Will PM you the screen test results when I get time Paulmz, will try the 5 by 8 for now with the notification bar and dock off.
Edit: I set the statusbar to hidden to make space but it seem I can't place any widget in that area, is this supposed to happen? any work around ?
I can't think of any reason why it won't place. Are you using LauncherPro or ADW? If you're using ADW, do you have the trash can set at the top? If so, maybe turn it off...?
Sorry, only thing I can think of right now.
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Well, out of the images that you sent me, the only one that had incorrect dimensions was the "Applanet" one. Most of the others ones I originally made so they were all correct. I'm not sure why the icons still aren't lining up the way they should.
On the three icons you requested... I hope these will do:
I will work on some toggle widgets that are more image-based as opposed to the blue-tile look. I think it will fit in better with your layout if they were actual images. I'll post them after I get them finished.
Last edited by paulmz; July 10th, 2011 at 10:02 PM.
Reason: Added additional icon.
Well, I can't believe that I didn't think of this before... I'm sure that some of you figured this out and are already using this feature.
I have been constantly looking for widgets that can be used as "tiles" with notifications, toggles, clocks, etc. ever since I started this theme. Some worked... a lot didn't. I would usually end up using APK Manager to skin someone else's widget. But I had en epiphany the other day that is so simple yet effective.
If you're using ADW Launcher (I'm not sure if LauncherPro has the same capability) there is an option to "Overlap Widgets" when resizing:
I used Make Your Own Clock Pro for the clock/date/alarm/battery combo, placed it first, then placed a corresponding size of Desktop Visualizer widget, stretched and then shrunk the size in two-steps to drag the blue widget onto the same space as the clock... and, voila! I did the same thing to the Beautiful Widgets Beautiful Weather 1x1 widget as well. This easy process works well with any other widget that has (or can be altered to have) a transparent background.
The main thing to keep in mind is how things are placed on the homescreen. There is a hierarchy that must be followed in order for the correct widgets to overlap each other. The above procedure merits an ease of creation but poses problems with a reboot. Although the widgets are placed with the first one behind the second one, they will reverse when the device is powered down. The following example shows pretty much the same setup as above, but places the blue tile Desktop Visualizer widget on top of the clock:
Doing it this way looks like it doesn't work at first, but after rebooting the device the widgets load in the order they were placed. The first procedure at the top of the thread shows immediate results, but will need to be fixed after each reboot.
It's strange but I think it makes sense now. Needless to say, let me know if anyone has any questions.
Hope this helps! Happy theming!
Last edited by paulmz; June 27th, 2011 at 05:26 PM.
Reason: Added Alternate/Revised Widget Overlap Procedure
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I found a problem with how I was overlapping widgets. I upgraded HexDefense and on first startup it rebooted my phone. No problem there, but it helped me to discover how the stacking order of overlapping widgets when you create them as opposed to when they reload after power-up can be troublesome.
The revised layout looks good. I'll post you a different "Internet" icon (probably later tonight). The one you're using is the only one that doesn't match.
For you and if mickycee is watching - took this photo on vacay in Boston, if this suits a tile for you Let me know if you want it edited to a certain size.
I'm having trouble making screenshots... I don't want to root my phone. So now I'm trying to figure out how to do that without rooting it... and I fail... and fail T_T
I'm having trouble making screenshots... I don't want to root my phone. So now I'm trying to figure out how to do that without rooting it... and I fail... and fail T_T
The free app Shoot Me from the market works for many unrooted people, myself included.
I'm having trouble making screenshots... I don't want to root my phone. So now I'm trying to figure out how to do that without rooting it... and I fail... and fail T_T
For you and if mickycee is watching - took this photo on vacay in Boston, if this suits a tile for you Let me know if you want it edited to a certain size.
love it!
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My wallpapers, buttons and such are located here in my Dropbox> Mickey Cee's Dropbox
I have a question and I hope it hasn't been answered on this thread already. I have tried looking for it and can't find it. Okay, to the point. I am trying to figure out how to HIDE the dock. I have my tiles all set up and like the look and all but not the dock anymore. I am using LauncherPro. Can someone explain how to do this?
I have a question and I hope it hasn't been answered on this thread already. I have tried looking for it and can't find it. Okay, to the point. I am trying to figure out how to HIDE the dock. I have my tiles all set up and like the look and all but not the dock anymore. I am using LauncherPro. Can someone explain how to do this?
Thanks in advance!
The last time I used LauncherPro, it didn't have that option. Turning off the dock is the main reason why I switched to ADWLauncher. Also keep in mind that if you turn the dock off, you will need to reconfigure your icon dimensions. When I did mine, I changed my rows from 5 to 6, which decreased my icon sizes by 2-pixels in height (on a 480 x 800 resolution).
I will take a look at this later tonight (going to the beach today). Just a question, though... is there any particular reason to do a 5x5 layout? Most everything on this thread is 4x5 or 4x6.
I will take a look at this later tonight (going to the beach today). Just a question, though... is there any particular reason to do a 5x5 layout? Most everything on this thread is 4x5 or 4x6.
Hi, paul, thanks for your attention.
i'm going to combine this theme of your with this one
Shoot Me doesn't work. And I tried that method with the SDK thingy, but it failed because it couldn't some file or something, I dunno
HTC Incredible S... with Android version 2.3.3
Didn't I hear that Android platforms newer than Froyo have native screenshot support? I remember reading something about holding the back button and pressing the home or menu button.
Don't quote me on this, though.
Other than that, if the Android SDK doesn't install correctly the first time, just do it again. It's a bit finicky, but once all of the files are there, it works perfectly.
Finally, I also heard that apps like MyPhoneExplorer also do screen shots. Again, don't quote me on this.
It's even easier now to make the blue tile widgets with the "Overlapping Widgets" feature. I can finally use the newer version of SMS Unread Count and have the Gmail icon actually go to the inbox (instead of only going to the newest email).
The weather is just WeatherBug Elite overlapping a blank blue Desktop Visualizer box. The battery icon is the same type of overlap using the Make Your Own Clock Pro.
Also, big thanks to melissapugs for having a great idea for a clock and for lending me the image she used for the background of the clock in her layout. I did mine as a Desktop Visualizer background image with the Make Your Own Clock widget on top. The only thing that I don't like about the Make Your Own Clock app is the limited selection of fonts. But it is a lot easier to arrange a widget with this app than Minimalistic Text.
Sidebar... But there is another app in extreme beta: Chronotopia. This thing will be awesome when it's done. We'll be able to make just about any widget out of it- using any True Type font we want- plus with infinite adaptability. Check it out!
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it seems that the 1x4 size need more adjusment on the height.
will post new screenshoot after finisihing the icons.
thanks again paul, you did a great job for this community.
it seems that the 1x4 size need more adjusment on the height.
You are right that the 1x4 is off... but so is the 2x2 (look at the bottom of the widget). I don't understand why with the original test with the red/yellow bars had consistent spacing between widgets at 6-pixels, but with the above screenshot, the spacing is 6-pixels for the horizontal spacing and 7-pixels for the vertical.
Maybe try increasing the heights of widget sizes 2 through 5:
2- 163px
3- 248px
4- 333px
5- 418px
Just kind of taking a guess at this one. It shouldn't work... but it might.
The last time I used LauncherPro, it didn't have that option. Turning off the dock is the main reason why I switched to ADWLauncher. Also keep in mind that if you turn the dock off, you will need to reconfigure your icon dimensions. When I did mine, I changed my rows from 5 to 6, which decreased my icon sizes by 2-pixels in height (on a 480 x 800 resolution).
Hope this helps.
Didn't realize that you can just change the dock image and also forgot you can delete the icons. So, I just have the app drawer in the center with a different picture. Thanks.
Hey, where do the blue tiles come from? I love the tiles on like the first few pages that people made (although the twitter and messaging ones are different fonts). I was just curious where to get the blue tiles? I am using LauncherPro and the Desktop Visualizer. Will the blue tiles work with that or is it more difficult?
Sorry, still a beginning at Android. I've been an iPhone guy, can't do all this stuff.
You are right that the 1x4 is off... but so is the 2x2 (look at the bottom of the widget). I don't understand why with the original test with the red/yellow bars had consistent spacing between widgets at 6-pixels, but with the above screenshot, the spacing is 6-pixels for the horizontal spacing and 7-pixels for the vertical.
Maybe try increasing the heights of widget sizes 2 through 5:
2- 163px
3- 248px
4- 333px
5- 418px
Just kind of taking a guess at this one. It shouldn't work... but it might.
hi, all size larger than 1, has gap. ie. the 1x2 has a 1px gap, while the 1x3 has 2px gap, and the 1x4 has a 3px gap. been trying to increasing the height but still no luck.
here another test screen
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
and you right about the spacing, it's 6px for horizontal and 7px for vertical.
Ehm, I tried the SDK thingy again. I couldn't get it to work.
I have an HTC Incredible S.
Display resolution: 480×800
Dock: off
Statusbar: on
Rows: 10
Columns: 4
If someone can figure out the dimensions of the icons. That would be great.
Ehm, I tried the SDK thingy again. I couldn't get it to work.
I have an HTC Incredible S.
Display resolution: 480×800
Dock: off
Statusbar: on
Rows: 10
Columns: 4
If someone can figure out the dimensions of the icons. That would be great.
or not...
I've been trying too long >.<
[/IMG]
excuse my stupidity
If you can't get screenshots to work, then I can't help you figure out the dimensions. The only thing that I can offer is to forget about the weird 4-column/10-row setup and just use the dimensions/icons listed and linked in Page-1/Post-1.
Sorry... I really need to see a full-sized screenshot with test widgets to get the exact pixel dimensions for the images.
hi, all size larger than 1, has gap. ie. the 1x2 has a 1px gap, while the 1x3 has 2px gap, and the 1x4 has a 3px gap. been trying to increasing the height but still no luck.
here another test screen
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
and you right about the spacing, it's 6px for horizontal and 7px for vertical.
Dude, I have no idea what the heck is going on with those widgets. The whole idea of the test bars is that Desktop Visualizer automatically sizes them as large as they can go. But look at the right-hand vertical red bar. The bottom single-cell bar extends 3-pixels below the 4-cell bar next to it. That shouldn't happen. It makes no sense that a solid 4-cell tall widget equals 330-px, but four separate one-cell widgets equal 333-px.
Other than that, the only thing I can think of is instead of increasing the heights of the images by 1-pixel, perhaps decrease the width of the images by 1-pixel. This may force Desktop Visualizer to increase the size of the image to fill the space, which should create either symmetrical 6-pixel or 7-pixel horizontal and vertical spacing.
Dude, I have no idea what the heck is going on with those widgets. The whole idea of the test bars is that Desktop Visualizer automatically sizes them as large as they can go. But look at the right-hand vertical red bar. The bottom single-cell bar extends 3-pixels below the 4-cell bar next to it. That shouldn't happen. It makes no sense that a solid 4-cell tall widget equals 330-px, but four separate one-cell widgets equal 333-px.
Other than that, the only thing I can think of is instead of increasing the heights of the images by 1-pixel, perhaps decrease the width of the images by 1-pixel. This may force Desktop Visualizer to increase the size of the image to fill the space, which should create either symmetrical 6-pixel or 7-pixel horizontal and vertical spacing.
hi, paul. yeah, it's very weird with the test image, and yes, the auto fit option is ticked, and decreasing the width not working too.
here's another 4 cols x 5 rows screen test with DV with no image assigned, as you can see the height of 1x2, 1x3 and 1x4 widget height is smaller compared to the sum of 1x1 widget heights. is it normal?
hi, paul. yeah, it's very weird with the test image, and yes, the auto fit option is ticked, and decreasing the width not working too.
here's another 4 cols x 5 rows screen test with DV with no image assigned, as you can see the height of 1x2, 1x3 and 1x4 widget height is smaller compared to the sum of 1x1 widget heights. is it normal?
Now, that's not normal, which is why I can't figure it out. It makes no sense at all. Maybe just give ADW Launcher a try... just to see what it does.
It could just be the resolution of the device compensating for an in-between widget size. I'm at a loss, though. Sorry.
I'm using apk manager to decompile "Sms Counter Widget".. Anyone know how i can make the sms counter bigger?
The only two things I can think of are this:
1. When setting up the widget, change the "Counter Size" box from "Normal" to "Large".
2. The notification bubble size does get affected by the size of the icon. I'm actually not even using my reskinned SMS Unread Count Classic widgets anymore. I'm using the current SMS Unread Count. With the newer version you can set a custom icon (I used these) and overlapped them on Desktop Visualizer widgets with just the blue tile backgrounds.
I find this works really well, keeps the notification bubble fairly large and completely within the blue box, and allows to select which email account and which label to open when pressing the widget. It's pretty slick this way.
1. When setting up the widget, change the "Counter Size" box from "Normal" to "Large".
2. The notification bubble size does get affected by the size of the icon. I'm actually not even using my reskinned SMS Unread Count Classic widgets anymore. I'm using the current SMS Unread Count. With the newer version you can set a custom icon (I used these) and overlapped them on Desktop Visualizer widgets with just the blue tile backgrounds.
I find this works really well, keeps the notification bubble fairly large and completely within the blue box, and allows to select which email account and which label to open when pressing the widget. It's pretty slick this way.
Hope this helps!
Well.. Sorry i didnt mention that i was going for a 2x1 with desktop visualizer.. It's not really working.. The bubble is not perfect.. Maybe i'll stick to 1x1 for now..
Hey Paul in using adw launcher so what setting do i need to have set so I can use a dock similar to yours? With words instead of icons
I honestly have never used the dock in ADW yet. My whole reason for switching from LauncherPro to ADW was to get rid of the dock.
If it works anything like other aspects of ADW, just long-press on the dock icon, press [Edit], and adjust just about everything for that dock position (change the icon, action, etc.).
Well.. Sorry i didnt mention that i was going for a 2x1 with desktop visualizer.. It's not really working.. The bubble is not perfect.. Maybe i'll stick to 1x1 for now..
It should still work with a 2x1. I assume that since you mentioned Desktop Visualizer that you're overlapping widgets? If you're looking to just get a notification bubble to pop up on a Desktop Visualizer widget, just change the SMS Unread Count icon to a 72x72-pixel (or similar) transparent icon. Then you can place it anywhere on any size Desktop Visualizer widget background image and the notification bubble will still show where that transparent icon is.
I honestly have never used the dock in ADW yet. My whole reason for switching from LauncherPro to ADW was to get rid of the dock.
If it works anything like other aspects of ADW, just long-press on the dock icon, press [Edit], and adjust just about everything for that dock position (change the icon, action, etc.).
See the problem im having is the + sign that comes up on the dock so you can add an icon. I don't know how to remove it
Well, I'm out riding my bicycle right now, but I figured it out on a break.
Pull up your app drawer, press and hold an app, then drag it to one of those plus symbols. After that, you can edit that dock icon to be anything or even change the app or action for it.
Let me know if you want it edited to a certain size. 
![]("http://img17.imageshack.us/i/snap1n.png/")
