Database Users

[UPDATED 17/01/2011] [Collection] The Perfect Hero Setup (New Market/Keyboard/Kernel)

Thread updated 17/01/2011 (d/m/y) to include FlyKernel 12a and a download for AngryBirds 1.3.5 for those who needed it. thread has also been cleaned up and old content removed. Instructions have been updated accordingly. Please let me know of any bugs or tweaks that need to be made.
Install for fully working Android Gingerbread Keyboard and newest Market at the bottom of this post!
This is a collection of packages that can be found around these forums that I believe amounts to the perfect Hero Setup. I am NOT a developer (although I have been known to make some themes and do some graphics work in the past), and I do not claim to have created any of this content. Instead what I am bringing you is a kind of gathering of the choicest picks from the Hero development forums, as well as the CyanogenMod 6.1 Final base. Most of this post is entirely optional, so this will allow you to build your own device, based on your preferences. Leave out things you feel you do not want, or add in extra steps if you feel you need them. Either way this will allow granular control of your Hero, for you to set it up just the way you want.
If nothing else this should be treated as a learning experience, if however you are unsure, and the post below looks a little daunting, you should consider flashing Floyo (created by the very talented erasmux) which is a complete packaged ROM. A lot of the content here has been taken from offerings that he has made available.
I take no responsibility for you destroying your phone. But for ME, my Hero is now the fastest it has ever been, with much better signal (and hugely faster browsing speed) with a theme I really love. So, presuming your Hero is already rooted, do a FULL wipe of everything, and then:
1) Flash Cyanogen Mod 6.1 FINAL in recovery (no need to reboot yet).
2) Flash Cyanogen Google Apps Addon.
3) Reboot your phone, log in and go through the initial setup. Once this is completed, reboot into recovery again.
4) (UPDATED) Flash Flykernel 12a (HUGE thanks to erasmux, this kernel is amazing). The version linked here is the one I have found to work best with this particular Hero setup (352-576, as such this is not overclocked, but performs exceptionally on my hero and doesn't have the annoying wake up issue, info on how to rename the file to overclock the kernel can be found at the erasmux flykernal post if you wish to do so). NOTE: Do NOT use the "-noatime" switch as this caused reboot loops for me in CM6.1.
5) Flash this notifications fix (provided by erasmux) which should fix some slightly hinky notification issues (jogball etc). This should now not be required with the newest Cyanogen build, I will do more testing and completely remove this section if this is confirmed.
6) Boot phone and let it get to the homescreen.
7) Reboot into recovery for the final time.
8) Flash The Latest Radio from this thread.
9) Reboot the phone (this may take a while after the radio installation).
OPTIONAL SETTINGS!
10) If you like using the HTC_IME mod, you can install it by manually installing the Clicker and then THIS version of the HTC_IME mod created using the AMAZING theming tool provided by gIMpSTa. I have created a theme that suits the feel of this CM6.1 based ROM using his tool, and it is working perfectly on my phone.
11) Enable JIT by going in to Settings > CyanogenMod Settings > Performance Settings > TICK "Use JIT" - And then reboot your phone (You can turn this off if you have issues with it turned on). In the latest Cyanogen 6.1 FINAL JIT is working perfectly, so unlike with RC1, I would now recommend having this turned ON!.
12) If you have issues fixing GPS sats, or if GPS does not update correctly when using it to navigate etc then you can try flashing THIS FIX (GPS libraries taken from FroydVillain and provided by erasmux as a fix for his Floyo ROM). If you are having issues actually fixing satellites you can also try flashing either the Europe, US or Asia sat-packs which can help GPS lock speed in your continent (if everything is already fine, you might want to avoid flashing these). Personally, I DO NOT use GPS on my device, so I can't comment on how well any of this works, but erasmux really knows his stuff, so I'm sure it will work if you are having problems.
13) CM6.1 comes with the NEW (official) Apps2SD built-in. However, the app needs to support this method or it will not allow you to move the app to the SD card. For those of you that prefer to use the OLD STYLE Apps2SD you can download it and flash it separately to enable this feature on this build of CyanogenMod.
That's the main setup sorted. You MAY have an issue with the Market following the radio installation (I did). If this happens, follow the instructions in this thread, the first fix (clearing the data) worked for me.
OK! Now on to apps. There are a few apps that really are a must if you want your Hero to both look and feel smooth as silk. So head over to the market, and download the following:
1) LanucherPro (Cyanogen comes with ADW, but I MUCH prefer LauncherPro). I use the XTG mod created by signals23 which has much more attractive widgets (if you have purchased the LP-Plus edition (I strongly recommend you do). You can, of course, use ANY homescreen, but LP is definitely my choice for beauty and speed. I actually DELETED ADW using: adb shell - rm /system/app/ADWLauncher.apk once I had LauncherPro installed, so it was no longer on the phone at all.
2) Beautiful Widgets - You have to pay for this, but trust me, it is absolutely worth the small amount of money. Once you have it, you can install any clock theme you like, such as SwirlClock made by yours truly
3) SMS Popup. Seriously, this app is amazing. Go into the default messages app, and turn off notifications. then head into the SMS Popup settings, and go into additional settings, turn ON "Quick Reply" and turn OFF "Screen on for Popup".
3) Youlu Address Book. I no longer recommend DialerOne on the Hero, as I find it too slow, especially when using the T9 "Dialer Search" function to call contacts using the numeric keypad. I find Youlou to be much faster, with a nice interface with an easy to navigate tabbed UI.
4) Advanced Task Killer. Once installed, open it up, turn off the notification bar icon in settings, and add your most frequently used apps to the ignore list (so the killer always leaves them running for speedy access). I usually leave: Messaging, Email and DialerOne in the ignore list.
5) SyncMyPix. Lets you properly sync your facebook contacts pictures so that they show up in DialerOne and LauncherPro.
6) Facebook app, or, whatever
7) Photoshop Express. I only add this here because there is no way of uploading multiple images to Facebook using the standard "Gallery" app, but you can do this using Photoshop Express, pretty nice little app, but this feature makes it worth having.
8) THEME! If you want to change the stock theme from white to black, go to: Settings > CyanogenMod Settings > User Interface > Tweaks Extras > Select a Theme and change your theme to STOCK_Black and then reboot your phone. This makes all of the theme a very nice gloss black effect WITHOUT having to flash a seperate theme ROM over Cyanogen (which is a much better way of doing things, as you are not replacing the newer .apk's with older, themed ones... Yes, I know the browser icon kinda sucks, but you can always download the nicer icon .png from here
9) Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) Keyboard. If you want to install this keyboard, it will overwrite the existing Android 2.2.1 Keyboard (and currently there is no way of going back). The Gingerbread keyboard is FULLY FUNCTIONAL, this version now has working dictionary and autocorrect. You CAN still use the HTC_IME keyboard with this installed though, so if you hardly use the stock Android keyboard anyway, there shouldn't be much harm installing it and giving it a shot. HERE it is for those of you that just can't wait
10) The newest Android 2.2.6 Market. Flash in recovery, tested working great on my Hero, very lovely interface and nice and fast
11) (NEW) Angry Birds 1.3.5. for those of you who were wondering how I got angry Birds to run pretty well on the Hero, use this version rather than the latest one available on the market
DONE. Of course, you can modify this in any way you like, but after completing all of this you will have your own, pieced together ROM, without any strange extras or crap you don't really need. On top of this, you can head in to the ROM manager that comes with Cyanogen and install ClockworkMod recovery (if you are still using an older Amon-Ra or something), which is nice and easy.
Also, I'm not joking. It's fast... The screenshot below is with common apps (messages, emails, dialerone) running, and I still have 86mb of free memory. The battery life is fantastic, signal is great, call speed, wifi locking etc all seem faster than I have had them before. So, let me know your results (I have not tested GPS!).
And there yo go, your own freshy squeezed Hero, complete with all the trimmings. Baste lightly in your own choice of apps and serve.
Zeb
This post will be updated as newer packages are released.
</walloftext>

interesting, thanks. There's also an ADW-remover script on the Floyo page.
I didn't realise people were theming LauncherPro widgets to that extent, will have to investigate!

m8 you have done about 90% of the changes that i have put to my hero.
definitely is the perfect setup for me too.

Can I just flash this kernel over VR12 ? And do I have to flash radio if I flash new kernel? What radio really does? thanks
p.s. great work

Dark Emotion said:
Can I just flash this kernel over VR12 ? And do I have to flash radio if I flash new kernel? What radio really does? thanks
p.s. great work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are coming from VR12 you will have to do a FULL wipe of everything (nand, battery setting, dalvik etc) in recovery before flashing all of these packages. So make sure you have backed up everything you want to keep before starting! I have no idea what effect flashing this stuff over an existing ROM will have as I did it all from scratch with a blank phone.
The Radio is possibly the riskiest aspect of this setup, and you can choose to leave it out alltogether if you wish, but for me this made possibly the largest difference, as everything from connecting to Wifi, switching back to 3G/HSPDA is much faster. Signal is better, and small things like initialising the dialler (the time it takes from me choosing to call a contact, to it actually ringing) feels much speedier, so I personally do recommend it! You don't need to use this Radio to use Flykernel 11c, so feel free to leave it out if you wish.
Zeb
Edit: I just noticed, do you mean, can you use Flykernel on it's own with VR12 without any of the other stuff? Yes, I believe you can, check you the Flykernel thread for more information, but I think it works for most ROMs.

Dark Emotion said:
Can I just flash this kernel over VR12 ? And do I have to flash radio if I flash new kernel? What radio really does? thanks
p.s. great work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash only the kernel, you don't need to do anything else - No wipe at all necessary. Updating the radio is not related to the update of the kernel but still recommended as usually it also improves the hero experience and if there are problems you can always go back

I just received my refurbished hero (the digitalizer was dead) and am trying your setup. So far everything on the setup side was fine though I had a random reboot after flashing the kernel.
I will update with my feelings on this setup, thx for the guide!

I like this post ... what are the advantages of elelinux or floyo over the standard CM 6.1 release though? I tend to go for one of those instead for some reason!

mdon874 said:
I like this post ... what are the advantages of elelinux or floyo over the standard CM 6.1 release though? I tend to go for one of those instead for some reason!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that the authors of these releases make modifications to the kernel, as well as making theme changes, adding packages of their choice etc. Some distributions are modified more than others (and not ALL of them use Cyanogen as a base I believe). You'd have to look at the specifics of those other ROMS to see exactly what is different (sometimes it's small things, such as the way the jog-ball flashes or how the LED behaves, and sometimes it's bigger, like having hacked settings, or adding otehr keyboards like the HTC_IME mod (which Cyanogen doesn't have as standard, but I prefer the android keyboard anyways). You can always add these things in yourself later if you know how, which is what I have chosen to do using this setup. this way you have complete control over what is added to your phone.
Also, Flykernel, and the Radio mentioned here have serious performance benefits over other offerings as far as I am concerned. you COULD just flash those two over the ROM of your choice, but doing things the way I have mentioned above just gives you a larger level of granular control, if thats what you really want that is
Also, I have wanted to use Cyanogen as a base for a while to see how it was, but I found it very hard to find decent documentation on how to set it up correctly, that is why, once I worked it out, I decided to post the method I used here for other people to try.
Zeb

thanks for the quick reply I kinda like flashing and starting from scratch on a clean install and adding things bit by bit so I'm guna follow ur guide and set my hero up myself.... also thanks for pointing me in the direction of the alternate launcher pro mod ... looks pretty cool!

mdon874 said:
thanks for the quick reply I kinda like flashing and starting from scratch on a clean install and adding things bit by bit so I'm guna follow ur guide and set my hero up myself.... also thanks for pointing me in the direction of the alternate launcher pro mod ... looks pretty cool!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problemo! Just as a side-note, the kernel that COMES with Cyanogen 6.1 seems good enough, but I had problems with waking the phone up (sometimes I had to push the power button 3 or 4 times to get to the unlock screen). This is a pretty standard issue with a lot of kernels where the minimum clock speed is a little too low and the phone doesn't quite rev up enough when waking up. So, if using CM6.1 as a base (as posted above) Flykernel is a must (using the clockspeeds I posted above), as it removes this issue entirely and boosts overall performance.
Zeb

agree for the configuration, is the best(for now )
however,instead of sms popup i use handcent sms, the application is very similar to the application of the iPhone, and has a built-in sms popup...try it!

magokh said:
agree for the configuration, is the best(for now )
however,instead of sms popup i use handcent sms, the application is very similar to the application of the iPhone, and has a built-in sms popup...try it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice addition, thanks! I have used ChompSMS before, but I really like the messaging app in Android 2.2, so I prefer to stick with that and use SMS Popup to handle the quick reply (which is an awesome feature). Also, the theme I posted skins the SMSPopup notification screen to fit with the rest of the device, to it looks extra good and as though it was really all put together into a proper ROM package.
I haven't tried Handcent myself but I have heard good things about it, so yea, probably worth a try if you aren't keen on the stock SMS app!
Zeb

Thread moved to General.

thanks for this, very useful especially the sms popup thing

Hello to all and thank you for the great topics on whatever is needed to tweak the Hero to full potential. I would like to flash a new rom (from VR12). Should i flash CyanogenMod 6.1.0 RC1 or wait for a custom rom based on CM 6.1 like Floyo or Elelinux's ROM. What would you suggest?

HTC_ime simply does not work. every time i try to to start it it force closes. I followed instructions as i usually did every single time before. help?

marcinr said:
HTC_ime simply does not work. every time i try to to start it it force closes. I followed instructions as i usually did every single time before. help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I don't use HTC_IME mod so I haven't even tried installing it! I will try tomorrow and let you know if I make it work.
Sent from my HTC Hero using XDA App

vladsk8 said:
Hello to all and thank you for the great topics on whatever is needed to tweak the Hero to full potential. I would like to flash a new rom (from VR12). Should i flash CyanogenMod 6.1.0 RC1 or wait for a custom rom based on CM 6.1 like Floyo or Elelinux's ROM. What would you suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I much prefer this method! That's why I made this thread! Give it a try, if you don't like it you can always wipe the phone nice and easy and install Floyo!
Sent from my HTC Hero using XDA App

Settings
Any chance you can add some of the settings you use, like cyanogen or spare parts settings? I followed your guide completely and its pretty fast but i think enabling JIT might help but im too afraid to try. Thank you

make a completely stock froyo launcher, htc desire. no root required!

From a comment i made on the thread mentioned below, but seemed appropriate to start a new one considering lots of people have been looking to do this.
for any of those using launcher pro, and hate the default icons, ive attached the stock froyo ones for browser and phone. if you are an htc sense user and want a stock froyo experience without root/ custom roms then downloading launcher pro and using these icons is the easiest way to do it. if u want the stock android phone/contacts app, download dailer one and link it to the froyo phone icon (by long pressing) in launcher pro. bearing in mind the launcher2 phone icon is hardlinked to the stock android phone app, which is impossible to install on htc phones. this is the closest you can get, and it does a pretty good job!
i have also tweaked the nexus icon from another thread to fit.
it was coming up very small as the app drawer icon in launcher pro. screenshot and files for all icons attached.
ive also attached the froyo stock app drawer icon, the launcher pro one is close but a bit big and doesnt quite match the style
i know no-one has directly asked for all this info but ive been reading the forums and a lot of people want to do this so thought i had to share the knowledge somewhere! i can take credit for very little, all i have done is edit an icon and congregated stuff ive found into one place. from my own experience wanting to do this i found it very frustrating that those with sense but wanting stock had to resort to 'almost but not quite' solutions. ive also found that a lot of supposedly stable roms are far from it. this ensures a bug/ fc free experience. you get complete stock functionality but with the visual appeal and the added dock buttons from froyo.
please link this info on to any forum you might think could need it, also, if some kind soul could upload mirrors to the images for those who arent members (this thread is aimed primarily at them) and embedded photos of the screen grabs would also be appreciated, i dont have the permissions. thanks a lot, hope this stuff is useful!
Peter

[MOD][HOWTO] Common Sense Modifications

So every custom ROM seems to have a couple mods in common...
This thread is to (hopefully) help anyone looking to learn to do them
and yet after doing a ton of searching, the only thing I have found is links to prebuilt files without much direction on how to do this myself. What if I don't want your red themed market? (No offense) What if all I want is a stock ROM that I customized with these generic modifications? What happens when a new build of Android is leaked and only two people know how to do the modifications manually and one releases a version claiming they are done when they aren't and the other appears to have used it as a base and then has to go back and manually do the edits and re-release? (Not saying it happened...)
How to Compile a Kernel
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1039854
More in-depth guide here:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc...how-build-your-own-kernel-package-source.html
How to Deodex a ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1082749
Advanced Power Options
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1023960
(No Howto - but there are edits in android.policy.jar)
Remove GPS Reticle
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001838
(No Howto - but there are edits in services.jar)
(Gingerbread edits are in the systemui.apk)
6 Bar Service Indicator
No direct download
(No Howto - but there are edits in services.jar)
(Gingerbread edits are in the systemui.apk)
Power Control Widgets
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1024220
(No Howto - prebuilt package with other edits already made)
Radio Info in Settings
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1018159
(Contains instructions on doing modification - Kudos!)
Wake on Volume Keys
/system/usr/keylayout/mecha-keypad.kl
Add "WAKE" to desired key down values:
key 114 VOLUME_DOWN WAKE
key 115 VOLUME_DOWN WAKE
Remove the "WAKE" to disable again.
Disable End Call Button
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1058072
(No Howto - prebuilt modification package)
Increase Max Alarms in HtcClock
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052843
(No Howto - prebuilt modification package)
Install Ubuntu to Sdcard Ext Partition
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1104983
Install Ubuntu to Loop Device Image File:
http://code.google.com/p/android-cruft/wiki/LucidWithAndroid
(Loop device support for the common method is included in most kernels, but does not seem to support the process)
I am not asking anyone to write out explicit instructions on how to do each and every one of these modifications, but any help that can be offered is appreciated. Even if I can track down the original instructions for another phone, it will help those with the ability to do these things to help get them out there.

its a great idea, but some of them, the advanced power controls one for example -that one was a ***** to do lemme tell ya- require an in depth knowledge of how and why things work the way they do. many how-tos would just be passed right over.
I wrote a massive write up on how to work out the sensation resizing issues, and a few people did actually read it, though nobody actually did anything with it.
and smali is so difficult to begin with...geesh
great idea though, and if you want to write a how to of your own for some of them, i would be more than happy to get you started and answer what questions you run into.

r2DoesInc said:
its a great idea, but some of them, the advanced power controls one for example -that one was a ***** to do lemme tell ya- require an in depth knowledge of how and why things work the way they do. many how-tos would just be passed right over.
I wrote a massive write up on how to work out the sensation resizing issues, and a few people did actually read it, though nobody actually did anything with it.
and smali is so difficult to begin with...geesh
great idea though, and if you want to write a how to of your own for some of them, i would be more than happy to get you started and answer what questions you run into.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know a lot will pass them over, and honestly it is like i explained to the gf today. Everyone who started with Android had a G1, some of us moved to myTouch, some of us moved to Droid, some of us moved to Thunderbolt. With each move, we brought our mods, but in the process left behind how we did them and just DID them. When I wrote kernels, I used a script on AndroidWiki that is now a 404 error. Instead I ended up with some preconfigured gui and a bunch of premade update.zip files.
It isnt really about whether anyone reads it in my opinion, its knowing the information is there for that one person that does. I appreciate the offer. The main thing is anymore if you want a mod, you have to take the theme, additions, removals, ect of the modder.
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

I have to agree. It's been a while since I have posted anywhere regarding Android, but the whole purpose of this forum (any android forum) as far as I am concerned is for developers to share not just the finished product (and the betas, alphas, pre-alphas, etc) but also the details of how they did what they did.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Thanks
I was actually looking for some of these MODS
I like to stay stock rooted, but their are some MODS that are too tempting to pass up.

I would love to have a how-to for the power controls.
I'm gonna try to pull it apart, it's the last one I haven't done by hand.
I didn't make any sort of docs about what I did though, just diffing stock from the provided package.
But that one is big.
Anyway, good list to have in any case.
D

Very handy. I would also love to learn how to create a 5 row icon app drawer. Thats the only thing im missing in my current rom im using. Any tutorials, then I could do it myself?

dukins said:
Very handy. I would also love to learn how to create a 5 row icon app drawer. Thats the only thing im missing in my current rom im using. Any tutorials, then I could do it myself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is done with a layout modification in the home app. That is from way back in G1 days and I know there is documentation somewhere. I'll look for it.
What I am trying to accomplish is something like http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13969789&postcount=585 without having to dig for parts. Often it is harder to find working parts than to simply modify the ones that are already running.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

I for one would love to learn how to create themes and eventually my own roms. I found a theming guide in these forums that had a lot of information in it, but felt it was missing a lot of whys's for example when you can just modify a PNG to produce a particular look and when do you have to edit XML files. Be nice if some documented maybe there creation of a rom/theme and explaned everything along the way. Then someone could build the same rom/theme and learn by doing. I know when I got my active directory Certifications I learned at home on my own and used some training videos. I built the network right along with the training videos in Vmware. Best way to learn in my opinion is by doing.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

twistedumbrella said:
That is done with a layout modification in the home app. That is from way back in G1 days and I know there is documentation somewhere. I'll look for it.
I will be releasing a Jane Bamf Ginger ROM later that is semi stock. It has extended power options, bamf toolkit, removed gps icon, 3.0 weather, 6 bar, Google talk with video, but stock theme, animations, sounds, and the weather will be optional.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we remove the Gps icon? So at I've only seen it being hidden. Thanks.

Is there any instructions, or is anyone willing to send me instructions, on how to do the 6 bar modifications myself? Also trying to find the information for the accurate/smooth battery indicator but coming up empty handed.

thanks for posting twisted

Thank you for the thread!
I would really love a write up of manual removal of 5 row app drawer back to 4. That is the main reason I'm not trying any themed stuff right now because everyone has it and I'm not a fan. It must be similar to the lead that was said about adding 5 rows a few posts back...
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

I agree completely. JCase had promised us in the Fascinate forum a step by step on how to mod an .apk (specifically, a Car Dock one that Adrynalyne had made) to customize it. Then, alas, our beloved Thunderbolt came out, and he became preoccupied...
The HOW is deff needed for those up and coming devs and those that just like to tinker.

New kernel making guide added
Testing and finishing a guide on ubuntu for android without loop support
Working on some other guides
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

[Q] How to make an app theme-able by another app?

Before you start saying that I'm posting in the wrong section, hear me out, I'm not asking about how to make themes or how to alter existing themes
I want to know how to write an app that is completely self contained application but can have its visual appearance and behavior altered when other apps are also installed on the same phone.
I'm pretty sure this functionality can be achieved b/c there are soo many theme apps in the market for ADW Launcher.
Does anyone know how to do this, and where I can find documentation about this kind of functionality?

I'm curious about this too. My best guess at the moment though is to make sure all of your UI controls are drawables, not just stock spinners / sliders / etc. Use drawables for the graphics in the UI, and when you publish your apk, those resources should be not only visible but changeable by others. Then again, I'm not 100% sure, so don't quote me on that lol.

parabola949 said:
I'm curious about this too. My best guess at the moment though is to make sure all of your UI controls are drawables, not just stock spinners / sliders / etc. Use drawables for the graphics in the UI, and when you publish your apk, those resources should be not only visible but changeable by others. Then again, I'm not 100% sure, so don't quote me on that lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops i quoted you... i think you are right though. It'll be links to different drawable resources
From something awesome

[Q] [HELP] Building a Theme

Hello, everyone!
I'm new here on XDA and very, very new to modding. I was wondering if anyone could help me? I just purchased a Galaxy Note 3 and I would like to theme it but I don't particularly know how. I've used the search feature but I don't think I'm wording what I need correctly. Here's what I need help with:
1. A tutorial to edit just a theme not the whole ROM.
2. How do I preview my work so far? I don't want to flash every time I make a change.
3. Is it at all possible to create a whole theme with Eclipse? If so, is there a tutorial I can use?
Before you start grumbling, I repeat...I have used the search feature on XDA and I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Simply links pointing me to the right place would be perfect. Thanks in advance, everyone!

kittyfantastic said:
Hello, everyone!
I'm new here on XDA and very, very new to modding. I was wondering if anyone could help me? I just purchased a Galaxy Note 3 and I would like to theme it but I don't particularly know how. I've used the search feature but I don't think I'm wording what I need correctly. Here's what I need help with:
1. A tutorial to edit just a theme not the whole ROM.
2. How do I preview my work so far? I don't want to flash every time I make a change.
3. Is it at all possible to create a whole theme with Eclipse? If so, is there a tutorial I can use?
Before you start grumbling, I repeat...I have used the search feature on XDA and I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Simply links pointing me to the right place would be perfect. Thanks in advance, everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to XDA!
1. Just use Google, many reputable themers write up good guides to get you started: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814 and http://xda-university.com/as-a-user/introduction-to-basic-rom-theming
2. You can just switch your themed apk's and SystemUI, then adjusting permissions on them will do fine too...except this will take more time than flashing all files at once.
3. Well you'll need Photoshop too.........for themes....

nicholaschum said:
1. Just use Google, many reputable themers write up good guides to get you started: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814 and http://xda-university.com/as-a-user/introduction-to-basic-rom-theming
2. You can just switch your themed apk's and SystemUI, then adjusting permissions on them will do fine too...except this will take more time than flashing all files at once.
3. Well you'll need Photoshop too.........for themes....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that link! I have Photoshop already, I had a feeling I would need it at some point, haha. As for #2... that was gibberish to me. I would love to share my theme once I'm done with it (if anyone is interested in girly white and light pink). I don't know how to switch apk's and SystemUI or adjusting permissions. Will that link you gave me explain it all? I'm sorry, this is hard for me to grasp.

kittyfantastic said:
Thanks for that link! I have Photoshop already, I had a feeling I would need it at some point, haha. As for #2... that was gibberish to me. I would love to share my theme once I'm done with it (if anyone is interested in girly white and light pink). I don't know how to switch apk's and SystemUI or adjusting permissions. Will that link you gave me explain it all? I'm sorry, this is hard for me to grasp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
#2 meant that if you wanted to do system level modding, like modding the look of general apps like Settings, your notification bar, etc....you will have to do that. It's quite complex because you can't just use Java/Eclipse solely to do this. At the end of this though, you can make any device look "the same".
APK's are program files and the SystemUI is what makes your phone....well, a phone. The general GUI of the Statusbar, lockscreen and navigation bar (if you have one set). You will have to set your permissions back as you have to give the system the rights to access the file. If the permissions are set incorrectly, then you'll have to reflash an entire ROM, so that's why making sure you do it right in the updater-script of the flashable zip is more reliable.
If I were you, try theming launchers first, they're usually what people theme for. You could earn good money from it if you put it on Play.

nicholaschum said:
Welcome to XDA!
1. Just use Google, many reputable themers write up good guides to get you started: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814 and http://xda-university.com/as-a-user/introduction-to-basic-rom-theming
2. You can just switch your themed apk's and SystemUI, then adjusting permissions on them will do fine too...except this will take more time than flashing all files at once.
3. Well you'll need Photoshop too.........for themes....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nicholaschum said:
#2 meant that if you wanted to do system level modding, like modding the look of general apps like Settings, your notification bar, etc....you will have to do that. It's quite complex because you can't just use Java/Eclipse solely to do this. At the end of this though, you can make all the devices look good.
APK's are program files and the SystemUI is what makes your phone....well, a phone. The general GUI of the Statusbar, lockscreen and navigation bar (if you have one set). You will have to set your permissions back as you have to give the system the rights to access the file. If the permissions are set incorrectly, then you'll have to reflash an entire ROM, so that's why making sure you do it right in the updater-script of the flashable zip is more reliable.
If I were you, try theming launchers first, they're usually what people theme for. You could earn good money from it if you put it on Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would really, really like to theme the whole thing, because I absolutely hate the stock colors and the black on white hurts my eyes. I've searched for a ROM with a light theme, but to no avail, especially since the Note 3 is relatively new. I've been trying to figure it out all day and I don't know what I'm doing, haha. I have a theme that I want to modify, so I don't have to start from scratch. It is very complex, I think I have smoke coming out of my ears -_-;

kittyfantastic said:
I would really, really like to theme the whole thing, because I absolutely hate the stock colors and the black on white hurts my eyes. I've searched for a ROM with a light theme, but to no avail, especially since the Note 3 is relatively new. I've been trying to figure it out all day and I don't know what I'm doing, haha. I have a theme that I want to modify, so I don't have to start from scratch. It is very complex, I think I have smoke coming out of my ears -_-;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand...reminds me of being on stock S5 ROMs where everything was forced to be a shade of teal or blue, made me want to puke.
You could try installing a theme, tweaking it directly on your device (in turn learning how the Android operating system works), and then doing it again on your computer to make it shareable.
May I also recommend an Xposed module called Wanam Xposed alongside your flashed theme. You can essentially change every aspect of your Samsung SystemUI there. From toggles to the notification colors, it gives you a certain amount of themeability that may satisfy some needs.

nicholaschum said:
I understand...reminds me of being on stock S5 ROMs where everything was forced to be a shade of teal or blue, made me want to puke.
You could try installing a theme, tweaking it directly on your device (in turn learning how the Android operating system works), and then doing it again on your computer to make it shareable.
May I also recommend an Xposed module called Wanam Xposed alongside your flashed theme. You can essentially change every aspect of your Samsung SystemUI there. From toggles to the notification colors, it gives you a certain amount of themeability that may satisfy some needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help! I'm going to try all this and see if I can figure it out. In the meantime, I'm on the hunt for a pink theme. xD

This is a good place to start.
And this is good for photoshop/Gimp processing.

B3311 said:
This is a good place to start.
And this is good for photoshop/Gimp processing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh man, thanks! I think this is just what I was looking for!!!! *insert girly squeezing here*
:victory::victory:

Due to my haste and a surfeit of whiskey, I forgot to say that Alliance ROM - my daily driver - will allow you to get your theme as pink as you need without complications. Background, text, whatever. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2571255

B3311 said:
Due to my haste and a surfeit of whiskey, I forgot to say that Alliance ROM - my daily driver - will allow you to get your theme as pink as you need without complications. Background, text, whatever. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2571255
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shouldn't all ROMs allow for that? Wanam Xposed themes everything in the status bar without custom ROM'ming

nicholaschum said:
Shouldn't all ROMs allow for that? Wanam Xposed themes everything in the status bar without custom ROM'ming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried Wanam Xposed, it didn't work for me at all. Nothing happened and I followed instructions.
B3311 said:
Due to my haste and a surfeit of whiskey, I forgot to say that Alliance ROM - my daily driver - will allow you to get your theme as pink as you need without complications. Background, text, whatever. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2571255
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for that ROM it looks nice

kittyfantastic said:
I tried Wanam Xposed, it didn't work for me at all. Nothing happened and I followed instructions.
Thank you for that ROM it looks nice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install the Xposed Framework on Xposed Installer?
It works on all devices no matter what firmware.

nicholaschum said:
Shouldn't all ROMs allow for that? Wanam Xposed themes everything in the status bar without custom ROM'ming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alliance allows changes to backgrounds etc, either universal or per app. Same with text colours, the dialler and heaps more, not just the status bar. Other roms and associated kitchens may allow the same, I wouldn't know. But Alliance is so easy to theme on the fly and is rock solid too.

B3311 said:
Alliance allows changes to backgrounds etc, either universal or per app. Same with text colours, the dialler and heaps more, not just the status bar. Other roms and associated kitchens may allow the same, I wouldn't know. But Alliance is so easy to theme on the fly and is rock solid too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. I'm just more used to AOSP because of its sleek professional look over TW ROMs, so I'm not up to date with the mass influx of TW custom ROMs.