How to create - and - how to convert themes for your firmware

laropo · 05-27-2008, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanguine

New method to make a theme:

You simply need 3 files:
New TGAtoD2, New D2toTGA and New D2Screen

1.: Put D2toTGA and the original D2N_rs.bin into the same folder and execute D2toTGA.
All the pictures the theme contains will appear in the folder.

Edit pictures to change the theme:

- The image size must not be modified, or else your theme won't work.

Here's a tool to help you with the new D2toTGA: 17 PSD files with marks for a good sizing icons.

- The TGA-files have a special alpha layer:
You'll find it in layer menu, under the RGB colors, there is a layer named "Alpha 1".

This layer is for transparency:
White = Full view
Black = Invisible
Grey = Transparency (more or less with the grey level)

- Save the TGA at 32 bit.

2.: After modifying the theme, put TGAtoD2 in the folder where the modified TGAs are located.
Put the D2N_rs.bin in the same folder if it isn't already there.
Now execute TGAtoD2. Your "D2N_rs.bin" should be updated.

3.: Now paste D2screen into the folder your theme file is resting.
Executing D2screen will make 3 screenshots of your current theme.

4.: Say 47 times "thank YOU" to MaxSt, because without him there wouldn't be much theming in here.

New method to transcribe a theme for another firmware:

1 - download here new tools to do it, they have same name than before, but are really easier to use:

- New TGAtoD2

- New D2toTGA

2 - Copy in a folder (folder1) the original "D2N_rs.bin",
and the "D2N_rs.bin" from the theme downloaded in another folder (folder2).

3 - Copy D2toTGA and execute it, in folder 2.
A lot of pictures will be created.

4 - Copy pictures from folder 2 to folder 1 (copy only pictures, do not copy D2N_rs.bin).

5 - Copy TGAtoD2 and execute it in folder 1.

And that's it ! Now you have just to copy the changed "D2N_rs.bin" from folder 1 to the D2 root, and restart it !

(MaxSt had a published a new D2Screen too, to have a preview of the theme.
If you have a changed "D2N_font.bin" in the same folder, it will show the theme with this font)

instructions by Rigobert

A special thanks goes out to MaxSt, without his work none of these wonderful tools would be available.

I do NOT want the credits for this... Credits go to Rigobert and MaxST.

Since alot of people can't find this post, because it is hidden in the "Finished themes" sticky, I thought we should make a sticky for this apart. If the mods are ok with it.. this should be sticky.

outdoorsman567 · 06-05-2008, 00:41

Laropo,
Thanks for the guide. I have been trying to figure out how to make my own theme for a while now. Do you have any advice on TGA editors though. I tried photo shop but for some reason it doesn't change the icons, it just sort of makes a hole in the original. I don't have any experience with this stuff so any help would be great.
Thanks,
Justin

laropo · 06-05-2008, 04:08

To be honest, I've never tried this myself. (

) And right now I don't have much time (got an important exam tomorrow).

All I can say is.. have you read it thoroughly? These things are important:

Code:

Edit pictures to change the theme:

- The image size must not be modified, or else your theme won't work.

Here's a tool to help you with the new D2toTGA: 
17 PSD files with marks for a good sizing icons.

- The TGA-files have a special alpha layer:
You'll find it in layer menu, under the RGB colors, 
there is a layer named "Alpha 1".

This layer is for transparency:
White = Full view
Black = Invisible
Grey = Transparency (more or less with the grey level)

- Save the TGA at 32 bit.

After tomorrow I'll look into this myself. If this doesn't help you out, I am going to try this for myself, and maybe I'll even write a nice tutorial myself.

I am sorry if I couldn't help you out right now, please have some patience, I'll get back at this asap.

tirim4 · 06-05-2008, 07:55

Quote:

- The TGA-files have a special alpha layer:
You'll find it in layer menu, under the RGB colors, there is a layer named "Alpha 1".

This layer is for transparency:
White = Full view
Black = Invisible
Grey = Transparency (more or less with the grey level)

How do I edit the alpha layer?

laropo · 06-05-2008, 09:32

Photoshop should be able to do this. What comes next is all for Adobe Photoshop. What it says below should also work on other software, but since I use Photoshop, you're gonna have to find out yourself right now.

How the alpha channel works..

http://www.axialis.com/tutorials/tutorial-misc001.html

And to answer your question..

To actually remove the pixels from the layer in Photoshop, creating a layer with transparency and not just a separate alpha image, follow these steps.

Select the entire Alpha layer and copy it;

Ctrl + A selects all and Ctrl + C copies it.

Go to your Channels Tab and create a new alpha channel.

I took that image from this tutorial.

PS: I really want to help you guys, but right now this is all I can provide due to time shortage.. I really, really need to pass that exam!

tirim4 · 06-05-2008, 10:40

I'll ask any1, the pic above me, is that a adope photoshop CS3 or some other kind of better version, I'm just using photoshop elements 4.0, is there any way to get the channels dialog to appear in elements?

laropo · 06-05-2008, 12:47

The picture above is a pallet that can be found in any of the Photoshop CS series. I don't know anything about Elements... someone else will have to answer that.

tirim4 · 06-06-2008, 04:08

Right now I'm experementing with GIMP, and have found the alpha channel, just that I think photoshop is nicer and easier.

laropo · 06-06-2008, 06:08

GIMP is indeed not very good for the "work flow", but it should do as a theme editor.

Let me know if things still don't work out.

tirim4 · 06-06-2008, 06:12

ye, I will, thx for all help anyways larpoo.

laropo · 06-06-2008, 06:15

Oh and by the way.. I'll see if I can look into this somewhere this weekend. Can't say when it will be done, but I am going to make that tutorial.

tirim4 · 06-06-2008, 06:24

Oh, that would be really nice, thx a lot id u're gonna do it!

laropo · 06-17-2008, 17:17

A little update from my part.

I looked into it a little, I have no idea what I´m doing wrong, but I´m doing something wrong. It´s still on the to-do list, but due to study and since I can´t figure it out my self either.. it could take a little while.

Right now I am contacting people like dfkt and Cassini (/theme creators) to see if they can get me started.

I´ll keep you guys posted!

Laropo

google123 · 07-09-2008, 00:35

where is the D2N_rs.bin located?

laropo · 07-09-2008, 12:22

In folder "2" of the official firmware.

06-05-2008, 04:08	#3
laropo Very Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,259	To be honest, I've never tried this myself. () And right now I don't have much time (got an important exam tomorrow). All I can say is.. have you read it thoroughly? These things are important: Code: Edit pictures to change the theme: - The image size must not be modified, or else your theme won't work. Here's a tool to help you with the new D2toTGA: 17 PSD files with marks for a good sizing icons. - The TGA-files have a special alpha layer: You'll find it in layer menu, under the RGB colors, there is a layer named "Alpha 1". This layer is for transparency: White = Full view Black = Invisible Grey = Transparency (more or less with the grey level) - Save the TGA at 32 bit. After tomorrow I'll look into this myself. If this doesn't help you out, I am going to try this for myself, and maybe I'll even write a nice tutorial myself. I am sorry if I couldn't help you out right now, please have some patience, I'll get back at this asap. __________________ Players // MPMAN F60-T6 (Practically Dead) // M5L (Cracked Screen) // D2 8GB // Phones // Creative EP630´s (x2) (Dead) // Creative EP630´s // Head-Direct RE2's // SD(HC) // Transcend 16GB SDHC Amp(s) // FiiO E3 (do not use close to your cell phone!!)

06-05-2008, 09:32	#5
laropo Very Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,259	Photoshop should be able to do this. What comes next is all for Adobe Photoshop. What it says below should also work on other software, but since I use Photoshop, you're gonna have to find out yourself right now. How the alpha channel works.. http://www.axialis.com/tutorials/tutorial-misc001.html And to answer your question.. To actually remove the pixels from the layer in Photoshop, creating a layer with transparency and not just a separate alpha image, follow these steps. Select the entire Alpha layer and copy it; Ctrl + A selects all and Ctrl + C copies it. Go to your Channels Tab and create a new alpha channel. I took that image from this tutorial. PS: I really want to help you guys, but right now this is all I can provide due to time shortage.. I really, really need to pass that exam! __________________ Players // MPMAN F60-T6 (Practically Dead) // M5L (Cracked Screen) // D2 8GB // Phones // Creative EP630´s (x2) (Dead) // Creative EP630´s // Head-Direct RE2's // SD(HC) // Transcend 16GB SDHC Amp(s) // FiiO E3 (do not use close to your cell phone!!) Last edited by laropo; 06-05-2008 at 09:37.

06-05-2008, 10:40	#6
tirim4 Super Hero of the Computer Rage Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,969	I'll ask any1, the pic above me, is that a adope photoshop CS3 or some other kind of better version, I'm just using photoshop elements 4.0, is there any way to get the channels dialog to appear in elements? __________________ Cowon S9 32gb titanium+AKG K66+NEW IEMS?+FW 1.53+Aero VTX, Klaus Browser, Dark Evolution D2 4gb black -half dead- Push the Button, a game for Cowon D2 Interested in co-making a UCI? You know flash? Check this out!

06-05-2008, 12:47	#7
laropo Very Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,259	The picture above is a pallet that can be found in any of the Photoshop CS series. I don't know anything about Elements... someone else will have to answer that. __________________ Players // MPMAN F60-T6 (Practically Dead) // M5L (Cracked Screen) // D2 8GB // Phones // Creative EP630´s (x2) (Dead) // Creative EP630´s // Head-Direct RE2's // SD(HC) // Transcend 16GB SDHC Amp(s) // FiiO E3 (do not use close to your cell phone!!)

06-06-2008, 04:08	#8
tirim4 Super Hero of the Computer Rage Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,969	Right now I'm experementing with GIMP, and have found the alpha channel, just that I think photoshop is nicer and easier. __________________ Cowon S9 32gb titanium+AKG K66+NEW IEMS?+FW 1.53+Aero VTX, Klaus Browser, Dark Evolution D2 4gb black -half dead- Push the Button, a game for Cowon D2 Interested in co-making a UCI? You know flash? Check this out!

06-05-2008, 00:41	#2
outdoorsman567 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 14	Laropo, Thanks for the guide. I have been trying to figure out how to make my own theme for a while now. Do you have any advice on TGA editors though. I tried photo shop but for some reason it doesn't change the icons, it just sort of makes a hole in the original. I don't have any experience with this stuff so any help would be great. Thanks, Justin

06-06-2008, 06:08	#9
laropo Very Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,259	GIMP is indeed not very good for the "work flow", but it should do as a theme editor. Let me know if things still don't work out. __________________ Players // MPMAN F60-T6 (Practically Dead) // M5L (Cracked Screen) // D2 8GB // Phones // Creative EP630´s (x2) (Dead) // Creative EP630´s // Head-Direct RE2's // SD(HC) // Transcend 16GB SDHC Amp(s) // FiiO E3 (do not use close to your cell phone!!)

06-06-2008, 06:12	#10
tirim4 Super Hero of the Computer Rage Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,969	ye, I will, thx for all help anyways larpoo. __________________ Cowon S9 32gb titanium+AKG K66+NEW IEMS?+FW 1.53+Aero VTX, Klaus Browser, Dark Evolution D2 4gb black -half dead- Push the Button, a game for Cowon D2 Interested in co-making a UCI? You know flash? Check this out!

06-06-2008, 06:15	#11
laropo Very Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,259	Oh and by the way.. I'll see if I can look into this somewhere this weekend. Can't say when it will be done, but I am going to make that tutorial. __________________ Players // MPMAN F60-T6 (Practically Dead) // M5L (Cracked Screen) // D2 8GB // Phones // Creative EP630´s (x2) (Dead) // Creative EP630´s // Head-Direct RE2's // SD(HC) // Transcend 16GB SDHC Amp(s) // FiiO E3 (do not use close to your cell phone!!)

06-06-2008, 06:24	#12
tirim4 Super Hero of the Computer Rage Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,969	Oh, that would be really nice, thx a lot id u're gonna do it! __________________ Cowon S9 32gb titanium+AKG K66+NEW IEMS?+FW 1.53+Aero VTX, Klaus Browser, Dark Evolution D2 4gb black -half dead- Push the Button, a game for Cowon D2 Interested in co-making a UCI? You know flash? Check this out!

06-17-2008, 17:17	#13
laropo Very Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,259	A little update from my part. I looked into it a little, I have no idea what I´m doing wrong, but I´m doing something wrong. It´s still on the to-do list, but due to study and since I can´t figure it out my self either.. it could take a little while. Right now I am contacting people like dfkt and Cassini (/theme creators) to see if they can get me started. I´ll keep you guys posted! Laropo __________________ Players // MPMAN F60-T6 (Practically Dead) // M5L (Cracked Screen) // D2 8GB // Phones // Creative EP630´s (x2) (Dead) // Creative EP630´s // Head-Direct RE2's // SD(HC) // Transcend 16GB SDHC Amp(s) // FiiO E3 (do not use close to your cell phone!!)

07-09-2008, 00:35	#14
google123 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 10	where is the D2N_rs.bin located?

07-09-2008, 12:22	#15
laropo Very Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,259	In folder "2" of the official firmware. __________________ Players // MPMAN F60-T6 (Practically Dead) // M5L (Cracked Screen) // D2 8GB // Phones // Creative EP630´s (x2) (Dead) // Creative EP630´s // Head-Direct RE2's // SD(HC) // Transcend 16GB SDHC Amp(s) // FiiO E3 (do not use close to your cell phone!!)

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