Making themes

2011-02-06T16:21:30Z

178.26.116.152: /* Extract Data File */

This tutorial is to help people make new themes. I have had several people ask me how to make new themes. Creating a theme is very easy; all you need is a image editing program like Photoshop, GIMP, Paintshop Pro, or any other. I prefer one that has Layers and other advance features but any will work. You will also need to download the theme maker from [https://garage.maemo.org/frs/?group_id=36&release_id=1629 the Garage download page].

== Guide ==

=== Making a binary package ===

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''unzip'' the folder to your computer. (I keep the Theme maker folder on my desktop since that is where the program creates the theme files and it’s easy to get to).
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look into the folder there is an a file called <code>NuvoPearl-template.psd</code> that is the file you will ''edit'' to make your new theme. ''Open'' it up with your image editor.
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''Edit'' this file to look like what ever you want your theme to look like (I wont go into how to edit the file in this document but I normally do layers over the background image this has several advantages over just editing the image.)
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''save'' your file twice once in the <code>.psd</code> format and once in the <code>.png</code> format.
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Next ''Open'' '''MaemoThemeMaker.jar'''

[[Image:Thememaker1.png]]

Make the theme file.
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Enter Theme Name Max Length 9 Characters.
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Enter Your Name or Screen Name if you wish to use that instead.
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Select Theme Background File.
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Select Theme Source File(Select the .png formatted file.)
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Layout for Theme is Chinook (Still works for Diablo)
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Theme Version ( I normally start with 0.1)
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Top Bar Height need to be at least 45 pixels but I always do 60 so the Top bar is always the same size since home view will always be 60.)
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I normally go with 12 or higher for system font.
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I notice anything over 20 and things start to get misshaped do to font size.
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I normally go with 12 or so on Title font also.
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I don’t use this but it just makes your borders smaller.
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</ol>
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''Click'' '''Build Theme Tab''' then '''Build Theme!'''

[[Image:Thememaker2.png]]

Once Progress bar hits 100% (sometimes I get a popup saying its done sometimes I don’t) you will find your theme files in the ThemeMaker Folder you unzip earlier.
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''Upload'' that file to your Tablet or Web and ''Install''. Then share with everyone else.
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=== Making a source package ===

==== Prerequisites ====

*7zip
*Filezilla
*Script to build source deb

Download and Install to (N8x0 tablet):
*Py2deb
*Gainroot
*ssh server

==== Extract Data File ====

# Now right click on your .deb file > 7zip > Extract Here. That will give you two files: <code>control.tar</code> and <code>data.tar</code>.
# Right Click on <code>data.tar.gz</code> > 7zip > Extract Here. That will give you <code>data.tar</code>
# Right Click on <code>data.tar</code> > 7zip > Extract Here. That will give you a folder called <code>usr</code>
# Now Create a new folder called <code>src</code> and move folder <code>usr</code> into that folder.
# Next edit the py2deb script you downloaded earlier
# Upload source data to tablet
# Connect to tablet using filezilla
# Create folder called <code>build</code> in <code>MyDocs</code> Folder
# Upload <code>src</code> folder and <code>py2deb</code> script to build folder.

==== Build Source ====

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Open xterm on tablet
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Type the following commands in xterm:

<pre>
sudo gainroot
cd /home/user/MyDocs/build
python build_myapp.py
</pre>
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Follow the instructions given in xterm
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Refresh view on filezilla > View > Refresh
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==== Upload Source to extras-devel ====

* Download <code>themename.changes</code>, <code>themename.dsc</code>, and <code>themename.tar.gz</code> files
* Go to the [https://garage.maemo.org/extras-assistant/index.phpGarage Extras Assistant]
* Login and follow steps to upload files an add files to builder queue.
* Wait about 30 minutes then your files will be on [[extras-devel]].

== Further information ==

* [http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=339928#post339928 How to - Build a source package and upload os2008 themes to extras-devel]

[[Category:HowTo]]
[[Category:Power users]]
[[Category:Themes]]

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Making themes