Database Users

REQUESTING HELP Editing and creating NEW flipfont APKs

I have been working on this issue for most of the day over in the Vibrant forums.
I am posting here in hopes of getting someone who knows more about apk editing and fonts then I do to help out.
Link to the post on the XDA Vibrant forum here
Please post your response there. Once the issue is solved I will repost a walk-through on all Galaxy S forums.
Here is the start of my thread, please read the link to see the progress.
I am aware that there are other ways to edit the fonts on our phone, by replacing renaming the default font. This is NOT what I would like to accomplish.
Since the Galaxy S is the first android phone to use Flipfont, I think we should take advantage of it. It gives us a nice preview of the font in the built in menu option and is thus superior to the other methods.
I originally purchased the Bauhaus font from the market and made a backup of it through ASTRO. After pulling the file from my phone and putting it on the computer I started editing the file with Apk Manager 4.8 found here
Steps preformed
Copied original apk into place-apk-here-for-modding folder
Run script.bat and choose option 9 ***this maybe where the issue is as I may need to choose option 10 and include the dependancy if there is one for the flipfont apk.
replace bauhaus.ttf with a .ttf font of my choosing
edit all XML, yml and smali files to include the font name or font.ttf depending on the entry in the original file *** I did not change any of the other coding so again this maybe where the problem is, as I may need to change something else to have the font act properly.
Edit the last folder name in the smali folder tree from bauhaus to the name of my font
Replace font with custom font and replace the preview image with my own
Compile apk
Sign apk
Rename apk
install apk on my phone
After putting the apk on my phone and installing the file, it shows up as expected in settings>Sound and Display>Font style. The font thumbnail shows up properly as does the font preview. The preview does show up a little larger then the other fonts and may be a sign that the font is not optimized properly or that I missed something in the XML.
After applying the font and restarting, the phone is extremely slow, freezing quite often and the font does not show up, it shows the default font instead.
If anyone that knows more about XML or apk editing/creation can help it would be great.
I have included the edited font apk if you would like to download it and run it through Apk Manager 4.8. If you want to try it with the bauhaus or one of the other fonts you will need to buy it from the market and back it up. (trying not to break any rules here.)
[EDIT][More info] Ok I took a closer look at the font that came with the Bauhaus akp
In the discription of the font it list:
OpenType Layout, Digitally Signed, TrueType Outlines
I know that opentype is a new format and that alot of the fonts for OpenType that I find are made by Monotype, the same people that make the fonts available for download. I think this may have something to do with it or maybe Im just grasping. :ºp
Any font guys out there have any info on this?
CAUTION THE FOLLOWING FILE IS NOT MEANT FOR USE AND WILL CAUSE YOUR PHONE TO RUN SLOW!!!
Download Font APK

You only can use .ttf (true type font) any other type will not work,if you have a font u want to use but is not in .ttf then you need to convert it to .ttf, btw i prefer the Type Fresh app to manage and change my fonts is easier than the method you described.

Also, make sure the font has a full latin library. I learned the hard way from the TypeFresh app (which is a way better solution IMO). In its instructions which I only read the second time, one font (i believe its called DroidSansFallback.ttf) needs to have a COMPLETE set, including latin, I believe for certain coding going on somewhere. I bricked my phone within two hours of rooting it. Took three to get it back. (Backup people!)
Anyways, now I use TypeFresh, it gives you options on which system font to replace, and I never replace that one.
Hope this helps.

[Q] picking and choosing what you want from a theme?

hey guys,
just curious if you could some how choose what you want to have in the theme and if you can mix themes, if so how? for example i installed epic unleashed 2.5 and i loved the battery indicator and i installed the 982dark theme for the droid 2 and it's great with a couple exceptions... personally I think i'm going back to the Kangerade Blue for the Droid2 but i still want the original battery indicator from the epic rom.
thanks
-Jim

As far as I know, we don't have this level of customizability on D2 as of now. However, we are starting to see this. Like this, for example:
http://www.xda-developers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=784855
I used to use a ROM for the old Touch CDMA that did in fact have this level of customizability - there was a thread that had pretty much every individual piece available to customize. But again, I haven't seen this for D2 yet.

damn... ok well hopefully we get there eventually... until then I'll just stick with the theme I overall like the best lol

I have this problem with themes too, and the solution is simple. Take the theme that you are going to install, open the zip, and just remove the apps, fonts, or framework you don't want altered.
For example, I despise the font changes alot of themes force on you. Makes my twitter streams unreadable, so I just open the zip, and delete the fonts folder. That way it won't override the stock fonts. I've never tried deleting individual files, but that method should work for icons as well.
Just open the framework.res (rename the .res to .zip or .rar if you have WINRAR installed, or just use the "open with or choose default program" option) goto the res folder, then drawable-hdpi and just delete the battery images from the folder before you install the theme.
An easy way to do this, is to make a copy of the zip first so you'll have a proper version of the theme to view. Open it up with winzip, WINRAR or whatever archiving tool you use on your computer. Then browse the files in thumbnail view to find the images you want to get rid of. Make a note of their file names, then open up the other zip, locate the files in question, right click, delete em.

I'm not quite understanding what you're saying Natty
For example, right now I'm using the Revolution Remix theme. If I unzip it, there are 2 folders: META-INF and system.
Under system there are 3 folders: app, fonts, and framework. In the framework file there are 2 .apk files (framework-res.apk and blur-res.apk) and the systems.jar file.
In the app folder there are all .apk files, and the font folders are all .ttf
I'm not seeing any pictures to be deleted, unless you mean to actually delete the respective app .apk files (for example, I dislike the Talk app icon and the Market app icon)
Edit:
So I guess you're supposed to just rename the .apk to .zip, but for some reason the files are not allowing me...Could these files be locked? (I don't know if that's a stupid question or not lol)
Edit #2:
So I got 7zip (yay for google), but when I go to open the .png files they don't want to open...an application opens to view them, but it just sits there saying "loading"

Natty_lite said:
I have this problem with themes too, and the solution is simple. Take the theme that you are going to install, open the zip, and just remove the apps, fonts, or framework you don't want altered.
For example, I despise the font changes alot of themes force on you. Makes my twitter streams unreadable, so I just open the zip, and delete the fonts folder. That way it won't override the stock fonts. I've never tried deleting individual files, but that method should work for icons as well.
Just open the framework.res (rename the .res to .zip or .rar if you have WINRAR installed, or just use the "open with or choose default program" option) goto the res folder, then drawable-hdpi and just delete the battery images from the folder before you install the theme.
An easy way to do this, is to make a copy of the zip first so you'll have a proper version of the theme to view. Open it up with winzip, WINRAR or whatever archiving tool you use on your computer. Then browse the files in thumbnail view to find the images you want to get rid of. Make a note of their file names, then open up the other zip, locate the files in question, right click, delete em.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if that would work for png files inside of framework-res.apk.... I would think that would cause a bootloop
It will work for the fonts folder and for any app you dont want to get altered in /system/app.

So just remove the app from the system/app folder? That's what I'm somewhat confused about.

DGalt11 said:
So just remove the app from the system/app folder? That's what I'm somewhat confused about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you dont want a themed app to overwrite your current app, then just delete the apk file from /system/app inside of the themed zip file. Or if you dont want a themed font to overwrite ur current font, then just delete the fonts folder inside of the themed zip file.
But deleting files from inside the framework-res.apk... I doubt that would work.

Any idea how to edit the Market? It's not under system/app.
Edit: Never mind, didn't know "market" was actually vending.

removing the png specifically will cause an issue however if you have another png that you would like you use you can just replace this and it will not overwrite then.

theecho said:
removing the png specifically will cause an issue however if you have another png that you would like you use you can just replace this and it will not overwrite then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that's what I did. just copy / replace.

DGalt11 said:
yeah that's what I did. just copy / replace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So did the install go smoothly without the M logo freeze or bootloops? I hope so.
I'm Glad others came to pick up my pieces, lol. That's why this forum is so great. To summarize for those joining the party late, just take the .png's from another theme, and replace the unwanted images with those. Don't just delete them

It's working fine, no reboots or stuck in boot loop or anything. Didn't even need to wipe data / cache.
Now if I could just figure out a way to remove the font they used from just the browser and my apps and nothing else (b/c it looks really nice in the notification bar, the menus, on the widgets, etc. but makes reading email or reading stuff in the browser really difficult) I'd be golden.

So I started removing one font at a time, nothing changed.
So I removed the whole fonts folder, and still didn't get any change in the fonts in the theme.
Ideas?

Thats exactly why I got rid of it. What good is a font that you can't read? I'm not sure if you can just remove it from the statusbar specifically.
Remember, removing them prevents it from changing the fonts that are currently installed. So if they're already different, then they'll just stay that way when you install the edited version of the theme. You're gonna need to flash to the stock theme first, then flash to another theme (like the NexTheme for example) with all the edits that you made.

I see, so those files in the fonts folder aren't actually fonts. They're more like...where the fonts you want get stored. So you need to actually replace the file.
From what I've figured out, the majority of the fonts are derived from DroidSans. If you change that, you change most of the fonts including those in the apps, widgets, etc. So is there no way to specifically change a font in, lets say, apps vs. widgets? And what are all those other files in the fonts folder for

I have no idea. I just deleted the whole folder prior to installing to ensure I kept all stock fonts.

[Q] A500 status bar icons/clock/buttons change?

Hi to all...
after seraching and reading a looong time now, i am stucked, the only thing i found was this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1033366
But i own a A500 not a Xoom... so what to do?
Wishlist:
- White Home/Backbuttons (have some, from Dexters Rom)
- white clock
- white Wifi/Battery Icon (at least not this &%$(/& stock blue)
dreaming:
when you scroll through your homescreens, a blue frame appears, how can i change those color into black? would be awesome, let it completly disappear, so transparent maybe?
I know many of you like the Blue Theme from honeycomb, but... i really hat it!!!
So, if anyone could help me... please feel free.
I am using Dexters Iconia P2-2, and dont want to use another. So maybe someone can post a modified systemui.apk ?
I have no idea if such a apk is always compatible to all ROMs from 3.1, so i dont want to test the Xoom one, and in this apk are things i dont want to have (like green google search bar, green glow and so on) modding,opening apk files by myself... i think its easier for me went back in time and kill hitler...
I wonder why there is no real theme mod around here for the Acer A500.
Hope some knowing guys can help, or want the same... let's see
Thank you anyway

Derrico said:
modding,opening apk files by myself... i think its easier for me went back in time and kill hitler...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats easy....I can tell you how to do it yourself..
NOTE: an apk is just a zip file, do not decompress these, rather double click them and open them in winrar and you can see the contents.
Download the xoom theme, and there is a folder called "System App" this has the apk you want to play with. inside each apk there is a file called "res" inside this there are a few folders, the ones you are interested in are any named "drawable..." this is where all of the graphics are held.
then open the zip the rom comes in, i.e double click and winrar will open, go to system\app and find the same apk that are contained in the theme, then it is a process of swapping the files from one to the other.
when you are finished making changes, copy your edited apk back into your rom and flash it without wiping data, because it is the same rom nothing will happen apart from th4e new apk will be installed!!
Hope that helps...
MG

Wow, great insight! Thanks MysticGenius. I had no idea the .apk's were just archives and could be opened up

gammaRascal said:
Wow, great insight! Thanks MysticGenius. I had no idea the .apk's were just archives and could be opened up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, this is what I love about android, you can take someone elses rom, skin the apk to your liking, even add missing applications you use regularly and just flash.
as long as you dont decompress, the signature usually stays intact.
if you need further assistance, pm me
edit : most imagery is in the drawable-mdpi folder

I just skinned the systemui.apk is 10 minutes just so you have an idea of how easy this is!!!!

[Q] Help Resizing APK's

Is there a tutorial for resizing APK's on windows ive read a few threads about it but all of them look like LINUX based i think i have all the software i need but im lost because when i try to decompile the apk i want to resize i cant view the xml or smali files am i doing something wrong??i use brutt.all's apktool and apk manager 5.0

after decompiling the project is moved to the projects folder for you to work on, use something like notebook++ to do the editing works fine like this for me.

Do you mean NOTEPAD++??

Maybe......... lol
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using xda premium

will that read xml and smali???

it will and yes i meant notepad++

thanks and what values do i need to change to resize an apk for the wildfire??

Check this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=697994

ive read that tutorial and the paths it tells me to navigate to are not the same am i missing something

Yeah, beacause this is tutorial on how to resize rosie and change the workspace size, from 4x4 to 5x5. This is just a suggestion on how to resize something. If you want to resize some apps, you should decompile a file, and change every value from MDPI to LDPI. Basically, you have to multiply every value with 0.75. For example, you have value 100px so after you multiply it will be 75px and so on.

so will i have to do that for all APK's the reason i ask is that i want to resize a wildfire s rom to a wildfire VigiDroid has taken over SFM 1.1 and needs help resizing some APK's so i thought i would TRY and help but its not easy

@MarcelXDA
Just noticed you are in contact with VigiDroid

i have decompiled HTC Album.apk which files should i be looking at to resize the images in the album there are supposed to be 3 images in the preview i only get 2 and a bit

Regarding omnistyle theming

Hello I created custom header image to use with omnistyle. But I realised I need a full apk to get it work. There is no option in pure nexus ROM to use custom header image (my own image). So how do I create an app (like this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dirtyunicorns.headers&hl=en )for omnistyle? I tried googling but could not find an answer. I am not a developer but some guidance or template would help.

Hello, i don't know if you still need this? I can make a template for Android Studio with a little guide if this is still relevant.

PONYMODZ said:
Hello, i don't know if you still need this? I can make a template for Android Studio with a little guide if this is still relevant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you happen to know where to go to change the OmniStyle QS image collection names? For example, I've replace all of the "Nature" images with pictures of sharks. That was easy enough and the new images show up and work, but the image collection in the list still says "Nature." I would like to change it to say "Sharks." I've dug through the OminStyle.apk up and down, but I can't find where those names are set. I see them in the AndroidManifest.xml, but changing the android:label in the androidmanifest.xml has no effect.

sharkie405 said:
Do you happen to know where to go to change the OmniStyle QS image collection names? For example, I've replace all of the "Nature" images with pictures of sharks. That was easy enough and the new images show up and work, but the image collection in the list still says "Nature." I would like to change it to say "Sharks." I've dug through the OminStyle.apk up and down, but I can't find where those names are set. I see them in the AndroidManifest.xml, but changing the android:label in the androidmanifest.xml has no effect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The names are set in the androidmanifest.xml i have no clue why it does not work for you. But it would be easier if you just add your images with an apk or add them directly to the Omnistyle.apk if you need help with that just contact me.

PONYMODZ said:
The names are set in the androidmanifest.xml i have no clue why it does not work for you. But it would be easier if you just add your images with an apk or add them directly to the Omnistyle.apk if you need help with that just contact me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already added my images to the OmniStyle.apk, and that works. I just want the image group text to say what the actual images are rather than whatever the text is by default.
I'd rather work it out in the thread, if that's alright. This way others can find it should they need it.
I'm about to go to bed now, but tomorrow I can upload the AndroidManifest.xml, or the APK I'm working with, if you want to have a look. Let me know how to proceed.
Thank you so much for being willing to help me out with this!
Sent from my moto g(6) using XDA Labs

So here's what I have so far:
- You can see in the attached screenshot (AndroidManifext-xml_Changes.png) that I've changed the text in the "android:lable" section of each activity.
- You can see in the attached screenshot (Screenshot_MiXplorer_20190612-122940.png) taken from the OmniStyle.apk on my phone that the AndroidManifest.xml is there on my phone with my new text changes.
- However, you can see in the attached screenshot (HeaderImageCollectionTitle-NoChange.png) that the changed labels did not actually change anything.
More Information:
- This is the OmniStyle.apk from the 6-4-19 release of the Havoc ROM for the Pixel 2 XL. I've also check this ROM's Setting.apk and SystemUI.apk in case the text was set there, but I don't see any reference to those words anywhere in Settings or SystemUI. The link to that ROM is: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/development/pie-havoc-os-t3851780
- Here's a link where you can download my already modded apk as well in case you wanted to have a look at it (It's too big to upload directly): https://drive.google.com/open?id=1N-ivQSa3In1LbD8LZ4QrVrzo1HAB0giT
Let me know what else you need, if anything.

@sharkie405
So i have checked the apk and the Androidmanifest.xml is correct but when i tested the apk, for me it wasn't working at all. I use the same ROM as you on my S7(herolte) and when i replace my apk with yours there it cant be loaded at all i just see my custom Headers, maybe it's an issue with your ROM or the apk itself. Try to update your ROM and edit the new apk again, but best would be to restore your Omnistyle.apk and make custom headers with the Android Studio Template from me, if you need help with it just ask