Android LinearGradient XML

Question

I'm facing a small problem with the LinearGradient definition in XML. What I want is to use the constructor that accepts the array of colors and the array of positions.

This one:

    LinearGradient(float x0, float y0, float x1, float y1,  int[] colors, float[] positions, Shader.TileMode tile) 

How do I pass the array in the XML? Here's the example of XML with gradient definition, but the simple one.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">     <gradient         android:startColor="#474946"         android:endColor="#181818"         android:angle="270"/>     <corners android:radius="5dp" /> </shape> 

Answer 1

Unfortunately, the definition of GradientDrawable with XML does not allow more than three colors.

Take a look at the official reference: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/graphics/drawable/GradientDrawable.html.

Example:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">     <gradient         android:startColor="#474946"         android:centerColor="#ff0000"         android:endColor="#181818"         android:angle="270"/>     <corners android:radius="5dp" /> </shape> 

So, in your case you would add one more color using android:CenterColor. But for more than three colors, you'll even need to do it with Java.

Answer 2

@Juriy, @ErickPetru:

+1 for ErickPetru's answer. Although I'd like to mention that there is one more feature available: One cannot only specify the centerColor, but also a center offset, which allows for some more flexibility and sometimes helps to avoid the necessity for Java coding.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"     android:shape="rectangle" >     <corners         android:radius="5dp" />     <gradient         android:type="linear"         android:startColor="#FF000000"         android:centerColor="#FF303030"         android:endColor="#FFE0E0E0"         android:centerX="0.2"         android:centerY="0.3"         android:angle="270" /> </shape>