Wow!! Looks great! Now only if I could get mine to look that good. What phone do you have?
Thanks. Phone is a Droid X.
I have some experience with the icons on your phone. Paulmz' icons lined up very nice for me without resizing. I simply used the proper dimensions in Desktop Visualizer, and put 'em where they looked good.
I never have had to resize with LP, nor have I ever started with a bigger dimension, and sized down. I think your 1x2's aren't lining up with the 2x1's because you've resized with LP?
I have some experience with the icons on your phone. Paulmz' icons lined up very nice for me without resizing. I simply used the proper dimensions in Desktop Visualizer, and put 'em where they looked good.
I never have had to resize with LP, nor have I ever started with a bigger dimension, and sized down. I think your 1x2's aren't lining up with the 2x1's because you've resized with LP?
Stick with it, it's looking good so far.
I didn't resize any of the ones of the screenshots. They are the same ones from Paulmz' screenshots. I did try resizing them to make them fit for my Evo but what we are getting just isn't lining up right so I figured someone might be able to help figure out the sizing of pixels I need for my phone.
I didn't resize any of the ones of the screenshots. They are the same ones from Paulmz' screenshots. I did try resizing them to make them fit for my Evo but what we are getting just isn't lining up right so I figured someone might be able to help figure out the sizing of pixels I need for my phone.
BlondeeLox,
From your screenshots I noticed one problem:
Hit [MENU], [Preferences], [Homescreen Settings], and change the number of rows from 4 to 5.
Also, the widget sizes looked a bit off... just making sure you're using the images that I made for the Incredible (and not the DroidX).
Paul: I noticed on your screenshots that you have widget photos for Entertainment, Games, Travel... are you able to connect those to folders with multiple applications??? For instance I would normally have a folder that contains all my games. Am I able to do such a thing using Launcher Pro? I am assuming there is since you have the Entertainment widgets etc. but I can not seem to figure out how to do it. Please explain. Thanks!
Paul: I noticed on your screenshots that you have widget photos for Entertainment, Games, Travel... are you able to connect those to folders with multiple applications??? For instance I would normally have a folder that contains all my games. Am I able to do such a thing using Launcher Pro? I am assuming there is since you have the Entertainment widgets etc. but I can not seem to figure out how to do it. Please explain. Thanks!
BlondeeLox,
There are two good apps that work much better than organizing into folders:
Both of these apps let you easily categorize apps into whatever group you want, and then you just select that group as the shortcut for the widget. When you press on the widget, it activates a pop-up with just those apps in that category:
I'm using the Smart Shortcuts right now. They are both extremely similar, but App Categories arranges items only by how you rate them while Smart Shortcuts offers that plus an option to list the apps alphabetically (which I like).
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I also wanted to know if you knew of a widget that was similar to the bookmarks widget on HTC Sense? I really like that widget and would like to find something similar but can't seem to find one on the market that does the same thing. Any suggestions? Thanks!
How does this look? & to think all I needed to do was change the number of rows!! Thanks Paul!!!
BlondeeLox,
It's looking really good so far. But (and please, don't hate me, but my OCD makes me do it) I see that the spacing between the widgets is still a bit off. I checked your icons and they are too tall by 1-pixel per row (ie. the 2x1 should be 125px high but are 126px, the 1x2 should be 260px but are 262px, etc.). I don't know where the extra pixel came from, but it's keeping the layout from having a symmetrical 10-pixel space around all of the widgets.
Again, I apologize for "nit-picking". It does look really good. Awesome job on copying the style I used for the original images. It's just like I did them myself! You should definitely post them to share.
It's fun to make things from scratch... you can really call your layout "your own"... right?
Ok so I installed the Smart Shortcuts, def what I was looking for. BUT I now how are you able to make these into a widget photo? I am seeing the option that you can make them into their own widget i.e. applications, bookmarks, contacts etc. I tried making a widget photo for my games and bookmarks but it only allows me to make a widget photo for Smart Shortcuts not the individual widgets (if that makes sense). Like you have a Games Widget Photo... does that open to your games folder from Smart Shortcut like your screenshot shows?
It's looking really good so far. But (and please, don't hate me, but my OCD makes me do it) I see that the spacing between the widgets is still a bit off. I checked your icons and they are too tall by 1-pixel per row (ie. the 2x1 should be 125px high but are 126px, the 1x2 should be 260px but are 262px, etc.). I don't know where the extra pixel came from, but it's keeping the layout from having a symmetrical 10-pixel space around all of the widgets.
Again, I apologize for "nit-picking". It does look really good. Awesome job on copying the style I used for the original images. It's just like I did them myself! You should definitely post them to share.
It's fun to make things from scratch... you can really call your layout "your own"... right?
Thanks!
No I have OCD too and I don't know how to really fix any of those types of issues so you can nit pick all you want! The thing I don't get is that in photoshop I am putting the demensions the same as you did in your original post, so 1x2 is 110x260, 2x1 is 230x125 and that's what I am putting in photoshop so I am not understanding why it's adding pixels once I get them on my phone if that's what's happening??? Let me know what I can do to figure this out because I would like it to be symmetrical.
I do find it fun to find the images and make the layout my own. Your idea was awesome and I am having fun doing it too. I don't know a whole lot about customizing my Evo I just know there is TONS that can be customized and in a sense too much to make one even want to try, if that makes sense. SO when my husband showed me your layout I was like "ok I can do this." I am coming from the iPhone so doing things such as this to my Evo is a big change for me. So I gave it a shot and look what I can do! lol I will post the ones I have made once I get the chance.
I also wanted to know if you knew of a widget that was similar to the bookmarks widget on HTC Sense? I really like that widget and would like to find something similar but can't seem to find one on the market that does the same thing. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Well, I guess it would depend on the browser that you are using. I was just looking into the Dolphin Add-Ons, and they have a Bookmarks Widget for that. I don't really use widgets anymore (other than Desktop Visualizer) so I couldn't say.
I assume you're using LauncherPro, and if you're using LauncherPro Plus (I don't think these are available on the standard LauncherPro) there are several Bookmarks Widgets similar to the HTC Sense:
But my favorite is this:
It pops right up no matter what screen you're on. It's vertical scrollable and can be a dock press or swipe.
Last edited by paulmz; October 31st, 2010 at 01:03 AM.
No I have OCD too and I don't know how to really fix any of those types of issues so you can nit pick all you want! The thing I don't get is that in photoshop I am putting the demensions the same as you did in your original post, so 1x2 is 110x260, 2x1 is 230x125 and that's what I am putting in photoshop so I am not understanding why it's adding pixels once I get them on my phone if that's what's happening??? Let me know what I can do to figure this out because I would like it to be symmetrical.
I'm kinda at a loss. I tried saving images a bunch of different ways (as a .png normal, as a .png interlaced, as a Save For Web .png) and they all come up on the mobile screen at the correct size. How are you doing the image resizes? Are you using the crop tool (Image Resizing Using Photoshop) or resizing the image through the "Image Resize" option? The only thing I can think of is that the Evo is doing it... maybe the screen resolution isn't exactly 480x800...? I'm not sure. You can send me a few of the .psd icon files you made and I can check the actual files if you want... see if I can find what's off.
I'm kinda at a loss. I tried saving images a bunch of different ways (as a .png normal, as a .png interlaced, as a Save For Web .png) and they all come up on the mobile screen at the correct size. How are you doing the image resizes? Are you using the crop tool (Image Resizing Using Photoshop) or resizing the image through the "Image Resize" option? The only thing I can think of is that the Evo is doing it... maybe the screen resolution isn't exactly 480x800...? I'm not sure. You can send me a few of the .psd icon files you made and I can check the actual files if you want... see if I can find what's off.
I am cropping the pictures the same way you explained in the thread. So I am not too sure why they are coming out the wrong size. My husband suggested that maybe the Evo is stretching the pictures since the screen is so big but we know the screen resolution.... I don't know what's going on either...
paulmz,, just wanted to send a big thanks for this thread. Been following for a couple weeks.
started out by downloading the images you posted and then decided to try my hand. Downloaded CS5 and after a couple hrs here and there for a week I think I finally have the basics down.
BUT I have one question: how do i get the text bar to be uniform on all images ? I'm sure it's easy and staring me n the face or I wouldn't be overlooking it .
Oh just in case there's another original MT3G user out there, I used the Droid eris settings and i think the images I made came out great , except the text bar
Thanks again and keep up the great work !
Update : Figured out the text box thing. Now all i need is some quality pics and I'm in business. thanks again for your work.
Last edited by gwcaton; October 31st, 2010 at 06:53 PM.
Reason: update
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Hi! I signed up just so I could post in this thread
@paulmz
Firstly, I too want to thank you for sharing your creativity and also for your helpfulness.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S which has a resolution of 480x800, and I've used your setup to great effect. Picking up on a few things that have been said on this thread, I have a few questions:
1) How do I take screenshots without rooting? (I know there were some screenshot apps in the Market before, but they all seem to require root now.)
2) What size for the icons should I use if:
a) I want to hide the notification bar; or
b) I want to turn off "Auto-Fit Items" (it causes some of my widgets to get cut off at the bottom); or
c) I want to do both?
I would really appreciate any input!
Last edited by mlj11; October 31st, 2010 at 04:33 PM.
Reason: Formatting
Hi! I signed up just so I could post in this thread
@paulmz
Firstly, I too want to thank you for sharing your creativity and also for your helpfulness.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S which has a resolution of 480x800, and I've used your setup to great effect. Picking up on a few things that have been said on this thread, I have a few questions:
1) How do I take screenshots without rooting? (I know there were some screenshot apps in the Market before, but they all seem to require root now.)
2) What size for the icons should I use if:
a) I want to hide the notification bar; or
b) I want to turn off "Auto-Fit Items" (it causes some of my widgets to get cut off at the bottom); or
c) I want to do both?
Basically, it comes down to four things: make sure you have the USB drivers for your phone installed on the computer, make sure your Java is complete and up to date, download the SDK (Android SDK), and make sure your phone is set to USB Debug Mode. After that, on your computer just go to the folder with your SDK-> android-sdk-windows-> tools-> ddms. Once the "Dalvik Debug Monitor" comes up, click on your phone (connect it via USB if it's not already), then click "Device" in the menu bar, and click "Screen Capture".
2. (a) I will list these dimensions on a separate post to make it easier to find for everyone.
2. (b) Turning off Auto-Fit doesn't really do anything useful. The actual widget area stays the same- it just makes the image in the widget unrestricted beyond the boundaries of the widget, which makes the images overlap in unintentional ways. I don't know about the bottom widgets being cut off. Could you post a screenshot (after you get it working) so I can take a look at it?
2.(c) I guess I will give it a shot to see how it works and let you know.
Finally, thanks for the thanks. It's nice to be appreciated!
Last edited by paulmz; October 31st, 2010 at 10:10 PM.
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Hi! I signed up just so I could post in this thread
@paulmz
Firstly, I too want to thank you for sharing your creativity and also for your helpfulness.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S which has a resolution of 480x800, and I've used your setup to great effect. Picking up on a few things that have been said on this thread, I have a few questions:
1) How do I take screenshots without rooting? (I know there were some screenshot apps in the Market before, but they all seem to require root now.)
2) What size for the icons should I use if:
a) I want to hide the notification bar; or
b) I want to turn off "Auto-Fit Items" (it causes some of my widgets to get cut off at the bottom); or
c) I want to do both?
I would really appreciate any input!
Here's step by step directions on how to take screenshots without rooting. This is what I followed and taking screenshots this way is a piece of cake!
Paul: I don't know if these will help you figure it out... let me know what else I can do to figure this out. Thanks!
BlondeeLox,
All of the image are dead-on perfect. And on the Evo, the horizontal spacing is correct at 10 pixels. I don't understand why the vertical spacing varies, but it seems consistent. The only thing I can suggest right now is trying to make the images 1-pixel larger (in height only) per widget height (ie. add 1 pixel to a 2x1, add 2 pixels to a 1x2, add 3 pixels to a 1x3, etc.). Theoretically this shouldn't work. It should just force Desktop Visualizer to squeeze the taller image into the widget, which in turn makes it narrower to keep it in proportion.
If you want to post or private message more screenshots of different image sizes or your new homescreen with widgets selected, I would be glad to take another look at it.
Thanks for posting the widget images. They look great!
Thanks for your replies! I'll work on getting screenshots soon.
@paulmz:
I used the dimensions you posted for icon sizes on the DRIOD Incredible, and they work perfectly on my SGS. Many thanks
In fact, they work with or without Auto-Fit turned on (as far as my naked eye can see), so you don't have to go to the trouble of figuring out different sizes.
As for Auto-Fit: it's not that the widgets at the bottom of the screen get cut off, but rather the lower portion of individul widgets may fail to display properly. Two widgets that this happens to are Digital Clock by Maize (the date portion gets cut in half if I have my phone notification bar unhidden) and Android Agenda Widget by Everybody all the time (the last agenda entry gets pushed too far down, cutting it in half).
That's why I prefer to have Auto-Fit diabled.
Anyway, since the dimensions you gave work perfectly, I can have Auto-Fit off without affecting my theme! I'll try and find some time to post screenshots and share my icons.
Thanks for figuring out the dimensions for the Droid X
Do these sizes work on the Droid X with the notification bar hidden?
[QUOTE=paulmz;1756097]
Quote:
Originally Posted by crboone
Unfortunately, I'm unable at the moment to select & highlight the widgets. I downloaded the free version of LP to add these, and they lock as if I'm trying to resize them when I highlight them (resizing is only available in the Plus version). But I'll still post the screens so you can see how they look so far. It would look a little better if the gaps were narrower, but it still looks fine like this. Definitely useable.
New DroidX icons available! Scroll down to the posts!
Dimensions for images using Desktop Visualizer and LauncherPro with a 4-column/5-row setup for a screen resolution of 480x854 (DroidX, etc.).
Update : Figured out the text box thing. Now all i need is some quality pics and I'm in business. thanks again for your work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJTHEBEST
How'd you do it?
Well the way I did it was to uncheck the background and then you get the grey and white squares on the screen . Used the squares as my guide. If I made the text box 3 squares high , I made them 3 squares high on al of them.
I am not very technical so I hope this makes some sense . This was my first time using PS and trying this
First you need an image editor. I used Adobe Photoshop for all of my images. The easy thing to do is to download the 30-day free trial of Photoshop (Adobe Photoshop Download), and then download my template files:
I have 5 customized pages, my home page is the 3rd one.
apheonixboy:
This looks good, but could you please do me a favor and downsize your image to 750-pixels wide or less. It stretches the thread too wide and forces horizontal scrolling.
For those users that have Gimp and would like templates for their icons, I've taken the liberty of converting paulmz's Photoshop templates to Gimp templates. Basically, I replaced the "TEXT" Layer with a TEXT Layer that Gimp understands natively. I also saved all the files as native Gimp files (XCF).
PS...Paulmz, can you take a look at your 2x1 template please? All the layers have been merged together. It doesn't allow for the TEXT to be changed. I recreated the 2x1 icon in XCF format so maybe you can just use that to make things easier.
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[QUOTE=md88;1827997]Thanks for figuring out the dimensions for the Droid X
Do these sizes work on the Droid X with the notification bar hidden?
md88,
The sizes will still work, but the vertical spacing will be off a couple of pixels per row. I don't think I've had the chance to figure out the dimensions for the DroidX without the notification bar. If you want to post some full-size screenshots, I refigure the dimensions for the notification bar hidden.
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PS...Paulmz, can you take a look at your 2x1 template please? All the layers have been merged together. It doesn't allow for the TEXT to be changed. I recreated the 2x1 icon in XCF format so maybe you can just use that to make things easier.
Excedio,
I just checked the 2x1 (and the 1x2 in case it was a typo) and both of them are editable with separate layers in Photoshop. It must be a glitch with GIMP reading it.
Good work on transferring the files to XCF format for use in GIMP. I've been meaning to do that but didn't have the time. Thanks!
I just checked the 2x1 (and the 1x2 in case it was a typo) and both of them are editable with separate layers in Photoshop. It must be a glitch with GIMP reading it.
Good work on transferring the files to XCF format for use in GIMP. I've been meaning to do that but didn't have the time. Thanks!
This looks good, but could you please do me a favor and downsize your image to 750-pixels wide or less. It stretches the thread too wide and forces horizontal scrolling.
Thanks!
Threw them in a hide tag... let me know if still a problem.
__________________ Typos or odd wording??? I blame Swype for the Swypo's!
What would be the dimensions to get this on my Desire?
Would I be able to use Launcher Pro to fit the images onto it directly or resize in Photoshop?
Ta
According to HTC's site, the screen resolution for the Desire is 480 x 800, which is the same as the Incredible (the phone I own and what all of my original dimensions are based on). Just follow the instructions at the very beginning of the thread and you should be golden!
Re the images on desire, i'm using desktop visualizer but the icons / widgets are showing up really small and I can't get them to enlarge on Launcher Pro Plus like normal widgets can.
Re the images on desire, i'm using desktop visualizer but the icons / widgets are showing up really small and I can't get them to enlarge on Launcher Pro Plus like normal widgets can.
Any suggestions please?
choccy,
Post some screenshots so I can see what you're talking about.
Yo, would these widget images work for HTC Legend? Looks sickk
It looks like the Legend has a 320x480 resolution. I haven't created any icons for this resolution, yet. Dimensions for this resolution are listed here:
It looks like the Legend has a 320x480 resolution. I haven't created any icons for this resolution, yet. Dimensions for this resolution are listed here:
Look through the rest of the thread for how to create the images. If you need help... just ask!
Haha, I don't want to make my own. I'm too lazy. Know where I can find pre-made icons the size perfect for my HTC Legend. I just tried some wrong sized images, but ressized them and they appear quite small on the actual phone compared to the pictures. I think I might stick with my Typo Clock, simple and fresh.
Last edited by heyitsericc; November 5th, 2010 at 11:23 PM.
Thanks man, so if I used those images, it wouldn't fit in my homescreen? I'm using LP Plus. Would it help if i increase the columns/rows or use the resize option?
You could try, but they are sized to fit screens with a resolution of at least 480x800. Give it a shot and post a screenshot or two. If they don't fit right, I'll work on revising the old icons I made before to fit the lower resolution.
This looks good, but could you please do me a favor and downsize your image to 750-pixels wide or less. It stretches the thread too wide and forces horizontal scrolling.
Thanks!
Sorry for making the image too wide, It was one of my first posts and I didnt read your post till today. I havent logged in here in days and I just read it.
But thanks to who ever edited the post, and sorry once again
