Related
Everything seems to work fine so far, but I've hit a snag.
Here's what happens. I've made some changes to my rom. I'm on modaco's latest, I have theme with the battery percentage mod installed (can't remember which), but everything runs perfectly with no hiccups or hangups.
The problem I'm running into is with the battery icons.
Here's what I do.
1) Pull framework-res.apk from device(to keep my changes)
2) Pull battery icons from framework-res
3) Modify icons
4) Put icons back into framework-res
5) Push framework-res back to device
As soon as I push this back to the device, everything starts force-closing. Phone, gmail, launcher, contacts...everything.
I've made changes like this before and this has never happened. Am I doing something wrong here? Any help would be appreciated. I would like to eventually release this as a theme that people can flash.
try pushing the modded files while in recovery...
..never pushed framework-res.apk.
In recovery sounds good..
But why not makin a morph?..or you could do an update.zip.
i am assuming you rebooted after pushing the new framework-res.apk across?
Did you zipalign before pushing? I know CM zipaligns on boot after changes in recovery but can't remember for stuffed pushed across- i either just zipalign it myself or the easiest and best thing to do is what rori~ said- just make a metamorph- that way when the rom gets updated you dont have to change anything at all (assuming there are no xml changes)..
eg. i have been using the same CM metamorph theme i made since about 5.0.X and it still works on every nightly- i have had tyo remove xml edits etc as CM now does that itself but it makes it all so easy.
instead of using adb, try doing it the easy way with Metamorph. Basically you'll need to create custom pngs with the same name as the ones you want to replace in the framework-res.apk.
So get a copy of your framework-res.apk and rename it to .zip and unzip it. Erase all the folders where you have no custom images to push. You'll prob just end up with some nested folders like "framework-res-->res-->drawable-hdpi" or a similar last folder. Place the custom images in there, then just reuse this attached xml file, making sure to change the pertinent information such as the file structure to be the correct path so the images push to the correct folder when you apply it with Metamorph. Be sure to save the xml file with a reasonable name, then zip the xml and framework-res folder containing your custom images together. Make sure the zip has the same name as the xml file only with .zip extension or you may get an error.
From there install Metamorph. Load the zip you created onto your sd card inside the "android themes" folder. Launch Metamorph, grant su, then "unzip new theme", and "apply all".
Hope this is helpful. A bit longer than I pictured it, but easy to do. If you run into trouble just DL a couple ones other people did and it should become easier to figure out.
^^^ what they said
made life even easier ......
here is a blank framework-res morph drag drop your desired pngs in the drawable-hdpi folder within the zip and morph away
http://www.mediafire.com/file/d1zr12fke13i61l/Framework_res_obama.zip
icegad said:
^^^ what they said
made life even easier ......
here is a blank framework-res morph drag drop your desired pngs in the drawable-hdpi folder within the zip and morph away
http://www.mediafire.com/file/d1zr12fke13i61l/Framework_res_obama.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Thanks a ton! I'll report back my findings...
Sorry, no such luck. Endless force closes and reboots. Bummer. I'll have to sleep on it for a day or two and come back to it.
If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.
If u like u can upload the images and ill try to morph it on my phone and see what causes the fcs if any
icegad said:
If u like u can upload the images and ill try to morph it on my phone and see what causes the fcs if any
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be great, thanks!
morphed the icons onto my phoneno fc or bootloops here
see screenshot....(i have a black status so it maybe hard to see your icons )
only thing i can think of is.... dont know if you were putting your folder within the drawable-hdpi folder that can cause errors..put the standalone images only
and i went ahead and put the icons in the morph you so you can jus morph this zip >>>
http://www.mediafire.com/file/9ldnfsf4t894kz6/Framework_res_obama.zip
I've been seeing way too many requests for this with just about every mod possible. Considering the simplicity of this mod, the easiest way to please everyone, is for all of you to know how to accomplish this mod yourself.
BTW, this is for the status bar itself, not pulldown bar or notification background.
What you need:
- Paint.NET software (or any other image editing software that you are already comfortable with, this one seems to be the easiest for setting transparency though.)
- Your framework-res.apk AFTER you have all of your other mods applied to your phone. Otherwise you will have to apply this mod again every time you add or change mods (most likely).
- 7zip
So, you should have your framework-res.apk on your computer and 7zip installed to open the apk. Open up the framework, navigate to /res/drawable-hdpi folder. In that folder, find the file statusbar_background.png. You can either pull that file out to your computer to edit it or open it straight from 7zip (which is the best way to ensure there is no issues when pushing framework back to the phone) but you must have your editing software set as the default to open .png files.
Now once you have that file open in Paint.NET, you will see the image of the status bar as you currently have it. Up on the top toolbar, you should see the option "Layers". Click that then select "Layer properties" at the bottom of the drop-down. At the bottom of the window that pops up, you should see "Opacity" and the number set at 255 with the neighboring slider all the way to the right. I suggest using the slider because as you move it you will see the transparency applied to the bar image, allowing you to slide it around to the desired transparency.
Once you have finished setting your transparency, click the little disk image at the top left to save your changes, close the program out and you should then see a box pop up in 7zip (if you made changes without unpacking the file from 7zip first) asking if you would like to apply changes to file you edited. Say yes, then close 7zip, which may or may not state that changes have been made to the apk and if you'd like to update it, which you would say yes to if it does. If you unpacked the file from 7zip, simply drag and drop the file back into its correct spot, confirm you want to replace the file, then close it up. After all of this is done, just put framework-res.apk back into the framework folder on your phone whatever way you like, turn your phone on and you have a transparent status bar.
As a side note, you can play with Paint.net to see all of the modifications you can make to your status bar like changing colors, texture, and a few other things. One piece of advice is to have a backup framework-res.apk in case you make a mistake or something.
excuse my extreme noobness, but what is the best way to transfer the apk back and forth from the phone to computer? yes I am new to this and yes I am a retard and yes I probably shouldnt even try this..
JoeyBones1 said:
excuse my extreme noobness, but what is the best way to transfer the apk back and forth from the phone to computer? yes I am new to this and yes I am a retard and yes I probably shouldnt even try this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easiest way would be to get root explorer so you can navigate to the /system/framework folder and copy the apk from there to your sdcard, where you can just copy it to your computer. the other option would be plugging your phone into your computer, phone should be on, open up command prompt then navigate to your sdk/tools folder (get it if you dont already have it), then type "adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk c:\" without the quotes. the file will be in the root of your C directory. To get it back on your phone when finished, for root explorer just reverse the steps, but when moving the apk back to its proper folder, just hit the "Mount R/W" button at the top right of root explorer, copy the file back in and reboot. For alternate method, boot into recovery, mount /system partition, then in prompt after navigating to sdk tools folder type "adb push c:\insertdirectoryto\framework-res.apk /system/framework/" without quotes, then boot up and youre done.
tried this...boot looped...had to restore backup...thanks for the info though...might try again soon
BillytheKid82 said:
tried this...boot looped...had to restore backup...thanks for the info though...might try again soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try editing the file without extracting it or did you extract it and reinsert it?
Or you could edit the .png and use metamorph to push it into the framework-res.apk without moving or unzipping anything. And you could just keep the metamorph theme with that one .png on your sdcard to re-apply it whenever you flash a new rom, without altering any other theme elements you've already applied.
What do I edit to change the pull down notifications?
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
thx a ton got it
transparent, transferring back to phone now..we will see
edit ..boot loops too..
i used root explorer ..extracted framework-res.apk to my sd card ,,then on my computer i opened paint.net and edited the statusbar_background.png file and then
zipped back up the framework-res and renamed to apk then copied back to my framework folder and it the forced closed and went into boot lopes...
i know im close to getting this right ..what step am i skrewing up?
i edited the file w/out extracting it...using root explorer i copied the framework res to my sdcard...plugged my phone in to comp, opened the framework res w/ 7zip, edited w/ gimp, saved all changes...unmounted phone, used root explorer and copied the new edited framework, then navigated to the original framework res and pasted the new one there to overwrite the original...then it force closed so i tried to paste it again, then the phone rebooted and boot looped? not sure if i did something wrong
Gahh Its Lee said:
What do I edit to change the pull down notifications?
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That file is a .9.png file. editing these is ridiculously difficult and ill-advised.
chrisloveskaos said:
thx a ton got it
transparent, transferring back to phone now..we will see
edit ..boot loops too..
i used root explorer ..extracted framework-res.apk to my sd card ,,then on my computer i opened paint.net and edited the statusbar_background.png file and then
zipped back up the framework-res and renamed to apk then copied back to my framework folder and it the forced closed and went into boot lopes...
i know im close to getting this right ..what step am i skrewing up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BillytheKid82 said:
i edited the file w/out extracting it...using root explorer i copied the framework res to my sdcard...plugged my phone in to comp, opened the framework res w/ 7zip, edited w/ gimp, saved all changes...unmounted phone, used root explorer and copied the new edited framework, then navigated to the original framework res and pasted the new one there to overwrite the original...then it force closed so i tried to paste it again, then the phone rebooted and boot looped? not sure if i did something wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I JUST remembered that I think you need to be running a deodexed rom to allow modifications. I've always used deodexed roms and forgot that it might be a requirement for things like this. Do either of you know if what youre running is deodexed or not?
mixedlemon said:
Or you could edit the .png and use metamorph to push it into the framework-res.apk without moving or unzipping anything. And you could just keep the metamorph theme with that one .png on your sdcard to re-apply it whenever you flash a new rom, without altering any other theme elements you've already applied.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
metamorph is definitely more useful. I just have never created anything to run with it so I don't know the process of doing so.
im running skyraider vanilla, i tried to look on the thread to see if it is deodexed and i couldn't find if it is or not...may not be...thanks for your help
mb02 said:
I JUST remembered that I think you need to be running a deodexed rom to allow modifications. I've always used deodexed roms and forgot that it might be a requirement for things like this. Do either of you know if what youre running is deodexed or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
running new skyraider 3.3 and im sure it is
Yea it seems they are both deodexed, and btw I didn't know skyraider 3.3 was so awesome I'm tempted to switch over to it. But yea, I'm not sure why your phones aren't allowing the modifications to the framework. I might as well load SR 3.3 and see for myself what's up. I'll get on that later tonight when I have time and let you guys know if i figure anything out.
Use this with metamorph. It will work on any rom (tested on skyraider 3.3) except those that still use the "drawable-hdpi-v4" folder in the framework-res.apk. If your rom uses that folder, simply rename the folder it puts on your sdcard in /sdcard/AndroidThemes/HalfTransparentBar/
If you'd rather have a different transparency just replace the .png in the folder with yours.
In fact, if you want to edit ANY graphic on your rom, just put the .png in the /sdcard/AndroidThemes/xxxxxx/framework-res/res/drawable-hdpi/ folder with the same file name as the one you want to replace. And of course, do a nandroid backup just in case.
EDIT: As Berzerker7 pointed out, this file probably wont make anything transparent unless you have a modified services.jar. oops.
mixedlemon said:
Use this with metamorph. It will work on any rom (tested on skyraider 3.3) except those that still use the "drawable-hdpi-v4" folder in the framework-res.apk. If your rom uses that folder, simply rename the folder it puts on your sdcard in /sdcard/AndroidThemes/HalfTransparentBar/
If you'd rather have a different transparency just replace the .png in the folder with yours.
In fact, if you want to edit ANY graphic on your rom, just put the .png in the /sdcard/AndroidThemes/xxxxxx/framework-res/res/drawable-hdpi/ folder with the same file name as the one you want to replace.
edit: and of course, do a nandroid backup just in case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then that simplifies a lot of things lol. Thanks for putting that up for us, makes everything even easier.
Simply swapping a file won't work. It's the same reason simply swapping a transparent image for the notification pull-down doesn't work. Opacity is controlled on another level by services.jar. You need to modify the values there, as well as swapping out for a transparent image.
Btw, this didn't work for me on SkyRaider 3.3. (Metamorph or swapping the file).
It makes the background black but not transparent on virtuous 3.0.1
mixedlemon said:
Use this with metamorph. It will work on any rom (tested on skyraider 3.3) except those that still use the "drawable-hdpi-v4" folder in the framework-res.apk. If your rom uses that folder, simply rename the folder it puts on your sdcard in /sdcard/AndroidThemes/HalfTransparentBar/
If you'd rather have a different transparency just replace the .png in the folder with yours.
In fact, if you want to edit ANY graphic on your rom, just put the .png in the /sdcard/AndroidThemes/xxxxxx/framework-res/res/drawable-hdpi/ folder with the same file name as the one you want to replace.
edit: and of course, do a nandroid backup just in case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Berzerker7 said:
Simply swapping a file won't work. It's the same reason simply swapping a transparent image for the notification pull-down doesn't work. Opacity is controlled on another level by services.jar. You need to modify the values there, as well as swapping out for a transparent image.
Btw, this didn't work for me on SkyRaider 3.3. (Metamorph or swapping the file).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I must have already installed a theme that modified it, then.
WOOOT!
SO can't wait to try this!
Wow... epic fail on my part... edited the image, repackaged, compared to original, file sizes/compression were similar enough, so I copied it onto my SD card and went in to Root Explorer... Mistake number 1)forgot to do a nandroid OR a titanium, Mistake number 2)Renamed the framework-res.apk to framework-res.bak BEFORE I copied the new file to the /system/framework. As soon as I did that, everything went haywire so I did a battery pull and went to do it the ADB way from recovery. Thought I did that right, so I rebooted into a bootloop... Finally gave up so I decided to do mistake number 3)full nandroid restore of a backup that was admittedly a few days old (See mistake 1 lol) after which I had rearranged a few things and added more apps etc... Now on to the important stuff...
MAKE SURE YOU DO STEP 1 BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY OF THIS AND IF YOU RUN INTO PROBLEMS, DO STEP 2 SO YOU DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID!
Step 1)For the love of all that's holy, do a Nandroid and Titanium backup first!
Step 2)In Clockwork Mod Recovery, do NOT do a full restore, instead go to advanced restore and simply restore the system (the part that you were messing around with to do this mod lol I realized this gem just as I clicked "Yes" in CWM, I still have the palm print on my forehead... haha
Hopefully you folks will have better luck than I did, but if not, hopefully I can save you some of the headache I went thru...
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.
Well I've started theming myself since I wanted a Windows Phone 7 Theme and learning as I go along but I've come across a few hurdles.
1. How do I push framework-res.apk without losing configurations like my email/gmail set up or wallpaper being back to default?
2. Where do I find the icons for the top right voice search and search buttons? I've found a couple that look identical within the files but when I change them nothing happens.
3. Any good guides or tools on how to make a flashable zip? I used to just use a script to make an updater script but it doesn't work anymore since they changed it to edify. I'm a lowly designer and can't figure out how to make a working updater script.
Thanks in advance.
Bump to the top.
and another bump ):
hope this helps...
seshmaru said:
Well I've started theming myself since I wanted a Windows Phone 7 Theme and learning as I go along but I've come across a few hurdles.
1. How do I push framework-res.apk without losing configurations like my email/gmail set up or wallpaper being back to default?
2. Where do I find the icons for the top right voice search and search buttons? I've found a couple that look identical within the files but when I change them nothing happens.
3. Any good guides or tools on how to make a flashable zip? I used to just use a script to make an updater script but it doesn't work anymore since they changed it to edify. I'm a lowly designer and can't figure out how to make a working updater script.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. grab an old zip for a system/framework file
toss the previous file(s)
toss in your new edited framework res
resign using this and this
flash via recovery
2. let you know when i get a chance to look.
3. grab apk manager.
MagnusRagnarok said:
1. grab an old zip for a system/framework file
toss the previous file(s)
toss in your new edited framework res
resign using this and this
flash via recovery
2. let you know when i get a chance to look.
3. grab apk manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 is as simple as that? Sweet.
Also I have apk manager and Update zip packer but they use the old updater script ): But if I can simply use other peoples update script and replace their files with mine then that shouldn't be a problem, thanks for the help.
In this tutorial I will show you how to create your own T.W. rom using your GS3 and Root Explorer. There are many ways you can create a rom but not everyone has the time to sit at a computer every night. However, your phone is always on you and can find a few minutes here and there to create your own masterpiece.
For the sake of this tutorial, we will name our new rom "SLICK".
Here are a few things you will need...
1. The rom base from Scottsroms. I'm NOT talking about Cleanrom but the unmodified stock rooted rom.
2. Root Explorer.
3. Script Manager
4. Any mod you can flash or come up with on your own.
1. GET STARTED!
Download the base rom to your phones EXT-sdcard and extract it using Root Explorer. After it's extracted the new unziped rom will be located in /storage/sdcard0/SpeedSoftware/Extracted. The extracted rom is now your new base. At this point it would be a great idea to move it to your EXT-sdcard and create a new project folder for it and label the folder "Project SLICK". inside the folder is your rom. lets rename that rom "SLICK".
Lets open your new SLICK rom. You should have some folders...
BOOT IMAGE
DATA
META-INF
SYSTEM
3. THE SYSTEM FOLDER
/SYSTEM/APP
Most of your work will done in the System folder so lets open that up. This is the heart of your rom! There are many folders here but lets start with the app folder. This folder has every app installed in your rom. This is a good time to remove the bloat you don't want in your rom. Go ahead and delete the apk's you don't want or need.
/SYSTEM/BIN
Here you can speed up your system or make it more battery efficient by deleting things like "mpdecision" and things like that. Be careful what you delete though. In general you won't do much in here.
/SYSTEM/BUILD.PROP
Here you can change values or add values. The one value we are concerned with is "ro.build.display.id" This build property's value will be displayed in the end users settings menu under "about phone". So let's give this property the correct value "ro.build.display.id=SLICK ROM v1.0" The rest of the build properties you can do as you wish. Build.prop is simply a text file. You can use the text editor built into Root Explorer.
/SYSTEM/CSC
Open this file and you will see more files. Listed is "feature.xml". Here you can edit values for various items for texting and mms.
/SYSTEM/ETC
Here is where you will find a folder called "init.d". Located in this folder are various text files. The text files are scripts that are told to run when your phone boots. You can add or modify to the existing scripts or create a new text file.
So we went over a few of the basics of modding your new rom and molding it into something you can call your own but does it work??
4. TESTING YOUR NEW BASE.
So we have already modified our rom a considerable amount and should have a good solid base. Before we go any further we should really test things out first. If we did something wrong earlier we will at least have an idea where to look. So lets flash our new rom. Go to you EXT-sdcard and find our project folder. you should still have your SLICK file. Zip this file with Root Explorer. Make sure you have a good battery and a cool environment because it's going to take your GS3 about 30min of hard work to zip this file. When that is finally completed, flash your new rom located in /storage/sdcard0/SpeedSoftware/Archives. Flash it just like you would any other rom.
Test your new rom out on your GS3 and see how things are running. Check your existing modifications you did earlier. If everything looks good, we can continue modding. If not you will need to go back to your base to see where you went wrong. This is also a great time to check your init.d scripts. One way to do this is to download "Script manager" from the market and click on your init scripts to read there log. It will tell you if something went wrong.
If everything is looking good, we can continue modding...
5. THE MODS
So we have that nice clean base but what about all them mods in the roms we download and flash everyday? There are a few different ways we can do this and we will start with the easiest but first, do a nandroid backup of your new base. If one of your mods you perform next goes bad it's simply quicker to recover. Now, If you have flashable zips of some of the mods you like then you can flash them now and make sure they are working the way they should in your rom. Remember, just cause we have the d2vzw does not mean mods from the sprint or T-mobile won't work on our devices. Sometimes it's worth a try. It's all about which firmware they are on and what has changed with the firmware.
So we flashed a few mods but don't have everything we wanted. At this point you are left with only one option and that is to get on that PC of yours and learn to decompile a APK. I may touch on this subject later as it is a bit more involved for someone new to this sort of thing.
6. UNDERSTANDING THE FLASHABLE ZIP
The alternate method of a flashable zip is to extract your flashable using Root Explorer and picking it apart. For example we will use "Lean Kernel" and kill 2 topics with one stone. If you unzip the kernel you will see...
BOOT.IMG
META-INF
SYSTEM
As you can see there are some familiar files to us just like when we extracted our base rom in the beginning. Basically when you flash a mod like this or any flashable for that matter, it installs files into your rom in certain places. In this example we will be installing in BOOT.IMG and SYSTEM. But what? And what is that META-INF file for? Well this META-INF file is what tells your rom what files and what to do with those files. Inside META-INF is a text file called an "updater script".
Here is what it looks like...
Code:
show_progress(0.500000, 0);
mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/mmcblk0p14", "/system");
package_extract_dir("system", "/system");
set_perm(0, 0, 0777, "/system/etc/init.d/00leanKernel");
unmount("/system");
assert(package_extract_file("boot.img", "/cache/boot.img"),
write_raw_image("/cache/boot.img", "/dev/block/mmcblk0p7"),
delete("/cache/boot.img"));
show_progress(0.100000, 0);
Line 2 shows it mounting the system so we can write to it.
Line 3 shows us extracting the entire directory of the system file in the flashable into the system file of our rom.
Line 4 shows we are setting permissions for one of the system files we just installed in the rom. In this case it is an INIT.D file.
Line 5 shows us returning the system to an un-writable state.
Line 6 shows we are now installing the other file called BOOT.IMG.
So we installed BOOT.IMG and the SYSTEM file. The BOOT.IMG file is usually only found in a rom or kernel zip so most of the time you won't see this file in a flashable but I wanted to use this as an example to show a bit about the kernel side of things.
Ok, so lets get back to the original files of this flashable zip. The updater script stated we installed a new system file into the rom so whats in there? If we open the SYSTEM file from our flashable with Root Explorer you will find a file hierarchy...
SYSTEM
-- ETC
--- INIT.D
---- "00LEANKERNEL"
-- LIB
--- MODULES
---- Listed here are a bunch of ".ko" modules and i'm not listing them all.
So whats the point of all this? Well lets say when we originally debloated our rom in the begining we could of included some of our flashable mods like a custom kernel before we zip the rom to test the base. So in this case we can manually install this kernel before we zip the base. We can take the BOOT.IMG from our extracted kernel and replace the BOOT.IMG in our extracted rom. We only need the files from the flashable so we need to copy and paste the "00LEANKERNEL" file from our flashable to our roms /system/etc/init.d folder. We can also take those ".ko" files from the flashable and dump those into the /system/lib/module folder and we are done. You have now manually installed a kernel into your base rom before you zipped it. Now when you zip your rom and flash it, your new base rom will boot with your custom kernel. Since we manually installed the kernel we don't need the META-INF file provides an auto install script for installing through recovery. Technically we could take all of our flashable mods, extract them, look at the file hierarchy and copy and paste the those files to our extracted base rom. That way we can zip our rom and test it with the mods right off the bat. You can really make things quicker this way and is in general the way to go.
I think it's rather important to fully understand a flashable zip. How it's built and how it completes it's task. It's used so often and makes mods so incredibly easy to install but it is also what installs our rom! One of the files we see when we open "slick" is a META-INF and there inside is the updater script to flash the rom. Again we are doing the same thing as we do with the flashable mod but this time we are installing a lot more files with a lot more permissions. It is the exact same thing as shown above just a bit more extensive.
7. PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER
Ok so we have our base rom running on our phone and possibly a few mods installed. We also have our extracted and debloated "slick" rom on the EXT-sdcard inside our project folder. The next part is rather easy if you understand how those flashable mods were installed. If you understand the whole flashable and its files, your better off just extracting them and then copy and paste them where they need to go. After you have all your mod files in place you can now zip your official "Slick" rom using Root Explorer of course. Prepare yourself for another 30 minutes for it to zip. After it's zipped your done. You have now created your first fully modded rom! However...
Lets say you don't get the whole flashable thing and or you had made some other changes to the rom while you were testing. Lets say you flashed some mods and created a few init.d scripts or the build.prop along the way. NO WORRIES! We can put the rom together another way. A lot of the mods you flash will install files in some usual areas of the rom like your Framework folder and such. Lets just say we don't know though. You can actually copy complete folders from the rom you are running right there and now and paste them into your extracted "Slick" base rom using Root Explorer. So you can take "/system/framework" from your currently running rom, copy it, and paste it in "/storage/EXT-sdcard/project folder/slick/system/framework". In short just take your copy of the framework file and put it in your extracted base and paste it. Root Explorer will then ask you if you want to replace this file and click yes. You have just transferred any modded file that might have been in framework to your extracted rom. Any folder you may think was modded, simply copy and paste it to your extracted base rom on your EXT-sdcard. Once you think you have it all the modded files transferred you can zip your new "Slick rom! Flash and enjoy!!
FINISHED
So we have now completed our own rom on the device itself. It's really not too difficult just a bit more time consuming with zipping and that. However, you may need to do a bit more research on how to decompile and recompile an APK. This is one of things that can really be a pain to setup. It's again the basics that will kill you. The whole PITA is not decompiling or making changes to a framework file, it's setting up the environment that sucked for me. You have to get the Java and files in order and all the little crap to get it to work. IMO, if you haven't decompiled an APK yet it's really not difficult at all. Like I said. It's the basics. I encourage you to learn this because it's so freakin easy after it's all setup and you will be able to do so much more with your rom. Once you get this APK thing down don't be afraid to take someone elses work and reverse engineer it. Try to figure out what that developer did to accomplish what he wanted. It's a great way to learn and thats what it's about.
I may add to this somewhere down the road but for now it's all I have. I hope this helped and motivated someone to create a rom and begin there journey to become developer someday! We can all use fresh ideas for development. There is so much more to come for Android so get your hands dirty and share!
Thanks guys!
Ha never really thought of doing this on the fly with my phone. Even though all the right stuff was sitting in my face thanks for opening my eyes razz1
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
dincdoes.me said:
Ha never really thought of doing this on the fly with my phone. Even though all the right stuff was sitting in my face thanks for opening my eyes razz1
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's another way. May not be the fastest way but it's another option. I also wanted to write this as a general rom creation and learning some basics. It's always the basics that will kill a project and motivation. I would like to see a complete newb to be able to complete a rom with this tutorial. Then I accomplished something. Going to have to finish this tomorrow though. It's taking longer than I thought lol.
Yea I mean I'm a newb at doing it from my phone if that counts =) .. What explorer do you like to use to repack the zips. I'm sure I'll try this method soon to play while bored at work. Rom tool box will help with boot animations, fonts and transition animations too take care thanks for giving our community some new skills I'm sure it will help out down the road.
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Thank you for this post. This will definitely get me to try and make my own ROM the way I like, also I might just learn some new stuff. Great post thanks again
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Nice tutorial.
It's a great way to show what can be done just from your phone.
:good:
Right on man. Been waiting for this. Thank you.
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dincdoes.me said:
Yea I mean I'm a newb at doing it from my phone if that counts =) .. What explorer do you like to use to repack the zips. I'm sure I'll try this method soon to play while bored at work. Rom tool box will help with boot animations, fonts and transition animations too take care thanks for giving our community some new skills I'm sure it will help out down the road.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use androzip man.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
More added
So would I make, say ROM manager a system app? Just copy the apk into the /System/App folder?
Evil Genius Jr. said:
So would I make, say ROM manager a system app? Just copy the apk into the /System/App folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but not all apps you download from google play work in /system/app. Some want to be installed into /data/app. However /data/app doesn't exist till after the rom is booted. You would need to add the folder to your extracted rom and modify the updater script.
razz1 said:
Yes, but not all apps you download from google play work in /system/app. Some want to be installed into /data/app. However /data/app doesn't exist till after the rom is booted. You would need to add the folder to your extracted rom and modify the updater script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are the fu**ing man razz1.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
That's about all I have for now. OP completed!:sly:
Hello. Ok so I created a ROM what I call MyTWGE (Tuchwiz Google Edition). Followed the instructions, unzipped the stock Verizon OS went into the -app- folder deleted all the Verizon, Samsung and Google apps (only the ones that are download able from Google Play). Replaced the stock launcher with the 5x6 version that I extracted from another zip, replaced the camera with the Google edition camera (download able from GP), replaced the keyboard with the Note2 keyboard (also unzipped from another zip). Looked around and deleted a few more files I found that were connected to some Samsung apps and zipped it up. Flashed the zip yesterday onto the phone and it's ALIVE working.
Thank you for your patience to write up all these instructions. I previously used TB to debloat my phone and that was it, learned a few thing thanks again
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Lehocki said:
Hello. Ok so I created a ROM what I call MyTWGE (Tuchwiz Google Edition). Followed the instructions, unzipped the stock Verizon OS went into the -app- folder deleted all the Verizon, Samsung and Google apps (only the ones that are download able from Google Play). Replaced the stock launcher with the 5x6 version that I extracted from another zip, replaced the camera with the Google edition camera (download able from GP), replaced the keyboard with the Note2 keyboard (also unzipped from another zip). Looked around and deleted a few more files I found that were connected to some Samsung apps and zipped it up. Flashed the zip yesterday onto the phone and it's ALIVE working.
Thank you for your patience to write up all these instructions. I previously used TB to debloat my phone and that was it, learned a few thing thanks again
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol the whole time I was reading this I was waiting for you to say something didn't work out for you but it all did I guess. Nice!!
Yeah running for the past 24h no problems everything works. Thanks
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---------- Post added at 02:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 AM ----------
Only thing that that's annoying is the wifi in the taskbar. I read in one of the posts that I have to go into systemui and some other files within n delete lines 12 through 21 but that didn't work , am guessing I need to decompile systemui to do that. The person in the post didn't clarify and I'm not ready to do that yet. Reason is I don't know anything about programming or linux or decompiler or anything like that. Deleting files I can do replacing some sure. But I'm happy my first attempt to mix something together worked and I'll keep doing it till I actually figure out what it is that I am doing. Thanks again for the post
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Yea. Follow Didacts write ups to get you through it. It's all in framework res apk.