Apps Moding widgets help

[Morias]

I apologize if this isn't the right forum for this question, but I am wanting to modify the look/reskin of some of the widgets I've downloaded from the market. I have found a number of guides for the actual process to how to do this, however, I cannot find any.apk files when I mount my phone. Are market apps apk files hidden, or do they not install to /data on the Samsung Epic do I need to download the apk's separately? Everything I have found make it sound like the apks should be on the phone somewhere. I have tried googling for where they are stored, and can't seem to find any location other than /data. Any help would be appreciated.

-Morias

 

[miXer]

The apk's are stored in /data/data/something or /data/something, but you need a rooted phone to get access to that folder.

 

[Morias]

Thanks. I'll start looking in to rooting more.

-Morias

 

[Sam Voss]

Morias, Just a warning, if you're new to android I'm just going to recommend that you learn your OS before rooting it, because you can do some damage, if not, I hope you enjoy your root! I know I do!

 

[Morias]

Yup. I am planning on reading up on it as much as I can before the root, because I don't know a whole lot about the OS, the process, or what ROMS are available. Also, not just so I don't brick my phone, but that way I can make the most out of the root. No sense doing it if you aren't going to use it, right?

I have been reading some of the posts on the "All Things Root" board and over at xda, but I still have a ways to go before I'll be comfortable enough to take the rooting step.

Thanks for the advice.