Note: that's an introduction.
Open up Carbide. If you don't have it already, you can get it
here.
First you'll be asked to select a workspace. This is simply a place where anything you create will be saved on your computer. You can change it if you fancy, but the default is okay as long as you remember where you've put it. :D
When you start Carbide, you'll be presented with a Welcome screen.
You'll want to
create a new theme. You'll then be shown the following:
Enter a name for your theme in the
Theme name field (whatever you like!) and select "use default theme" based on S60 Theme. This means you will get a preview of the standard s60 graphics and you will then be able to edit them to your liking in a graphics program.
To do this, you need to set up what applications you are going to be using to create your graphics.
To do this, Open up
Windows -> Preferences -> External Tools
(you may need to expand the menu that says 'Carbide UI' on the left hand side.)
Note: Vector / Bitmap:
Vector graphics are scalable - which basically means they can be reduced or enlarged at any size and still retain their original quality. What you use to edit your graphics is entirely up to you though, but my bitmap editor will be Photoshop and Vector - Illustrator.
Here is your main screen :)
Note: if your screenshot doesn't show exactly the same or your missing anything, you can open
Window -> Show View and select what windows carbide has open.
On the left is the
Resources panel. Here you will see all the components of the theme that are available to edit, grouped into sections. This ranges from the wallpaper and the clock to the text colour and screensaver animations. Each section is collapsible where you can view the components selected element. :)
The middle panel shows you a preview image of the component you are editing (note: some of the more intriciate elements of the theme won't be previewed here.)
On the right, in the
Gallery, are samples of different screens showing what your changes would look like in other menus and screens on a phone.
You'll notice if you click a component on the main preview it will automatically be selected from the "Resource" menu. Once you have a something selected, information is available to you about what makes up the element in the "
Components" and "
Properties" panel.
The resources menu:
There are many different elements to a theme, namely in these 4 categories:
. Text
. Graphics
. Animations
. Sound
In a simple theme, the graphics + text colour is all you'll really want to change. Helpful tutorials on animation and inserting ringtones or SMS alerts into your theme can be found under more advanced tuts on the Carbide website, but lets just edit the basics for now :)
Graphics
Lets take the background image or wallpaper. Click it on the preview or select it from the resource menu. Note the 2 types: 'Active' and 'Idle'. If you don't know the difference, click each one for a preview. in doing this you'll notice more information is available in the 'Properties' and 'Components' menus about what makes up each of them.
You'll want to right click the image and select either
Convert And Edit in bitmap editor OR
edit image in vector editor. It is safe to click OK on each prompt. Your image will then open in your graphics program :)
Then, you can simply edit your graphic (or replace it) and go to
File -> Save or the equivalent in your program. When you open carbide then, you'll see the graphic has been replaced by the image you saved.
FYI: It's a good idea if you have a strong image on active standby the idle has a fade affect or similar so it doesn't conflict with whats on screen.
Changing Text.
Select the text, just like you did the graphic, and now take a look at the
Properties panel. Lets take for example, the Softkey texts (Where it says Menu, Open, Contacts.)
Note the circled area. This is the part that defines the colour of your text. All you need to do is simply click and change that.
Now you just need to edit all the components you'd like to change. This can include the clock, the icons, or whatever you want. Now you know how much hard work goes into theme making and how time consuming it is, so think about that next time you download a theme! :D
I will happily write a more indepth tutorial when I have time if anyone cares
But I hope this provides some people with a starting point.
Calamity xxx
Linear Mode
