WatchMaker - unpacking the .watch file - updated!

WatchMaker has been enhanced since I wrote this post originally, so I thought I'd post an updated version.

When you export a watch from WatchMaker, the app creates a ".watch" file.  This can then be imported by someone else, or uploaded to a face sharing website (such as FaceRepo) for others to enjoy.  

If you're like me though, you might be interested in how this ".watch" file is made up though, what it contains.  So let's take one of my first watch faces for example...

Teal Hands - 339 downloads

The file itself is a ZIP archive, so the first step is to extract the files.  Personally I prefer 7-Zip, but you can use the tool of your choice for this.

After you've unpacked the files, you should see a structure something like this...

The files included in this example are...

• fonts
• Roboto-Regular.ttf
• images
• .img25.jpg
• .img60.png
• .img61.png
• .img62.png
• .img63.png
• preview.jpg
• preview_dim.jpg
• watch.xml

So any fonts and images that are used in the watch face are included in their respective folders.  For example, the ".img60.png" and ".img61.png" are Sprites that hold multiple images in one, for the battery levels.  There is also the background (".img25.jpg") and both watch hands (".img62.png" and ".img63.png").

There are also two preview images, for both the normal/bright preview ("preview.jpg") and the dimmed preview ("preview_dim.jpg").

The final file (watch.xml) is probably the most interesting, as this contains all of the settings and configuration of the watch face and the layers that make it up.  You can open this file to view in a web browser, or you can edit it in any text editor (I prefer Notepad++)...

This ".xml" file has a root <Watch> tag, with attributes that contain the settings for the watch face, and then a number of <Layer> tags, with attributes that contain the configuration for each layer.  Whilst you may or may not be familiar with XML, it should be easy enough to tell from the attributes and their values how these match up with the different properties in the WatchMaker app.  

The main addition in recent months is the "features" attribute of the <Watch> tag - this is automatically updated as you edit the watch face and add/remove tags.  It is then used by sites (such as FaceRepo) to list the features that your watch face has.

This includes the layers of type "image" which have a "path" and those of type "text" which have a "font", both of which link to the included files above.  Also there's the "display" attribute, which is "b" for bright only, "d" for dimmed only and "bd" for always.

Next time I'm working on a complicated LUA script, I may well export it to Dropbox so I can write it on my laptop, then import it back into the WatchMaker app - much easier than typing curly braces on my phone keyboard!

There is also the option now to export a watch face in "protected" mode.  This creates a slightly different set of files...

Now there is an extra file called "watch.pxml", and the contents of the "watch.xml" file are quite different...

Now "watch.xml" only contains the <Watch> tag, with the "protection" attribute set.  

All of the layers are in "watch.pxml"...

...but they're encrypted!  This is great for when you've created a watch that you want to sell on the Play store, or upload without the risk of someone copying and modifying your watch face.

Hopefully you've found this update useful.

My top 7 downloaded watch faces

It's been a while since I've added a new watch face to FaceRepo, where I post all of my free watch faces, but I do have a new one in the works!

For now, I thought I would post my top 7 downloaded watch faces...

1) Pong - downloaded 445 times (permalink)

The background is a black and white animated pong match which goes on indefinitely under the clock details - maybe one day someone will score?

2) J.A.R.V.I.S. Mod - downloaded 423 times (permalink)

I downloaded a watch called "J.A.R.V.I.S." by uptwolait and described as "Simple watch face with animated gif of J.A.R.V.I.S. booting in the background.". I loved it, but wanted to add additional details, including the wifi, weather and battery level.

3) Zooper Dark - downloaded 416 times (permalink)

I downloaded a watch called "Tribute Rod Kucheran" by Enzo and described as "Tribute of Amazing watch face made with zooper widget by Rod Kucheran". I preferred the darker ambient mode, so here it is.

4) Bar Mod - downloaded 369 times (permalink)

I downloaded a watch called "Bar" by cliffmaus and described as "See the time as a bar chart!". I loved it, but wanted to add additional details, including the date, weather and low battery indicators (they appear below 25%).

5) Academia Mathematical - downloaded 327 times (permalink)

This watch is inspired by the Academia Mathematical watch by DeWitt. The Academia Mathematical features a fascinating "dial" where the current hour and minute come to life from an apparently chaotic group of numbers. Both hours and minutes are indicated using the "jumping numbers" display principle through two vertically aligned apertures positioned in the top half of the smoked sapphire crystal. Four wheels, each with its own gilt Arabic numerals, are used to display the four-digit decimal time.

6) Nava Ora Unica - downloaded 320 times (permalink)

The Ora Unica, designed by Denis Guidone for the Milanese Nava Design of Italy, is an accessory that takes fun of the time, for design lovers that make the imagination and the irony their distinguishing feature. At first glance, you might be confused as to how to tell time on the Ora Unica, but it’s actually quite simple. Just look at the position of the inner end of the squiggle for the current hour, and the outer end for minutes. Simple, elegant, and truly unique.

7) Nava Ora Unica Black - downloaded 253 times (permalink)

The black version of the Ora Unica is also pretty popular!

I hope you enjoy these watch faces, especially as they are free!  Most of them are not protected either, so you can tweak them as you like.  If any of them are protected, let me know and I'll send you a non-protected version.