Background with directional arrow

Question

I have a quick question on how to achieve a desired view of a background on a view. What I want is a directional arrow pointing in a direction as the overlay on a background of say a textview.

For example (Beautiful MS Paint skills)

I have already tried using a layer-list which isn't going to work in this case due to screen size changes or fluctuating content heights. Is there any other possible way to do this other than using a 9patch. I've been dreading to even research 9 patches due to my complete illiteracy when it comes to graphic design.

Answer 1

Something like this attached file would help? Created in paint, used then draw9patch to draw the stretchebale lines.

You might have seen the docs for 9-patch.

Answer 2

Actually this can work in a layer list. just from the top of my head you could do soemthing like this:

<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" >

   <item android:left="10dp"> <!-- offset from the left -->
       <bitmap android:src="@drawable/arrow_icon"/>
   </item>

   <item android:top="5dp"> <!-- replace with the hight of your arrow -->
       <shape> <solid android:src="#FFFFFF"/> </shape>
   </item>

</layer-list>

Save it in your res/drawable as with_arrow.xml and then you can use it like this:

<TextView
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:background="@drawable/with_arrow"
    android:paddingTop="5dp"/> <!-- should be AT LEAST the height of your arrow, might want to increase it a bit though -->

If you set this as the background of your textview for instance it should stretch it with the content.

On another note you should really look into 9-patching. It's really not that complicated see here: http://developer.android.com/tools/help/draw9patch.html