How to Create a Palm Pre Theme for Dummies

anaglich · 12/03/2009, 12:45 PM

Hey, I am looking in to being a theme designer, but do not know where to start. I have extensive Imaging and computer skills, and I would like to apply them to my Pre.

Can anybody point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Adam

Doc31 · 12/03/2009, 12:51 PM

I suggestion you start out the same way I did. Download some elses theme; you can learn and practice by replacing there images. Review the txt. That help me learn pretty quickly.

Doc31 · 12/03/2009, 12:52 PM

create an acct over at prethemer.com when building a theme there it gives you a list/access to nearly every file you may want to change on a theme.

anaglich · 12/03/2009, 01:00 PM

Thats all there is too it? Do I need to package these files in some certain way?

**pogeypre** · 12/03/2009, 01:16 PM

If you download a theme that already has changed most of the icons/screens, all you need to do is replace them with your own variations. Make sure to be true to the sizes that are in the existing theme.

If you unzip them to make your changes, just make sure to zip them again as most uploaders will look for the zip file.

anaglich · 12/03/2009, 01:26 PM

from Prethemer?

anaglich · 12/03/2009, 01:35 PM

And how do I test these themes? The emulator?

Doc31 · 12/03/2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccerpathic

And how do I test these themes? The emulator?

You can test them on your device.
After u are complete with the files .zip them and install with quickinstall.

You download themes from prethemer.com and precentral.net in .zip format

**pogeypre** · 12/03/2009, 02:08 PM

Testing via the emulator and installing with WebOs Quickinstall is the best way. That way, you do not inadvertately goof up your images on your Pre before your theme is useable.

Luin · 12/04/2009, 01:39 AM

I downloaded a zipped theme, unzipped it, changed all the things I wanted to change (kept the names all the same), then used winrar to zip it, and quick install can not see the zip. I made a theme thru the web themer, but not all the items I want in my theme is not in web themer.

What did I do wrong? Why wont quick install see my zipped theme I made with winrar?

Doc31 · 12/04/2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luin

I downloaded a zipped theme, unzipped it, changed all the things I wanted to change (kept the names all the same), then used winrar to zip it, and quick install can not see the zip. I made a theme thru the web themer, but not all the items I want in my theme is not in web themer.

What did I do wrong? Why wont quick install see my zipped theme I made with winrar?

1. Not sure what u did wrong but Quick Install reads zip files.
2. Prethemer has nearly all the files. You need to click on last button i forget what is called.

Luin · 12/05/2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc31

1. Not sure what u did wrong but Quick Install reads zip files.
2. Prethemer has nearly all the files. You need to click on last button i forget what is called.

I think it ended up being the XML file. I changed the xml file in wordpad to my theme and I just uploaded it to PreThemer, and I hope it works now.

Luin · 12/05/2009, 01:32 AM

Here is a link to my theme... it needs some work, the "lock button" and the "launcher button" was supposed to be something else. The "my videos" background is all messed up for some reason. arrgh

Doc31 · 12/05/2009, 11:49 AM

not bad don't forget to give onedeep some credit....

anaglich · 12/05/2009, 03:57 PM

Can't wait to show off my theme!

Does PreThemer require me to upload the wallpaper, and other items separately? Or can I just upload the entire zip?

anaglich · 12/05/2009, 03:58 PM

And if I wanted to avoid any stealing, how can I encrypt my theme so that it applies, but can't be edited?

If at all possible.

Luin · 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc31

not bad don't forget to give onedeep some credit....

I actually got the icons from Mlbiv4ths Mlbilv4ths's Profile @ PreThemer

I got the backgrounds from google.

I now see which one you were talking about from "onedeep".

Luin · 12/05/2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccerpathic

Can't wait to show off my theme!

Does PreThemer require me to upload the wallpaper, and other items separately? Or can I just upload the entire zip?

You can do either, but if you have the zip done, just upload the zip.

I could be wrong, but I dont think there is a way to "protect" your files.

anaglich · 12/05/2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luin

You can do either, but if you have the zip done, just upload the zip.

I could be wrong, but I dont think there is a way to "protect" your files.

I dont see an option to just upload the zip. Thanks though!

Luin · 12/05/2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccerpathic

I dont see an option to just upload the zip. Thanks though!

Make sure the checkbox is checked (see below)

You will then see where to upload the zip (see below)

There ya go.

12/03/2009, 12:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
anaglich Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 366 Likes Received: 2 Thanks: 30 Thanked 34 Times in 22 Posts	How to Create a Palm Pre Theme for Dummies Hey, I am looking in to being a theme designer, but do not know where to start. I have extensive Imaging and computer skills, and I would like to apply them to my Pre. Can anybody point me in the right direction? Thanks, Adam
	Liked by Thanked by Myprelove, Smallville1975

12/03/2009, 12:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Doc31 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 707 Likes Received: 8 Thanks: 119 Thanked 405 Times in 68 Posts	I suggestion you start out the same way I did. Download some elses theme; you can learn and practice by replacing there images. Review the txt. That help me learn pretty quickly. __________________ I don't care what you say SPRINT kicks Treo650/Treo700p/Treo700wx/Treo755/HTC Touch/ Treo Pro/ Touch Pro/ Touch Diamond / Palm Pre / HTC EVO Shift / Nexus S 4G My Themes - Prethemer
	Liked by Thanked by Myprelove, Smallville1975

12/03/2009, 12:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Doc31 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 707 Likes Received: 8 Thanks: 119 Thanked 405 Times in 68 Posts	create an acct over at prethemer.com when building a theme there it gives you a list/access to nearly every file you may want to change on a theme. __________________ I don't care what you say SPRINT kicks Treo650/Treo700p/Treo700wx/Treo755/HTC Touch/ Treo Pro/ Touch Pro/ Touch Diamond / Palm Pre / HTC EVO Shift / Nexus S 4G My Themes - Prethemer
	Liked by Thanked by Myprelove, Smallville1975, soccerpathic

12/03/2009, 01:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
anaglich Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 366 Likes Received: 2 Thanks: 30 Thanked 34 Times in 22 Posts	Thats all there is too it? Do I need to package these files in some certain way?
	Liked by

12/03/2009, 01:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
pogeypre Man of Steelerator (Super Mod) Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 4,390 Likes Received: 244 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,612 Times in 1,563 Posts	If you download a theme that already has changed most of the icons/screens, all you need to do is replace them with your own variations. Make sure to be true to the sizes that are in the existing theme. If you unzip them to make your changes, just make sure to zip them again as most uploaders will look for the zip file. __________________ If you like my Themes, please donate! Thanks! http://wiseguyandbeyond.blogspot.com
	Liked by Thanked By: Myprelove

12/03/2009, 01:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
anaglich Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 366 Likes Received: 2 Thanks: 30 Thanked 34 Times in 22 Posts	from Prethemer?
	Liked by

12/03/2009, 01:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
anaglich Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 366 Likes Received: 2 Thanks: 30 Thanked 34 Times in 22 Posts	And how do I test these themes? The emulator?
	Liked by

12/03/2009, 02:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
pogeypre Man of Steelerator (Super Mod) Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 4,390 Likes Received: 244 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,612 Times in 1,563 Posts	Testing via the emulator and installing with WebOs Quickinstall is the best way. That way, you do not inadvertately goof up your images on your Pre before your theme is useable. __________________ If you like my Themes, please donate! Thanks! http://wiseguyandbeyond.blogspot.com
	Liked by

12/04/2009, 01:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
Luin Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 47 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 17 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	I downloaded a zipped theme, unzipped it, changed all the things I wanted to change (kept the names all the same), then used winrar to zip it, and quick install can not see the zip. I made a theme thru the web themer, but not all the items I want in my theme is not in web themer. What did I do wrong? Why wont quick install see my zipped theme I made with winrar?
	Liked by Thanked By: Smallville1975

12/05/2009, 01:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
Luin Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 47 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 17 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	Here is a link to my theme... it needs some work, the "lock button" and the "launcher button" was supposed to be something else. The "my videos" background is all messed up for some reason. arrgh
	Liked by

12/05/2009, 11:49 AM	#14 (permalink)
Doc31 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 707 Likes Received: 8 Thanks: 119 Thanked 405 Times in 68 Posts	not bad don't forget to give onedeep some credit.... __________________ I don't care what you say SPRINT kicks Treo650/Treo700p/Treo700wx/Treo755/HTC Touch/ Treo Pro/ Touch Pro/ Touch Diamond / Palm Pre / HTC EVO Shift / Nexus S 4G My Themes - Prethemer
	Liked by

12/05/2009, 03:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
anaglich Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 366 Likes Received: 2 Thanks: 30 Thanked 34 Times in 22 Posts	Can't wait to show off my theme! Does PreThemer require me to upload the wallpaper, and other items separately? Or can I just upload the entire zip?
	Liked by

12/05/2009, 03:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
anaglich Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 366 Likes Received: 2 Thanks: 30 Thanked 34 Times in 22 Posts	And if I wanted to avoid any stealing, how can I encrypt my theme so that it applies, but can't be edited? If at all possible.
	Liked by

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