rasputin007
10-12-2006, 05:27 PM
What are split-skins?
Split-skins are normal skins, but without any main menu icons. All main menu icons are linked to the mma and are full screen 240x287 animated only.
This allows to have one mma with as many split-skins and main menu look as you want.
To change the main menu you just have to replace 52 out of 53 gif files in e/icon on your V3x.
Any split-skin will work with one main menu, that means you have one main menu of your choice and you can change skins as much as you like without the need to connect to PC.
Because the main menu icons are not needed any more in the split-skin, their size is much smaller and you can have 15 or more split-skins on your V3x.
What are the advantages of having split-skins and separate main menus?
Lots of benefits!
Now that V3x skins become more and more advanced they need their own special mma. If you have 4 or 5 of those skins, which can be quite big in size, on your V3x, you only can change a skin with the help of a Computer cos you have to change the mma when you want to change the skin. With split-skins there is no need for that cos every split-skin works with the same mma and because the skin size is quite small you can have even more on your V3x to choose from.
Because you have the main menu on the e/ partition they still are there after a reflash or a full blown flex and flash with a Monster Pack, so you only need to create them once and they stay there until you change them.
True, you have still use a PC if you want to change the main menu look by changing the mma, but we are working on a way to change that, but so far no java based file manager that sits on the mobile works with the V3x at the moment. But if there is one, one day, then you could either copy for example the mma from e/icon2 to a/mobile/system or you could rename e/icon to e/icon01 and then e/icon2 to e/icon. Once that is possible then you can change skins and main menu without the need for a PC.
The main menu can easily be edited without even touching a skin.
Each main menu gif file, apart from the blank.gif file, is full screen. It does not get any bigger than that and they are animated which gives more choice and interest.
You can mix and match, choose your favourite skin and select your favourite main menu look, that is something that you can not do with "traditional" skins where skin and main menu are a solid unit.
This split-skin concept is a huge step forward and I can not see any disadvantage with it.
How to change any V3x skin into a V3x split-skin and how to make your own main menu look.
First get the NEW-V3x-split-skin-toolkit (http://www.rasputin007.co.uk/storage/others/NEW-V3x-split-skin-toolkit.rar)
Inside you find
1. one mma_ucp and its backup mma_dcp that will work with any split-skin, located in "a/mobile/system"
2. one "e/icon" folder with 53 gif files (that is your main menu)
3. one "e/mini" folder that are the small (19x19) icons
3. one "12icon-full_screen_240x287.ski" file, that is the S4M import module
4. one "Icons for split skin" folder full of gif files, needed to replace not-needed icons with 1x1 transparent icons to keep skin size down.
5. a "New-Main-Menu-split-skin.doc/pdf" file that gives you the overview of the mma layout , main menus and submenus, together with the linked gif file name, which are all in e/icon, as well as the corresponding gif file number for the small icons in e/mini.
6. one split skin called DarkBlue to go with the main menu (e/icon)
Furthermore you will need
1. S4M with V3x module (V3x for older skins, New-V3x for newer skins)
2. a competent gif editor, capable to create animated gif files
3. a file manager to transfer files from and to your V3x, e.g. P2K Commander or Leader GL
To change any V3x skin, it does not matter if it is a 12 icon or 16 icon skin, you have to open it in S4M with the correct V3x module.
Next uncheck the "Light-Skin" option and just below that is the "Import" option. In the opening window choose the top option, "Skin/MODs".
Now navigate to the "12icon-full_screen_240x287.ski" file and choose that.
So far the skin code has been altered to work now as a full screen split skin. OK, next step is to copy all gif files from the "Icons for split skin" folder into the "gifs" folder that S4M created inside the V3x skin folder you have open now. If you get the message "Do you want to replace the...with...?" then say yes.
Now all the gif files you replaced in the skin are icons and graphics you do not need in a split skin. All those replaced icons are now 1x1 in size and transparent. You still need the gif files because otherwise S4M will give you lots of error messages and might even crash. Anyway now that you have replaced those not-needed icons you can now save the skin, either by its original name or "save as" something else.
OK, job done, you just changed a V3x skin into a V3x split-skin.
Use a file manager to transfer the new split skin onto your V3x.
You also can now transfer the mma_ucp into a/mobile/system.
Great, now you have a split skin and a mma that works with it, but you still need the main menu.
It is so easy to make your own, maybe even a very personal with photos from you, family, friend or pets.
And here is how it goes.
Copy the "e/icon" folder from the V3x-split-skin-toolkit somewhere on your PC.
Now use a gif editor and make your own animated gifs as long as they are in the format of 240x287.
You also have to use the exact file names (very,very important for the mma to work correctly).
For example if the original Multimedia main menu gif file is called "media_ani.gif" then your Multimedia main menu gif file has to be called "media_ani.gif", that's why you have copied the e/icon folder onto your PC because all gif names are there. You only can change 52 out of the 53 gif files, do not change the "blank.gif" file or your V3x might show some strange behaviour.
Once you have finished all your "new" main menu (52 gif files with the same names and the size of 240x287) you can copy them into e/icon on your V3x.
To install the main menu you have to go into your e/partition and create a new folder called "icon".
Now just copy the 53 gif files from the "e/icon" folder that you just created into the e/icon folder on your V3x.
When done you just have installed your main menu.
Nearly finished, you have to create also a "mini" folder on the e/partition of the V3x and inside that you copy the 50 gif files that are in the "e/mini" folder in the V3x split-skin toolkit. Those are the small (19x19) icons for each mma entry (50 because there are some that are used twice, like 1095.gif is for the main menu folder "My Camcorder" and for the submenu "Camcorder"). Why bother with them you might ask. Well if you go to Settings -> Personalise -> Home Screen -> Home keys and change one of the 4 key shortcuts you can see a little icon on the right for each entry, but also sometimes they are displayed when the submenu is opened.
Anyway these little icons can also be edited, but keep the size to 19x19! Alternative you can use those icons from a different skin by just copying the corresponding gif files. There are however 7 gif files (1.gif -7.gif) that are new because there are 5 new main menu folders and 2 submenues (Airplane Mode and Voice Dial) that needed changeable icons.
Reboot your V3x and you can enjoy the full screen main menu with any split skin and because the skins are quite small in size you easily can have 10 different split skins on your V3x.
Once a V3x skin has been changed into a V3x split-skin it still can be edited with S4M just as any other V3x skin.
To change the main menu you still need the PC because you have to copy 53 gif file into e/icon on your V3x. But here is a tip for those that like to change the main menu look more often. I have 4 "icon" folder on the e/ partition on my V3x : e/icon, e/icon1, e/icon2 and e/icon3. I also made 4 different mma's each of them pointing to one different e/icon folder. Now I just have to change the mma and I have a new main menu look. Because all 4 mma's are called mma_ucp and you can not see what mma is pointing to what e/icon folder, I have copied the correct mma into the correct e/icon folder. For example I copied the mma that is pointing to the e/icon3 folder into e/icon3. This way I know what mma does what and I also know where it is and now I only have to copy the mma from e/icon2 to a/mobile/system if I want the main menu look that is in e/icon2.
Reboot and enjoy the "new" main menu that will work with any other V3x split-skin.
And that's all that is needed to give your V3x the personal touch.
Update: Just a little more about the split-skin concept here (http://www.rasputin007.co.uk/storage/webpages/split-skin/split-skin.htm), but only the top half.
Split-skins are normal skins, but without any main menu icons. All main menu icons are linked to the mma and are full screen 240x287 animated only.
This allows to have one mma with as many split-skins and main menu look as you want.
To change the main menu you just have to replace 52 out of 53 gif files in e/icon on your V3x.
Any split-skin will work with one main menu, that means you have one main menu of your choice and you can change skins as much as you like without the need to connect to PC.
Because the main menu icons are not needed any more in the split-skin, their size is much smaller and you can have 15 or more split-skins on your V3x.
What are the advantages of having split-skins and separate main menus?
Lots of benefits!
Now that V3x skins become more and more advanced they need their own special mma. If you have 4 or 5 of those skins, which can be quite big in size, on your V3x, you only can change a skin with the help of a Computer cos you have to change the mma when you want to change the skin. With split-skins there is no need for that cos every split-skin works with the same mma and because the skin size is quite small you can have even more on your V3x to choose from.
Because you have the main menu on the e/ partition they still are there after a reflash or a full blown flex and flash with a Monster Pack, so you only need to create them once and they stay there until you change them.
True, you have still use a PC if you want to change the main menu look by changing the mma, but we are working on a way to change that, but so far no java based file manager that sits on the mobile works with the V3x at the moment. But if there is one, one day, then you could either copy for example the mma from e/icon2 to a/mobile/system or you could rename e/icon to e/icon01 and then e/icon2 to e/icon. Once that is possible then you can change skins and main menu without the need for a PC.
The main menu can easily be edited without even touching a skin.
Each main menu gif file, apart from the blank.gif file, is full screen. It does not get any bigger than that and they are animated which gives more choice and interest.
You can mix and match, choose your favourite skin and select your favourite main menu look, that is something that you can not do with "traditional" skins where skin and main menu are a solid unit.
This split-skin concept is a huge step forward and I can not see any disadvantage with it.
How to change any V3x skin into a V3x split-skin and how to make your own main menu look.
First get the NEW-V3x-split-skin-toolkit (http://www.rasputin007.co.uk/storage/others/NEW-V3x-split-skin-toolkit.rar)
Inside you find
1. one mma_ucp and its backup mma_dcp that will work with any split-skin, located in "a/mobile/system"
2. one "e/icon" folder with 53 gif files (that is your main menu)
3. one "e/mini" folder that are the small (19x19) icons
3. one "12icon-full_screen_240x287.ski" file, that is the S4M import module
4. one "Icons for split skin" folder full of gif files, needed to replace not-needed icons with 1x1 transparent icons to keep skin size down.
5. a "New-Main-Menu-split-skin.doc/pdf" file that gives you the overview of the mma layout , main menus and submenus, together with the linked gif file name, which are all in e/icon, as well as the corresponding gif file number for the small icons in e/mini.
6. one split skin called DarkBlue to go with the main menu (e/icon)
Furthermore you will need
1. S4M with V3x module (V3x for older skins, New-V3x for newer skins)
2. a competent gif editor, capable to create animated gif files
3. a file manager to transfer files from and to your V3x, e.g. P2K Commander or Leader GL
To change any V3x skin, it does not matter if it is a 12 icon or 16 icon skin, you have to open it in S4M with the correct V3x module.
Next uncheck the "Light-Skin" option and just below that is the "Import" option. In the opening window choose the top option, "Skin/MODs".
Now navigate to the "12icon-full_screen_240x287.ski" file and choose that.
So far the skin code has been altered to work now as a full screen split skin. OK, next step is to copy all gif files from the "Icons for split skin" folder into the "gifs" folder that S4M created inside the V3x skin folder you have open now. If you get the message "Do you want to replace the...with...?" then say yes.
Now all the gif files you replaced in the skin are icons and graphics you do not need in a split skin. All those replaced icons are now 1x1 in size and transparent. You still need the gif files because otherwise S4M will give you lots of error messages and might even crash. Anyway now that you have replaced those not-needed icons you can now save the skin, either by its original name or "save as" something else.
OK, job done, you just changed a V3x skin into a V3x split-skin.
Use a file manager to transfer the new split skin onto your V3x.
You also can now transfer the mma_ucp into a/mobile/system.
Great, now you have a split skin and a mma that works with it, but you still need the main menu.
It is so easy to make your own, maybe even a very personal with photos from you, family, friend or pets.
And here is how it goes.
Copy the "e/icon" folder from the V3x-split-skin-toolkit somewhere on your PC.
Now use a gif editor and make your own animated gifs as long as they are in the format of 240x287.
You also have to use the exact file names (very,very important for the mma to work correctly).
For example if the original Multimedia main menu gif file is called "media_ani.gif" then your Multimedia main menu gif file has to be called "media_ani.gif", that's why you have copied the e/icon folder onto your PC because all gif names are there. You only can change 52 out of the 53 gif files, do not change the "blank.gif" file or your V3x might show some strange behaviour.
Once you have finished all your "new" main menu (52 gif files with the same names and the size of 240x287) you can copy them into e/icon on your V3x.
To install the main menu you have to go into your e/partition and create a new folder called "icon".
Now just copy the 53 gif files from the "e/icon" folder that you just created into the e/icon folder on your V3x.
When done you just have installed your main menu.
Nearly finished, you have to create also a "mini" folder on the e/partition of the V3x and inside that you copy the 50 gif files that are in the "e/mini" folder in the V3x split-skin toolkit. Those are the small (19x19) icons for each mma entry (50 because there are some that are used twice, like 1095.gif is for the main menu folder "My Camcorder" and for the submenu "Camcorder"). Why bother with them you might ask. Well if you go to Settings -> Personalise -> Home Screen -> Home keys and change one of the 4 key shortcuts you can see a little icon on the right for each entry, but also sometimes they are displayed when the submenu is opened.
Anyway these little icons can also be edited, but keep the size to 19x19! Alternative you can use those icons from a different skin by just copying the corresponding gif files. There are however 7 gif files (1.gif -7.gif) that are new because there are 5 new main menu folders and 2 submenues (Airplane Mode and Voice Dial) that needed changeable icons.
Reboot your V3x and you can enjoy the full screen main menu with any split skin and because the skins are quite small in size you easily can have 10 different split skins on your V3x.
Once a V3x skin has been changed into a V3x split-skin it still can be edited with S4M just as any other V3x skin.
To change the main menu you still need the PC because you have to copy 53 gif file into e/icon on your V3x. But here is a tip for those that like to change the main menu look more often. I have 4 "icon" folder on the e/ partition on my V3x : e/icon, e/icon1, e/icon2 and e/icon3. I also made 4 different mma's each of them pointing to one different e/icon folder. Now I just have to change the mma and I have a new main menu look. Because all 4 mma's are called mma_ucp and you can not see what mma is pointing to what e/icon folder, I have copied the correct mma into the correct e/icon folder. For example I copied the mma that is pointing to the e/icon3 folder into e/icon3. This way I know what mma does what and I also know where it is and now I only have to copy the mma from e/icon2 to a/mobile/system if I want the main menu look that is in e/icon2.
Reboot and enjoy the "new" main menu that will work with any other V3x split-skin.
And that's all that is needed to give your V3x the personal touch.
Update: Just a little more about the split-skin concept here (http://www.rasputin007.co.uk/storage/webpages/split-skin/split-skin.htm), but only the top half.