app in the zip file.
Some more info on common themeable files:
Framework-res.apk – this is the meat and potatoes of a theme. On an AOSP ROM it will contain almost everything you want to theme aside from individual apps themselves. Sense ROMs have another file com.htc.resources.apk, as well as framework-res.apk. Both of these files are located in a ROM under /system/framework.
System apps: These apps come packaged in a ROM under /system/apps. They can be themed in the same manner as a framework apk. Some of these apps include Gmail, browser, camera, ect. Place them in your flashable zip under the folder /system/app.
Market apps: These apps are downloaded from the market and are can be pulled from your phone from /data/app. These files require a bit more to theme. They don’t share the same signature as the system apps and you must resign them using a program such as apkmanger. Place them in your flashable zip under /data/app.
If there are any errors, or if anyone has suggestions please let me know. I may have over looked some details, ect.
Thanks to everyone on XDA who has shared their knowledge and made this a great community!
Thanks that will be helpful
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
so using this guide we can pull parts and what not from other elements of themes we like and create our own framework to push back? Also, based on what you have, shouldn't it be easy to put this up on bid for hire (?) website to create a program to automate that?
xlGmanlx said:
so using this guide we can pull parts and what not from other elements of themes we like and create our own framework to push back? Also, based on what you have, shouldn't it be easy to put this up on bid for hire (?) website to create a program to automate that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the idea of this guide was to help people pick and choose icons they like in other ROMs and add it to their own. I'm not sure what bid for hire is?
its a website where you can load your requirements and folks can bid to do your work
linky
nukedukem said:
Yes the idea of this guide was to help people pick and choose icons they like in other ROMs and add it to their own. I'm not sure what bid for hire is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xlGmanlx said:
its a website where you can load your requirements and folks can bid to do your work
linky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Didn't know anything like this existed.
Sent from my EVO (CM6.1) using XDA App
Thank you, thank you!!!! I've been looking for something like this for a while.
evolishesh said:
Thank you, thank you!!!! I've been looking for something like this for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No prob. Let me know if it works for you.
I couldn't get the auto signing to work, but the manual way of doing it worked.
Hmm, I got a boot loop on first try and doing this. Does that mean something went wrong with the signing, or that what I created for the theme was wrong? I used the empty .zip folder and re-zipped it, so I don't think that is the issue.
JasonK75 said:
Hmm, I got a boot loop on first try and doing this. Does that mean something went wrong with the signing, or that what I created for the theme was wrong? I used the empty .zip folder and re-zipped it, so I don't think that is the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The signing should be ok. If you are using Amon_ra recovery it wont let you flash an unsigned zip I believe. Are you on sense or AOSP? Are you editing images or just copying from other ROMs?
What you might want to do is just create a simple test file. Change just one image and then flash that. That should let you know that your process is correct.
I using Amon Ra and using AOSP. I was moving some items out of a sense ROM so I guess that is where I might have went wrong. I think I'll take your advice and move just a single image and see how that works for me. Thanks!
I tried again this time I ended up stuck at the EVO white screen. I'm guessing it doesn't like the sense part I'm trying to throw in there. I'll have to try again with a AOSP theme instead.
Sent from my EVO (CM6.1.1) using XDA App
A couple things to look out for when swapping sense/CM icons - some file names are slightly different between sense and AOSP. Rename any sense icons to their AOSP counterparts and vice versa. Also, double check the image size of the icon is the same in both, i.e. 70x70 pixels, ect. and make sure you are not adding images that don't exist normally in the framework. For example there wont be any 4G icons in CM framework.
Also, make sure you aren't unzipping the new framework-res.apk you want to theme and flash, or trying to resign it. Only sign the flashable zip, not the individual files inside. The only thing you want to do with the framework-res.apk you will package and flash is open (not unzip) with 7-zip and navigate to the res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can drag and drop the new icons into it, overwriting the old.
I hope that helps!
How important is it to re-sign? I have modified the Framework and Resources apks with 7zip by switching images out. I have also modified the Rosie.apk. I put everything back where it was supposed to go, backed out of 7-zip and flashed. I have never had an issue with it, nor have I re-signed it. Just wondering.
spence341 said:
How important is it to re-sign? I have modified the Framework and Resources apks with 7zip by switching images out. I have also modified the Rosie.apk. I put everything back where it was supposed to go, backed out of 7-zip and flashed. I have never had an issue with it, nor have I re-signed it. Just wondering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK if you are on clockwork recovery, I don't think it checks for signatures. I think Amon_ra requires a signed file to flash. I think it's just added protection against flashing any old junk. If you can flash in amon_ra without a signature and you don't have problems then I wouldn't worry about it. It's the signature of the framework-res.apk ( or com.htc.resources.apk) that's important. That's why you don't unzip it.
I think that
1.7.0.2 = yes
1.8 = no
nukedukem said:
AFAIK if you are on clockwork recovery, I don't think it checks for signatures. I think Amon_ra requires a signed file to flash. I think it's just added protection against flashing any old junk. If you can flash in amon_ra without a signature and you don't have problems then I wouldn't worry about it. It's the signature of the framework-res.apk ( or com.htc.resources.apk) that's important. That's why you don't unzip it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nukedukem said:
A couple things to look out for when swapping sense/CM icons - some file names are slightly different between sense and AOSP. Rename any sense icons to their AOSP counterparts and vice versa. Also, double check the image size of the icon is the same in both, i.e. 70x70 pixels, ect. and make sure you are not adding images that don't exist normally in the framework. For example there wont be any 4G icons in CM framework.
Also, make sure you aren't unzipping the new framework-res.apk you want to theme and flash, or trying to resign it. Only sign the flashable zip, not the individual files inside. The only thing you want to do with the framework-res.apk you will package and flash is open (not unzip) with 7-zip and navigate to the res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can drag and drop the new icons into it, overwriting the old.
I hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, any advice does help.
I did make sure the the icons I was swapping out were named the same thing in the CM ROM, but I didn't check the size of it at all.
I didn't unzip the famework-res.apk but instead just went into it with 7-Zip and dragged the icons into that. Then I backed out of 7-Zip so that it would save and close everything properly - know that does work because that is how I add the Fold transistions to the ROM - and then I put the famework-res.apk into the folder and zip it up per your instructions above. Then I manually sign it (still haven't been able to get the auto-signing to work) and then flash.
I'll have to try again moving a CM theme to the CM framework-res.apk and see if it is working. What I was attempting to do was take, from the Batman Theme for sense, the drop down notification shade with the Bat Icon and put it into the CM ROM. I don't know if you have time to try it yourself to see if it works, or if you get the same issues that I had.
Either way, thanks for the help! I know I'll get this theming down at some point!
nukedukem said:
No prob. Let me know if it works for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey buddy.
I’m stuck. I had to download and install Eclipse with the sdk plus java. I don’t know where to go from there. Every time I open the rom that I want to theme and get the framework.apk and edit the PNG’s , how do I go about saving them? Do I just used the same name as the old ones or I have to save them with a new name.
Or pm Me.
xlGmanlx said:
I think that
1.7.0.2 = yes
1.8 = no
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the new amon_ra doesn't require a signed file to flash? I'll make a note off that. Thanks.
JasonK75 said:
Thanks, any advice does help.
I did make sure the the icons I was swapping out were named the same thing in the CM ROM, but I didn't check the size of it at all.
I didn't unzip the famework-res.apk but instead just went into it with 7-Zip and dragged the icons into that. Then I backed out of 7-Zip so that it would save and close everything properly - know that does work because that is how I add the Fold transistions to the ROM - and then I put the famework-res.apk into the folder and zip it up per your instructions above. Then I manually sign it (still haven't been able to get the auto-signing to work) and then flash.
I'll have to try again moving a CM theme to the CM framework-res.apk and see if it is working. What I was attempting to do was take, from the Batman Theme for sense, the drop down notification shade with the Bat Icon and put it into the CM ROM. I don't know if you have time to try it yourself to see if it works, or if you get the same issues that I had.
Either way, thanks for the help! I know I'll get this theming down at some point!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I'll try and do what you are trying to do and see if it works...
evolishesh said:
Hey buddy.
I’m stuck. I had to download and install Eclipse with the sdk plus java. I don’t know where to go from there. Every time I open the rom that I want to theme and get the framework.apk and edit the PNG’s , how do I go about saving them? Do I just used the same name as the old ones or I have to save them with a new name.
Or pm Me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So now you have an unzipped framewor-res.apk with a bunch of images. This framework should be the one that you want to take icons from. If not, start over with the ROM you want to copy images from. You will want to copy the images you want to put into another ROM so that you can dump them into the new framework-res.apk. After you figure out what icons you want to bring to your new framework, get a clean version of framework/com.htc from the ROM you are actually running - i.e. if you are running myn ROM on your phone, download the myn ROM and pull out the framework-res.apk or com.resources.apk that you are going to theme.
Now with this fresh clean framework you will "open" it with 7-zip to navigate to the /res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can now drag and drop the images you want to copy over into it. Then the close the 7zip window and your framework-res.apk is all set to flash. You don't need to rename if the file names are the same, you can just drag and drop and the files will be overwritten in the new framework.
After using CM 6.1.2 RC2 for a day, I find that I miss certain things that come in the shipped MT4G ROM and I'm wondering if there's a way to get them into the custom ROM. In no particular order:
1. Contacts App
I really like the shipped ROM contacts app over this one. I did an adb pull /system/app for both the shipped ROM and CM 6.1.2 RC2. The shipped ROM has htcContacts.apk and htcContacts.odex, but no Contacts.apk. CM 6.1.2 RC2 has Contacts.apk. Could I transfer htcContacts.apk and htcContacts.odex to the sdcard and install them? Will this give me the shipped contacts app? Or are there other things not included in CM 6.1.2 that are necessary for the shipped Contacts app to function?
2. Calendar and calendar widget
Essentially the same question as #1. In this case, both ROMs have a Calendar.apk, and the shipped ROM additionally has htccalendarwidgets.apk and htccalendarwidgets.odex. Can I replace CM's Calendar.apk with the shipped ROM's version and add the calendarwidgets?
3. Icons and sound files
I'd like to grab some of the icons and sound files that come packaged in the shipped ROM. If they're on internal memory, I just need to do an adb pull and place them on the sdcard, and from there I can access them through the launcher. Does anyone know where those files might be?
Thanks in advance
1. Contacts App
Based on HTC Framework. By the time you're done importing necessary libs/framework resources you're going to end up with Sense rom. However, there many replacement apps on the market, some are very similar to Sense, try them out.
2. Calendar and calendar widget
Same thing as #1.
3. Icons and sound files
This is too general to answer exactly but
You can put sounds on your sd card using following folder structure
sdcard/media/audio/ringtones
sdcard/media/audio/alarms
sdcard/media/audio/notifications
They will show up along with included ringtones/alarms/notifications after reboot
As far as icons - not sure what you mean.
This thread screams Q&A section.
The contacts, calendar, and Widgets are closed source HTC apps so you wont find them in CM..try launcher pro plus...it has some very nice Widgets that u might like. And for sounds and icons you can use metaporph to change icons and create a folder called media in your SD card with the sound files u like
@face_melter on twitter
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Thanks for the responses. It appears I need to do some more research with regard to the contacts and calendar apps.
Let me try to rephrase #3: The shipped ROM had icons and sound files already loaded onto the device when it came out of the box, probably part of HTC Sense. For instance, the icon for the Messages app is not the green android speech bubble, it looks more like a rolodex card. The icon for the contacts app is different as well. The notification sound I used was pre-loaded on the shipped ROM but is not included in CM. And so on.
I have a backup of the shipped ROM. If I know were these files are located, I can flash back to shipped, adb pull the files I want to my PC, reflash back to CM, and go from there.
Hope that makes sense (not Sense ). I'm happy to do the legwork so long as I know what I'm doing.
Please do not post discussions in Development section.
A lot easier would be to download a stock rom then extracting nandroids (unthemed iced glacier would be a perfect rom to do that)
All ringtones are loacated in /system/media/audio - you can just copy the whole media folder to the root of your sd card or get individual rings.
All apps are located in /system/app/ To get your icons - you need to open up each individual apk and look in "res" folder. Somewhere in either "drawable" or 'drawable-hdpi" subfolders you will find icons. Or you can download espresso icon pack for the market and extract all icons from there (if there's s such a thing.)
Good luck.
borodin1 said:
A lot easier would be to download a stock rom then extracting nandroids (unthemed iced glacier would be a perfect rom to do that)
All ringtones are loacated in /system/media/audio - you can just copy the whole media folder to the root of your sd card or get individual rings.
All apps are located in /system/app/ To get your icons - you need to open up each individual apk and look in "res" folder. Somewhere in either "drawable" or 'drawable-hdpi" subfolders you will find icons. Or you can download espresso icon pack for the market and extract all icons from there (if there's s such a thing.)
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks borodin1, I did manage to get those audio files via ADB. About the icons, what do I use to open up an apk?
jdkoren said:
Thanks borodin1, I did manage to get those audio files via ADB. About the icons, what do I use to open up an apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
7zip is good and will open .apk out of the box but any zip utilities will open up apk files, just have to know how to work them... I think that if you use WinZip you have to rename file to .zip and it will work just fine. No sure about others.... I use 7zip because it's free and works great.
Good luck.
The perfect way to achieve what you want is install Launcher Pro Plus on your CM rom. You get the sense like widgets such as the calendar app and you can change the icons of the messaging app and replace it with the "rolodex card" look that you wish. And You can unzip an iced glacier rom and extract the audio files from there and put it on your Sd card under media then notifications, that's what I did to keep my text and call sounds that came with the phone.
Anyways, hope that helped!
What if I want the screen share app dose the same method applys?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
krazy_smokezalot said:
What if I want the screen share app dose the same method applys?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Screen share is available in the market, search for twonky.
A bunch of MILocker and MIUI Lockscreens
I downloaded some new lock screens, and whenever I apply them, just the wallpaper changes and the actual lockscreen part stays the same. Any help?
The .mtz file is just a renamed zip. Look inside, is there a file called lockscreen or is there a folder called lockscreen?
If it's a folder do this:
Unzip the whole thing to a folder called work.
Next, zip what's inside the lockscreen folder, (not the lockscreen folder, just what's inside). Call it lockscreen, if an extension gets added, rename it without the extension.
Next delete the lockscreen folder.
Next zip everything inside of the work folder. Call it Test.
Next rename Test.zip to Test.mtz and copy it to your phones miui/theme folder.
You should be good to go after you disconnect the phone from your computer and let it scan the sdcards.
Note: This can also be done on your phone without the aid of a computer.
If this doesn't help, let me know which lockscreen you were trying to get working.
I'm guessing there's no shortcut to that ^?
Garen21 said:
I'm guessing there's no shortcut to that ^?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that my info was straight and to the point. When themes are written for one program, sometimes a little change needs to be made for them to work with others. As in the MiLocker doesn't read a lockscreen folder. Hence, it has to be zipped within the theme.
Heck, I'm an ex-junky who's lost more brain cells to acid then anyone that I know. If I can do/figure it out, anybody can.
Not able to see themes on Milocker
Hi,
I installed Milocker, and downloaded couple of .mtz themes... I copied the .mtz files to sdcard/MIUI/Themes folder...but when i Look at Milocker in Local section I am not able to get any themes.......
Please help....
Looks like these are for older MIUI, probably 2.3.x. Depending on what version you are running ymmv...
Hi guys
is it possible to install/port the CM10 themes available here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801752
to a fully deodexed ICS stock rom for Pantech Flex rom such as this?
IceFlexSandwich
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2188436
if yes, what do i need to know so that i can apply the themes?
MechaDroid said:
Hi guys
is it possible to install/port the CM10 themes available here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801752
to a fully deodexed ICS stock rom for Pantech Flex rom such as this?
IceFlexSandwich
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2188436
if yes, what do i need to know so that i can apply the themes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Themes for other Roms will not work for this rom. The apks that the themes replace are different than ours. if you do attempt to flash a theme from another ROM youre phone will probably end up in a boot loop.
To theme
You will need to copy these apps from /system/app folder in phone or from downloaded rom:
Settings.apk
Phone.apk
Contacts.apk
SystemUI.apk
Framework-res.apk from /system/framework
Rename the app youre wanting to theme from .apk to .apk.zip
extract the res folder to a folder anywhere with 7zip(Leave this window open)
change the icons you want in each folder(Usually hdpi and xhdpi folders except for systemui)(make sure to keep same name and size of original icon)
select all icons in the folder you are working in and simply drag and drop icons to same folder in 7zip window replacing old icons
rename .apk.zip back to .apk
push to phone via adb or make update and flash with cwm
if you did the steps correctly you will have themed an app.
Be careful with the .9 images resizing or messing with them can cause them to not display correctly
I use gimp to mod icons.
Im working on a theme myself now. Only thing that gets me is Pantech and AT&T have added alot of icons that are masking the original icons for ICS that are in the apks as well. So there is alot of modding to do to make a full theme for this ROM.
Chadw1985 said:
Themes for other Roms will not work for this rom. The apks that the themes replace are different than ours. if you do attempt to flash a theme from another ROM youre phone will probably end up in a boot loop.
To theme
You will need to copy these apps from /system/app folder in phone or from downloaded rom:
Settings.apk
Phone.apk
Contacts.apk
SystemUI.apk
Framework-res.apk from /system/framework
Rename the app youre wanting to theme from .apk to .apk.zip
extract the res folder to a folder anywhere with 7zip(Leave this window open)
change the icons you want in each folder(Usually hdpi and xhdpi folders except for systemui)(make sure to keep same name and size of original icon)
select all icons in the folder you are working in and simply drag and drop icons to same folder in 7zip window replacing old icons
rename .apk.zip back to .apk
push to phone via adb or make update and flash with cwm
if you did the steps correctly you will have themed an app.
Be careful with the .9 images resizing or messing with them can cause them to not display correctly
I use gimp to mod icons.
Im working on a theme myself now. Only thing that gets me is Pantech and AT&T have added alot of icons that are masking the original icons for ICS that are in the apks as well. So there is alot of modding to do to make a full theme for this ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to integrate something like the Theme Chooser(available on CM10 and AOKP) on your rom?
so that there is a direct compatibility with other CM10 themes?
MechaDroid said:
Is it possible to integrate something like the Theme Chooser(available on CM10 and AOKP) on your rom?
so that there is a direct compatibility with other CM10 themes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im sure its possible. and yes it is possible to port the themes to our phone. Atleast some of them. You would have to rewrite some of the smali files in the .apk's and .jar files and make a few other changes that will make the apps run on our phone. Thats what Im trying to do now
Chadw1985 said:
Im sure its possible. and yes it is possible to port the themes to our phone. Atleast some of them. You would have to rewrite some of the smali files in the .apk's and .jar files and make a few other changes that will make the apps run on our phone. Thats what Im trying to do now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing i miss about your awesome Ice Flex Rom is the theme-ing capability
theme-ing and customizations are my reasons to choose android over windows Phone
there are just so many awesome flashable Themes available for CM10, its a shame that great phone like Flex can't be themed yet
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801752
i am currently trying to read up on android basics and see what i can do myself to help you :good: