Skinning FAQs: Common skin problems and their solutions

[Xitiz]

Here are some common skin problems and their solutions. If you have more skin related queries, please post here.

1.Problem: Java Games/Apps dont work on some/all skins.
Symptom: On running a Java App, it gives application error. The error may not occur on selecting a different skin.
Analysis: There is always one skin which has to be the full skin (it has all the image files in it). (For eg. for XYPACK is Xymoto). When a light/incomplete skin is loaded, the phone software takes the missing icons from this skin, or if an erronous skin is selected, the phone loads this default skin. If you happen to delete this skin accidently, you will experience Java errors.
Solution: Open the skin with whichn you are facing Java problems in Skinner4moto, untick the 'Light skin' option and save the skin. Now install this skin with SkinManager. The skin will now work fine.

2. Problem: Home icons dont work.
Symptoms: On moving the joystick up/down/left/right at home screen, the icon appears but nothing happens.
Analysis: The home screen icons need to be animated (have atleast 2 frames in the GIF file) for them to work. This problem suggests that the home screen icons have not been animated.
Solution:Animate the icons using any animation tool (like ULead GIF Animator freeware utility). If you're not sure how to go about it, I suggest you read my guide's ANIMATING THE IMAGES section in this guide. (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/1x1.php)

3. Problem: My menu appears jumbled/ Phone hangs while navigating main menu
Solution: You are facing a mma_ucp issue. Read this GUIDE. (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/mma_ucp.php)

4. Problem: While typing messages, the characters appear overlapped/ messy.
Solution: You have set the skin transparency factor to 0. Open the skin using skinner4moto, and change the transparency percentage value.

5. Problem: I changed the skin, but some icons like Video Camera and iTunes dont change.
Analysis: Certain icons are not a part of the skin. These include all battery and signal icons, iTunes icon, Video Camera icon, etc. To change this, you need to flash with a different DRM.

6. Problem: My middle soft key button dissappears on certain screens.
Analysis: Technically the middle soft button is described by 4 distinct GIFs: The middle soft key button, middle soft key blank button, middle soft key animation and the middle soft key pressed button. The middle soft key button appears when menu button is applicable on this screen, otherwise the middle soft key blank button is displayed. You need to insert proper images for the middle soft key blank button and the middle soft key animation. The animation has to have at least 2 frames.

7. Problem: My middle soft key button appears weird after animation.
Analysis: Always make sure that the last frame of your middle button animation is the same as the middle soft key button image. This is because on most occassions, the last frame of the animation will be the one which will be displayed on the button.

8. Problem: I have downloaded a skin, and it came with a mma_ucp for a different phone. How do I convert it to the mma_uco for my phone?
OR
I have downloaded a 176*220 skin of a different phone and my menu order appears jumbled. What do I do?
Solution: Read Archer's amazing post about converting mma_ucp files here (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6624).

9. Problem: Wallpaper does not appear on changing skin.
Solution:This is a very common issue. Regular V3 skins made with skinner4moto are designated to go on /a/mobile/skins/your_skin with wallpaper pointing to /a/mobile/pictures/your_wp.
Since V3i and few other models like L7, V3R etc store skins and pictures on /c/ drive it's only logical that the wallpaper on your new skin will not come up, since the skin is still looking it in /a/mobile/pictures/ insted of /c/mobile/pictures/
There are two ways to sort this out.
Open the appropriate ski file in hex editor, locate the wallpaper path (hint: do a search for "/a/mobile/pictures/") in it and just change from "a" to "c"
or
Use skinner4moto. Open your designated skin. Go to options and change Skin partition from default "/a standard" to c/ i398 + E1 ROKRand save.
Now you are ready to install the skin with working wallpaper.
Reference:
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8560
(COURTESY: tvrtko)

10. I want to edit some icons. What software do you recommend?
A: I recommend Paint Shop Pro or PhotoShop, but they are NOT FREE. The open source Free one is GIMP, which is equally Excellent. You can get it here FOR FREE. (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/)

11. Problem: When I go to (Settings\ Personalize) the options are invisible (no text)
Solution: Open the skin with skinner4moto, press the Font-Fix button (in the left side), save changes and re-install the skin.
(thanks vitrubio)

12. Problem: How does the logic for the main menu selection work? Can I change the way the selection moves in the main menu? Can I change the layout for the main menu?
See this thread. (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40732)

13. Problem: I cannot enter personalize menu
Your Seem 0032_0001 has got corrupt. This happens sometimes with p2kTools, probably a bug in p2kTools or something.
Edit the seem 0032_0001
offset 93 -bit 1: Settings > Personalize (1 on, 0 off)

14. Problem: How to create icons for skins? OR Where can I get icons for skins?
You can google for GIF icons, PNG icons or even custom iconpackager or ICL libraries. Then use Leonnik's MotoIcons
(http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63720) along with my Converter (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70351&highlight=motoicons)

15. Problem: I hate this tutorial and I hate you. What do I do?
Solution: Click here (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=281) to curse me now.



Hope this is helpful in some way.

[sidmagnet]

nice....stickied :D

[Xitiz]

Thanks Sid!

[Tvrtko]

Nice info, i like it. You migth want to add the missing animated soft key in some menus, I bet you run into this loads of times ;)

[poetic_folly]

Good work my friend.

[Xitiz]

thanks a lot Poetic_folly, tvrtko!

@tvrtko: Are you talking about the middle soft key dissappearing in some menus?

[Tvrtko]

thanks a lot Poetic_folly, tvrtko!

@tvrtko: Are you talking about the middle soft key dissappearing in some menus?

Yep, correct. That bug can be pretty anoying.

[mucata]

5. Problem: I changed the skin, but some icons like Video Camera and iTunes dont change.
Analysis: Certain icons are not a part of the skin. These include all battery and signal icons, iTunes icon, Video Camera icon, etc. To change this, you need to flash with a different DRM.

How can I change the DRM ?!

[Tvrtko]

5. Problem: I changed the skin, but some icons like Video Camera and iTunes dont change.
Analysis: Certain icons are not a part of the skin. These include all battery and signal icons, iTunes icon, Video Camera icon, etc. To change this, you need to flash with a different DRM.

How can I change the DRM ?!

Do you mean by that changing the complete set or editing few images located in DRM. Most important question, what phone do you have?

[LighTer]

i got one question, when i install any Gameloft games, i always get application error, so i did as suggested, opened the skin, unticked light skin, saved, then uninstalled skin off phone, and reinstalled new one i just saved. but i still get Application Error as before. And, when i try to run the game using the default Moto skin it still does not work. Any ideas?

[mucata]

Do you mean by that changing the complete set or editing few images located in DRM. Most important question, what phone do you have?

I have L7 and mean editing few images,like video camera,voice mail and usb

[Xitiz]

i always get application error, so i did as suggested, opened the skin, unticked light skin, saved, then uninstalled skin off phone, and reinstalled new one i just saved.
Did you perform the necessary power recycles between these operations?

[LighTer]

Did you perform the necessary power recycles between these operations?

do u mean restart the phone? i honestly don't remember so i will try again restarting every time.

[zeus]

must be because the game isn't really for l7

[Tvrtko]

I have L7 and mean editing few images,like video camera,voice mail and usb

There are few guides on this topic, look them up and you'll be making DRM's in no time :)

[SchNuR]

i have a problem///.. moto L7c.. every skin I install do not change the dark blue backgrond of one of the basic skins (Cobalt)..what should I do?

[kirklestat]

your phone is L7c which is CDMA not GSM. ask in CDMA section if your phone can be skinned.

[naomi]

i had p2k running and my comp froze, now im missing 2 icons the cingular mall and mobile email.. i dont know how to restore it..plz help

[Lajon]

how about when im on the home screen, when i use the left,right,up,down keys it doesn't open up the settings i made...

like for down-phonebook left-java apps

i set it again under settings still nothing happens...

what will i do to correct this?

[whitekoala]

What if you uploaded a wrong mma_ucp file and now your fone just has a white screen and won't respond to anything !??!?!?!?!?!?

[poetic_folly]

Then reup the correct one. Or reinstall the skin.

[Tvrtko]

What if you uploaded a wrong mma_ucp file and now your fone just has a white screen and won't respond to anything !??!?!?!?!?!?

It's a very ungreatfull situation for which there is no soluition, at least to my knowledge. Uploading incorrect or faulty mma_ucp renders your phone useless, unless the backup menu, mma_dcp does not activate proper. One way to prevent this is to make flexlash (cg2 backup) before risky mma edits.

[Cloud086]

Hello guys!
First of all pardon my english ;p.
I liked this post a lot, it actually helped me, I have a V3 and a L7, and the soft middle button bug is really annoying on my V3, thanks to you i was able to fix it.
I'm trying to become a skinner, i have made a few sets of icons but! i am missing some info on what icon corresponds to what number and i'd like to know the names and it's number ID (dunno if that's what's called). So that would be my problem. ;p

[Xitiz]

I havent figures that out yet. Actually I just look at skins and most of the time try to understand what they really depict. And also most of the time I make light skins.
I think jiggygeek (if I am not mistaken) has put up this list. A search might help!

[Cloud086]

Thanks! I was trying to figure it out myself i had been working, i hope you like my work :grin:

[Tvrtko]

This is rather anoying, don't you agree? Let's try to deal with it:

This is a very common issue. Regular V3 skins made with skinner4moto are designated to go on /a/mobile/skins/your_skin with wallpaper pointing to /a/mobile/pictures/your_wp

Since V3i and few other models like L7, V3R etc store skins and pictures on /c/ drive it's only logical that the wallpaper on your new skin will not come up, since the skin is still looking it in /a/mobile/pictures/ insted of /c/mobile/pictures/

There are two ways to sort this out.

Open the appropriate ski file in hex editor, locate the wallpaper path (hint: do a search for "/a/mobile/pictures/") in it and just change from "a" to "c"

or

Use skinner4moto. Open your designated skin. Go to options and change Skin partition from default "/a standard" to c/ i398 + E1 ROKR

and save.

Now you are ready to install the skin with working wallpaper.

Reference:
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8560

[Gyngabread Man]

hey thanks for the info really helped out

[Jiggygeek]

Anyone know what controls the position of the icons in the Tools, Multimedia,Connections windows? Here is an example. I can't figure out what I did to get it like this. I need it down.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n153/Jiggygeek/screen2-1.png

[fabianclub]

Jiggygeek:
Also this happened to me. :mad:
There are no controls for the positions of these 6 icons.
This problem is originated when you move the position of the GIF of the soft-buttons. - As I realized this problem, to eliminate these GIF, instead of running them of the screen outwards, simply I put in its places other GIF of 1x1 pixels. This way the gif will not meet.

But you already have the problem in your skin with respect to which the 6 icons are had to you displaced that samples in the image of your post.
I only found two ways to solve this problem. :smoker:
1) Upwards moving (moving up) the position of the window that lodges to the 6 icons and the position of the title of the menu. That is to say, centering all the others with respect to the 6 already displaced icons. In rograma Skinner4Moto: Posición/Tamaño: 492, 493, 494, 495. But I clarify to you that this is very tedious and troublesome.
2) Using the function "Import" of the Skinner4Moto program. You can again concern all the original positions of skin original (importing "Skin/MODs"). Everything will become to position in its original state. Obvious that now you would have to again move all the things that you want to replace.

I would prefer to use the second method. Once the problem was solved, you return to move the things that you want (hour, operator, etc). :gasthrower:

In order to eliminate the soft-buttons you edit the images and the beams of 1x1.


(If nothing were understood my English language, I request thousand excuses). jajaja... :zombie:

Greetings for all! :crazy:

[asdfgfh]

Ou I say: very big thamx about that TUT about Prog error :)
i had problems with BinB skin :)

[Jiggygeek]

Yea, its probably the soft buttons like you said, moving them too far off the screen. I never had this happen before. I'll change the position and see what happens. thanks

[shrirajrathi]

i dont know how to install a skin. can u help me

Well, A lot of people have been facing similar set of issues with skins so I thought I would list down some of the common problems faced by skin designers and skin users alike and their solutions. I hope some of the skin Gurus in this forum (and there're plenty of them) will add to this list so that future skin masters find it easy. This can be one place to list all skin-related issues (since it is quite tough to search in the forums.... )

Crap over, here it is:

1.Problem: Java Games/Apps dont work on some/all skins.
Symptom: On running a Java App, it gives application error. The error may not occur on selecting a different skin.
Analysis: There is always one skin which has to be the full skin (it has all the image files in it). (For eg. for XYPACK is Xymoto). When a light/incomplete skin is loaded, the phone software takes the missing icons from this skin, or if an erronous skin is selected, the phone loads this default skin. If you happen to delete this skin accidently, you will experience Java errors.
Solution: Open the skin with whichn you are facing Java problems in Skinner4moto, untick the 'Light skin' option and save the skin. Now install this skin with SkinManager. The skin will now work fine.

2. Problem: Home icons dont work.
Symptoms: On moving the joystick up/down/left/right at home screen, the icon appears but nothing happens.
Analysis: The home screen icons need to be animated (have atleast 2 frames in the GIF file) for them to work. This problem suggests that the home screen icons have not been animated.
Solution:Animate the icons using any animation tool (like ULead GIF Animator freeware utility). If you're not sure how to go about it, I suggest you read my guide's ANIMATING THE IMAGES section in this guide. (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/1x1.php)

3. Problem: My menu appears jumbled/ Phone hangs while navigating main menu
Solution: You are facing a mma_ucp issue. Read this GUIDE. (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/mma_ucp.php)

4. Problem: While typing messages, the characters appear overlapped/ messy.
Solution: You have set the skin transparency factor to 0. Open the skin using skinner4moto, and change the transparency percentage value.

5. Problem: I changed the skin, but some icons like Video Camera and iTunes dont change.
Analysis: Certain icons are not a part of the skin. These include all battery and signal icons, iTunes icon, Video Camera icon, etc. To change this, you need to flash with a different DRM.

6. Problem: My middle soft key button dissappears on certain screens.
Analysis: Technically the middle soft button is described by 4 distinct GIFs: The middle soft key button, middle soft key blank button, middle soft key animation and the middle soft key pressed button. The middle soft key button appears when menu button is applicable on this screen, otherwise the middle soft key blank button is displayed. You need to insert proper images for the middle soft key blank button and the middle soft key animation. The animation has to have at least 2 frames.

7. Problem: My middle soft key button appears weird after animation.
Analysis: Always make sure that the last frame of your middle button animation is the same as the middle soft key button image. This is because on most occassions, the last frame of the animation will be the one which will be displayed on the button.

8. Problem: I have downloaded a skin, and it came with a mma_ucp for a different phone. How do I convert it to the mma_uco for my phone?
OR
I have downloaded a 176*220 skin of a different phone and my menu order appears jumbled. What do I do?
Solution: Read Archer's amazing post about converting mma_ucp files here (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6624).

9. Problem: Wallpaper does not appear on changing skin.
Solution:This is a very common issue. Regular V3 skins made with skinner4moto are designated to go on /a/mobile/skins/your_skin with wallpaper pointing to /a/mobile/pictures/your_wp.
Since V3i and few other models like L7, V3R etc store skins and pictures on /c/ drive it's only logical that the wallpaper on your new skin will not come up, since the skin is still looking it in /a/mobile/pictures/ insted of /c/mobile/pictures/
There are two ways to sort this out.
Open the appropriate ski file in hex editor, locate the wallpaper path (hint: do a search for "/a/mobile/pictures/") in it and just change from "a" to "c"
or
Use skinner4moto. Open your designated skin. Go to options and change Skin partition from default "/a standard" to c/ i398 + E1 ROKRand save.
Now you are ready to install the skin with working wallpaper.
Reference:
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8560
(COURTESY: tvrtko)

10. Problem: I hate this tutorial and I hate you. What do I do?
Solution: Click here (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=281) to curse me now.

Please post any questions, problems, issues related to skins in this thread so that me or some of the experienced skinners can solve these (and I can continuosly update the issues list with the solutions).

Hope this is helpful in some way.
i dont know how to install a skin. can u help me

[Xitiz]

http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/index.php

Here is another way:
1. Install p2kTools.
2. Connect your phone in Data/Fax connection mode.
3. When the system detects your phone, it will ask for drivers. Select manually choose a location and give the path where p2k has been installed.
4. After all installation is complete, download and run skinManager.
5. Just select the skin you wish to install and you are done!

[asdfgfh]

Maybe someone can tell me how can i fix it:
Some skins,like Liquid space,Time wont show...When keypad is locked i see that time is showing,but after i unlock it,time is transparent...
Thanks for answer :)
Edited:It happens when i`m skins editing :)
I put the Liuid space skin icons to sixteh m3 skin...I want my time back!

[Xitiz]

try this: in skinner4moto enable show margin, and then see if your time is overlapping with something else. If it is, move it to a different location and then try.

[asdfgfh]

Thanks,it helps :)
Time was overlapping with date and icons...
One more:
How can i change the transparency of this part of skin?[look in picture]:
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7676/thisjo8.jpg
like there:
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4513/needcy9.jpg
Thanks again guys!

[KrzrKrzy]

problem thats not mentioned i received a pic msg ad i went to save the file it just reset the phone i tried it on a different skin it worked fine any ideas?

[eddy0904]

@ asdfgfh : Using SKinner4Moto, go to "Color" option, search for "Standard Windows Background" and "Backgoundcolor(mainmenu)" set the transparency level to 0 to make it not transparant, or 3 to 5 to make it a little bit transparant.
@ KrzrKrzy : try to save the skin using your phone's series module. the re-install it.

[KrzrKrzy]

@ KrzrKrzy : try to save the skin using your phone's series module. the re-install it.

I take it you mean the K1 Module in Skinner4motto cheers will try it tonight after work

[megadeath999]

I got a question, why is it that when i install some skins, the centre icon doesnt appear? i.e. on the McLaren skin the Mclaren badge which is supposed to be underneath where the analogue clock goes? And another one. When i install skins, why is it that most of the time they usually work except for that on some skins text in sub menus disappears?

[Xitiz]

@megadeath: could you post some screenshots? I cannot understand what you mean by centre icon....
Also which phone are you using?

[shaolinmastr]

how come when i load the skins all my text is invisible? only thing i can see are the icons. no text at all. i've tried several skins and they all do this.

[eddy0904]

@ shaolin : what phone model is you phone? And which skin are you installing?

[shaolinmastr]

any skin i install. i have a rizr z3

[mixed]

hello somebody i have a problem the other day i install one sikin in my rizr but late to open in may cel may display dont show nothing I cant see nothing help pleas -.-..-.-.-.-.-.

[johannls]

i installed a skin - the left sofkey button is missing
i looked at it using s4m
the icons are there the structure seems to be ok
what else could be wrong
moto v360v - modded from top to bottom - unbranded - all features enabled
using Alienware-x 99654 -> no left softkey - but still a cool skin

[dolce123]

i have a verry bigggg prblem...i think i`ve messed up my phone with a theme...it`s not starting now...after`ve restarted...it`s blocked...i`m so fuc*D...omg

[alpacino]

I have RAZR V3 with skin white-symbian(3*4 menu).
i tried to install new skins.
first dabeat skin with its mma_ucp.
i installed it with skiman. then restart phone.then select dabeat skin.then i connect phone to pc and use mma_ucp that embbeded in dabeat skin.after restart phone the skin doesnot work correctly.

sory 4 my english.

[Xitiz]

Sorry all for the late responses.
@johannls: could you please put up a link to that skin?
@dolce: dont know what you could have done, but I hope you had taken a backup which u can restore.
@alpacino: Where did u install the mma_ucp? What is the problem you are facing?

[alpacino]

i transfer mma_ucp coming with that skin in to my system folder.
but skin doesnt work correctly.]
and another question.
I need to mma_ucp for skin instalation on my razr v3 or not???

[Xitiz]

AlPacino: the mma_ucp needs to be that of the RAZR V3 only. If you install mma_ucp of a different phone on your RAZR V3, it will give you errors. If the mma_ucp is of a different phone, you will have to convert it using mma_convert first.

[eddy0904]

I have RAZR V3 with skin white-symbian(3*4 menu).
i tried to install new skins.
first dabeat skin with its mma_ucp.
i installed it with skiman. then restart phone.then select dabeat skin.then i connect phone to pc and use mma_ucp that embbeded in dabeat skin.after restart phone the skin doesnot work correctly.

Which "White-Symbian" skin are you using? Is it my mine (edited from Moto Symbian skin)? If it is so then the mma_ucp included is ONLY for E398 or E1.
If it is not, then you still need to find the compatible mma_ucp for your Razr.

[lanzer]

okay. this is my problem, i have many skins of 12 icons, and i don´t know as doin for change that in my celphone, becose i have nine...please help me.........and zorry for my inglish i´m argentinian

[Xitiz]

lanzer: You will need a 12 icon mma_ucp. Just copy that to /a/mobile/system and you will have a 12 icon menu. What model phone do you have?

[nemezote]

Hello, first of all, THANKS the "tick light skin off" solution really helped, I can now finally play games on my v3.

The thing is, the first game I installed (elven cronicles) works perfectly.
All the other ones do show up in the "kjava list" in P2Ktools, BUT not on my phone, I really dont know what to do...any ideas guys?

Thanks a lot!

EDIT: New info. This is exactly what happens.

1) Already have one game working perfectly

2) So i open P2KTools and go to the Kjava tab to install games, exactly like I did with the working one.

3) I install the new game (super mario something) and the game is now on the list on P2KTools.

4) Just for the sake of it I hit Refesh, and Kabooom, the previously "installed" game, is now gone...(btw, the same thing happens when i hit restart)

5) I get all sad and bad that im not going to have my games to slack off at school =(

[eddy0904]

I think that problem has nothing to do with SKIN.

[nemezote]

Yeah...I dunno...anyways, any idea of why this is happening?

[Xitiz]

Doesnt look like a skin problem , may be you should try installing the game with this (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=3579)

[nemezote]

Thank you very much, that solved it ^^

[NWD]

One problem I'm having is proving to be a real nightmare, yet I KNOW it's simple....lol. I can't seem to get the personalize, and some of the other menus to add an outline. I've checked the booleans, the colors, and there doesnt seem to be a spot in the grouped elements portion either. can you please, please help. this is gonna kill me..lol

[scotty1982]

ok, my problem was created as follows:

i was trying to port a skin to the rizr.
it has all the gif's in their regular locations.
so i tried opening any rizr skin with the gifs in the regular places with s4m, and doing import > colors from skin, then import > pictures from skin (resize).

it worked great EXCEPT now in my main menu, with the new skin, the words at the top of the screen (messages, etc...) don't go away when you go to a different item.

meaning it doesn't remove the text, just writes the new text over it as if the old text were part of the gif for the top of the menu.

does anyone know how to fix this?

oh, and i tried it with both k1 modules (regular and LFM's), and with many different rizr skins, including stock ones

[zeus]

must be because the menu frame is not present or overwritten causing it to be invisible hence the overwriting of the menu captions. y'know what i mean?

[scotty1982]

i think i figured it out, i was porting K1 skins

NO THEIR NOT COMPATIBLE WITH RIZR SKINS
i've had problems with one thing or another with all krzr skins

and the main menu's gif images for the rizr are supposed to be seperate images: the top bar and 2 side bars, but in the rkzr ones i have it's one image for the whole window, so i replaced those and it works!

thanks for the idea!

[rufinojr54]

why is my skin for l7 like this? please help:confused:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p151/xxx64/skin.jpg

[Jake Wong]

Hi there,

Could you help?

I downloaded a skin file into my PC. But when I tried to open the file, it says it couldnt read a rar file.

Whats the issue?

Thanks

[zeus]

Hi there,

Could you help?

I downloaded a skin file into my PC. But when I tried to open the file, it says it couldnt read a rar file.

Whats the issue?

Thanks

use alzip to open rar files

why is my skin for l7 like this? please help:confused:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p151/xxx64/skin.jpg

is your wallpaper animated?

[Skager]

Just wanna ask if this File Changer works with my Maxx V6? I really need this tool for my various mma_ucp files...thanks for any help!

[V360v024]

Well, A lot of people have been facing similar set of issues with skins so I thought I would list down some of the common problems faced by skin designers and skin users alike and their solutions. I hope some of the skin Gurus in this forum (and there're plenty of them) will add to this list so that future skin masters find it easy. This can be one place to list all skin-related issues (since it is quite tough to search in the forums.... )

Crap over, here it is:

1.Problem: Java Games/Apps dont work on some/all skins.
Symptom: On running a Java App, it gives application error. The error may not occur on selecting a different skin.
Analysis: There is always one skin which has to be the full skin (it has all the image files in it). (For eg. for XYPACK is Xymoto). When a light/incomplete skin is loaded, the phone software takes the missing icons from this skin, or if an erronous skin is selected, the phone loads this default skin. If you happen to delete this skin accidently, you will experience Java errors.
Solution: Open the skin with whichn you are facing Java problems in Skinner4moto, untick the 'Light skin' option and save the skin. Now install this skin with SkinManager. The skin will now work fine.

2. Problem: Home icons dont work.
Symptoms: On moving the joystick up/down/left/right at home screen, the icon appears but nothing happens.
Analysis: The home screen icons need to be animated (have atleast 2 frames in the GIF file) for them to work. This problem suggests that the home screen icons have not been animated.
Solution:Animate the icons using any animation tool (like ULead GIF Animator freeware utility). If you're not sure how to go about it, I suggest you read my guide's ANIMATING THE IMAGES section in this guide. (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/1x1.php)

3. Problem: My menu appears jumbled/ Phone hangs while navigating main menu
Solution: You are facing a mma_ucp issue. Read this GUIDE. (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/mma_ucp.php)

4. Problem: While typing messages, the characters appear overlapped/ messy.
Solution: You have set the skin transparency factor to 0. Open the skin using skinner4moto, and change the transparency percentage value.

5. Problem: I changed the skin, but some icons like Video Camera and iTunes dont change.
Analysis: Certain icons are not a part of the skin. These include all battery and signal icons, iTunes icon, Video Camera icon, etc. To change this, you need to flash with a different DRM.

6. Problem: My middle soft key button dissappears on certain screens.
Analysis: Technically the middle soft button is described by 4 distinct GIFs: The middle soft key button, middle soft key blank button, middle soft key animation and the middle soft key pressed button. The middle soft key button appears when menu button is applicable on this screen, otherwise the middle soft key blank button is displayed. You need to insert proper images for the middle soft key blank button and the middle soft key animation. The animation has to have at least 2 frames.

7. Problem: My middle soft key button appears weird after animation.
Analysis: Always make sure that the last frame of your middle button animation is the same as the middle soft key button image. This is because on most occassions, the last frame of the animation will be the one which will be displayed on the button.

8. Problem: I have downloaded a skin, and it came with a mma_ucp for a different phone. How do I convert it to the mma_uco for my phone?
OR
I have downloaded a 176*220 skin of a different phone and my menu order appears jumbled. What do I do?
Solution: Read Archer's amazing post about converting mma_ucp files here (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6624).

9. Problem: Wallpaper does not appear on changing skin.
Solution:This is a very common issue. Regular V3 skins made with skinner4moto are designated to go on /a/mobile/skins/your_skin with wallpaper pointing to /a/mobile/pictures/your_wp.
Since V3i and few other models like L7, V3R etc store skins and pictures on /c/ drive it's only logical that the wallpaper on your new skin will not come up, since the skin is still looking it in /a/mobile/pictures/ insted of /c/mobile/pictures/
There are two ways to sort this out.
Open the appropriate ski file in hex editor, locate the wallpaper path (hint: do a search for "/a/mobile/pictures/") in it and just change from "a" to "c"
or
Use skinner4moto. Open your designated skin. Go to options and change Skin partition from default "/a standard" to c/ i398 + E1 ROKRand save.
Now you are ready to install the skin with working wallpaper.
Reference:
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8560
(COURTESY: tvrtko)

10. I want to edit some icons. What software do you recommend?
A: I recommend Paint Shop Pro or PhotoShop, but they are NOT FREE. The open source Free one is GIMP, which is equally Excellent. You can get it here FOR FREE. (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/)

11. Problem: I hate this tutorial and I hate you. What do I do?
Solution: Click here (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=281) to curse me now.

Please post any questions, problems, issues related to skins in this thread so that me or some of the experienced skinners can solve these (and I can continuosly update the issues list with the solutions).

Hope this is helpful in some way.



:shots: hi i tried to make tansparent "soft butons " from an "V360v" skin , it was a succes but now i cant enter in personalize menu . please dvise ! :confused:

[Loverman1307]

Its very nice and all.
But i still have Application Error!
I installed the same skin with the Unticked Light Skin,
but im still Very VEry Not in a good position.
-sorry for cursing i grew up in the ghetto!-

Please, help!

*RD edit
language is PG 13 here

[living_sword]

Its very nice and all.
But i still have Application Error!
I installed the same skin with the Unticked Light Skin,
but im still Very VEry Not in a good position.
-sorry for cursing i grew up in the ghetto!-

Please, help!

*RD edit
language is PG 13 here

which skin ?

[Xitiz]

Its very nice and all.
But i still have Application Error!
I installed the same skin with the Unticked Light Skin,
but im still Very VEry Not in a good position.
-sorry for cursing i grew up in the ghetto!-

Please, help!

*RD edit
language is PG 13 here

As I said you need to save the skin using skinner4moto by unticling light option.
You need not PM me if you are going to post in the forums anyway.

[Loverman1307]

Still no solutioN!
Sorry for bothering you!

[Xitiz]

Still no solutioN!
Sorry for bothering you!

Naah its ok. I'm here to help :)
Is a problem with a specific java application or all the java application? Can you tell me name of application?
and of skin also?

[rigpig]

Thanks for the great info, I have a different problem and it's probably something simple but I can't find the answer. I have a V3i with Itunes the main menu is 3 x 3 icons and when I put some skins on with Skiman the icons are squashed up towards the top of the screen, it looks as if the skin is designed for 4 x 4 icons as there is a blank row at the bottom. Some skins are fine, but there are some really great ones that I would like to use that have this problem.

Thanks for any help.

Rigpig

[nuru_theone]

Thanks for the great info, I have a different problem and it's probably something simple but I can't find the answer. I have a V3i with Itunes the main menu is 3 x 3 icons and when I put some skins on with Skiman the icons are squashed up towards the top of the screen, it looks as if the skin is designed for 4 x 4 icons as there is a blank row at the bottom. Some skins are fine, but there are some really great ones that I would like to use that have this problem.

Thanks for any help.

Rigpig

Its better u shift to 3x4 menu format , coz almost all of the skins are made for that format ..Its easy to change the mma_ucp..

[rigpig]

Thanks for that, funnily enough It's one of your skins that I really like :-) MetalliK

Can I use Skiman to do what you have suggested? and if so how do I do it. I have tried ticking some of the boxes that seem to be the right ones but with no luck.

Thanks

Rigpig.

[nuru_theone]

Thanks for that, funnily enough It's one of your skins that I really like :-) MetalliK

Can I use Skiman to do what you have suggested? and if so how do I do it. I have tried ticking some of the boxes that seem to be the right ones but with no luck.

Thanks

Rigpig.

FOLLOW THIS GUIDE TO LOAD THE 12 ICON mma_ucp:

( REMEMBER: FOLLOW THE GUIDE ONLY UPTO - " AWESOME THE FIRST PART IS DONE!')

LINK FOR GUIDE (http://slvr.themotoguide.com/12iconmenu.php)

DOWNLOAD THE mma_ucp attached. Load to the phone if u want to use Metallik and all my other skins:

mma_ucp LINK
(http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8020&d=1189355321)

[rigpig]

Thanks, very much. got it exactly how I wanted.

Rigpig.

P.S. I'm in India too right now :-)

[BIGBLAK]

Quick Question



Whats the difference between Regular Skin and Light Skin???

[avatar_43]

Light skins = no icons
Regular = icons

Some skins that have a fullset of icons MAY be set to light to stop java issues

[Xitiz]

Actually light skins are ones which have one or more icons or images missing in them. For such skins, the missing icon or image will be taken from the existing full skin installed on your phone, such as moto.

If you delete the full skin from your phone, then the phone will give java problems. So then you should install the skin with the full option checked to solve the problem.

[omega6]

Hi all!!!!!!!!

im new here.need som help. few days ago i instaled some skins on my phone with p2k tools.but those didnt work.so i removed them by p2k. but still da skin files are visible on phone/skins. i tryd my best 2 find da problem but no use. p2k not showin them but da phone do.my phone is V3i-itunes. pls help me

[Lauren Smith]

Here are some common skin problems and their solutions. If you have more skin related queries, please post here.

1.Problem: Java Games/Apps dont work on some/all skins.
Symptom: On running a Java App, it gives application error. The error may not occur on selecting a different skin.
Analysis: There is always one skin which has to be the full skin (it has all the image files in it). (For eg. for XYPACK is Xymoto). When a light/incomplete skin is loaded, the phone software takes the missing icons from this skin, or if an erronous skin is selected, the phone loads this default skin. If you happen to delete this skin accidently, you will experience Java errors.
Solution: Open the skin with whichn you are facing Java problems in Skinner4moto, untick the 'Light skin' option and save the skin. Now install this skin with SkinManager. The skin will now work fine.

2. Problem: Home icons dont work.
Symptoms: On moving the joystick up/down/left/right at home screen, the icon appears but nothing happens.
Analysis: The home screen icons need to be animated (have atleast 2 frames in the GIF file) for them to work. This problem suggests that the home screen icons have not been animated.
Solution:Animate the icons using any animation tool (like ULead GIF Animator freeware utility). If you're not sure how to go about it, I suggest you read my guide's ANIMATING THE IMAGES section in this guide. (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/1x1.php)

3. Problem: My menu appears jumbled/ Phone hangs while navigating main menu
Solution: You are facing a mma_ucp issue. Read this GUIDE. (http://www.modmymoto.com/guides/skinning/mma_ucp.php)

4. Problem: While typing messages, the characters appear overlapped/ messy.
Solution: You have set the skin transparency factor to 0. Open the skin using skinner4moto, and change the transparency percentage value.

5. Problem: I changed the skin, but some icons like Video Camera and iTunes dont change.
Analysis: Certain icons are not a part of the skin. These include all battery and signal icons, iTunes icon, Video Camera icon, etc. To change this, you need to flash with a different DRM.

6. Problem: My middle soft key button dissappears on certain screens.
Analysis: Technically the middle soft button is described by 4 distinct GIFs: The middle soft key button, middle soft key blank button, middle soft key animation and the middle soft key pressed button. The middle soft key button appears when menu button is applicable on this screen, otherwise the middle soft key blank button is displayed. You need to insert proper images for the middle soft key blank button and the middle soft key animation. The animation has to have at least 2 frames.

7. Problem: My middle soft key button appears weird after animation.
Analysis: Always make sure that the last frame of your middle button animation is the same as the middle soft key button image. This is because on most occassions, the last frame of the animation will be the one which will be displayed on the button.

8. Problem: I have downloaded a skin, and it came with a mma_ucp for a different phone. How do I convert it to the mma_uco for my phone?
OR
I have downloaded a 176*220 skin of a different phone and my menu order appears jumbled. What do I do?
Solution: Read Archer's amazing post about converting mma_ucp files here (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6624).

9. Problem: Wallpaper does not appear on changing skin.
Solution:This is a very common issue. Regular V3 skins made with skinner4moto are designated to go on /a/mobile/skins/your_skin with wallpaper pointing to /a/mobile/pictures/your_wp.
Since V3i and few other models like L7, V3R etc store skins and pictures on /c/ drive it's only logical that the wallpaper on your new skin will not come up, since the skin is still looking it in /a/mobile/pictures/ insted of /c/mobile/pictures/
There are two ways to sort this out.
Open the appropriate ski file in hex editor, locate the wallpaper path (hint: do a search for "/a/mobile/pictures/") in it and just change from "a" to "c"
or
Use skinner4moto. Open your designated skin. Go to options and change Skin partition from default "/a standard" to c/ i398 + E1 ROKRand save.
Now you are ready to install the skin with working wallpaper.
Reference:
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8560
(COURTESY: tvrtko)

10. I want to edit some icons. What software do you recommend?
A: I recommend Paint Shop Pro or PhotoShop, but they are NOT FREE. The open source Free one is GIMP, which is equally Excellent. You can get it here FOR FREE. (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/)

11. Problem: I hate this tutorial and I hate you. What do I do?
Solution: Click here (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=281) to curse me now.

12. Problem: How does the logic for the main menu selection work? Can I change the way the selection moves in the main menu? Can I change the layout for the main menu?
See this thread. (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40732)

Hope this is helpful in some way.
Thanks for all of this but i dont actually know how to put skins on my phone!!

Please could you explain that?

Much appreciated :)

[living_sword]

Thanks for all of this but i dont actually know how to put skins on my phone!!

Please could you explain that?

Much appreciated :)


Guides section (http://modmymoto.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page) should help.

[MauFonseca]

I have 2 problem with the skin not listed in the first post.

1) In the windows that appear that say stuff like "Please Wait" or "Sending Message" or that stuff, the top and the middle of the window are separated from the bottom part

2) The little box that appears when typing messages (The one that suggest you words/syllables according on what you are writing) is the same color of the text so I can's read. Where in skinner4moto I change the color of that box?

[MattB2305]

Hi,
V3r, OA.52
SW Version:
R4515_G_08.BD.
D3R
I have added 5 different skins for my V3r using Ski Man v0.51, and so far the main menu icons have remained unchanged (everything else good). The skins included changed icons. I added the Beatles skin to my fiancee's phone (same SW and BL) and the menu icons changed. When added to my phone, no change. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

[Xitiz]

Absolutely no idea. Can you check with p2kTools or p2kCommander if you are facing the same issue? You need to create a folder under /c/mobile/skins with the SAME NAME as the .ski file, same case as well and then copy all the .ski and .dat files into that folder. (For eg for Ultimos.ski, name the folder Ultimos).

[MattB2305]

This is definitely perplexing. Copied all files for skin into P2K, but when transf skin to phone, SkiMan populated to do the task. Is that right? I'll do furthur research of my fiancee's phone to spot any differences in s/w, etc. but I might have to admit defeat on this one.

[Xitiz]

This is definitely perplexing. Copied all files for skin into P2K, but when transf skin to phone, SkiMan populated to do the task. Is that right? I'll do furthur research of my fiancee's phone to spot any differences in s/w, etc. but I might have to admit defeat on this one.

I am sorry I dont understand. Can you please give me more details?

[jklong03]

We have had a running set of questions about why on our V3Re's.

Why is it that even though SkiMan deletes the files, and P2KCommander verifies that the files are removed, do we still see the history of all the skins we have installed listed on the skin menu?? :confused:

In other words, where does the phone keep this "record" of skins installed and how can one update it to only reflect actual .ski files that exist?

[Xitiz]

The skin menu shows you the "Folders" present within your skins directory. When you choose to apply a skin, it looks into that folder for a .ski with the same name as the folder and the corresponding .dat files. If it does not find the ski file, it attempts to load your default skin. If it cannot find one or more .dat files, it takes that file from the default skin folder.

The list you see is only the list of folders, which is READ when the phone starts. So if you delete a skin (i mean the folder and all its contents), you have to restart the phone for it to read the Skin folder again. There is no list maintained.

I dont know about the V3e in particular, and this is not valid for CDMA phones either.

[jklong03]

I beg to differ with your explanation at least in my V3Re's case. I have deleted the skin using SkiMan, double checked the file list in (our case /a/mobile/skins directory) and the deleted folders/files no longer physically exist on the phone's file structure, but DO appear on the Skins menu under personalize option. This is after doing a full power recycle after deleting the skin!

This has been a running complaint in the V3Re modding forum.

Just thought a "skinner" might have some more insight for us. If no one knows, I'm sure it will be discovered one of these days. Perhaps when we finally find a P2K manager software that will let us see "all" of our files at the /a/(root) level. To date, the closest we have come is the MoSt program, but it concatenates the root dir file names (1st 3 characters) and replaces them with the file type icon. When a file is d/l'ed to be examined, it is always corrupted. I am suspecting someone will need to write a customized p2kapi.dll to be able to get to these files?

[Xitiz]

AFAIK about other p2k phones, there is nothing such as a folder either, rather a collection of files with path names, and based on path names 'virtual' folders are created. Apparently the V3e is behaving differently.
Can you get any p2k tool to delete any folder from your phone? What happens if it is deleted, does it show up in the phone? (try under pictures, for example)? Have you tried taking a back up of the flex and splitting it up, if the skin folders show up? Have you tried java based file managers like phone commander?

[alosh1984]

skin not running in my phon

hi:)
skin not running in my phon (motorola l7 silver )

[Xitiz]

Please give us more details. How did you install the skin? What are the problems you face?

[vitrubio]

Problem: When I go to (Settings\ Personalize) the options are invisible (no text)
Solution: Open the skin with skinner4moto, press the Font-Fix button (in the left side), save changes and re-install the skin.

[AntiRellik]

I have a question.
I downloaded the skin Serene by JithinSK and my problem is that the skin doesn't have the digital clock set up... I used skinner4moto to modify the skin and set the digital clock a a viewable position and saved the skin.
I imported the skin into my phone and it doesn't work.
What am I doing wrong?
I set in skinner4moto the phone model and language too.
Any help?
Thanks!

edit: nevermind, now it worked... ^^
sorry.

[rocksy]

i have downloaded skin for my l6i but it does not open with media viewer .how should i install media viewer

[Xitiz]

i have downloaded skin for my l6i but it does not open with media viewer .how should i install media viewer

1. I dont think mediaviewer can open skins, you need skinner4moto for that.
2. I dont think the L6i supports skins, only color schemes. I could be wrong though, confirm in your respective forum (l6i).

[threefiftyz]

Hello all, I was hoping someone may be able to address and give me a fix to my problem with some skins I downloaded.

http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1252801#post1252801

mine is the 2nd to the last post and the few before it. It seems like I may be screwed and can not fix this from reading these threads but can someone look at it please? It may be easy to fix and i am overlooking something.

Thanks in advance!!:cheers:

[motorolaV3xx0208]

i have a problem with my V3xx
nothing appears on the LCD when i close my phone it works fine with the AT&T skins but not with the ones i get from here

any help? thanx

[Xitiz]

Hello all, I was hoping someone may be able to address and give me a fix to my problem with some skins I downloaded.

http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1252801#post1252801

mine is the 2nd to the last post and the few before it. It seems like I may be screwed and can not fix this from reading these threads but can someone look at it please? It may be easy to fix and i am overlooking something.

Thanks in advance!!:cheers:
I read your post but cannot understand could you please explain your problem? It looks to me that it can be fixed easily.

[camgarz2012]

im new to all this so yea... the directions on how to download skins onto my L7 on this site tell me to use skiman and .ski files but all the downloads are .rar files... im confused

[JithinSK]

im new to all this so yea... the directions on how to download skins onto my L7 on this site tell me to use skiman and .ski files but all the downloads are .rar files... im confused
Those (.rar,.7z) are compressed formats just like zip files.. You need to extract them first using winrar (www.rarlab.com/download.htm) or 7-zip (www.7-zip.org/download.html).. You could find the skin files inside.. read the guide (http://modmymoto.com/wiki/index.php/Slvr_L7_Installing_Skins) on how to install the skin using skin manager..

[mahmoud_box_samo]

how to add skin of my v3 moto?

[JithinSK]

how to add skin of my v3 moto?

http://modmymoto.com/wiki/index.php/Skinning_Installing_Using_SkiMan

[Hellfire]

Hey I have this trouble with the Black&Orange Apple of Evil Slayer in my Z3...

The thing is that the skin, as i download it is perfect, work just fine, but when i make a change on the layout of the icons that belong to the principal cursor button (up, down, left, right) active and inactive, and to the clock and date frame the skin mess up...

The second item of any list does'nt look highlighted when i select it and in the phonebook, it shows 3 numbers in the list on picture mode but i cant see the number in the middle of this list.... its weird i dont know what happend...

Somebody can help me please?

Thanks in advance

[Xitiz]

I hope you opened the skin in s4m with the correct Z# module.

In skinner4moto, check the show margins option. Now in the preview you will be able to see the margins of the clock, icons, etc. Move them around so that they dont overlap and mess each other. Save the skin.

Try clicking "font fix" option in skinner4moto to solve your other problem.

[Hellfire]

About de Z# module i am not pretty sure... Could you please explain me a little more?

The icons and clock are fine, i just make some adjustments on the layout of this items and then the skin begun to show problems.

I'll try the font fix option.... I'll tell you how it goes :thumbsup:

[pixelke]

I think it's a typo, he probably wanted to write Z3 module.
I hope you opened the skin in s4m with the correct Z3 module.

[Hellfire]

Ok, i tryed the Fix Font option and the problem persists...

With the Z3 module you mean basicly that if i choose the right model of phone in the S4M?

If this is correct de answer is yes, the model is correctly chossen...

So, do you have any other suggestion?

Thanks in advance.. :thumbsup:

[Xitiz]

By the Z3 module I meant this version of skinner4moto. (http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=14251)

[Hellfire]

Thank you very much man, i'll try this version..:sigh:

[srikanth_sm]

I have a E6. I am a first timer to downloads. I have loaded some skins and have saved to my phone. How do I activate this in my phone.
Thanks:

[davindra]

i have a moto z8 and i downloaded some skins. where do i put them? and i also downloaded some non java applications where do i put them. please e-mail me at fat_zee_1hotmail.com or something

[zzztidurvirus]

Help! My phone has gone BLANK! Only black screen appeared... How to recover this?

[omen6]

Help! how can i set the font color for the clock on the front cover for v3i?? also the ring styles(loud, silent). I edited a skin (omega_vista) and it does not show the clock/ring styles. thanks!!

[louai]

hi im new here about this problem

5. Problem: I changed the skin, but some icons like Video Camera and iTunes dont change.
Analysis: Certain icons are not a part of the skin. These include all battery and signal icons, iTunes icon, Video Camera icon, etc. To change this, you need to flash with a different DRM.

i have this problem what the meaning of flashing with a different DRM.

[SocaSlvr]

that was the old method

use THIS (http://modmymoto.com/wiki/index.php/Skinning_Changing_DRM_Icons_With_mma_ucp)

[taariq ironfist]

alo.. i need help plz.. :-( eveytime i wana install a skin the pc ejects my v360?

[Xitiz]

You need to connect the phone in Data/Fax mode. The PC wont detect it as a memory card in that case and wont eject it.

[krishian91589]

my phone is v3i, how could i put skins in my phone? pls tell me the process.. thanks so much...

[SocaSlvr]

GUIDE SECTION (http://www.modmymoto.com/wiki/)