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Resource: Dynamic Image

Dynamic Image Resources provide state-responsive visual assets that evaluate internal Android conditions, sensor feeds, or live provider data to display context-appropriate graphics in real time. Rather than behaving as static bitmaps, a Dynamic Image operates as an array of condition-mapped image slots.

Once configured and saved in the central library (Edit mode > Launcher options > Resources > Dynamic image), a dynamic image can be used across multiple page objects, button states, window frames, or widget backgrounds, updating globally whenever the master resource changes.

Dynamic images are managed and created through two access points:

Library Management & Aspect Ratios

  • Search (Magnifier): Filters saved and system dynamic image templates by label name.
  • Added Tab: Displays all active custom dynamic image sets saved to the current layout theme.
  • Aspect Ratio Tabs (e.g., 16:9, 19.5:9, 21:9): Manages preview proportions across varying screen dimensions to ensure radial sweeps, needles, and dials remain proportional on foldable devices or tablets.
  • Add (+): Opens the Dynamic Image generator dialog to build a new asset pack from system presets.

Dynamic Image Library

This next image is a sample dynamic image dialog (shown here is Mobile data) displays the default format.

The key elements in this image are:

  • Label - The name or title the user assigns to the specific dynamic image.
  • Type - While type here shows Mobile data, there are 16 other types of dynamic images in the Launcher. See the full discussion below.
  • Image - In this sample, Mobile Data has 2 images, or 2 slots. They represent On or Off images. Each “Dynamic Image” has its own number of designated slots (images) matched to a specific status; for example, Calendar or Weather has many more.

Adding Mobile Data Dynamic Image

Dynamic Image Categories & State Mappings

Selecting Type from this dialog provides access to 17 distinct functional categories:

Category Evaluated System State Configurable Slot Behavior
Battery status Charge level percentage (0% to 100%) and AC/USB charging flag. Dial arc sweep or discrete percentage steps; includes a specialized bolt icon slot for charging state.
Bluetooth Adapter state and active peripheral connections. Binary state slots: on and off.
Brightness mode Android system display brightness status. Binary state slots: Automatic (ambient sensor active) and Manual.
Calendar Current device system date. Multi-tier slots: Background, 12 Months, 7 Days of the week, 31 Days of the month, and Foreground.
Clock Internal system time. Multi-tier slots: Background, AM, PM, 24 discrete hour slots (0:00 to 23:00), 60 minute slots (00 to 59), and Foreground.
Do not disturb Interruption filter settings. Binary state slots: on and off.
Gmails (unread) Unread message counts from synchronized Google accounts. Multi-state slots: 0, 1, 2 … through 10+. *(Note: Dependent on Android permission grants).*
GPS / Location Hardware satellite sensor activity. Binary state slots: on and off.
Mobile data Cellular data connection state. Binary state slots: on and off.
Notification count Active system status bar notifications. Discrete numeric slots: 0, 1 … 10+. Requires Android Notification Access permission.
RAM usage Dynamic system memory consumption. Percentage interval steps (0% to 100%) mapped to dial gauge graphics.
Ringer mode Audio profile state. Three-state slots: Normal, Silent, and Vibrate.
Signal strength Cellular network carrier reception. Five discrete reception levels: Disconnected, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4.
Themed image Android OS Light / Dark mode configuration. Two discrete slots: Light theme and Dark theme.
Weather (OpenWeatherMap) Current conditions reported by location GPS. 18 condition slots (e.g., Sky is clear (day), Shower rain, Snow, etc.).
WiFi hotspot Portable access point tethering state. Binary state slots: on and off.
WiFi status Wireless network connectivity and signal quality. Five discrete tiers: Disconnected, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4.

The Layer Sandwich: Background, States, and Foreground

Complex dynamic categories (such as Clock and Calendar) utilize a three-stage stacking hierarchy to define the final graphic:

Background Plate → Dynamic Condition Slots → Foreground Frame

4. Advanced Customization & Creative Layout Techniques

A. Full-Screen Dynamic Weather Wallpapers (Z-Order Stacking)

While Total Launcher uses standard Android bitmaps for root system wallpapers, a Dynamic Image can serve as a live environmental wallpaper via canvas layering:

See Dynamic Images - Weather for more details.

B. The Invisible Zero-State (Auto-Hiding Badge Notifications)

When designing counters for notifications or unread Gmails, standard notification dots can clutter minimal designs when no alerts exist:

C. Native System Light/Dark Theme Adaptation

Modern Android versions (Android 10+) broadcast an operating system flag (UI_MODE_NIGHT) when switching between Light and Dark themes via scheduled sunset times or the Quick Settings panel.

D. Selective Time Customization

If an analog or digital clock requires a specific visual change at a single hour (such as changing color during evening hours), the entire 24-hour set does not need to be rebuilt:

E. Building a Dynamic Battery Level Ring: The Native Approach → The Circle Indicator Widget

  1. Add the Circle Indicator Widget:
    1. Long-press an empty space on the home screen, select Add > Widget, and choose Circle indicator from Total Launcher's built-in widget selection list.
    2. Verification: The Circle indicator configuration dialog opens immediately on the screen.
  2. Select the Target Resource:
    1. In the configuration dialog, tap the Target option.
      1. From the list of available device resources, choose Battery.
    2. Verification: The preview reflects the `% available` battery metric rather than RAM or Storage.
  3. Style Color and Background:
    1. In the same dialog:
      1. Color: Tap to choose the stroke/meter color using either the standard Color Picker or dynamic color definitions.
      2. Background: Optionally define the widget container's background (e.g., solid color, shape, or empty/transparent).
      3. Margins: Adjust container margins if needed for layout alignment.
    2. Verification: The indicator preview shows the chosen palette and container styling.
  4. Confirm and Place:
    1. Confirm selections to place the widget on the layout.
    2. Verification: The radial battery ring appears on the screen and accurately mirrors the current battery percentage.

Creating a Live Calendar Icon Badge

  1. Add the Background Graphic:
    1. Long-press any empty space on the screen and select Add > Graphic (or Image). Load the calendar frame artwork (e.g., the white card with the red header). Tap the checkmark to place it.
    2. Verification: The calendar frame sits on the screen and can be moved or resized.
  2. Add the Dynamic Date Text:
    1. Long-press the screen, choose Add > Text, and tap the Edit (pencil) icon to open text properties.
      1. In the text field: Tap the dynamic tag button (or type the date format variable 'd' for single-digit or 'dd' for two-digit day).
      2. Under text style, set Alignment to Center, choose the font, and set the text color to #FF212121.
    2. Verification: The text object displays the current numerical day of the month on the screen.3.Position and Group:
  3. Drag the date text directly over the body of the calendar graphic.
    1. Long-press to enter multi-select mode, select both the graphic and the text, and tap Group.
    2. Verification: Dragging either item moves the entire calendar icon as one unified element.
  4. Assign the Tap Action:
    1. Select the newly created group, tap the Edit (pencil) icon, navigate to Action, and set it to Launch application > select the preferred Calendar app.
    2. Verification: Tapping the badge launches the calendar app immediately.

To populate custom dynamic image slots with cohesive assets, transparent PNG or WebP collections designed for open interface systems can be utilized:

Asset Preparation Tip:

When importing custom artwork for dials, clocks, or weather states, maintain consistent square dimensions (e.g., 256×256 or 512×512 pixels) and convert assets to `.webp` format to minimize memory consumption while preserving transparency.

Also see the UI Section on Dynamic Images.