Free 'Themes' color changer app for anyone who wants it!

manub · 05-03-05, 07:27 PM

I've got bored with having to re-make themes all the time to see what colors worked best with certain backdrops etc so i decided to make a basic app that lets you change all the basic colors of your device on the fly, like -

- Start bar (left and right to support fading) and text
- Start Menu text
- Today screen horizontal bars and text
- System tray
- Tap and hold dots
- Notification bar (left and right), text and tray background
- Notification icon and multi icon hightlight (when icon is tapped on Notification Tray)
- Critical Notification bar (right and left), and text
- Notes/Tasks/etc List background (left and right, for both lines)

Update - Ability to store 3 color profiles
Update - Ability to reset to defaults (undoes any changes)
Update - Previews for all tabs (shows most changes before you apply them)
Update - smaller exe

>>>>> Get It Here! <<<<<

You can change the colors from a palette, or by entering your own RGB values, all on the fly with a simple 'Apply Changes' menu option

It also gets around some of the problems of using themes made in MS theme Generator (and others) which do not include all these settings.

Works on WM2002, WM2003, WM2003SE
(WM2002 requires the installation of the .net compact framework and a 2 or three of the more advanced color options don't do anything).

Ideas for further enhancements are more than welcome

The program is a few files, a dll and exe + a few tiny .bmp's - packaged in a cab file which is run directly on your device, it installs a program icon and uninstall entry in 'Remove Programs'

App name is TPPCColors (Theme Pocket PC Colors) - sorry wasn't originally planning on giving it away so didn't think up anything imaginative! :p

Obviously the normal disclaimer of 'you install it at your own risk' applies. Although i don't mind adding things to it, or sorting any bugs if any are found time permitting :)

05-03-05, 10:12 PM

O sounds neat. There is actually a program for it think its called CEtuner but that isnt free. Sent you an email.

**Frenchy** · 05-03-05, 10:35 PM

I just send you a message.

Swim100flyy · 05-03-05, 10:53 PM

And me too...

manub · 05-04-05, 08:33 AM

Managed to cobble together an aminated gif of screenshots -

Also managed to upload file, not sure if it will let to many people download it till it cuts me off :p but you can try! hehe

>>>>> Get It Here! <<<<<

.

SolSie · 05-04-05, 09:20 AM

What is the effect of this program, If I use Wisbar Advance Theme?

manub · 05-04-05, 09:29 AM

The program changes, on the fly, the registry values that store the RGB values for the different aspects of your display.
When the theme is changed these values are reset to the new active themes settings and so are overwritten/reset.

I've not tried it with wisbar, but it should not make any difference to it's function. In fact at present (until i get the chance to add the ability to load saved preferences) if you re-apply a theme it will overwrite any chages you've made with the app and you will have to make them again.

I originally made it purely so i could try different color conbinations on the fly on the real device without havig to re-make themes all the time, it changes nothing within the active theme file itself.

Oh, it's worth noting at this point that although most colors are redrawn whenever teh screen is, some, like the portion surrounding the start button itself, or 'new' link on the status bar cache thier bitmaps and a soft reset is sometimes needed. I'm looking into this and seeing if i can re-start the process that draws these to prevent the need.

PdaUser92 · 05-04-05, 10:43 AM

I've just sent you an email. :approve:

makuu · 05-04-05, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by manub

Oh, it's worth noting at this point that although most colors are redrawn whenever teh screen is, some, like the portion surrounding the start button itself, or 'new' link on the status bar cache thier bitmaps and a soft reset is sometimes needed. I'm looking into this and seeing if i can re-start the process that draws these to prevent the need.

Hi Manub, I tried your application it works great, I like it. COngratulation for your work and thanks.

I managed to avoid soft-reset by doing a screen rotation. ;)

05-04-05, 12:14 PM

Great work! Thanks!

manub · 05-04-05, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by makuu

Hi Manub, I tried your application it works great, I like it. COngratulation for your work and thanks.

I managed to avoid soft-reset by doing a screen rotation. ;)

Thanks for the tip :)

manub · 05-04-05, 05:39 PM

Had more of a response than i thought when i opened my inbox this morning so i guess i'm not alone is linking the ability to do this :p

Anyway, as i'm off i'll today i got bored and added the ability to store 3 profiles (saved color sets) to the registry to recall at any time. I've done it this way to prevent the app getting to bloated (i don't have to add any more forms etc).

So if you want to save your existing theme colors before you start to mess about you can, as well as two other 'favorite' color sets.

I've just replaced the exisiting .cab file in the above links, so if you want the extra functionity just remove and reinstall the new version.

Mark

makuu · 05-06-05, 06:54 PM

Hi Manub,

You should use version number on all your releases (in the about information tab). I have installed the third one but it crashes when I want to preview my changes. So I am going to re-install the second one.

manub · 05-07-05, 10:19 AM

Done for next release.
Does teh app crash just when you click the preview button or when it loads? (it goes through the same routine on both occasions)

aximbigfan · 05-07-05, 10:24 AM

@manub.... you have done such a GREAT!!! job with this app.. one thing is that it is very confusing... can you make a readme file explaning what each function does???

again.. you have done one h-e double hocky sticks- job of this.... rwally helped my ppc look good.......

chris