Using Cool Reader background in FBreader

[SteveK]

I generally use FBReader on my tablet, but I like the "paper1" background in CoolReader as I find it very easy on my eyes. The sepia background in FBReader is close, but I still prefer the paper1 background.

Is there a way I can use this background in FBReader? I would think I could copy the file, but I don't know where either app stores the backgrounds it uses, and it may not be possible to use it anyway.

If there is no way to use a different background, I may use CoolReader for fiction and FBReader for non-fiction, as CoolReader doesn't seem to be able to access footnotes, which obviously isn't a factor when reading fiction.

Thanks in advance for any information you may be able to provide.

[JimmyR]

You can most likely extract the background from the apk, which is just a zip archive* with a different extension.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/cren...er3/cr3-3.1.2/

* You can rename the apk with a zip extension and then open it with your favourite zip program. I use 7-zip which allows you to right-click > Open Archive without renaming first.

ETA:
Here is the background from Cool Reader and another I use:

[SteveK]

Thanks JimmyR,I'll see what I can do. The background you use is also easy on the eyes. White can sometimes be too bright while other colors can be too dark, but both backounds above are perfect.
Assuming I'm able to extract the background, how would I add it to FBReader?
Thanks for your reply-I was beginning to think I "stumped the band" or had asked a ridiculous question!
SteveK

[JimmyR]

Hi Steve,

You should be able to use the backgrounds I attached in my post. Copy or download them to your Android device and browse to them in the FBReader options:

Settings > Colors & wallpapers > Background > Select File

[SteveK]

JimmyR- something isn't working right. I've downloaded the files and they are listed, but I wind up with a slightly gray background in the text and a darker gray in the small "background" box on the options page. Does the file need an extension other than jpg? Also, I get an "unable to open file" error message when I try to open ut with an image browser. I may try to d/l to my PC and transfer to my tablet and see if I have any luck,as the files displayed onscreen on my tablet and were not shown as attachments.

Thanks again for your help.
SteveK

[JimmyR]

Hmm, I'm sorry but I don't really know what might be going wrong. Downloading to your PC and transferring to your tablet sounds like a good plan. Also, JPG files should work. I just tested one of the images in my post and it was OK.

What is the resolution of your tablet? You may need to resize the images to match. I can't recall if FBReader tiles or resizes...

[SteveK]

JimmyR- I might be getting closer. When I downloaded to my PC then transferred to my laptop via Google drive, the images do show up, but not accurately, as there are distinct horizontal and/or vertical lines on all three images, so it's like looking at the page through a screen door, rather pronounced in some cases.

Your recommendation to resize the image may be a good one. My tablet has a resolution of 1980x1200, so it is probably GREATLY magnifying the image file, resulting in the unwanted horizontal and vertical lines. Now if I can just figure out how to resize...

Thanks for your recommendation.
SteveK

[JimmyR]

Try these:

Edit: you said 1980x1200. I'm used to 1920x1200... Let me try this again.

Which tablet do you have?

Uploaded 1980x1200 images.

[SteveK]

Jimmy- SUCCESS!!

You are correct, the Asus ME572C has a resolution of 1920x1200. I was able to resize the paper1 image (which is the one I wanted to use) with no problem, but the other two ended up with a fairly dark horizontal line about 3/4 of the way down, so perhaps I reversed the resolution for the online tool I used. At any rate, I think I can consider this effort to be a success, thanks to your help.

Thanks so much for your repeated responses.

SteveK

[JimmyR]

You're welcome. Glad I was able to help.

ETA: I guess you have to rotate the images depending on if you use portrait or landscape orientation. One would think the background would rotate along with the rest of the screen.