Padding doesn't affect <shape> in an XML Layout

Question

I am trying to set padding in a <shape> declared within an XML file/layout. But whatever I set, nothing changes related to padding. If I modify any other properties, I see the effects on the UI. But it doesn't work with padding. Could you please advise on the possible reasons for which this might occur?

Here is the XML Shape I am trying to style:

 <shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"        android:shape="rectangle">      <stroke android:width="1dp"              android:color="#ffffff"              android:dashWidth="2dp"/>      <solid android:color="@color/button_white_cover"/>      <corners android:radius="11dp"/>      <padding android:left="1dp"               android:top="20dp"              android:right="20dp"               android:bottom="2dp"/>  </shape> 

Answer 1

I have finally resolved my problem with padding.

So padding here will have no effect on the shape. Instead of this, you will have to apply padding in other drawable that will use it. So, I have a drawable that uses the shape and there I do following:

<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">    <item android:drawable="@drawable/shape_below"/>    <item android:top="10px" android:right="10px" android:drawable="@drawable/shape_cover"/> </layer-list> 

So, as you can see in the second <item>-element I set padding (top and right). And after this everything works.

Thanks.

Answer 2

As a couple of comments have alluded to, the best approach is to wrap the <shape> in an <item> element and set the padding there instead. There are however other options available which are detailed in the link below. eg

<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">     <item         android:left="8dp"         android:right="8dp"         android:top="8dp"         android:bottom="8dp">          <shape android:shape="rectangle">             ...         </shape>     </item> </layer-list> 

Depending on your needs, instead of using a layer-list, you could use any of the following drawable types:

• layer-list
• selector
• level-list
• transition

For more information about the available drawable types see this android documentation

Sources:

• DustinB's comment
• Yahel's answer
• user924's comment
• How to add padding to gradient <shape> in Android?