Android Phone 7 Theme

[stargazer]

How is that? And do you know why I can only get 1x2, 2x1, 4x1, and then Large, Middle, Small SS, and Small? I had to get an apk from somewhere on these forums because it wouldn't show up in the market since I'm on 2.2. Could it be that I have an outdated version?

Oh, just answered my own question. I'm using 1.0.3 and the latest is 1.0.4. Does someone want to post the apk so I can install it?

Thanks! You're a rad dude.

 

[paulmz]

How is that? And do you know why I can only get 1x2, 2x1, 4x1, and then Large, Middle, Small SS, and Small? I had to get an apk from somewhere on these forums because it wouldn't show up in the market since I'm on 2.2. Could it be that I have an outdated version?

Oh, just answered my own question. I'm using 1.0.3 and the latest is 1.0.4. Does someone want to post the apk so I can install it?

Thanks! You're a rad dude.

I think I noticed something on your last set of screenshots. The widgets are overlapping. If you don't have this set, hit [MENU], [Homescreen Settings], and make sure the bottom item is checked: "Auto-fit Items". Post a screenshot after the change.

PS: I'm trying to figure out how to pull my Desktop Visualizer, but I'm a graphics guy... I suck at code. We'll see.

 

[stargazer]

There you go. That looks like it will help a lot.

To pull apk's, with adb you just do 'adb pull (location) (destination)' At least that's what I think you do, it worked for me.

 

[paulmz]

There you go. That looks like it will help a lot.

To pull apk's, with adb you just do 'adb pull (location) (destination)' At least that's what I think you do, it worked for me.

Okay, you may need to post one more set of screenshots after this, but try these image dimensions:

4x2: 310 x 73
2x1: 154 x 73

Please post a screenshot of a 2- or 4-high widget, too. The last set of images only had 1-high widgets selected.

Also, so long as you're using LauncherPro PLus, it shouldn't matter what size widgets Desktop Visualizer is using. If the dimensions of the images are set correctly, you can drag to change the size of the widget and have the image fill the new size.

On a final note, I'm seeing that pulling apk's (at least private ones) requires root access. Someone else may need to post their Desktop Visualizer apk.

I found 1.0.4 online, though. View attachment desktopvisualizer_1.0.4.apk

 

[stargazer]

I'll try out those dimensions and see what they bring.

Thanks for the APK, your google must be better than mine! But it works, with all sizes! So thanks!

EDIT:
After trial and error, it seems that 4x1 is actually 322x75. It looks fine on my screen as you can see here:

 

[paulmz]

After trial and error, it seems that 4x1 is actually 322x75. It looks fine on my screen as you can see here:

Good. Those two widgets look like they're lining up the way they're supposed to.

Now, I think I have it. The pixel dimensions in Photoshop are still throwing me a bit... on screen it shows a 7-pixel gap between images, but the math of the widget sizes says 6-pixels. Hopefully, this is it:

1x2: 74x154
1x3: 74x234
1x4: 74x314
2x1: 154x74
3x1: 234x74
4x1: 314x74
4x4: 314x314
3x3: 234x234
2x2: 154x154
1x1: 74x74

NOTE: I revised these dimensions on 10/29/10. If these don't work perfectly, the heights may still be off (ie: 73, 153, 233, 313).

I based all of this on your last screenshot, which measured the 4x1 at 314x73 and the 2x1 at 154x73. I then took that into account with the 1x2 selected widget in the screenshot before that, which was at 76x154 (then I deducted 2-pixels per width and height to come up with the actual image size).

Let me know how this works.

 

[fullhouse131]

Hey Paul did you link your Photoshop Templates for the Incredible images the only templates I can seem to find are the Droid X? Also can you use Photoshop templates in GIMP?

 

[paulmz]

Just did this tile setup on my phone last night, and I absolutely love it so far.

Isn't it great how drastically you can change your phone's appearance if you get bored with it? That's Android.

This is why I went through the trouble of figuring everything out down to the pixel and posting it for everyone to use. This is one of the first layouts I saw that was drastically different than the standard "here's a widget, here's an icon, here's my wallpaper" layout. It can make each screen completely different and unique- like having separate wallpapers per screen. And it can be entirely personal depending on the images you use. I have seen others use movie images, comic strips, solid-color shapes with no image...

The best thing about using a "theme" like this is that it doesn't require any hardcore changes to the device. There's no rooting, modding, or ROMs. It's just: install a new launcher, download some icons (or make your own), place widgets on the desktop... done.

I don't know... maybe it's the graphic designer in me that likes a UI that goes beyond cute little icons.

But then again... I do like some simplistic icon layouts. Here's an example of what I'm working on now:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

We'll see how this one works out.

 

[Ronik]

Here are the icons I made:

View attachment 12735 View attachment 12723 View attachment 12725 View attachment 12726 View attachment 12727
View attachment 12728 View attachment 12729 View attachment 12730 View attachment 12731 View attachment 12732

Here is a zip file with the original Photoshop files:

View attachment 12734

Have fun!

Okay, first of all I'm a complete noob....I love the icons that you made but for the life of me I can't get them to come out the way you did in the pic...I changed the color to a black background and white font but every time I change the icon to the custom image I changed (ex: Text Messages) the font comes out small....I believe my dimensions are 84X84...how did you get the dock icons so big on yours?...any help would be appreciated...haha keep in mind complete noob.

 

[paulmz]

Hey Paul did you link your Photoshop Templates for the Incredible images the only templates I can seem to find are the Droid X? Also can you use Photoshop templates in GIMP?

Fullhouse,

Yep, you're right. I neglected to post the Photoshop templates for my original icon images for the Incredible.

View attachment Incredible Desktop Visualizer Photoshop Templates.zip

Also, good call on the GIMP! I have actually been looking for a free image editor to recommend to people who don't want to buy Photoshop. I downloaded it, tried it, and it DOES open and edit PSD files. Seems to work well.

For those who don't know about this cool program:

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

Don't wait- DOWNLOAD IT NOW!

 

[paulmz]

Okay, first of all I'm a complete noob....I love the icons that you made but for the life of me I can't get them to come out the way you did in the pic...I changed the color to a black background and white font but every time I change the icon to the custom image I changed (ex: Text Messages) the font comes out small....I believe my dimensions are 84X84...how did you get the dock icons so big on yours?...any help would be appreciated...haha keep in mind complete noob.

Okay, a couple of questions:

What program are you using to create these icons? Are you sure the 84x84 is in "pixels"? Also, I don't believe I used a black background for my icons... I just have a transparent background (ie. no background).

Yesterday, I finally figured out that LauncherPro's dock and icons are different dimensions. The dock itself is 84 pixels tall, but each icon only displays at 60x60 pixels, contrary to all of the other forums I've read that say they're 84x84 for the icons.

If you're still having trouble, post the file you're trying to make and I'll take a look at it.

 

[fullhouse131]

Fullhouse,

Yep, you're right. I neglected to post the Photoshop templates for my original icon images for the Incredible.

View attachment 12904

Also, good call on the GIMP! I have actually been looking for a free image editor to recommend to people who don't want to buy Photoshop. I downloaded it, tried it, and it DOES open and edit PSD files. Seems to work well.

For those who don't know about this cool program:

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

Don't wait- DOWNLOAD IT NOW!

Great Thanks, and I tried it and it worked I was able to edit some of the text on your LauncherPro icons and it worked great. I had to delete the Layer and then add my own text layer and I now have a GMAIL/SEND Icon

EDIT: I just tried opening these in GIMP and it won't let me edit the Text Layer here either. I'm assuming its a GIMP thing. Can you tell me your Font settings so I can replicate that when I recreate the TEXT Layer.

 

[Ronik]

Okay, a couple of questions:

What program are you using to create these icons? Are you sure the 84x84 is in "pixels"? Also, I don't believe I used a black background for my icons... I just have a transparent background (ie. no background).

Yesterday, I finally figured out that LauncherPro's dock and icons are different dimensions. The dock itself is 84 pixels tall, but each icon only displays at 60x60 pixels, contrary to all of the other forums I've read that say they're 84x84 for the icons.

If you're still having trouble, post the file you're trying to make and I'll take a look at it.

Im using the GIMP photo editor....They are in 84X84 pixels...basically what I did is copy/paste your original images (the orange/white ones) and just filled in the text with the color white. Still getting used to using GIMP so that's probably where all the confusion is coming from...thanks for your quick reply.

 

[paulmz]

Great Thanks, and I tried it and it worked I was able to edit some of the text on your LauncherPro icons and it worked great. I had to delete the Layer and then add my own text layer and I now have a GMAIL/SEND Icon

EDIT: I just tried opening these in GIMP and it won't let me edit the Text Layer here either. I'm assuming its a GIMP thing. Can you tell me your Font settings so I can replicate that when I recreate the TEXT Layer.

Yeah, apparently GIMP has a problem with PSD text layers. I'm still researching a way around it, but for now...

I used the Agency font at 36-points, centered vertically in the black bar (it just snapped center), and arrow-keyed it 5-pixels from the left edge. I applied a drop-shadow with the following settings:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us.

Hope this helps.

 

[DT3CH]

I don't see where Desktop Visualizer has any options to change the rows/columns. I did, however, change this setting in LauncherPro:

Number of rows: 5

Columns are still at the default of 4.

Hope this helps! Let me know where you post your screenshots when you're done. I would love to see it!

So it took me a while but I rooted the phone so I could do screens, while I did all that I deleted everything I had previously done, so I restarted and did it a bit differently then the first time, I decided to have a simple first page with the second page having the WP7 theme, still have a few more things to do Im just going to add direct dial widgets to the 3 page

 

[paulmz]

Following are the steps taken to create the gray boxes and adding text to the images using Photoshop. With my brief experience with GIMP, the process seems similar.





1. Start with your blank canvas the dimensions and resolution that you need for the widget size you are going to use. (Alternative: crop the image you wish to use to the dimensions as explained in the beginning of this thread).




2. Create the box by selecting the rectangle tool, using the drop-down box from the Options Bar, select "Fixed Size" and enter the exact dimensions of the box you wish to draw.




3. Select the color for your box by clicking "Color" in the Options Bar. You don't have to use black, but just make sure that it will be a good contrast to whatever text color you choose.




4. Click anywhere on the canvas and the box will appear at the correct dimensions. Use the "Move" tool to position it in place (if you want it along one of the edges, make sure you have the "Snap" turned on... under View->Snap).




5. Select the "Type" tool (Text tool), click on the canvas, and enter your text. Depending on your font, you will have to adjust the point size (perhaps the tracking or kerning as well). Using the "Move" tool, position the text to your liking within the rectangle (if you are trying to copy my original widget images, I had the text set 5-pixels -use the arrow keys- from the left edge).




6. On the Layers Palette, select the "fx" button at the bottom, then select "Drop Shadow". Adjust to your liking but, again, if you are copying the style of my original icons, here is a shot of the settings I used:



Also, here is a zip with the full-res screen captures of the process (without the highlighter): View attachment Photoshop Image Label Tutorial Images.zip

Hope this helps. If anyone has any other questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[paulmz]

So it took me a while but I rooted the phone so I could do screens, while I did all that I deleted everything I had previously done, so I restarted and did it a bit differently then the first time, I decided to have a simple first page with the second page having the WP7 theme, still have a few more things to do Im just going to add direct dial widgets to the 3 page

Thanks for posting the screenshots. This looks good so far. Just in case you didn't intentionally have the icons not lined up, I came up with a theory as to why. My original icon dimensions did not take into account the difference with hiding the notification bar. I went through and refigured the dimensions for that:

1x2: 110x276
1x3: 110x419
1x4: 110x562
2x1: 230x133
3x1: 350x133
4x1: 470x133
4x4: 470x562
3x3: 350x419
2x2: 230x276
1x1: 110x133

All dimensions are in pixels, width by height.

Also, just in case taking screenshots was the only reason for rooting... it's not necessary for screenshots. FYI to other members trying to decide to root or not.

 

[stargazer]

Okay, theres what I'm running now. It seems like the wide icons are just a tad too high, like two pixels worth. Other than that it's great. I love it. I dreamed a ui like this up about a year ago, and it's cool to finally do it.

That LCARS is sick. Every skinnable application needs an LCARS skin.

 

[paulmz]

Okay, theres what I'm running now. It seems like the wide icons are just a tad too high, like two pixels worth. Other than that it's great. I love it. I dreamed a ui like this up about a year ago, and it's cool to finally do it.

It looks really good! Alas, my OCD won't let it rest until they're perfectly lined up. I readjusted the image sizes if you want to give them a try: DROID Eris Desktop Visualizer Image Dimensions... in case it bugs you.

Thanks for all of the posts and screenshots! They were really helpful in trying to iron this thing out.

 

[DT3CH]

Thanks for posting the screenshots. This looks good so far. Just in case you didn't intentionally have the icons not lined up, I came up with a theory as to why. My original icon dimensions did not take into account the difference with hiding the notification bar. I went through and refigured the dimensions for that:

1x2: 110x276
1x3: 110x419
1x4: 110x562
2x1: 230x133
3x1: 350x133
4x1: 470x133
4x4: 470x562
3x3: 350x419
2x2: 230x276
1x1: 110x133

All dimensions are in pixels, width by height.

Also, just in case taking screenshots was the only reason for rooting... it's not necessary for screenshots. FYI to other members trying to decide to root or not.

Ya that makes sense, I originally had the notification bar showing, but I hid it this time around, lol I guess Ill have to redo the icons again

Nah I rooted cuz I wanted to do the lag fix for the Galaxy S, screens was incidental, although I did see some non rooted screen apps before I did it

 

[BlondeeLox]

I'm having trouble finding any full-size screenshots of the Evo homescreen. If you can post of PM some full-size screenshots with the Desktop Visualizer widgets arranged on the screen. Try to send screenshots of the widgets selected, too (see previous posts in this thread for examples).

We'll figure it out. Just need more information.

My husband is trying to figure it out too. I don't even know how to do screen shots with my phone so I will have to wait to have my husband figure it out or maybe I will try to mess with it. But once we get it figured out I will post pictures on here. Thanks again for your help.

 

[apheonixboy]

Heres what I did a few Hours ago...

CLICK for WIDE image!

Spoiler

 

[Kabob]

Man, those are great looking! Well done!

 

[SoundQcar]

My latest. I think I'll stick with these for a while.

 

[BlondeeLox]

Here are a couple screen shots of my Evo using your widget photos. My husband and I tired to resize A BUNCH of times and nothing is working for us... it's just not lining up right.

I think for the first go around I will stick to 1x2s, 2x1 & 1x1.

If you could help me out with this I would greatly appreciate!!