How to fix com.android.builder.internal.aapt.AaptException: Failed to crunch file?

Question

I have the latest version of Android Studio (as of Sep 21, 2016). When I create a brand new project in Android Studio and try to build it, I am getting this build error:

Error: com.android.builder.internal.aapt.AaptException: Failed to crunch file H:..pathTo..\app\build\intermediates\exploded-aar\com.android.support\appcompat-v7\24.2.1\res\drawable-xhdpi-v4\abc_list_selector_disabled_holo_light.9.png

into

H:..pathTo..\app\build\intermediates\res\merged\debug\drawable-xhdpi-v4\abc_list_selector_disabled_holo_light.9.png

What does this mean? And how do I fix it?

Build log: https://jpst.it/NCnu

Answer 1

Amazing. It's 2016 and Google's tool chain still has these annoying file path limitations.

Error: File path too long on windows, keep below 240 characters

Move project further up your project file path and the problem goes away!

Answer 2

There is a workaround. If you add the following to the project build.gradle file, inside the allprojects section, it will move the Build output files to this folder. Meaning the app will now build.:

buildDir = "C:/tmp/${rootProject.name}/${project.name}"

It does give you an additional app module at the root of the project but this is a much more convenient option than moving whole Project folder path.