Is there any reason you couldn't use the android sdk to set up your virtual device? Set up the sdk like you would to build and test apps. Is there a reason that wouldn't work?
Jayrod, thanks for all your hard work on this. I didn't realize how much effort it requires to do some simple theming. Looks like I'm going to through some Photoshop tutorials first to figure that stuff out before I can even begin to theme anything.
#1 How do I determine which drawable folder I start to edit? Is it best to play around starting with the lowest resolution folder and testing to see what changes appear on the phone?
#2 Is the reason for changing the hue in an image instead of filling (paint bucket) parts of an image to prevent having to resign the apk? If not, what is the reason? (At least for your example) (I'm trying to keep my initial theme attempts very simple to get the hang of it before moving on to more complex and I want to make sure I'm jumping in the ocean before I'm able to get through the puddle. I'm assuming it's easiest to change fonts and background colors before moving on to editing images to really change the look of an app.)
#3 If I pull an apk from a flashable zip (such as the PAC rom nightly) how do I kick the apk back into the zip once I've edited the apk? Do I just copy the apk from the binary folder under the applicable projects and apk folders back into the zip? Is the apk in the binary folder created when I click build project?
Making me think this morning! Hahaha
I haven't seen any type of Virtual Android setup that would show changes on the fly.Setting up the SDK to create an apk and editing an existing one are 2 different things. I'm sure that there has to be some sort of setup somewhere for Google coders to know what everything does...that would be the holy grail!
#1 How do I determine which drawable folder I start to edit? Is it best to play around starting with the lowest resolution folder and testing to see what changes appear on the phone?
As far as which folder does what , it is easy on devices like the Bionic/RAZR because there is only 1 dpi (hdpi) folder to work from. So far the S4 has been a crapshoot! I haven't discovered an actual pattern because I am having to change images in drawable- hdpi ,drawable-xhdpi and drawable-xxhdpi! A lot seems to be dependent on the ROM though.
#2 Is the reason for changing the hue in an image instead of filling (paint bucket) parts of an image to prevent having to resign the apk? If not, what is the reason? (At least for your example) (I'm trying to keep my initial theme attempts very simple to get the hang of it before moving on to more complex and I want to make sure I'm jumping in the ocean before I'm able to get through the puddle. I'm assuming it's easiest to change fonts and background colors before moving on to editing images to really change the look of an app.)
Changing the hue of an image is the easiest change .The hue is basically, 'how balanced the RGB is'. All digital photos are made up of the 3 primary colors- red, green and blue. When changing the hue balance, you're changing which colors are seen more than others. If you use the paint bucket or any styles,you are basically throwing out all the original color info and making it a solid color.I guess the best way to understand is that with a hue change you are rearranging the color info and not creating a new image..the size stays the same. Anything else is a new image.
#3 If I pull an apk from a flashable zip (such as the PAC rom nightly) how do I kick the apk back into the zip once I've edited the apk? Do I just copy the apk from the binary folder under the applicable projects and apk folders back into the zip? Is the apk in the binary folder created when I click build project?
You can either push the .apk to your phone or make a flashable .zip and flash it. With a .zip,just drag the .apk into the corresponding folder. I have mixed results with pushing,especially sysUI and framework..I have had fun trying to get a reboot while the phone is going into a FC loop! That is a big reason I just flash everything. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP!!! Also,you are using PAC as an example. If memory serves,you will have to fix the framework-res.apk prior to editing as it will fail on test decompile/recompile....If memory serves..I can't remember if I tested it.
