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Hello all,
I've been using McDeb Theme Generator with further version of WM2003.
Since WM5, thoses themes are not working well.
Do you know a theme generator who handle WM5 ?
Thanks,
Martinlbb
SPB Extended Theme Generator
The McDeb version is a special branded version of ThemeMaker by KAMware. They have a WM5 version of the unbranded available;
http://www.kamware.com/
However, you can largely do it for free, as WM5 doesn't really have color theming and such. You do need a bit of working knowledge of modifying files and the pocketpc registry and such - but unless you change the theme all the time, that shouldn't be too big of an issue.
Here's a step-by-step:
1. Download this:
http://www.ida.net/users/oe1k/programs/ThemeBuilder/ThemeBuilder2003.zip
( that site also has instructions - ignore them )
2. Download the attachment. Inside it is a picture - it is a template. The green area is what you can *normally* see of the entire picture when in portrait (vertical) mode. The red area is what you can *normally* see of the entire picture when in landscape (horizontal) mode. Yellow is both. You may wonder why you shouldn't just cut off the bottom - well, reason is that you may be using an app like vijay555's to remove or reduce the soft key buttons, in which case you would probably want to see more of your theme there.
( Ignore the filename, but heed it at the same time. The Theme.inf file needs work, and the file should probably include a template for VGA devices, etc. So please don't distribute - a much better job at it can be done, I just tossed it together in a hurry. )
3. Make a picture that's 320x320 and fits into the template under 2 nicely - e.g. so that you'll see what you want to see when in portrait/landscape mode. You can't have two different pictures by normal theming, so place your picture wisely
4. Save this picture. You can save it as BMP, JPG, PNG, GIF, anything. However, I would very much recommend that you save to GIF - and use the best 'dithering' option available to you in your graphics application. The reason for this is that the your LCD is only 16bit, and some say that the Today Screen only shows 12bit, or even 8bit. Can't be bothered to figure that out, myself. But what's important to understand is that if you save a nice smooth gradiented image as the today screen image, and then display it, you will see a horrible 'posterization' effect. So instead, use GIF, dither, and it will look perfectly smooth as long as you didn't use too many colors in the picture
5. rename this picture to "tdywater.gif" (even if it is a PNG, BMP, JPG!)
6. Now you may want a different picture for your Start Menu background (desaturated, darker, lighter, completely different - whatever). If you do, follow steps 3-5 again, but instead rename the picture to "stwater.gif". If you don't want to use a different picture, then just copy "tdywater.gif" to "stwater.gif"
7. The download you did under step 2 - it contains a new "Theme.inf" file that leaves all colors in your registry intact. Just overwrite the original. You can edit this file, change some values around, etc. For help with the colors in the registry, see: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=WindowsMobile5Colors
8. Now run "build.bat" from the download under 1. This will make a ".tsk" file called "Theme.tsk".
9. Rename "Theme.tsk" to whatever you want your Theme to show up as in the Today screen themes dialog.
10. Copy the new .tsk file to your PPC's \Windows\ folder, and your theme should now be available
--------------------------------------------------
Q. I made a theme, loaded it, and now my system colors are all greyscales!
A. Modify the BaseHue value either in the registry, or in the "Theme.inf" file directly - examples for all colors of the rainbow are included, just uncomment the correct one, or set your own value.
Q. I made a theme with a nice BaseHue value, but other colors are still wrong.
A. Modify the appropriate values in the registry or, again, set them in the "Theme.inf" file.
Q. This is a lot of work?
A. Buy ThemeMaker
A2. I hope to stick this in a wiki at some point, and toss up a piece of javascript that will spit out the contents of a "Theme.inf" for you.
Just to note - I also tried the SPB one. It's a bit bloaty, unless you use SPB products, and it actually failed to create several themes on my machine. It's certainly more userfriendly than my steps above - but not as lean / flexible. YMMV
Thansk ZeBoxx for yours informations.
I have a dozen of french railway themes to upgrade (Mobile 2003 to WM5).
I thinks it should be quick to upgrade with your method.
Thanks,
Martinlbb
I found a better method (I have to check If it's work as I want).
I just rename the .tsk file in .cab file and work with a cab editor.
Martinlbb
yeah, .tsk files are basically just .cab files - the first download is just a collection of files that includes the cab building executables
Hi all,
In File Explorer (the built in one) there are three columns, name of file, date file was added and size of file. I don't need to know when files were added or realyl how big they are, but I would like to see the full file names if possible, can I get rid of the two columns I don't want??
wellmoon said:
Hi all,
In File Explorer (the built in one) there are three columns, name of file, date file was added and size of file. I don't need to know when files were added or realyl how big they are, but I would like to see the full file names if possible, can I get rid of the two columns I don't want??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't. Why not switch to an alternate solution like Resco File Explorer or Total Commander? The former supports this functionality (View / Show Columns); dunno if the latter does it too (but it's certainly better than the built-in FE)
aww thats a shame, I was hoping I'd missed an options panel somewhere or at least a reg hack I could use. I hate installing new apps to replace existing ones....
Thanks anyway
wellmoon said:
Hi all,
In File Explorer (the built in one) there are three columns, name of file, date file was added and size of file. I don't need to know when files were added or realyl how big they are, but I would like to see the full file names if possible, can I get rid of the two columns I don't want??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could change the view from portrait to landscape. This allows you to view more of the file names. To allow you to do this quickly map 'rotate screen' to one of the buttons.
You could probably hack this in - I did something similar with VJSmallIcons II.
But as noted supra, use GSFinder or Resco or Total Commander. File Explorer is massively limited compared with these alternatives.
V
what file type do icons need to be in order to use them in ultimate launch? ico comes up with a windows icon, bmp comes up with an opera icon, and .icons come up with folders.
You need ICO
when i use ico, all of the icons have an opera icon when i put it on windows mobile. i deleted opera but it still comes up.
so i guess windows mobile set opera to open all ico files. how do i change this?
Don't know how to do it normally, but using Schap's Advanced Config tool, there's a File Associations setup tab
i'll try it out. so what program do i change ico files to in order for the icons to show? picture viewer?
mine does the opera thing too. Did you figure out how to fix it?
I had the opera icon issue after I installed the 9.5 beta. I fixed it last night with a hard reset...
I'm having a similar problem and would prefer not to do a hard reset. I can change the file association with file commander, but what do i change it to?
Thanks in advance.
it doesn't matter what file association it has for it to be used with UL. It's not like you are using the icon within file explorer to launch UL.
Put it in a folder somewhere.
When you run UL configuration when adding a app, select Xp-icon button. after you select the .exe or .lnk file, click on the icon tab, then browse button, and then find the folder containing the icons and select the one you want for that app.
It should have nothing to do with what file is associated with it.
I had the opera beta installed and ultimatelaunch would just show error for all my icons. I uninstalled opera but now all my icons are displayed as IE icons.
dmc522 said:
I had the opera beta installed and ultimatelaunch would just show error for all my icons. I uninstalled opera but now all my icons are displayed as IE icons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have a look on the ini file and check where the corresponding icon-path refers to.
I found the problem. I was trying to use the glass looking icons posted in another thread about Ultimate Launch. The icons weren't recognized until i set the size to 58x58.
I seems that no matter where you put your icons, somehow Opera takes over and converts them into the "O" icon no matter what they look like. is there any way to take back the default look of the icon's with out hard resetting?
dmc522 said:
I found the problem. I was trying to use the glass looking icons posted in another thread about Ultimate Launch. The icons weren't recognized until i set the size to 58x58.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly. there are many reasons why an icon will not be recognized. File association by a browser is NOT one of them.
here is another tip: if you are using icons all of the same size, you can go to the tab on the main menu labelled xp-icons and set the size of the icons there, that way you don't have to individually check the box for each individual icon and rechange the size for each one unless that icon is different in size than the one you set on the main menu tab.
Is it possible to get UL to display the calendar? I've been looking through everything I can find on my phone all day and can't find any way to make it display that.
for the "XP" icons you need to use 32 bit icons. there are different versions of .ico. 32 bit have an alpha channel for transparency, they can also have various sizes within such as 16x16, 32x32, and 48x48. There are many programs out there to create the icons with. Like said earlier you also have to have enough room to see the icons of the size you choose 48 needs height of 48+ 32...you get the picture.
some apps to make .ico with:
GIMP
iicon
gconvert
I can't get the calendar plugin to work with Ultimatelaunch, anyone else has this problem
I use the calendar/today plugin TodayAgenda. Added that as a tab within UltimateLaunch. Works perfectly.
superflysocal said:
it doesn't matter what file association it has for it to be used with UL. It's not like you are using the icon within file explorer to launch UL.
Put it in a folder somewhere.
When you run UL configuration when adding a app, select Xp-icon button. after you select the .exe or .lnk file, click on the icon tab, then browse button, and then find the folder containing the icons and select the one you want for that app.
It should have nothing to do with what file is associated with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, in this case it does seem to matter. the Opera icon highjacked the UltimateLauncher icon itself when I changed my layout. The content of the file hasn't changed a bit, just the way it is displayed everywhere on the Pocket PC.
Hey all! First off, I DID NOT create these icons. I merely swapped over .png's from an existing icon set provided by..........????? Well, I'm not sure who created this, I came across them not too long ago and have been searching for a landscape version since. Very much thanks to the original creator and I hope you don't mind what i've done here. I don' know how to make .cab files so you'll need to place these files into your \Windows folder manually. Remember to back-up your existing manila files in order to remove mine later (To remove mine just overwrite my manila files with your original ones.) Also, If you can't see the files in the folder, make sure you are able to view hidden files or folders on your CPU.
i like em. do you have any for portrait?
Here's portrait icons. It comes with a green cursor so I included the transparent slider I use as well. Install the cursor 2nd. Again, much thanks to the creator of this icon set as well as Pamas for the slider.
kingbean said:
Hey all! First off, I DID NOT create these icons. I merely swapped over .png's from an existing icon set provided by..........????? Well, I'm not sure who created this, I came across them not too long ago and have been searching for a landscape version since. Very much thanks to the original creator and I hope you don't mind what i've done here. I don' know how to make .cab files so you'll need to place these files into your \Windows folder manually. Remember to back-up your existing manila files in order to remove mine later (To remove mine just overwrite my manila files with your original ones.) Also, If you can't see the files in the folder, make sure you are able to view hidden files or folders on your CPU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sketchy style looks great. I like the icons.
If I copy all files inside windows, do I have than a Landscape mode. I just ask a stupid question because, my homescreen will not turn for it self.
Once in a while it turns but than it shows me on the left half side the screen tf3d but without slider (Tab). On the other side it shows just scratching something (can´t describe it).
thx for you help
If you are using a Diamond than no, my landscape files will not give you landscape mode. They are for TP users. The portrait mode icons will work for both diamond and TP. I suggest that you remove the landscape manila files and you should be fine.
I tried it and it doesn´t work. I use touch HD. Do you have any idear how to get a Landscape mode for HD because I open a thread with "Show me your Landscape screen" and they said that I have to Flash another rom, what I don´t want yet (because of Garanty).
Does it not give another way? I like to have you own because for my theme I use sketchy icons (Tabbar) and this Landscape will complete my theme.
thx
Hey guys..are there any tweaks/hacks for file explorer and contacts page which makes programs names and respectively contacts name to be shown fully..not just a part of them?i'm looking for this for long time..
I think, the only way is to turn your screen to landscape.
yep..i know this way but i'm just usual to browse the phone in portrait mode
Maybe, only if you find a way to decrease font size (names must be fit to screen, to see full name), but then you will get two new problems:
1. Vision problem
2. It will be difficult to use your finger to select an item.
hmmm..better a hack or a registry change then
About font size decreasing?
yeah......
It's not easy...
...maybe with this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=551611
doesn't work..it give me an error
What's the error said?
MagnifierSetup.exe
NullreferenceException
la Magnifiersetup.main..ctor()
la MagnifierSetup.Program.Main()
does it work for you?
I don't know why. I don't use it. I prefer auto-rotation.
i use auto-rotation apps too..but all of them rotates manila too..even if i put them in exception list..and if i wanna use manila/sense i need to close this program hmmm
Have you tried ChangeScreen?
yes..using it..but as i told u its messing up manila even if i put it as exception,and its kinda freezing the phone when i go to homescreen
Try a manual-rotation app.
Something like this:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-rotate-screen.html
thx but its no fun without g-sensor
still looking if there is a registry hack,cuz i want to be able to see full contacts name in portrait mode,and as for file explorer i'd like to get rid of date and maybe file size because i dont care about them..this way i will see the full app name
For your files you can use Resco Explorer. You have to deactivate "Show Treeview" and you will be able to see in full name more items than file explorer, but not all.
looks great,thx..and MUCH more complex than WM file explorer,thank you very much
as for contacts..i'll try to find a better contacts manager too,,maybe i will see full names too
For free, search here:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-tag-contacts.html