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.
Hey everybody, this is my first post here.
I recently installed Rubix Focused and the Linear theme for it. All is well and good except that some of the edit menu icons are themed and some are not. This really bugs me and I wanted to change them all back to the stock icons. I've found the icons inside of the framework.apk inside the linear theme zip, but when I replace them via 7zip and try to reinstall the theme, they aren't changed and my phone pretty much flips out.
Also some of the icons for other programs (Gmail, others) are also changed, I'm assuming whatever would work to fix the ones inside the framework apk would also work for changing out the icons in those specific apps.
So how do I go about doing this? I thought it would be a simple fix but I'm thinking I'm missing something during the process.
If you use the rubix zip u flashed...
Open it up with 7zip and pull ouy everything but the framwork-res.apk
Then reflash the new zip. I believe u can do this...read it in this forum somewhere...
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
Would I be reflashing Rubix's framework or the theme's (Linear)? The modified icons came from the theme installation.
Use the rubix framework if you want them to look like the stock rubix icons.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
I replaced the icons in the theme with the icons I wanted and replace the framework file in the original theme's zip and deleted everything else, keeping the file structure to the framework file intact. It freezes whenever I try to install it now.
Grvyrds said:
I replaced the icons in the theme with the icons I wanted and replace the framework file in the original theme's zip and deleted everything else, keeping the file structure to the framework file intact. It freezes whenever I try to install it now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What process and exact steps did you take to do this?
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
Alrighty, I ended up getting something to work. I used another simple theme mod's zip file and replaced the framework file with mine and installed fine. I'm guessing it had to do with signage or something.j Would life have been made easier if I used apk manager?
Yes, if you are just replacing images, apk manager would probably make life easier...
Sorry I didn't think to mention this before... was just trying to think of the easiest method to get you back to where you wanted to be in terms of look/feel.
I have built alot of roms and need to make flashable themes for them!
I have tried everything with no avail!
Can i just swap png images from a theme zip already made?
Can i make them with Ubuntu!
I thought it would be easier than roms but it is not so easy!
Need serious help thanks!
And i want to make them without apks for now just images
eVoKINGS said:
I have built alot of roms and need to make flashable themes for them!
I have tried everything with no avail!
Can i just swap png images from a theme zip already made?
Can i make them with Ubuntu!
I thought it would be easier than roms but it is not so easy!
Need serious help thanks!
And i want to make them without apks for now just images
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was actually just looking into some of the flashable theme files that were posted for the mikfroyo rom. You could probably just open those and look at whats in there and replace the artwork? Just guessing..
sounds that easy but i did it and no go pissin me off!
Tired of theming whole roms!
Give this a try... this will port png's from one rom to another. you just need to pull the framwork-res.apk and resources.apk from framework from your rom and put it in the "new" folder. and put the same apk's from the theme you want to port in the "old" folder, both under the framework folder with in the "new" and "old" folders. and run the script.... there are also app folders for any themed apps that you want to port also.... same thing with those, yours in the new and the themed ones to port in the old.... Just remember, these are only png ports, you still need to do xml edits if there are any...
this is not my work, found it here on xda a very long time ago and don't remember from who but thanx to him or them......
View attachment Theme-Porter.zip
Okay now I think I know what you're trying to do..
I see your built ROM's with themes and you're basically tired of opening each .apk and putting your images in each one?
You wouldn't use metamorph itself but you would create your theme like you would a metamorph and then download ZipThemer from the market. Point it to that metamorph theme you created and it will create the flashable theme zip for you. It does all the work for you and puts the images in the .apks like you defined. Packages them all up and makes the flashable zip.
It may not sound like its not easy but once you build that initial theme.zip you're pretty much set except for adding or deleting a couple things here and there.
As you know for the most part everything will be in /system/ and have the same .apk name so the theme will continue to work. So if you're building an AOSP ROM after each build all you will have to do is load the rom on your phone and launch zipthemer and have it make the flashable zip you'll give to your users.
Know what I mean?
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:
I mess with my phone's cosmetics on a daily basis. I switch between themes all the time. With cm7 and ADW launcher there are just so many customizations. I also use zip themer frequently to build modded zips for any given theme. I recently built and flashed a zip that modded my lockscreen and added some cool animations and custom transitions. When you build a zip with zip themer it creates an update zip and an undo zip. I tried flashing the undo zip to get rid of the modifications and it didn't work. I even tried rebuilding the zips and flashing again. Nothing. I was was forced to restore with a nandroid. If this happens again, is there a way to get rid of it without having to do a restore?
Maybe copy your systemui.apk and framework-Res.apk beforehand and try manually pushing them back through adb....or better yet stick them in a flashable zip and flash them.
In cm recovery,
Try mounting system, then flashing the undo.zip
Then clear cache and dalvik and reboot.
This is the only way flashing themes and mods works for me. Good luck!
TwitchyEye said:
Maybe copy your systemui.apk and framework-Res.apk beforehand and try manually pushing them back through adb....or better yet stick them in a flashable zip and flash them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a great idea twitch....however I don't know how to use ADB all that well, maybe I'll just zip them up next time. Would I have to delete my modded systemui and framework-res apk's before or after flashing back to my normal ones?
Eric, I actually tried that exact method. Mounted, flashed cleared my caches aannnnd nothing =( It was after this that I knew I was kinda screwed lol. Also, I think I know what may have caused the glitch. See, I flashed a morph for a specific theme.....Then I changed themes WITHOUT removing the morph. Think thats what made it screw up?
I think... the flashing would overwrite the modded ones. But I've never actually tried it so probably keep a nandroid handy.
Actually another great tool for this would be the aroma file manager. You can use it from recovery to push the apks and set the right permissions. I like that idea
---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:30 PM ----------
Oh and yeah maybe mounting system would do it. That would be super easy lol