Thread: HOW-TO: Add Custom Folder Icons for any Theme

I found a how-to for adding custom folder icon to your OS without creating an entire theme.. all you need is the right file manager for your blackberry and few of your favorite icons:.

STEPS:

1) FInd and download / copy folder icons to your blackberry's media card. These icons should be .png files of approximately 64x64 pixels, but any png will work (they are not resized in the OS's folder icon selection dialog, but will be resized on the actual folder button).

2) Install a BlackBerry file manager that allows viewing of hidden OS files, and has a copy / paste operation. For this how-to I will be using BBFileScout.

3) Open BBFileScout and browse to the folder on your media card that contains the folder icon that you would like to add to your BlackBerry OS. If you are going to be adding alot of icons I would suggest using BBFileScouts menu to "Add Dir as Favorite".

4) Select the .png icon file, and then select "Store <image-name>.png on Stack"; now browse back to the filesystem root and then to /system/samples/folder icons. select "Copy file-name.png to.." from the menu to paste the file into this directory. I also renamed them to keep the existing naming structure, but I don't think this is required. The icon is now available in the OS's dialog for selecting folder icons.. If you would like to add more I suggest you also "Add Dir as Favorite", and then use "Goto Favorite.." to jump between these directories



Just in case you are not familiar with setting folder icons, here is how it is done on my BlackBerry Storm 9530:

1) From the home screen "Add Folder", or select an existing folder and choose "Edit Folder" from the BB Menu.

2) Click on the Folder Icon and scroll through to find and select one your newly added icons. When ready, click "Save" ..on my phone the Save and Cancel buttons only work from this dialog when in portrait mode.. if they don't work, give it a try.

:cool2:



Credit: Tutorial: How to customize ALL folders icons in a theme - Discussed in Software & Theme dev forum - PinStack.com

PS.. I got my icons from kde-look.org (a site dedicated to customizing the linux KDE desktop)

Originally Posted by travisn000

I found a how-to for adding custom folder icon to your OS without creating an entire theme.. all you need is the right file manager for your blackberry and few of your favorite icons:.

STEPS:

1) FInd and download / copy folder icons to your blackberry's media card. These icons should be .png files of approximately 64x64 pixels, but any png will work (they are not resized in the OS's folder icon selection dialog, but will be resized on the actual folder button).

2) Install a BlackBerry file manager that allows viewing of hidden OS files, and has a copy / paste operation. For this how-to I will be using BBFileScout from 100% free|pay-what-you-want Software for BlackBerry Devices with OS 4.2.1 or higher

3) Open BBFileScout and browse to the folder on your media card that contains the folder icon that you would like to add to your BlackBerry OS. If you are going to be adding alot of icons I would suggest using BBFileScouts menu to "Add Dir as Favorite".

4) Select the .png icon file, and then select "Store <image-name>.png on Stack"; now browse back to the filesystem root and then to /system/samples/folder icons. select "Copy file-name.png to.." from the menu to paste the file into this directory. I also renamed them to keep the existing naming structure, but I don't think this is required. The icon is now available in the OS's dialog for selecting folder icons.. If you would like to add more I suggest you also "Add Dir as Favorite", and then use "Goto Favorite.." to jump between these directories



Just in case you are not familiar with setting folder icons, here is how it is done on my BlackBerry Storm 9530:

1) From the home screen "Add Folder", or select an existing folder and choose "Edit Folder" from the BB Menu.

2) Click on the Folder Icon and scroll through to find and select one your newly added icons. When ready, click "Save" ..on my phone the Save and Cancel buttons only work from this dialog when in portrait mode.. if they don't work, give it a try.

:cool2:

Great Post I'm going to have to give this a try.

Wirelessly posted (Tour 9630)

Excellent post thanks for posting

great tip. i just added my first one looks really good.next question...does anyone have a great set of folders they would like to share?

Originally Posted by travisn000

I found a how-to for adding custom folder icon to your OS without creating an entire theme.. all you need is the right file manager for your blackberry and few of your favorite icons:.

STEPS:

1) FInd and download / copy folder icons to your blackberry's media card. These icons should be .png files of approximately 64x64 pixels, but any png will work (they are not resized in the OS's folder icon selection dialog, but will be resized on the actual folder button).

2) Install a BlackBerry file manager that allows viewing of hidden OS files, and has a copy / paste operation. For this how-to I will be using BBFileScout from 100% free|pay-what-you-want Software for BlackBerry Devices with OS 4.2.1 or higher

3) Open BBFileScout and browse to the folder on your media card that contains the folder icon that you would like to add to your BlackBerry OS. If you are going to be adding alot of icons I would suggest using BBFileScouts menu to "Add Dir as Favorite".

4) Select the .png icon file, and then select "Store <image-name>.png on Stack"; now browse back to the filesystem root and then to /system/samples/folder icons. select "Copy file-name.png to.." from the menu to paste the file into this directory. I also renamed them to keep the existing naming structure, but I don't think this is required. The icon is now available in the OS's dialog for selecting folder icons.. If you would like to add more I suggest you also "Add Dir as Favorite", and then use "Goto Favorite.." to jump between these directories



Just in case you are not familiar with setting folder icons, here is how it is done on my BlackBerry Storm 9530:

1) From the home screen "Add Folder", or select an existing folder and choose "Edit Folder" from the BB Menu.

2) Click on the Folder Icon and scroll through to find and select one your newly added icons. When ready, click "Save" ..on my phone the Save and Cancel buttons only work from this dialog when in portrait mode.. if they don't work, give it a try.

:cool2:

Great tip! I have actually thought about trying to see if this would work. Thank you for confirming.:hail:

Originally Posted by Natemz

Great tip! I have actually thought about trying to see if this would work. Thank you for confirming.:hail:

speaking of someone who might have some great folders.......

Originally Posted by catstide

speaking of someone who might have some great folders.......

.....................................:22:

Here is one of my folders if someone wants to give it a try.

Originally Posted by Natemz

Here is one of my folders if someone wants to give it a try.

very nice...that works

here's a screenie of mine

Originally Posted by catstide

here's a screenie of mine

Ha, that's cool catside

Icons from kde-look.org, from a collection called OxygenRefit2-black

..GPL

..more from the same source / collection:

Very cool thanks for posting those up :fing02:

Ok, very cool, but I am presented with a slight problem.

Sprint 8330 4.5

When I upgraded to 4.2, I hated the Voice Activated Dialing, so I went in to the file structure and removed all of the associated files. I knew at the time that it would remove the ability for the funky colored "custom" folders.

When I used Sprint's theme, it was no big deal because they had a couple of premade folder icons that I used, such as Communities/IM/Entertainment.

But when I switched themes, I just have the really nifty yellow folders.

So I followed your instructions, but when I use BB File Scout, I don't have a "folders" subdirectory. And I can't create one. Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by travisn000

I found a how-to for adding custom folder icon to your OS without creating an entire theme.. all you need is the right file manager for your blackberry and few of your favorite icons:.

STEPS:

1) FInd and download / copy folder icons to your blackberry's media card. These icons should be .png files of approximately 64x64 pixels, but any png will work (they are not resized in the OS's folder icon selection dialog, but will be resized on the actual folder button).

2) Install a BlackBerry file manager that allows viewing of hidden OS files, and has a copy / paste operation. For this how-to I will be using BBFileScout.

3) Open BBFileScout and browse to the folder on your media card that contains the folder icon that you would like to add to your BlackBerry OS. If you are going to be adding alot of icons I would suggest using BBFileScouts menu to "Add Dir as Favorite".

4) Select the .png icon file, and then select "Store <image-name>.png on Stack"; now browse back to the filesystem root and then to /system/samples/folder icons. select "Copy file-name.png to.." from the menu to paste the file into this directory. I also renamed them to keep the existing naming structure, but I don't think this is required. The icon is now available in the OS's dialog for selecting folder icons.. If you would like to add more I suggest you also "Add Dir as Favorite", and then use "Goto Favorite.." to jump between these directories



Just in case you are not familiar with setting folder icons, here is how it is done on my BlackBerry Storm 9530:

1) From the home screen "Add Folder", or select an existing folder and choose "Edit Folder" from the BB Menu.

2) Click on the Folder Icon and scroll through to find and select one your newly added icons. When ready, click "Save" ..on my phone the Save and Cancel buttons only work from this dialog when in portrait mode.. if they don't work, give it a try.

:cool2:



Credit: Tutorial: How to customize ALL folders icons in a theme - Discussed in Software & Theme dev forum - PinStack.com

PS.. I got my icons from kde-look.org (a site dedicated to customizing the linux KDE desktop)

Just want to check this is on any BB right? 8330? My wife wanted me to make her a theme just to change the folder Icons. so this is a great post

Originally Posted by 5eleven

Ok, very cool, but I am presented with a slight problem.

Sprint 8330 4.5

When I upgraded to 4.2, I hated the Voice Activated Dialing, so I went in to the file structure and removed all of the associated files. I knew at the time that it would remove the ability for the funky colored "custom" folders.

When I used Sprint's theme, it was no big deal because they had a couple of premade folder icons that I used, such as Communities/IM/Entertainment.

But when I switched themes, I just have the really nifty yellow folders.

So I followed your instructions, but when I use BB File Scout, I don't have a "folders" subdirectory. And I can't create one. Any thoughts?

Welcome to BlackberryOS. I haven't gone through this entire process personally but reading over the instructions and your problem, it sounds like you may not be following the steps correctly.

Originally Posted by 5eleven

Ok, very cool, but I am presented with a slight problem.

Sprint 8330 4.5

When I upgraded to 4.2, I hated the Voice Activated Dialing, so I went in to the file structure and removed all of the associated files. I knew at the time that it would remove the ability for the funky colored "custom" folders.

When I used Sprint's theme, it was no big deal because they had a couple of premade folder icons that I used, such as Communities/IM/Entertainment.

But when I switched themes, I just have the really nifty yellow folders.

So I followed your instructions, but when I use BB File Scout, I don't have a "folders" subdirectory. And I can't create one. Any thoughts?

you should be able to create a directory in the system/samples folder. i can do it on the storm and i believe you should be able to do it on your curve since it is a function of BBfilescout. open up your system/sample folder and hit your menu button and select create new directory. if you don't have a sample folder,back up one step,create a samples folder then create a "folder icons" folder within it.

This is some great information. I am going to get back into making themes this weekend.

Originally Posted by travisn000

I found a how-to for adding custom folder icon to your OS without creating an entire theme.. all you need is the right file manager for your blackberry and few of your favorite icons:.

STEPS:

1) FInd and download / copy folder icons to your blackberry's media card. These icons should be .png files of approximately 64x64 pixels, but any png will work (they are not resized in the OS's folder icon selection dialog, but will be resized on the actual folder button).

2) Install a BlackBerry file manager that allows viewing of hidden OS files, and has a copy / paste operation. For this how-to I will be using BBFileScout.

3) Open BBFileScout and browse to the folder on your media card that contains the folder icon that you would like to add to your BlackBerry OS. If you are going to be adding alot of icons I would suggest using BBFileScouts menu to "Add Dir as Favorite".

4) Select the .png icon file, and then select "Store <image-name>.png on Stack"; now browse back to the filesystem root and then to /system/samples/folder icons. select "Copy file-name.png to.." from the menu to paste the file into this directory. I also renamed them to keep the existing naming structure, but I don't think this is required. The icon is now available in the OS's dialog for selecting folder icons.. If you would like to add more I suggest you also "Add Dir as Favorite", and then use "Goto Favorite.." to jump between these directories



Just in case you are not familiar with setting folder icons, here is how it is done on my BlackBerry Storm 9530:

1) From the home screen "Add Folder", or select an existing folder and choose "Edit Folder" from the BB Menu.

2) Click on the Folder Icon and scroll through to find and select one your newly added icons. When ready, click "Save" ..on my phone the Save and Cancel buttons only work from this dialog when in portrait mode.. if they don't work, give it a try.

:cool2:



Credit: Tutorial: How to customize ALL folders icons in a theme - Discussed in Software & Theme dev forum - PinStack.com

PS.. I got my icons from kde-look.org (a site dedicated to customizing the linux KDE desktop)

This looks great, and I've downloaded the FileScout, but the phone doesn't allow me to paste the .png icon file to samples folder.
Does anyone know how to resolve that problem?
I've even tried building my own theme with Plazmic Theme builder, but it only offers setting up the default folder icon.
I'm 8900 Curve user