Shellbell67
12-20-2008, 03:33 PM
First you'll need to go to blackberry.com ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) and download the Theme Builder Studio for Blackberry
Installation will guide you to what programs are
needed to run the builder
Also Read the User Guide from Blackberry ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Click above to access the User Guide
You can also see video about building themes @
Blackberry.com here ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
I also recommend a good graphics program, which you
really need if you want to make custom banners, icons, change the color of the message indicators etc...
I've listed a few here
(Programs That Help Your Themes Look Great ([Only registered and activated users can see links]))
Ok you have multiple types of BB phones to build themes for, all with different dimensions for images .png files preferred
81xx - 240x260
82xx - 240x320
83xx - 320x240
85xx - 320x240
89xx- 480x360
Bold - 480x320
93xx- 320x240
Storm/Storm2 360x480
Tour- 480x360
97xx- 480x360
9800- 360x480
Also the theme builder has different style of themes you can make:
Zen
Today
Icon
Custom (Bottom dock, L shape, U Shape etc..)
Once you have the theme builder downloaded open it and select new, it will then give you choices on phones and styles select what you prefer.
You'll then see the inspector pane to the right hand side
The first box (Theme the banner) is where you can select fonts/colors for your time and date, network and unread. Change your banner image etc... Image below:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
MESSAGE about fonts
When selecting a font color look at your theme does the font look blurry or too bold? If so you can smooth it first by clicking the italic A button, then in the color palette click the white box with the red line through on the bottom of the color palette
See image below:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
It should look like this in the builder:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Another note about fonts...test test test in the simulator make sure the date isn't cut off with ... if this happens try lowering the size of the font, if that still doesn't work, you'll have to try another font as that particular font probably isn't compatible with the builder.
The second inspector pane (2nd box-Theme the Home screen) is where you can add your image .png file preferred as it's a clearer, cleaner image. In the custom setting you can add your icons to make bottom dock, L shaped themes. Remember to try different options, as in moving the battery, signal...colored banners, removing the banner. (graphics program needed to make transparent banner)
~~~IMAGE AS SHOWN FOR CUSTOM SETTING ONLY~~~
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Reposition button in image above
Custom Themes i.e bottom dock, L Shape etc... add your icons. Make sure you are in the custom build setting, you will see this option when making a new theme.This next part is an option, highlight all your icons, click the check box in the Properties tab that says show text, this will remove the text for bottom dock or L shaped themes, so you then can add and reposition text to where you desire by going to Theme Extras tab/Status Text. Now to reposition your icons. Highlight one of them by clicking on it in the box and just below the box you'll see reposition applications, (see image above) this is where you can move each icon you just added to the bottom of the screen or where you desire.
(Explanation for Bottom Dock)Now over the the right hand side you'll the the alignment panel, (see image below) go down to spacing and click the first option this will space your icons equally, now go up to alignment and select the 4th option the will align them to a perfect line. If you want the icons customizable you'll need to click on each icon you've added in the box so they're highlighted, (hold CTRL on your keyboard) go to properties and click "Use Device Application Order" your icons will now be customizable for the main screen, meaning you can have whatever icon you want from the applications section on the main screen of your theme when it's on your blackberry.
Alignment image
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Also you will notice at the bottom of the Theme the home screen selection a navigation tab, here you will need to align the icons so they scroll properly when on the Blackberry...for example bottom dock icons should be horizontal (straight across) not vertical. You can change this by clicking on the icons in the navigation tab to remove and add them back horizonatally.
Thrid inspector pane (Theme the Application list) is where you can add a second image for the applications part of the bb, where you can change the icons, edit the line up of the icons by going to edit application hierarchy. It's good to try some different things, such as moving the battery and signal icons, changing fonts, colors etc... so don't get frustrated just use your creativity, you'll be surprised what you come up with.
Fourth inspector pane (Delete/ok/cancel-Theme the controls) is where you can add you own icons for the question mark, exclamation etc.. change fonts/colors for the dialog box (some of the options you might need custom dialog buttons if you want to change the color, this is when a good graphics program comes in handy) Make sure when creating your own dialog buttons that you take note of the dimensions or you'll get an error when you export. You can find out the size of the dialog button or any thing in the builder by clicking the blue grid looking icon to the right of the buttons. Image below:
size grid image
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Fifth inspector pane (message icon-Theme the message list)
is where you can change the font/color in the message area of your phone. You can also change the envelopes and web icons. Again if you want to recolor these icons you'll need a graphics program.
Sixth inspector pane (phone icon) is where you can add an image to your incoming call screen, change the phone icons on the active selection and change the color and icons on the phone hotlists
Seventh inspector pane (lock icon) is where you can add an image for your lock screen change font/color
Eighth inspector pane (hourglass icon) is where you can change the hourglass (.gif) pointers, background message color (under applications) and progress color. Also you can change the background color of the messages list and change the application font color by clicking the application tab and choosing your preferred colors.
Testing your theme You can either test directly on your phone, or using a simulator designed for your phone. It acts just like a BB, you can test incoming calls, battery life, calling logs, fonts etc... Just go to [Only registered and activated users can see links] find the simulator that's for your phone, or the phone you're making the theme for...(Note-users running Vista or Windows 7 will need to right click on the install and run as admin) Download/Install, it will automatically install in the RIM folder you should need to do nothing from there. Once you're done building your theme, make sure you "Save As" otherwise the simulator won't work when you click the button at the top of the plazmic tool bar. Everytime you make changes you need to "Save As" again...click on the phone icon at the top of plazmic (toolbar) the simulator will start processing your theme, test your theme and take screenshots by clicking edit copy lcd and pasting into your graphics program or paint program.
I hope this has helped out in learning the basics about theme building, soon you'll be on your way to making awesome themes. Each time you build one you'll learn more and more about the builder and with each time you're themes will get better and better. Have fun!
Any questions that haven't been covered here please ask in the "theme help and how-to" forum
Thanks and have a great day!
Installation will guide you to what programs are
needed to run the builder
Also Read the User Guide from Blackberry ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Click above to access the User Guide
You can also see video about building themes @
Blackberry.com here ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
I also recommend a good graphics program, which you
really need if you want to make custom banners, icons, change the color of the message indicators etc...
I've listed a few here
(Programs That Help Your Themes Look Great ([Only registered and activated users can see links]))
Ok you have multiple types of BB phones to build themes for, all with different dimensions for images .png files preferred
81xx - 240x260
82xx - 240x320
83xx - 320x240
85xx - 320x240
89xx- 480x360
Bold - 480x320
93xx- 320x240
Storm/Storm2 360x480
Tour- 480x360
97xx- 480x360
9800- 360x480
Also the theme builder has different style of themes you can make:
Zen
Today
Icon
Custom (Bottom dock, L shape, U Shape etc..)
Once you have the theme builder downloaded open it and select new, it will then give you choices on phones and styles select what you prefer.
You'll then see the inspector pane to the right hand side
The first box (Theme the banner) is where you can select fonts/colors for your time and date, network and unread. Change your banner image etc... Image below:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
MESSAGE about fonts
When selecting a font color look at your theme does the font look blurry or too bold? If so you can smooth it first by clicking the italic A button, then in the color palette click the white box with the red line through on the bottom of the color palette
See image below:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
It should look like this in the builder:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Another note about fonts...test test test in the simulator make sure the date isn't cut off with ... if this happens try lowering the size of the font, if that still doesn't work, you'll have to try another font as that particular font probably isn't compatible with the builder.
The second inspector pane (2nd box-Theme the Home screen) is where you can add your image .png file preferred as it's a clearer, cleaner image. In the custom setting you can add your icons to make bottom dock, L shaped themes. Remember to try different options, as in moving the battery, signal...colored banners, removing the banner. (graphics program needed to make transparent banner)
~~~IMAGE AS SHOWN FOR CUSTOM SETTING ONLY~~~
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Reposition button in image above
Custom Themes i.e bottom dock, L Shape etc... add your icons. Make sure you are in the custom build setting, you will see this option when making a new theme.This next part is an option, highlight all your icons, click the check box in the Properties tab that says show text, this will remove the text for bottom dock or L shaped themes, so you then can add and reposition text to where you desire by going to Theme Extras tab/Status Text. Now to reposition your icons. Highlight one of them by clicking on it in the box and just below the box you'll see reposition applications, (see image above) this is where you can move each icon you just added to the bottom of the screen or where you desire.
(Explanation for Bottom Dock)Now over the the right hand side you'll the the alignment panel, (see image below) go down to spacing and click the first option this will space your icons equally, now go up to alignment and select the 4th option the will align them to a perfect line. If you want the icons customizable you'll need to click on each icon you've added in the box so they're highlighted, (hold CTRL on your keyboard) go to properties and click "Use Device Application Order" your icons will now be customizable for the main screen, meaning you can have whatever icon you want from the applications section on the main screen of your theme when it's on your blackberry.
Alignment image
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Also you will notice at the bottom of the Theme the home screen selection a navigation tab, here you will need to align the icons so they scroll properly when on the Blackberry...for example bottom dock icons should be horizontal (straight across) not vertical. You can change this by clicking on the icons in the navigation tab to remove and add them back horizonatally.
Thrid inspector pane (Theme the Application list) is where you can add a second image for the applications part of the bb, where you can change the icons, edit the line up of the icons by going to edit application hierarchy. It's good to try some different things, such as moving the battery and signal icons, changing fonts, colors etc... so don't get frustrated just use your creativity, you'll be surprised what you come up with.
Fourth inspector pane (Delete/ok/cancel-Theme the controls) is where you can add you own icons for the question mark, exclamation etc.. change fonts/colors for the dialog box (some of the options you might need custom dialog buttons if you want to change the color, this is when a good graphics program comes in handy) Make sure when creating your own dialog buttons that you take note of the dimensions or you'll get an error when you export. You can find out the size of the dialog button or any thing in the builder by clicking the blue grid looking icon to the right of the buttons. Image below:
size grid image
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Fifth inspector pane (message icon-Theme the message list)
is where you can change the font/color in the message area of your phone. You can also change the envelopes and web icons. Again if you want to recolor these icons you'll need a graphics program.
Sixth inspector pane (phone icon) is where you can add an image to your incoming call screen, change the phone icons on the active selection and change the color and icons on the phone hotlists
Seventh inspector pane (lock icon) is where you can add an image for your lock screen change font/color
Eighth inspector pane (hourglass icon) is where you can change the hourglass (.gif) pointers, background message color (under applications) and progress color. Also you can change the background color of the messages list and change the application font color by clicking the application tab and choosing your preferred colors.
Testing your theme You can either test directly on your phone, or using a simulator designed for your phone. It acts just like a BB, you can test incoming calls, battery life, calling logs, fonts etc... Just go to [Only registered and activated users can see links] find the simulator that's for your phone, or the phone you're making the theme for...(Note-users running Vista or Windows 7 will need to right click on the install and run as admin) Download/Install, it will automatically install in the RIM folder you should need to do nothing from there. Once you're done building your theme, make sure you "Save As" otherwise the simulator won't work when you click the button at the top of the plazmic tool bar. Everytime you make changes you need to "Save As" again...click on the phone icon at the top of plazmic (toolbar) the simulator will start processing your theme, test your theme and take screenshots by clicking edit copy lcd and pasting into your graphics program or paint program.
I hope this has helped out in learning the basics about theme building, soon you'll be on your way to making awesome themes. Each time you build one you'll learn more and more about the builder and with each time you're themes will get better and better. Have fun!
Any questions that haven't been covered here please ask in the "theme help and how-to" forum
Thanks and have a great day!