I'd like to make a thread that shows the complete process of making an icon pack for noobs. I call this a "root thread" because I'm not really explaining all the processes, but amassing all the data from other threads and posts and putting it here. Most of what I do write will be the errors that I have come across and how to fix it.
First, off, you can decide whether you want a plain icon pack, a theme maker or a full on app with interface.
The1dynasty made a really good template which can be found here. (has interface and everything). He also has a complete tutorial on making the template on youtube. If you have questions, post in his google + page
If, however, you are looking for something simpler, look at this thread for Apex themes here. To make this compatible with other launchers, add the following code to the manifest (right above </manifest>)
You are now all set!
The Drawables
Obviously speaking, the important parts in an icon pack include the drawables, and these three files: drawable.xml, icon_pack.xml, appfilter.xml
Firstly, looking at the drawables, you will notice multiple folders. The one I'm going to focus on is drawable-xxhdpi, one of the folders you can put your icons in. The icon sizes go as follow
You do not need to make icons for every size, as it will automatically be resized to fit devices. However, if you want hd apps, try to look at at least xxhdpi
If you want, here is a folder where I keep all the original xxhdpi icons and the xml for the activities and icon names.
As long as you don't edit the file names, it is a great base as you don't have to look up all the activities. However, if I make changes and forget to upload, do let me know!
Drawable Errors
If you are making all the drawables yourself, just know that there can be no capital letters in your file name. If you have that, you will get many errors and eclipse won't generate a r.java file for you.
There is however an easy fix for those using windows. Simply go to the folder containing your images, hold shift, right click, and press run command window here. Then paste this code (ctrl v won't work, right click and press paste)
Xml files
Unfortunately, appfilter.xml, the one where you have to find all the app activities, must be done manually (or by someone else). Drawable and icon pack however, can be done quickly using this java application. Simply put it in the folder with all the icons and run it, and it will make the files. This is good as the list will be in alphabetical order. For those using the apex template, just note that you either have to rename icon_pack.xml to iconpack.xml as that is how it is, or do a search for iconpack in eclipse and rename the code to icon_pack
Getting help from your users
This is mainly for the appfilter file. Finding the activities can be a very treacherous task, especially when there are many activities for each app. Two good manual sources are
http://activities.droidicon.com/
http://activities.tundem.com/
But you can also rely on apps like QuickShortcutMaker
An even more automatic alternative is Icon Helper, which I will write a guide on once I figure out how to use it
First, off, you can decide whether you want a plain icon pack, a theme maker or a full on app with interface.
The1dynasty made a really good template which can be found here. (has interface and everything). He also has a complete tutorial on making the template on youtube. If you have questions, post in his google + page
If, however, you are looking for something simpler, look at this thread for Apex themes here. To make this compatible with other launchers, add the following code to the manifest (right above </manifest>)
You are now all set!
The Drawables
Obviously speaking, the important parts in an icon pack include the drawables, and these three files: drawable.xml, icon_pack.xml, appfilter.xml
Firstly, looking at the drawables, you will notice multiple folders. The one I'm going to focus on is drawable-xxhdpi, one of the folders you can put your icons in. The icon sizes go as follow
HTML Code:
mdpi 160dpi 48px * 48px
hdpi 240dpi 72px *72px
xhdpi 320dpi 96px * 96px
xxhdpi 480dpi 144px * 144px
xxxhdpi 640dpi 192px * 192pxIf you want, here is a folder where I keep all the original xxhdpi icons and the xml for the activities and icon names.
As long as you don't edit the file names, it is a great base as you don't have to look up all the activities. However, if I make changes and forget to upload, do let me know!
Drawable Errors
If you are making all the drawables yourself, just know that there can be no capital letters in your file name. If you have that, you will get many errors and eclipse won't generate a r.java file for you.
There is however an easy fix for those using windows. Simply go to the folder containing your images, hold shift, right click, and press run command window here. Then paste this code (ctrl v won't work, right click and press paste)
HTML Code:
for /f "Tokens=*" %f in ('dir /l/b/a-d') do (rename "%f" "%f")Unfortunately, appfilter.xml, the one where you have to find all the app activities, must be done manually (or by someone else). Drawable and icon pack however, can be done quickly using this java application. Simply put it in the folder with all the icons and run it, and it will make the files. This is good as the list will be in alphabetical order. For those using the apex template, just note that you either have to rename icon_pack.xml to iconpack.xml as that is how it is, or do a search for iconpack in eclipse and rename the code to icon_pack
Getting help from your users
This is mainly for the appfilter file. Finding the activities can be a very treacherous task, especially when there are many activities for each app. Two good manual sources are
http://activities.droidicon.com/
http://activities.tundem.com/
But you can also rely on apps like QuickShortcutMaker
An even more automatic alternative is Icon Helper, which I will write a guide on once I figure out how to use it