Related
Tools Needed :
APK Manager (to decompile and recompile apks)
Photoshop or other photo editing software’s ( corel draw etc etc)
FS Resizer or GIMP( to resize or reshape png)
NOTEPAD ++(edit xml files)
Eclipse
AXMLPrinter (convert xml to txt files)
From the start:
Make sure u hav a deodexed ROM….If your ROM is not deodexed den use xultimate to deodex….
• You will get a zip or rar file in which u will find “meta inf” and “system”…. We will be concentrating only on the system folder…..Extract it to the desktop or which ever location u want….
• Inside the system folder u would see folders called “app” “framework” “media” “bin” etc….
Let me explain what does these folders Hav to do.
“app” is the major folder which has to do with all the pre installed apps(default apps) like calculator camera mms(messaging) touchwiz bluetooth etc…..
“framework” is the folder associated with the body formation (i.e) the skeleton of out fit…..examples like the battery icon,icons in the notification panel like “autorotate” “Wi-Fi” “GPS” etc….
“media” consists of “bootanimation.zip” file allows u to change the boot animation ( we would discuss about this later)
TUTORIAL ON HOW TO CHANGE THE ICON OF APPS:
STEP 1: First go into the “apps” folder and extract everythin(if u wish extract everythin or extract only the file u want) to the desktop…….
• Don’t be bothered about the .odex files… concentrate only on the .apk files…..
• for ex: if u wish to change the “messaging” icon…select mms.apk….enter into that and u would find folders called “res” “metainf”…….. ENTER into “res” folder and u would see folders such as “drawable” “drawable ldpi”( or similar to that) leave the folders like “xml” etc and just concentrate on “drawable-ldpi” and extract it to the desktop…..enter into that folder and u would find all the images which u see on the mobile while messaging….. Hope u would remember how the icon for the messagin app be….now search for that….for this apk it would be as “ic_launcher_smsmms”….. and BINGO your done…… download a png of the icon u want from google (for that go into google and type message icon png and select images…. Select the image of ur choice and save it) now copy that downloaded image (for ex the downloaded image name is 123.png replace that name to “ic_launcher_smsmms”)After renaming it copy and replace the default image in the “drawable ldpi” folder….. Similarly make changes for wat ever icon u want but REMBEMBER the icon ur changing should hav the same name of the default icon”
• Since u’ve modded(changed) only the “drawable ldpi” folder copy that folder in which u hav changed the icon to the folder in “res” of “mms.apk”…… to make it clear delete the default drawable ldpi and replace it with the one u modded from the desktop……(to replace just drag from the desktop to the rar file) IF WINRAR asks a confirmation “update changes made” click YES…… cool now u’ve changed the icon of the messaging app….
• Similarly try replacing the default icon of the calculator camera dialer tab activity etc by just moving into the apk file “res””drawable ldpi (hdpi, land-ldpi or wateva)
• To go more interior take dialer tab activity and follow the above steps first.,….den replace the number icons, dialer_tab_background image with any image u like but it should be of PNG and of the same default name while replacing it in the folder……
• That’s it now u’ve learnt how to change the icons and images……
• Now do the reverse of STEP 1….. copy the modded(changed) apk files from the desktop into the “system””app” folder and don’t forget to save the changes…..
• TUTORIAL ON HOW TO CHANGE THE ICON OF FRAMEWORK :
SIMILARLY just like how u replaced the icons of “apps” try replacing icons of framework folder….
• Open “framework” folder…..u’ll find many .JAR files and “framework-res.apk” and “twt-framework.apk”
• Go into framework-res.apkresand extract drawable (ldpi,hdpi,mdpi,land-hdpi) or wateva file is der to ur desktop…. Just as how u did it in “apps” replace the PNGS in it…. For ex: replace the alarm clock icon “auto rotate” “vibrate” “sound””battery icons” etc…..
• After doing all the changes in drawable folder replace the drawable folder in “framework-res.apk” and replace this “framework-res.apk” in the framework folder of the RAR file….
XML EDITTING:
XML editing is the trickiest and difficult part yet a challenging part
To do this u must need “apk manager” version 4 or higher…..
These are the folders inside the apk manager
Take the apk file for which u r goin to edit the xml for example to change the conversion of sms to mms from 4pgs to any no of pgs u want……copy the “mms.apk” file from “system””app” to “PLACE APK HERE FOR MODDING” of the apk manager….. HINT: for beginners u can edit only one file at a time After this open “SCRIPT”
IF u hav placed mms.apk file in “PLACE APK HERE FOR MODDING” den “NONE” would be shown as “mms.apk” or if u had placed “touchwiz.apk” it would show as “touchwiz.apk” on the place of NONE
Now press no 9….. the “DECOMPILING” would start and would finish with no alert…
now go to the “APK manager” folder and go into “PROJECTS” u’ll find mms.apk or wateva apk u hav used….
Den go into “RES””XML” ..... u’ll find “mms_config” open it with notepad or notepad++….(notepad++ is advisable and recommended)
You will find a line called <int name="smsToMmsTextThreshold">4</int> replace that four with whatever number u want….
Well u hav learnt how to edit the XML’s also… ….try to edit xml of touchwiz (androidmanifest.xml) to enable touch wiz rotation or touchwiz(launcher_config{to change number of rows and columns}….”default_mainapplication_order”{to change order of the apps in the touch wiz}
All the changes must be made in the projects folder and COMPILE it again by pressing number 11…..
copy the COMPILED .APK back into “apps” or “framework-res” or from wer ever u took the apk file….. THEME DEVELOPING DOESN’T COME WITHIN A DAY SO TRY IT REPEATEDLY TILL U GET THE ART OF IT My sincere thanks to Amit who motivated me and thanks to pratyush and dev for helpin me at the beginning, Rishee for the support rendered from the beginning and all the group members for your support…..
THE SCERENSHOTS ARE PROVIDED IN THE LINK BELOW
www.multiupload.com/7EVOSODEHX
Nice one !!
invincible authority said:
Nice one !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank u.....
Thnx bro! That was really helpful!!!
wilfredcool007 said:
Tools Needed :
APK Manager (to decompile and recompile apks)
Photoshop or other photo editing software’s ( corel draw etc etc)
FS Resizer or GIMP( to resize or reshape png)
NOTEPAD ++(edit xml files)
Eclipse
AXMLPrinter (convert xml to txt files)
From the start:
Make sure u hav a deodexed ROM….If your ROM is not deodexed den use xultimate to deodex….
• You will get a zip or rar file in which u will find “meta inf” and “system”…. We will be concentrating only on the system folder…..Extract it to the desktop or which ever location u want….
• Inside the system folder u would see folders called “app” “framework” “media” “bin” etc….
Let me explain what does these folders Hav to do,,,,,
“app” is the major folder which has to do with all the pre installed apps(default apps) like calculator camera mms(messaging) touchwiz bluetooth etc…..
“framework” is the folder associated with the body formation (i.e) the skeleton of out fit…..examples like the battery icon,icons in the notification panel like “autorotate” “Wi-Fi” “GPS” etc….
“media” consists of “bootanimation.zip” file allows u to change the boot animation ( we would discuss about this later)
TUTORIAL ON HOW TO CHANGE THE ICON OF APPS:
STEP 1: First go into the “apps” folder and extract everythin(if u wish extract everythin or extract only the file u want) to the desktop…….
• Don’t be bothered about the .odex files… concentrate only on the .apk files…..
• for ex: if u wish to change the “messaging” icon…select mms.apk….enter into that and u would find folders called “res” “metainf”…….. ENTER into “res” folder and u would see folders such as “drawable” “drawable ldpi”( or similar to that) leave the folders like “xml” etc and just concentrate on “drawable-ldpi” and extract it to the desktop…..enter into that folder and u would find all the images which u see on the mobile while messaging….. Hope u would remember how the icon for the messagin app be….now search for that….for this apk it would be as “ic_launcher_smsmms”….. and BINGO your done…… download a png of the icon u want from google (for that go into google and type message icon png and select images…. Select the image of ur choice and save it) now copy that downloaded image (for ex the downloaded image name is 123.png replace that name to “ic_launcher_smsmms”)After renaming it copy and replace the default image in the “drawable ldpi” folder….. Similarly make changes for wat ever icon u want but REMBEMBER the icon ur changing should hav the same name of the default icon”
• Since u’ve modded(changed) only the “drawable ldpi” folder copy that folder in which u hav changed the icon to the folder in “res” of “mms.apk”…… to make it clear delete the default drawable ldpi and replace it with the one u modded from the desktop……(to replace just drag from the desktop to the rar file) IF WINRAR asks a confirmation “update changes made” click YES…… cool now u’ve changed the icon of the messaging app….
• Similarly try replacing the default icon of the calculator camera dialer tab activity etc by just moving into the apk file “res””drawable ldpi (hdpi, land-ldpi or wateva)
• To go more interior take dialer tab activity and follow the above steps first.,….den replace the number icons, dialer_tab_background image with any image u like but it should be of PNG and of the same default name while replacing it in the folder……
• That’s it now u’ve learnt how to change the icons and images……
• Now do the reverse of STEP 1….. copy the modded(changed) apk files from the desktop into the “system””app” folder and don’t forget to save the changes…..
• TUTORIAL ON HOW TO CHANGE THE ICON OF FRAMEWORK:•
SIMILARLY just like how u replaced the icons of “apps” try replacing icons of framework folder….
• Open “framework” folder…..u’ll find many .JAR files and “framework-res.apk” and “twt-framework.apk”
• Go into framework-res.apkresand extract drawable (ldpi,hdpi,mdpi,land-hdpi) or wateva file is der to ur desktop…. Just as how u did it in “apps” replace the PNGS in it…. For ex: replace the alarm clock icon “auto rotate” “vibrate” “sound””battery icons” etc…..
• After doing all the changes in drawable folder replace the drawable folder in “framework-res.apk” and replace this “framework-res.apk” in the framework folder of the RAR file….
XML EDITTING:
XML editing is the trickiest and difficult part yet a challenging part
To do this u must need “apk manager” version 4 or higher…..
These are the folders inside the apk manager
Take the apk file for which u r goin to edit the xml for example to change the conversion of sms to mms from 4pgs to any no of pgs u want……copy the “mms.apk” file from “system””app” to “PLACE APK HERE FOR MODDING” of the apk manager….. HINT: for beginners u can edit only one file at a time :O After this open “SCRIPT”
IF u hav placed mms.apk file in “PLACE APK HERE FOR MODDING” den “NONE” would be shown as “mms.apk” or if u had placed “touchwiz.apk” it would show as “touchwiz.apk” on the place of NONE
Now press no 9….. the “DECOMPILING” would start and would finish with no alert…
now go to the “APK manager” folder and go into “PROJECTS” u’ll find mms.apk or wateva apk u hav used….
Den go into “RES””XML” ..... u’ll find “mms_config” open it with notepad or notepad++….(notepad++ is advisable and recommended)
You will find a line called <int name="smsToMmsTextThreshold">4</int> replace that four with whatever number u want….
Well u hav learnt how to edit the XML’s also…….try to edit xml of touchwiz (androidmanifest.xml) to enable touch wiz rotation or touchwiz(launcher_config{to change number of rows and columns}….”default_mainapplication_order”{to change order of the apps in the touch wiz}
All the changes must be made in the projects folder and COMPILE it again by pressing number 11…..
copy the COMPILED .APK back into “apps” or “framework-res” or from wer ever u took the apk file….. THEME DEVELOPING DOESN’T COME WITHIN A DAY SO TRY IT REPEATEDLY TILL U GET THE ART OF IT My sincere thanks to Amit who motivated me and thanks to pratyush and dev for helpin me at the beginning, Rishee for the support rendered from the beginning and all the group members for ur support….. THANK U
IF U LIKE MY THREAD DONT FORGET TO CLICK THANKS
THE SCERENSHOTS ARE PROVIDED IN THE BROKEN LINK BELOW
multiupload.com/7EVOSODEHX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is very helpfull thankx bro
N again thankx for adding my name :-D
Sent from my Galaxy fit using XDA App
rajrocks said:
This is very helpfull thankx bro
N again thankx for adding my name :-D
Sent from my Galaxy fit using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx for sharing ..!!
Sent from my GT-S5670 using xda premium
Do you guys have any video tuts for this one?
it maybe easier if you see how it's done visually, aside from still images of course...
thanks..
reikableu said:
Do you guys have any video tuts for this one?
it maybe easier if you see how it's done visually, aside from still images of course...
thanks..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u hav any doubts feel free to ask.......
where do you use Eclipse? and which eclipse should i get?
Example, for step 1, how do i extract the file using APK Manger?
sorry i am very noob about this things...
I was able to run apk manager and it asked me to choose an option, i chose extract an APK... but it just closes and does nothing... or i am doing something wrong?
thanks...
reikableu said:
where do you use Eclipse? and which eclipse should i get?
Example, for step 1, how do i extract the file using APK Manger?
sorry i am very noob about this things...
I was able to run apk manager and it asked me to choose an option, i chose extract an APK... but it just closes and does nothing... or i am doing something wrong?
thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U need not use eclipse.... just use the apktool to deompile the apk file.... u will find folders called res xml value etc etc after u decompile the apk usin either apktool or apk manager.... If u want to change the icon or appearance use the drawables's folder where all the pngs's are present if u want to make any changes in xml use the folder"xml" and open the files usin notepad++
CLICK THANKS IF U LIKE MY POST
Nice work bro.....
wilfredcool007 said:
just use the apktool to deompile the apk file.... u will find folders called res xml value etc etc after u decompile the apk usin either apktool or apk manager.... If u want to change the icon or appearance use the drawables's folder where all the pngs's are present if u want to make any changes in xml use the folder"xml" and open the files usin notepad++
CLICK THANKS IF U LIKE MY POST
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I am really noob at this... how do i decompile? i tried doing that in apk manager, but i don't seem to get it to work... do i have to have the phone connected to the computer? can you give me a link where i can learn on how to use it?
reikableu said:
Sorry, I am really noob at this... how do i decompile? i tried doing that in apk manager, but i don't seem to get it to work... do i have to have the phone connected to the computer? can you give me a link where i can learn on how to use it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
downlaod the "complete set of tools" by me it'll be in the posts under android development and hackins ection.... in that ull find apktool and apk manager and some more
copy the apk file u want into "keep here for Modding" folder of apk manager den open "script".... press 9 to decompile... the decompiled files wil be in the "projects" folder of apkmanager... go into it and do ur modifications...more than this no one can be taught for more reference search using google..
wilfredcool007 said:
downlaod the "complete set of tools" by me it'll be in the posts under android development and hackins ection.... in that ull find apktool and apk manager and some more
copy the apk file u want into "keep here for Modding" folder of apk manager den open "script".... press 9 to decompile... the decompiled files wil be in the "projects" folder of apkmanager... go into it and do ur modifications...more than this no one can be taught for more reference search using google..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did download all that is in here... so i'll give it a try again...
...edit...
i always get an error for decompiling...
i attached a log where the error is, maybe you can check it...
reikableu said:
i did download all that is in here... so i'll give it a try again...
...edit...
i always get an error for decompiling...
i attached a log where the error is, maybe you can check it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
listen...ill teach u now as simple as possible.... first hav the apk file with u for example take mms.apk
den download my tools
den in that go to apk manager
place the apk file in the place here for modding folder
now open script den press 9... u will hav hav no response but a folder with the apk name u hav will be created in the projects folder.... now go into the projects folder and there u will find folder called res
open that and further go to drawable folder or which ever folder u want... replace the icon which u want to be replaced with the same name as it was in the folder... for example if u want to change the mms icon the default icon is "icon.png" now download a png of ur choice rename it as "icon" and replace it in the folder.... now open the scripts again
press 11 to compile
it'll ask whether its a system file press "y" den again press "y"
den follow the instructions as given in that box... and thats it
DarshpreetGulati said:
Nice work bro.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks darshpreet
reikableu said:
i always get an error for de-compiling...
i attached a log where the error is, maybe you can check it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as i said, i followed your instructions... and like i said as well...
de-compiling gives me an error that is why i uploaded the error log...
thanks...
Nice share....
really help me to mod icon and status bar .....thank's
AldoSebastian said:
Nice share....
really help me to mod icon and status bar .....thank's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont just say thanks press it
wilfredcool007 said:
Dont just say thanks press it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
arrrgghhh...sorry sir...I miss that thing...hehehehe
do it now...n thank's once again for remembering me
Because some people asked me, I wrote this tutorial that explains how to port ICS transition animations on EVERY ROM & especially on EVERY PHONE!!!.
1) First of all, you need to download and install APK MANAGER:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701
2) Extract with WinRAR, from the ROM you want to modify, the file framework-res.apk, that you can find in the directory \System\framework\.
3) Go to the apk manager folder and place the framework-res.apk file in the folder "place-apk-here-for-modding".
4) In the apk manager folder, double click on the file "Script". A cmd window will open.
5) Where it says "Please make your decision", write "22" (Set current project) and enter. Then enter "1" (to choose the first apk) and enter. Then enter "9" (Decompile apk) and enter.
The script will decompile the framework-res.apk.
6) Now go to your apk manager folder, go to Projects\framework-res.apk\res\anim\.
In this folder there are the animations of your rom. They consist in some .xml files decompiled.
7) Download this:
http://www.mediafire.com/?1qjwtotg1r8umm1
8) Copy the files from the folder "anims" of the zip downloaded into the anim folder and you are asked to replace the files; choose yes. Then copy also the files from the folder "other_files" to the anim folder.
9) Now go to your apk manager folder, go to Projects\framework-res.apk\res\values\. Edit the file integers.xml and put these two lines under the line of "shortAnimTime":
<integer name="config_activityShortDur">150</integer>
<integer name="config_activityDefaultDur">220</integer>
Save.
10) Return to Script. Enter "11" (Compile apk) and enter.
The script will rebuild the framework-res.apk.
11) You are asked if this is a system application. Enter "y" and enter. Then a second question appears. Enter newly "y".
12) Then after it processes, Don't press anything & DON'T CLOSE THIS WINDOW!!! A new folder "keep" is created in the apk manager folder. Go inside it and delete the file "resources.arsc". Now go inside keep\res\anim\ and delete every file with the same name as every file of the "anims" folder of the zip downloaded.
Then return to Script and press enter. It processes, then if everything went ok, in the folder "place-apk-here-for-modding" a file "unsignedframework-res.apk" is created. Copy it outside and rename it "framework_res.apk".
13) Now you can create a flashable zip or you can simply push it to your system (but you have to sign the apk).
CONGRATRULATIONS!!! YOU ARE DONE!!!
And if you think this tutorial is useful, CLICK THANKS!!!
Now I'm satisfied and i can continue studying phylosophy for tomorrow test...
P.S.: If you think that this post can help or interest people of other forums (with other devices), please share this post and also give credit to me!!!
Video of this mod working:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf1U_30Ngfk
capez said:
Work in progress
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHAAOOON, that's great, that's the post I was looking for mate !
This is what we should expect on this forum : knowledge sharing ! Work sharing and ROM/THEME/APPS sharing is great but knowledge is even better.
If I can test something ...
capez said:
Work in progress
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will this work with every devices ?? Wow... Cant wait to do this!!!
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
Finally DONE!!!
cool animations, thanks!!!
(Replaced)
got bootloops on my desire hd.. running glanet ics..
Rotation animations??
I already installed the CM7 transition animation zip from your other thread.. So, thank you in case I haven't appreciated your work
Does this one have screen rotation animation too?
digkong said:
got bootloops on my desire hd.. running glanet ics..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you pushed the modded framework-res.apk directly into the phone?
Do you think [Android 4.0 ICS] should be in the title in this form? It's a little misleading.
Hmm...It started FC. Removing my links for now. Gonna see why.
Works great
Great guide. It worked for me.
Oddly though, I replaced my framework-res.apk through root explorer, set all the correct permissions, and when I rebooted, my google accounts were deleted, along with my contacts and google music library.
Not a problem though, Ill just have to relogin to them.
Great, it works very well. I maybe found a more simple way to do it :
1. Dowload ApkTools package I've done here :
http://www.multiupload.com/Q6YSAF2MH3
2. Unzip it to your harddrive and put your FrameWork-res.apk in it,
3. Click on "decomp.bat"
4. A new "unpack" directory has been created, with decompiled files in it,
5. Download this:
http://www.mediafire.com/?1qjwtotg1r8umm1
6. Copy the files from the folder "anims" of the zip downloaded into the anim folder and you are asked to replace the files; choose yes. Then copy also the files from the folder "other_files" to the anim folder.
7. Now go to your apk manager folder, go to Projects\framework-res.apk\res\values\. Edit the file integers.xml and put these two lines under the line of "shortAnimTime":
<integer name="config_activityShortDur">150</integer>
<integer name="config_activityDefaultDur">220</integer>
Save.
8. Patch the anim files in it, and edit the xml,
9. When finished, just click "recomp.bat" to get a new compiled file "framework-res2.apk",
10. Juste rename the file and put it in a update zip file, you can use this one and replace the framework file in it by yours :
http://www.multiupload.com/PPMFV9Y316
Should work !!!
PS : If your framework-res.apk contains .9.png files, decompilation will fails. No problem with standard CM7 framework-res.apk, but some custom themed ROM can have the problem. Don't know how to fix that, maybe the 1st solution with APK MANAGER work better !?
capez said:
Did you pushed the modded framework-res.apk directly into the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i used root explorer..
hmmm.. it maybe beacause i did not set permissions right...
great it worked after i set the permissions.. thanks for ur work will post this guide in dhd forum too..
nmeuret said:
Great, it works very well. I maybe found a more simple way to do it :
1. Dowload ApkTools package I've done here :
http://www.multiupload.com/Q6YSAF2MH3
2. Unzip it to your harddrive and put your FrameWork-res.apk in it,
3. Click on "decomp.bat"
4. A new "unpack" directory has been created, with decompiled files in it,
5. Patch the anim files in it, and edit the xml,
6. When finished, just click "recomp.bat" to get a new compiled file "framework-res2.apk",
7. Juste rename the file and put it in a update zip file, you can use this one and replace the framework file in it by yours :
http://www.multiupload.com/PPMFV9Y316
Should work !!!
PS : If your framework-res.apk contains .9.png files, decompilation will fails. No problem with standard CM7 framework-res.apk, but some custom themed ROM can have the problem. Don't know how to fix that, maybe the 1st solution with APK MANAGER work better !?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe this is the problem someone is having...Someone must compare your version and mine, to see which one works and which not. (Obviously with a non-cyanogenmod rom )
Update done for CM7 Nightly 176 (latest) :
http://www.multiupload.com/J88VTO2SU6
---------- Post added at 07:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:59 PM ----------
capez said:
Maybe this is the problem someone is having...Someone must compare your version and mine, to see which one works and which not. (Obviously with a non-cyanogenmod rom )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, in the APK MANAGER post they say :
>Optimize pngs (ignores .9.pngs)
So it should work better !! (but as I'm lazy, I still use APKTOOL one click solution )
I got instant bootloops! How? Can u patch for me??
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
nmeuret said:
Update done for CM7 Nightly 176 (latest) :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a heads up. I downloaded your file and you renamed your framework-res wrong. There's a space between "framework-res" and ".apk" so it won't overwrite the original.
this does not have the rotation animation..
anyway to get that..
dawgpound6985 said:
Just a heads up. I downloaded your file and you renamed your framework-res wrong. There's a space between "framework-res" and ".apk" so it won't overwrite the original.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OOpppsss, thanks, fixed here :
http://www.multiupload.com/J88VTO2SU6
Hello xda.
This is a Guide to help anyone who wishes to create custom ROMs. This Guide aims to be as complete as possible, and will give all information related to creating a custom ROM... editing apks, adding or removing apps, de-odexing apps, and so on.
Al suggestions to improve upon this guide are welcome.
0. Pre-requisites
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Credits to...
1. puppet13th... My mentor, teacher, and a great friend.
2. Wanman... ApkTool for ICS
3. langthang... For a great Guide on Creating Update Script
4. lokeshsaini94... For lots of help
Downloads
You need to Download the following...
1. Apk Tool [link(ICS)|link(GB)]... A tool for De-Compiling apks
2. 7 zip [link]... A tool for un-compressing any sort of compressed file
3. ROM signer [link]... Restores the signing of the ROM zip file, which is messed up while uncompressing
4. Any Image Resizer
Setting up your PC
You need to do the following...
1. Create a folder (preferably in Desktop, and name it "Android")
2. Create Sub-Folders by the names "Base ROM" and "Custom ROM". Also make Sub Folders by the name...
a. ApkTool... Extract contents of ApkTool Here
b. Signer... Extract Autosigner here
I. Let's get our Base ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to get the base ROM in the ./Desktop/Base ROM folder. It is also recommended that you flash the Base ROM into your phone, as it will help in testing the mods, as you make them.
The process of getting the base ROM will depend on the scenario your situation fits in, from amongst the following...
1. You want an already made Custom ROM as your Base... Download the ROM [willl come in .zip folder], and extract it in /Desktop/Android/Base ROM folder
2. You want to base your ROM on a stock firmware, which came in an ftf package... Use the following tool to extract the files from the ftf file.
3. You want to base your ROM on a stock firmware, which is instaled on your phone...
Take a back up of the ROM using ClockWork Mod, and copy the back up files (from /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup), somewhere to your computer. Then, using this tool, extract the files to /Destktop/Android/Base ROM
Copy the following folders from /system of your phone using Root Browser
/app
/bin
/etc
/fonts
/framework
/lib
/media
/semc
/usr
/xbin
build.prop
4. You want to base your ROM on a stock firmware, that comes as a ready to flash .zip file on the internet... Download the ROM, and extract it in /Desktop/Android/Base ROM folder
After completion, the Base ROM will have the following Folder Structure
Desktop
Android
Base ROM
META-INF [only if you got your base from another Custom ROM][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]
system
apps
bin
etc
.
.
.
data [may be]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*ScreenShots*
Copy the contents of Base ROM folder to Custom ROM folder.
We now have the foundation of our ROM laid out in front of us, inviting us to show our creativity.
II. Let's work on the Base ROM... Creation of the Custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A. Apks Make up the Android System...
We will now work, only on the /Desktop/Android/Custom ROM Folder
1. Look into the /system/apps...
You will find apk files which will be raninging frm 100 to 200 in number. Err, half or more are known as "Crapware". You need to remove files which are useless, that's a very important step to enhance performance of your final ROM. Look into your device's forums, to get the list of Safe-To-Remove appks from the respective firmware. In case your base is an already built custom ROM, you will have to remove lesser or none of the files.
2. Here, you can add your desired files as well, keeping compaitability in mind.
3 [Optional]. On a .txt file, keep a record of all the apps your removed or added, as it will help in troubleshooting at a later stage.
B. Implementing Already-Built-MODs in your ROM...
1. Download any Mod you want to keep in your ROM [Make sure your device, and the Base ROM is compaitable]
2. Extract the zip file and you will get a system folder.
3. Copy the files from the system folder to /Custom ROM/sytem, making sure the files go into the folders they came from.
That is, all apk files from /system/apps folder of the Mod should go to /Custom ROM/system/app folder, and so on...
C. Changing the Interface... Let's Mess with SystemUI[nterface].apk
Go to /system/app and copy SystemUI.apk to
/Desktop/Android/ApkTool/place-apk-here-for-modding
Working with ApkTool
The link provided in this post is of an easy to use software called ApkTool.
1. Double Click on the Script.bat file to open up the software.
*Screenshot*
2. Decompress the SystemUI.apk using option '9'.
Wait for the process to complete
3. Go to /Projects, and you will find a folder called SystemUI.
Open the /SystemUI.apk/res/drawable folders and you will find lots and lots of .png files
*Screenshot*
4. Look into the files carfully.
Bingo, they correspond to the various system elements of the SystemUI of the Base ROM.
5. Open any file you want to edit, edit it, and save in the original location, replacing the original un-edited file. [On a temporary notepad file, note which all files you edit]
Note: You will notce that there are .png files for, say the Battery Icon. You will find that there are files for each state of the Battery Icon. So if you intend to edit the Battery Icon, you need to edit all the files corresonding to each of the states.
5.A. A common exaple of such editing is making the elements of a Gingerbread SystemUI.apk look like ICS SystemUI.apk. For this get hands on any ICS SystemUI.apk and extract both the files in seprate locations, and then copy the files from the ICS SystemUI folder to GB SystemUI folder. However, here you must make sure that the names of the files coming from ICS SystemUI are changed to corresponding values of the GingerBread SystemUI.apk. Here, also ensure that the new files, which replace the original files, have the same dimensions as the original files. If not use any image resizing tool.
*Screenshot*
6. If you want to edit some values in the .xml files, carry on. Edit the files as you wish, and replace the original files. Once you are done with the editing...
7. Open the Script.bat file and run command 11. [Say NO when it asks if the file is a system file]You will have a new SystemUI.apk file called unsignedSystemUI.apk in /place-apk-here-for-modding folder.
Go and fill your pockets with some cookies from the kitchen. Start having them.
8. Keep the temporary notepad file on one side and open the unsignedSystemUI.apk with 7zip, and open the original SystemUI.apk using 7zip besides it.
*Screenshot*
9. Drag and extract the files you edited to a temporary folder.
10. Drag the extracted files to the SystemUI.apk, replacing the older files, making sure all the edited files go to the proper place. [That's why I asked to keep a note of which all files were edited].
*Screenshot*
11. If you edited some .xml files, then you MIGHT need to copy the resources.acrc file at the root of the unsignedSystemUI.apk file to the root of the original SystemUI.apk file.
Once done, the original SystemUI.apk has now become a modded SystemUI.apk, with your creativity embedded into it. Time to test the SystemUI.apk.
12. Using Quick ADB, push the edited SystemUI.apk to your phone.
*Screenshot*
13. Re-boot your phone and you shoud see the changes you made in the UI. .
In case it gives force close message, you messed up somewhere. So you will have to push the original SystemUI.apk [from /Base ROM/system/apps folder], and try to mod the file from scratch again.
14. Copy the sucessfully modded SystemUI.apk from /Apktool/place-apk-here-for-modding folder to /Custom ROM/system/app folder, replacing the older file.
D. Changing the Interface... Editing other .apks
1. As earlier, copy the apk you want to edit from /Custom ROM/System/app to /Apktool/**** folder, and perform the modification to optain a new modded .apk file.
2. Test this file if you wish, by pushing it using Qucik ADB.
3. If the modded file wrks, copy this new file to /Custom ROM/System/app and replace the original file
E. Changing the Interface... Editing the font
1. Take your desired font.ttf file and rename it as DroidSans.ttf..
2. Go to the folder system/fonts/
3. Now, replace the file DroidSans.ttf with your desired DoridSans.ttf...
4. To change the lock screen clock font...replace the Clocktopia.ttf with your desired one (rename first)...
If you did a good job in the above steps, the /Custom ROM folder should be having the contents of a wonderful ROM in making.
Here, I will like to mention that, if you want to upload your custom ROM on the internet and share it, you must ensure that you did lots of hard work in the above steps. There's no point making a custom ROM without modifying lots of files and adding lots of tweaks.
Just make sure that you do so much of modding that, say, your Gingerbread ROM looks like Jellybean, or say, your ROM made for Galaxy Y works as smooth as an SIII.
III. Compiling the Custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A. If you got your base ROM as in [1 or 4] in step I above
1. Copy the META-INF folder from /Base ROM to /Desktop/Android/Custom ROM
2. Rename the Custom ROM folder to whatever-you-want-your-ROM-to-be-called.
3. Add the Folder to a zip file using 7zip.
4. Take this zip file to /Desktop/Android/Signer folder and run sign.bat.
X. The new zip file called Update.zip is your ROM.
Copy this file to the SD Card of your phone, format /system, /data, /cache using CWM and flash your .zip file. And enjoy your custom ROM.
B. If you got your base ROM as in [2 or 3] in step I above... Creating your own Update script
Read the following Tutorial. [link]
Once you are done, try the ROM on your phone. Share it if you feel it's great. And hit Thanks Button.
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nice guide!
thanks for the tutorial.
Nice guide, continue finish it.:good:
Awesome
Adds some more tutorial please:thumbup:
Thanks for your work
Inviato dal mio GT-N7000 con Tapatalk 2
Please also add link to original thread....
Btw .. Nice guide....
In 1. Looking into system apps... you should delete .apk as well as .odex files when you want to remove an app... Like browser.apk and browser.odex... Many peoples won't delete them....
Sent from my GT-S7500 using xda premium
Thanks for this nice guide. :highfive:
Please add the placeholder *Screenshot* s :good:
beautiful
Thanks a lot for this beautiful guide. Loved it
i tried it ............
i followed the guide n tried editin my custom rom technoduos on sgy duos GT-s6102
all i did was extract the rom using CWM and then added removed some apps at /system/apps
no other tweaks just addin n removin apps dats all then compressed it n signed it
then wen i flashed it on my set it worked (yayyyyyyy)
but there were some problems the apps which i del were gone but the ones i added were not there ..........
also wen i flashed the rom again the apps which were del were back how is it possible i made sure i had del em
plz help
thank you very much for your tutorials are very helpful to me
nice guide! thx
Nice Guide...
Thanks for the hard work to track down all this information and publish for us.
Thanks
Thanks... im gonna give this a whirl
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
R: [Guide]Create Custom ROMs | Modify Apks
Very useful giude thanks ; )
Inviato dal mio GT-N7100 con Tapatalk 2
:Good:
Sent from my potato oO
thanks
Tutorial on [how to] make a flashable zip 
Credits:
Special Thanks to google.com for teaching me  and rishik999 for sample.zip
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
REQUIREMENTS
- Any file that you want to replace or add to your phone;
- An existing (base) cwm flashable zip file. - I've attached one below;
- 7-zip, Winrar or any program which can open and modify zip files .
STEPS:
DIRECTORY STRUCTURE:
(1) Download and place the base.zip (attached below) anywhere on your desktop;
(2) Right-click on it and open the archive with 7zip, winrar ... [DO NOT extract]
Now you should see two folders: one called "system" and one called "META-INF".
1. Let's start with the "system" one, so open it:
In there, will go all files that what you want to add or replace to the system. So let's say for example that you want to replace the bootanimation.
Make a "New Floder"
-Rename its as "media" (make sure its aint in CAPS nor with in quotation marks)
-drag those two new empty folders into the /system/ folder of the 7-zip opened archive
-now simply drop the two files in their respective place: the bootanimation.zip file should go in '/system/media' folder
.. If you have more files to add, just follow the logic above; I'm sure you get the idea by now.. :silly:
Hints
/system/app - all the system apps (SystemUI.apk etc)
/system/framework/ -framework-res.apk,android.policy.jar
/system/media - bootanimation.zip
/system/lib - libraries (*.so)
2. The other folder included in the opened archive is named "META-INF" and all the file in it should be left unchanged.
Now,just place the zip into your sd card! & try your luck  Of course it will work 
That's it !
Hihihihi...damn easy na ???
Common friend ..dont be a noob ..be a newbiee !!
HIT THANXXX !!
NOTE: Always backup your existing system file that you are going to replace by the patch(zip).
Here is the sample.zip which u can use to make any sort of flashable zip file
Deleted : Solved
kk9999gada said:
Where are Credits?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2nd line
Deleted : Solved
Edit : Done
thanks
i will try... :laugh:
Thanks, I will try it
Thanks will tryyy...
Sent from my Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro(SK17i) using Tapatalk 2
How to make a flashable zip of a recovery.img?
Sent from my GT-S7500 using Tapatalk 2
video recorder problem
hello, I use the camera fix for CM10.1.
It works awesome but the video recorder cannot work after fixing.
Before fixing, I use both stock camera and camera jb+.
Video recorder can wok on camera jb+ then.
But it cannot work after flashing fixing camera jar via cwm!
How should I do ?
Warning:No file context!
Does this sentence "Warning:No file context" might affect the phone recovery????
Thumbs Up Bro !!
You made my day !!
learned something new...
Really nice thread.
I wanna ask that i want to edit my build. Prop file. So in case if anything goes wrong can i flash the original one via this method or it will work only for apps.
Because i once had modified it but stucked at bootloop. So i don't want it to happen again.
coolsid. said:
Really nice thread.
I wanna ask that i want to edit my build. Prop file. So in case if anything goes wrong can i flash the original one via this method or it will work only for apps.
Because i once had modified it but stucked at bootloop. So i don't want it to happen again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'working for every single file that's in the android os...i allways backup in a flashing zip the original files that i am tryng to change/mod
Sent from my GT-S7500
HEY BUDDY YOU SAID THAT..
Make a "New Floder"
-Rename its as "media" (make sure its aint in CAPS nor with in quotation marks)
-drag those 'two new' empty folders into the /system/ folder of the 7-zip opened archive
-now simply drop the "two files" in their respective place: the bootanimation.zip file should go in '/system/media' folder
this includes what are the two folders and the two files. Sorry but i could figure out only one. I Want To Make a zip file using your method but don't want to take any risk.
Hi all,
I know there are tons of 'how to make themes' threads out there in this community but like the title says , its specially for noobs( like me ).
Now I am not talking about noobs who dont know anything about the android OS,framework, recovery etc. Here, by noobs i mean people who dont know how to decompile apps, sign them , make them flashable , use SDKs etc. This guide will throw some light on some of the easier ways out there by using the brilliant features of some apps and programs combined with each other and believe me , it will give you the final result !
So Lets get started :
REQUIREMENTS
1.A NANDROID BACKUP !!
2. Ninjamorph from Stericson : creating a project , replacing PNGs and finishing the project .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=674604
3. An image editing software ( I used Photoshop)
4. Root File Manager (any)
5. Knowledge about your device , Duhh
PROCEDURE
1. Open up ninjamorph and start a new project.
2. Find the APK you wanna modify ( Framework-Res.apk for almost everything; SystemUI.apk for statusbar, clock , general backgrounds , drawer etc ; contacts/seccontacts.apk for phone/dialer , messaging.apk for sms app mods etc , i hope i made my point clear )
3.Modify Apks
now, from here you need to choose your path
Method1
4. (conventional one )Inside the project, goto drawable-hdpi ( for backgrounds goto drawable-nodpi ) and replace the pngs with the pngs you want by downloading them or extracting them from existing packages (of the same size as the original )
5. After replacing the images , simply finish your project and you're done!
Method2( which i used )
4. when you create a project , the Apk is extracted to the location in your device at /sdcard/androidthemes/workspace (your SD card) as a simple folder . Copy this folder to your Pc.
5.Edit the images using an image editing software like PS and save all the images in the copied folder itself in their respective locations OR you can replace the whole apk folder with an already modified/themed folder but just make sure that the modified apk folder is of the same device as yours( since if even a single image which is missing in the modified folder but is present in the original apk folder or is not changed appropriately , it will result in the app not being able to run. It will stop.
6. Once you're done with the replacing, replace the apk folder in /sdcard/androidthemes/extracted with the one you have changed in the above step.
7. Then Goto ninjamorph in your device and simply finish the project whose apk extracted folder you have just modified. Ninjamorph will compile and build the apk from your workspace folder and it will replace the original apk with your modified one.
8. Your new Apk has been themed! :laugh:
Precautions.
1.Have a nandroid backup ( big precaution )
2. Have backups of both the .apk file and the original extracted apk folder , so that if you make an incompatible modification and the app doesnt run, then just replace the apk in the file system of your device ( /system/app or /data/app depending on the apk you are modifying whether it is system or user) OR replace the extracted apk folder in /sdcard/androidthemes/workspace with the original one backed up.
Bonus - Make a flashable zip of your themed apks
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1572962 ( modify the updater script in the zip in the META-INF folder present in the sample zip to match your needs ) by @cheatman
Hit Thanks :good: if this helped