modifying a systemui apk file

[alpha2k]

I will start off saying I am new to this as the title , so I will probably ask a lot of redundant questions and noobie questions, I hope that's ok.
What I want to do (for now):I am attempting to do is modify the systemui.apk file. I would think that would be a fairly easy task, but with my VERY limited knowlege of things I'm not sure.The file has a lot of icons for customizability, but I want to add some of my own, or rather this phones icons(samung epic 4g) default icons.
I have the icons I grabbed from a stock rom, and saved them.I have the toggles, and battery icons, which are what I want to add into the systemui.apk. Iwill probably call it something like Samsung default, since default name is already taken.So all that said, how easy would it be for me, someone who has never even attempted this before, but has a small amount of knowledge of what stuff is, ie: difference between odex and deodex, where the files are located at, etc?Stuff like what file/files to edit, what to put in the xml files as in what line coding or whatever they call it. Stuff like that.
I'm very simple in nature, so if there is a way to do what I want to do, please direct me in the right direction, and please, keep it simple if possible.I do realize there are tutorials about how to theme and how to make or edit a systemui file but I can't seem to find a more specific way/thread to do what I want to do, not that I have found anyways.

 

[alpha2k]

My guess is I will have to edit some xml files and add some lines, I just an not sure what exactly to put in those lines, or what files to edit.

Had to leave a second post, stupid phone or something was flaking out on edit, I'd choose the bottom, and it would paste the message at the top, kinda odd, so I decided to just leave a second post.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

This can be done with many apps . But i love the NINJA MORPH this is a framework application it changes the framework using PNG. Files these are located throughout the google search . Just type PNG DOWNLOAD. now this framework app is good you don't need xml or anything else . The lite version does something but the paid version does much more . Post back if you need help .

 

[alpha2k]

I already have the images I need.
What I need to do is incorporate said images I already have into the systemui file and make the os use those, or give me the option to choose them.
That takes editing certain xml files to let them know what icon to call.
I'm guessing you were assuming I need the images, but I shady have them.

I just an not sure what line to enter in the xml files or what files I need to edit. I do know however where to place the images.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Editing xml can be done without a app. But xml takes longer and one wrong move you screwed this ninja morph you can edit png throughout the framework

 

[alpha2k]

Editing xml can be done without a app. But xml takes longer and one wrong move you screwed this ninja morph you can edit png throughout the framework

I'm not editing any pics though, that's what I'm saying....I already have all the pics/icons I need.........as in I have no editing of ANY picture what so ever......no icons, no symbols, nothing.....I have the icons already on hand.

I want to say use pic1, instead of pic3, so I want to go to settings, pick out pic1 and say "hey system" use this pic instead of the other.
I already have the pics/png's on hand, so I'm at a loss why would I want to edit the png at all? I guess I'm not understanding what you are trying to express to me to do.

To my understanding, a png is a picture file, just as a jpg and gif is a picture. I already have the "final" versions of the icons/png's/picture I want to use.
What I need is a way for the system to say as the example above I put, to use the png/icons/pictures that I choose not the preset ones.
The only way I know of to do this is thru the xml file like it explains on this page [TUT][JB] HOW TO THEME SystemUI.apk for TOTALLY newbie! - xda-developers to use.

The problem I run into is I am not sure what "line" to put in those xml files, therefor anything on that page or any other is a generic how-to tutorial, so if you don't know what lines to put in what files, it's not gonna do any good.


So I guess I'm at a loss, why exactly am I going to edit the png file if the picture is already completed?