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Questions on Icon Customization

Hello all,
So to start yes I've used google and yes I've searched. But I can't seem to bring up the answers I'm looking for.
I'm interested in theming my own icons or at least changing some that others have to to suite my own desires. I've read up on some things for Android icons here. But I was curious as to what other people use/prefer.
As in which to use Fireworks or Photoshop?
Or what the best dimensions are for icons?
And is it best to make them into an APK for easy use?
I couldn't find a how to guide for theming icons specifically but if someone could point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Flawless
P.S. Sorry if some of these have really easy answers. Just starting out with changing things on my own.

Which Icons...
Notification icons?
or
App Icons?
or
Other?
I was typing a response and realize you could be talking about three different icons which have different sizes and are in different locations. Notifications are /system/framework and App icons are just shortcuts. Use bettercut from the market, for the latter. As for size 72x72 px for hdpi screens.
http ://developer.android.com/guide/practices/ui_guidelines/icon_design. html
click the screenie below since i can yet link.

Well in the immediate future I was looking to make my own icon theme pack. Then jump into framework, which I know can be a bit more complicated.
So my original questions were in regardes to strictly application icons and a launcher pro dock.
Also I personally use desktop visualizer to customize my icons.
Thanks again for your response
-Flawless
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

I'm interested in this as well. I really would like to know how to change the stock folder icons from the plain manila to something more appealing. A starting guide would be great.
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[email protected] said:
Which Icons...
Notification icons?
or
App Icons?
or
Other?
I was typing a response and realize you could be talking about three different icons which have different sizes and are in different locations. Notifications are /system/framework and App icons are just shortcuts. Use bettercut from the market, for the latter. As for size 72x72 px for hdpi screens.
http ://developer.android.com/guide/practices/ui_guidelines/icon_design. html
click the screenie below since i can yet link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So after re-reading the webpage that I found and that you linked again, it clarified it a bit. I'm now more just curious as to the programs most people prefer. I know some editors use fireworks but some use photoshop. Which do you personally like (or which may be easier for a semi-noob to start off with)? Or is there another program that you use?
Thanks again,
-Flawless

Here is how I change my homescreen icons if using LauncherPro:
While you could download another app to make custom icons for your homescreens, I figure, why not just use LauncherPro since we already have it installed. Here is a simple tutorial to make a shortcut to have an app open like regular but with a custom icon:
1. Determine the app's package and class names:
-Add a LauncherPro Activities shortcut to your homescreen. Find the app you want and expand it. The options you see are your class names. We will use the HTC Sense World Clock as an example. Usually the default page the app opens to will be the first option, so in this case...
Class name: com.htc.android.worldclock.WorldClockTabControl
The package name is usually derived from the class name, mainly by removing the last part of the name. So, in this case...
Package name: com.htc.android.worldclock
Sometimes you may have to remove the 2nd to last part of the name, if its something like "*.chompsms.activities". You don't need the activities section. Just back out of adding the shortcut now, we have all the info we need. Now we can make our shortcut.
2. Add a new LauncherPro Shortcut to your homescreen and use the built in editor. Simply fill in the Shortcut Label (whatever you want to name it), Package name, and Class name. Leave the Action field as is. Browse your SD card for a custom icon (I suggest surfing to http://launcherpro.droidicon.com/), save your.lps file, and you're done!
This probably won't work for all apps, but should work for most.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

cambunch said:
Here is how I change my homescreen icons if using LauncherPro:
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I think you misunderstood the question a bit. I was talking about creating or modifing icons in photoshop or fireworks. Not necessarily how to apply them to the phone.
Although I'm sure what you posted will help some people.
Thanks for the response though.
-Flawless

xFlawless11x said:
I think you misunderstood the question a bit. I was talking about creating or modifing icons in photoshop or fireworks. Not necessarily how to apply them to the phone.
Although I'm sure what you posted will help some people.
Thanks for the response though.
-Flawless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok, well in that case:
http://launcherpro.droidicon.com/tutorials
Most will use Photoshop to make icons. A good size to stay at would be 128x128 IMO. Even though Android uses smaller resolution icons, it's better to downscale than to upscale. I would save as a .PNG to preserve your transparency.

cambunch said:
Oh ok, well in that case:
http://launcherpro.droidicon.com/tutorials
Most will use Photoshop to make icons. A good size to stay at would be 128x128 IMO. Even though Android uses smaller resolution icons, it's better to downscale than to upscale. I would save as a .PNG to preserve your transparency.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome thanks! This will be a great place to start. Is it the same process to edit the Icons for a normal homescreen shortcut? I would assume so or at least it looks to be.
Thanks again,
-Flawless

xFlawless11x said:
Awesome thanks! This will be a great place to start. Is it the same process to edit the Icons for a normal homescreen shortcut? I would assume so or at least it looks to be.
Thanks again,
-Flawless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it should be. You would use BetterCut or LauncherPro to edit the shortcut icons once you have them made.

Help with "invisible" buttons :)

Have a look his video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPihz5x4enE
As he explains, the buttons are just part of the wallpaper, fair enough, but how to
get the different apps and activities to respond to touch?
Also, what launcher is the best for the tab... i always find myself annoyed by the fact that icons and widgets never sticks where i want the, or i find a good d placement, but space between are to big, etc..
I have bought both launcher pro plus and open home 6, and there is ADW... but what do you guys think?
Anyman: what do you use in the video?

Get desktop Visualizer and have blank pngs for icons, set a 10x10 grid and you'll b able to put the anywhere, adw and LP can resize Widgets so you shouldn't have a problem with placement
swyped from a galaxy far far away...

natious said:
Get desktop Visualizer and have blank pngs for icons, set a 10x10 grid and you'll b able to put the anywhere, adw and LP can resize Widgets so you shouldn't have a problem with placement
swyped from a galaxy far far away...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What size for the .png's would you recommend? (what are the original sammy png's in px?)
Also, where do the png's go after i have made them?
Thx

torespen said:
What size for the .png's would you recommend? (what are the original sammy png's in px?)
Also, where do the png's go after i have made them?
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any size will do, just make it 50x50px, and put them on your sd card where you will remember, all my icons go in sd root/icons

[Q] Ugly folder icons

How can I change the ugly folder icons on my phone. I'm using ADW and when I long click on my home...custom shortcut....there's no option for replacing folder icons, only apps, shortcuts, and widgets. I'd rather not download another app (like app organizer), is their a simple work-a-round?.....Waited till I was out of warranty before rooting, so I'm new to the whole custom rom / theming thing.

You can get an ADW theme on the market for free, lots of colors, lots of icons, lots of folders. You just DL the pack, and you can either apply the theme which will automatically change your icons and folders in most cases, OR you can not apply the theme and choose a custom icon from the adw theme icon pack. Also, there are free icon packs all over xda, my favorite thread is the "icon collection - more than 425 icon packs". Search away.

You could try Desktop Visualizer from the Market...that would do what you want but obviously it would be another app.

Just long press your folder icon, tap the pic in the corner, and select a different one. Either from an icon pack from the market, or from your gallery.
-----
Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Ginger-on-Hero action here!

Using that adw method, I like to change them to no icon at all. Invisible "hot spots" instead of icon clutter.
Sent phrom my fone.

Thanks for all of the help!!! I've been reading threads like crazy for the past month, playing with different themes and even making some of my own icons. I never got this involved in my phone before, but thanks to Sprint's new upgrade policies I've get several more months left with this phone to explore the possibilities. LOL

ADW icon packs

Any 1 have any suggestions for good icon packs for ADW? I currently have a honeycomb icon pack and its actually packed with quite a few nice icons. I've only looked threw a couple from the market and there's alot of garbage out there.

roids87 said:
Any 1 have any suggestions for good icon packs for ADW? I currently have a honeycomb icon pack and its actually packed with quite a few nice icons. I've only looked threw a couple from the market and there's alot of garbage out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install an ADW Theme from the Market, you will have access to all of the icons that are part of the theme when you're changing icons in ADW. That's what I used to do.

roids87 said:
Any 1 have any suggestions for good icon packs for ADW? I currently have a honeycomb icon pack and its actually packed with quite a few nice icons. I've only looked threw a couple from the market and there's alot of garbage out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a small icon packhere you can check out the download link is at the top and the first pic shows a lot of theme

I understand that, but if you wanna select your own icons for the home launcher you need the icon packs.... I was just wondering if any one knows of any good packs.

roids87 said:
I understand that, but if you wanna select your own icons for the home launcher you need the icon packs.... I was just wondering if any one knows of any good packs.
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I forgot about that my bad
Sent from my unrEVOked using XDA app

I really like fluxed icons. I think it us a whole theme, though, I just use the icons.
-----
Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Ginger-on-Hero action here!

Transparent Backgroud for Icons Label

Hey guys, I'm wondering whether there is a way to get rid of the icon labels background on the home screen and make it transparent. IMO it looks ugly. I tried looking for a thread that has a solution for this already but I could not find one, if such thread exist, please help direct me to it.
And anyone who might know the trick to achieve this, please share. Thanks!

If you mean riddance of the black background for the white text for the the icons...
+1

+1
10 char
Sent from my GT-N7000

ronald.aton said:
get rid of the icon labels background
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Click to collapse
There are 2 ways I can think of (and have tried).
===== If you are on stock TouchWiz: =====
Try the app "Desktop VisualizeR" (spelt exactly like that).
Market Link
Do note it's not the most "efficient" way of making transparent icon label backgrounds so it might be too inefficient for people that change homescreen icons on a regular basis. As in it takes awhile to setup all the icons but it works.
Steps:
1. Go to home screen > add widget > Desktop VisualizeR (1x1 SS).
then...
2. Click on the widget > select icon and action (in this instance you can just use an app "Icon" as the "icon" and the "Launch" action as "launch the app" > fill or leave "Label" > set "Label Color" as "Transparent".
Another thing you can do if you want all your future icons to follow a "template" of your choosing (e.g. I want all my future icons created using this widget / icon to have white text on transparent background), then go into your Applications > launch Desktop VisualizeR program > click "Menu" button on your phone > Settings > and now you can play around with the settings.
===== Use another launcher (such as Launcher Pro or ADW etc.) =====
I'm pretty sure there is a setting in the launcher settings that allows all created homescreen shortcuts to have a transparent label background.

I use the GO Launcher App. It solves the problem easily and shows the switch of the homescreens smoothly ;-)
My favourite launcher @ Maket

Thanks guys for your responses. I really wanted to achieve this while keeping the stock TW launcher but there just really isn't an actual mod or anything for this. Since I also wanted to be able to rename the labels, I ended up using GoLauncher EX instead. It's a very good alternative and yes, it is very smooth, especially with a kernel running at 1.7 Ghz.
If you use GoLauncher, you probably noticed that the icons on the dock are much smaller than the ones on your home screen. To make them similar, or in some, equal in size, I had to extract the icons I use on my dock from those .apk's and re-sized them from edge to edge to get rid of the margins because that is what's making them appear small on the dock. I saved the edited icons and put them on my sd card and just used the "Change Icon" option from GoLauncher to use the ones I edited. I also went ahead and made custom icons from folders so that they'll look better at least.
I have a screen shot of my home screen below for you guys to check out. Btw, I'm loving the G-Note! This device is just epic!

ronald.aton said:
Thanks guys for your responses. I really wanted to achieve this while keeping the stock TW launcher but there just really isn't an actual mod or anything for this. Since I also wanted to be able to rename the labels, I ended up using GoLauncher EX instead. It's a very good alternative and yes, it is very smooth, especially with a kernel running at 1.7 Ghz.
If you use GoLauncher, you probably noticed that the icons on the dock are much smaller than the ones on your home screen. To make them similar, or in some, equal in size, I had to extract the icons I use on my dock from those .apk's and re-sized them from edge to edge to get rid of the margins because that is what's making them appear small on the dock. I saved the edited icons and put them on my sd card and just used the "Change Icon" option from GoLauncher to use the ones I edited. I also went ahead and made custom icons from folders so that they'll look better at least.
I have a screen shot of my home screen below for you guys to check out. Btw, I'm loving the G-Note! This device is just epic!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look nice. Mind to share your icons set?

aezv said:
Look nice. Mind to share your icons set?
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Sure. Just download the attachment below. Make sure when you select the icons for use, that you press "No Crop" so that they will display properly.

Thanks a lot, you save me much big time.

aezv said:
Thanks a lot, you save me much big time.
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You're welcome.