i must be stupid because i have read the entire thread about 3 times for changing the clock colour, adding the cancel button and adding on the km/h reading. And i am still puzzled to where i have to insert those lines to. can someone lead me in the right direction pleas?

 

 

Here the steps:

 

On your AVIC you have to get into testmode (the Windows screen). Do that by putting the testmode and MitaCap folders on your SD card. Use the stylus and triple-click on any folders. When you are there, hit start, go into Windows Explorer, then "My flash disk", then "iGo", then "APL2". In there, there is a file called simply "DATA" with a generic windows icon. THAT is the key file where most of these changes are being made. Either copy that file to your SD card (open up another Windows Explorer box) and click on your SD card, OR use one of the ones we have posted in the thread.

 

Take that data file on your PC and explore it, do NOT extract the files. In there, click on ui_pioneer, then 800_480. In that folder you see a bunch of BMP's and SPR files. That's where you drag the killroute.bmp into. Then click on the ui folder and click on "navigatemap_800_480". That's where you change fonts, sizes, add the delete route code, etc.

 

I'd copy the original "navigatemap_800_480.ui" file to a safe place. When you have made your changes, save it with a ui extension to the desktop. Then drag it where the real navigatemap_800_480 file is and say yes when it asks if you want to replace.

 

Take the new data.zip, copy to your SD card, go back to the original DATA file, rename it, then drag the DATA.zip from the SD card into where the old DATA file was.

 

Boom, the AVIC uses the modded DATA.zip.

 

To add the lines of code for the delete route button, copy and paste Stephanie's code into navigatemap_800_480.ui right here:

 

;time

 

map.ISROUTEVALID vValidRoute vDeletableRoute

runif vValidRoute 1 sc_btnARM_Itineary_OnRelease

Geatly appreciated thank you so much lemonhead. I know how to get in to test mode just was unclear of where to place the files. Thanks again am in the process of trying it now

Stephanie, I can't get the clock to go into the very corner of the screen like yours, I tried y=5 but it moved it way down for some reason. What y coordinate do you have yours at? Thanks!

Here is the clock code from my navigatemap_800_480.ui file:

I don't remember all the changes I have made but I think one of them may have been to the template... from xtxt to xtxt2.

One other random comment, about these elements. The x= and y= are obvious, w= is the width of the element, h= is the height of the element. You'll see z= quite a bit, that sets how the elements are 'layered' on the screen. If you put two things in the same place on the screen, the lower z number is at the 'back' and the higher z number is in 'front'.

mazda_3, the files we are working on are contained within a zip file. On the nav unit, once you're in "testmode" aka Windows, launch explorer then go to My Flash Drive\APL2\iGo and you'll see the file in there, "data.zip". Most of the stuff we are doing, is in that file. Copy that out of the nav unit onto your SD card then you can work on it, on your computer. Or if you prefer, somewhere around page 3 or 4 of this thread, I have linked to a data.zip that you can download - it has the "blue boxes" removed already, but is otherwise untouched.

Inside data.zip the files we are working with are in data.zip\ui_pioneer\800_480\ui and data.zip\ui_pioneer\common\ui

If you want to change the clock colour and font, the exact file to change is data.zip\ui_pioneer\800_480\ui\navigatemap_800_480.ui

Actually, I'll attach my navigatemap_800_480.ui file so people can have a look at it - please please don't just throw it in your data.zip as-is or you will probably be unhappy with the results. I've added a bunch of comments to it, and I have commented out things I don't want, and hidden a lot of stuff. Everything I'm doing on my map screen is in the very first section at the top of the file. Everything else below that I have hidden, suppressed, or never figured out what it did in the first place. You should be able to see though how I've done things such as the speed in the corner, the static text, etc.

navigatemap_800_480.ui.zip

I'm not using a Mac for this, I'm using Windows to 'explore' the data.zip rather than unzipping then rezipping it. Just double click the zip file, and navigate to the right directory to find the file to edit. I'm using notepad to make the changes, then notepad won't save back into the zip file so I save to the desktop then copy it into the zip file.

 

When I tried unzipping, making changes on the Mac, then rezipping, the nav unit refused to accept my new zip file, it gave an error and wouldn't start the mapping software.

The reason it did that is mac os x is retarded in the way it deals with archiving. Instead of selecting the data.zip folder open the folder, Apple+A, then right click and select compress.

If you select the folder and compress it makes a data.zip with a data folder at the root ie. data.zip->data->contents of folder.

The reason it did that is mac os x is retarded in the way it deals with archiving. Instead of selecting the data.zip folder open the folder, Apple+A, then right click and select compress.

 

If you select the folder and compress it makes a data.zip with a data folder at the root ie. data.zip->data->contents of folder.

Wow - I never noticed this. Thank you gjas18!

Someone upthread asked about getting a copy of my entire data.zip file. The file can be downloaded from here. You also need to get three free fonts from http://www.simplythebest.net/fonts/ in order to complete the package. The three fonts are "Final Frontier New", "Final Frontier Old", and "Space Age".

All four files (the zip and the three fonts) need to be given the following filenames:

data.zip

finalold.ttf

finalnew.ttf

space.ttf

All four files go in your iGo directory: My Flash Drive\APL2\iGo

Presumably you would want to edit out my name and put yours in; my name appears in navigatemap_800_480.ui and a few times in start.ui

What this data.zip file does:

* no 'blue boxes' of course

* uses 2D, north-up navigation mode ONLY

* Large time readout in upper right

* Large speed readout in lower left

* Altitude readout in lower left

* Delete Route button, when a route is plotted

* Next turn graphic, and second next turn graphic appears (normally they're only available in 3d mode)

* The icon in the lower left, beside the current street name, is a button which takes you to the Navigation main menu.

* Compass is suppressed -- not needed since north is always up

* 3d button is suppressed

* Most of the map screen 'clutter' is gone, leaving most of the screen available for the map.

What this data.zip doesn't do:

* Doesn't silence the keybeeps (that has nothing to do with the nav software or skins)

* Doesn't speed up your boot time

* Doesn't bypass the drive safe screen

Cheers!

so what happens when new firmware comes out? won't all this go to waste? or will you just have to have a spare copy of the data.zip so you can move it back over again?

you send it in and tell them you got it like that they have no way of proving that you messed with it. Sure these forums are here but g/l matching up the poster with this unit. If they have no hard evidence they have no right to void warranty. The company may notice its not original but they have to prove you did it b4 they can void it. Thats the way t is in my line of work anyways.

You're right that they can't prove you did it, but they have enough evidence to show that it has been tampered with. One dead giveaway would be the data-bak file you make, and anybody with common sense will make a backup file before tampering. There's no reason not to. Once they see a different clock, new font, rearranged buttons, AND a back-up data file, they'll have enough probable cause to void your warranty. I mean you can argue that that's how you got it, but if you really got a unit that different form everyone else's, wouldn't you call Pioneer about it? And they've made thousands of these units with the same files, how can one be that different? I'm not trying to pick you out of the bunch and say you're wrong, but I wouldn't want him thinking Pioneer will still honor their warranty, then if something happens he's screwed because he didn't know better.

so what happens when new firmware comes out? won't all this go to waste? or will you just have to have a spare copy of the data.zip so you can move it back over again?

We don't know. The first thing we will have to see is what changes they made by examining the update files...and see if its even worth applying.

so what happens when new firmware comes out? won't all this go to waste? or will you just have to have a spare copy of the data.zip so you can move it back over again?

 

We don't know. The first thing we will have to see is what changes they made by examining the update files...and see if its even worth applying.

The update was released in Europe. One member who updated it said the boot time was reduced to about 30 seconds full boot. A lot of members will find that reason alone to be a reason to update theirs

so what happens when new firmware comes out? won't all this go to waste? or will you just have to have a spare copy of the data.zip so you can move it back over again?

 

We don't know. The first thing we will have to see is what changes they made by examining the update files...and see if its even worth applying.

 

The update was released in Europe. One member who updated it said the boot time was reduced to about 30 seconds full boot. A lot of members will find that reason alone to be a reason to update theirs

Well that's my point. We have to examine the update files first to see if it will affect any modding we've done...no point in looking the EU files they might be different.

(First post on this forum, so I hope its posted in the right thread...)

I personally like the blue boxes, so I've modified the navigatemap_800_480.ui in such away that the blue boxes only appear when navigating. The streetnames are easier to read then.

For this solution you don't have to replace the bmps, only some code needs to be added:

Find this piece of code in the navigatemap_800_480.ui file:

;road name picture

And replace with

 ;road name picture

A bit lower in the file, replace this (credits to Stephanie):

by this:

As you see, the trick is in the visiblemodel="navigation.distance_to_manuver.valid".

This enables/disables objects on the screen while navigating.

Works perfectly wel on my F900BT!

For my contacts I also used the SQLight browser tool, but exported the database to Excel. Modified whatever I wanted (including the sort order of the contacts) and imported back into the db file.

Great forum, by the way! Cheers

Good work Giessen - I don't know why that didn't work when I tried it; maybe I messed it up. That's what I was trying to do originally, anyhow

Re. a firmware update, I figure the worst-case scenario is that they release an update that replaces our customized data.zip with their original one, and closes the testmode door so we can't get in any more.

I've examined the first update thoroughly and I know that before I apply a new one, I'll modify it to contain my own data.zip and fonts etc.

That, and maybe wait for someone else to apply it, and then find out what exactly it does and if testmode is still available afterwards

I will be working to find a way to dump the rom today just as soon as I obtain the vender info for the chip. I have several way to read the data without physically removing the chip but I have to know the pin outs. You know... these roms are blank when they are machined onto the board and there is always a physical way to program them after manufacturing.

BTW Steph.. I like what you have done with the Data. file but I really really want to keep the 3D feature. Like I said I have little skill with windows scripts. What I would my F90 to look like.

Clock on EVERY screen

No boxes when not navigating--but show up when navigating

The delete nav button placed below all the other buttons

Basically The GUI to stay stock looking with the addition of the kill button and more clocks.

This is a great thread. Reminds me of the old Dish hacking days. At least there is no security code to deal with in the AVIC

Oh and on the thought of new updates locking down the access to the OS.

They can very well do that... Once we know that has been done all we have to do is install a back door. But the new units being sold with the updated software wont be so lucky. I can think of several ways Pionner could make it very tough to get back in but I really do not know why they would go to that trouble.

but I really do not know why they would go to that trouble.

agreed, you'd think they'd leave it alone....more people tampering with the unit = more voided warranties.

One thing is as long as there is an upgrade path, there is a way to get in...the challenge is to figure it out. A few years back I was playing with an embeded linux device called a Zipit. Somebody figured out the manufacturer's upgrade path and after that the door was wide open. So you could probably take their upgrade files and use them to install your own software. Just find where the version info is kept and increment it, so the device thinks you're installing even newer software.

As for why they might want to stop (or at least slow down) the tinkerers, who knows. Some companies seem happy to pretend we don't exist, sort of a silent understanding; while others for whatever reason get all bent out of shape and work very hard to 'protect' the product from us.

I unfortunately don't know enough about Windows, but I was wondering if it would be possible to add a button somewhere -- maybe in the nav settings menu -- that would simply launch explorer. There is an execute command in the iGo scripts, but it is being used with a few arguments, and I don't know if it actually executes a program or just executes some built in functions. One of these days though I'll give it a try... If we could launch explorer though from inside the normal UI then we probably wouldn't need the 'testmode' method of getting in...

Changing map colors is pretty simple. Go into the igo folder->content->schemes and grab one of the .zip files unzip it or explore it. (I did it by unzipping then rezipping it in OSX 10.5 just fine) Edit the files called color.ini and color3D.ini. All of the colors are in RGB values.

 

If you want an explanation of what some of the lines change go here http://www.navguide.net/igomiofan/color-maps/create-your-own-color-scheme/

 

 

Also when you edit the files make sure you change the name and specify if the map is day or night. The website above shows how to do this.

Ok , been editing the color.ini and the color3d.ini but can't for the life of me figure out how to change the night back ground to black instead of brown. It seems like the only option is to change the colors of roads, highway, etc... Anyone know if I looking in the right spot?

I know if you go in the directory where I found all those bmps

http://www.avic411.com/forum/viewtopic. ... guide+bmps

there's a template for the 3D textures in the day time...look around there and see if you can find the day or the night...reason I also said day is they could be 2 in 1 template.

The reason it did that is mac os x is retarded in the way it deals with archiving. Instead of selecting the data.zip folder open the folder, Apple+A, then right click and select compress.

 

If you select the folder and compress it makes a data.zip with a data folder at the root ie. data.zip->data->contents of folder.

 

Wow - I never noticed this. Thank you gjas18!

Unfortunately this still doesn't work. OS X inserts a _MAC OS X folder into the zip that the F-Series doesn't like.

Here's just a small mod, but there are probably some people interested in it.

Here's just a small mod, but there are probably some people interested in it.

Nice! Was that the daycar.bmp file that you changed?

Ok folks, this stuff is really getting interesting. I wanted to request that since these threads are starting to get really long that we go ahead and start new threads for each hack with simplified and final instructions and PM jason h to sticky them. This will make it much easier for people to find these hacks at the forum. Keep up the awesome work.

Here's just a small mod, but there are probably some people interested in it.

Can the car icon be displayed in 3D view?

Here's just a small mod, but there are probably some people interested in it.

 

Can the car icon be displayed in 3D view?

it probably needs a bunch of views so you can rotate it

very nice!

Nice! Was that the daycar.bmp file that you changed?

Yep, daycar.bmp and nightcar.bmp are the graphics for 2D view. They (and all of the other graphics) do use Alpha channel transparency, so you need to be aware of that when making them.

I'll start another thread about this with concise instructions.

Can the car icon be displayed in 3D view?

Not without access to Pro Motion. In 2D mode a regular BMP is used, in 3D mode, to account for the ability to change the angle, daycar.spr and nightcar.spr are used. If anyone has Pro Motion I would love to see what we can come up with.

it probably needs a bunch of views so you can rotate it

Correct, see above.