How to show shadow around the linearlayout in Android?

Question

How can I show shadow for my linear layout. I want white colored rounded background with shadow around the linearlayout. I have done this so far.

Answer 1

One possible solution is using nine patch image like this http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/graphics/2d-graphics.html#nine-patch

OR

I have done this in the following way. This is my main layout in which round_corner.xml and drop_shadow.xml used as background resource. round_corner_two is same like round_corner.xml only the color attribute is different. copy the round_corner.xml,drop_shadow.xml and round_conere_two.xml into drawable folder.

<RelativeLayout
    android:id="@+id/facebook_id"
    android:layout_width="250dp"
    android:layout_height="52dp"
    android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
    android:layout_marginTop="28dp"
    android:background="@drawable/round_corner" >

    <LinearLayout
        android:id="@+id/shadow_id"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="48dp"
        android:layout_margin="1dp"
        android:background="@drawable/drop_shadow" >

        <TextView
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="match_parent"
            android:layout_gravity="center"
            android:layout_marginBottom="2dp"
            android:background="@drawable/round_corner_two"
            android:gravity="center"
            android:text="@string/fb_butn_text"
            android:textColor="@color/white" >
        </TextView>
    </LinearLayout>
</RelativeLayout>

round_corner.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<shape
xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:shape="rectangle">

<!-- view background color -->
<solid
    android:color="#ffffff" >
</solid>

<!-- view border color and width -->
<stroke
    android:width="0dp"
    android:color="#3b5998" >
</stroke>

<!-- If you want to add some padding -->
<padding
    android:left="1dp"
    android:top="1dp"
    android:right="1dp"
    android:bottom="1dp"    >
</padding>

<!-- Here is the corner radius -->
<corners
    android:radius="10dp"   >
</corners>

</shape>

drop_shadow.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<item >
    <shape 
        android:shape="rectangle">
    <solid android:color="@android:color/darker_gray" />
    <corners android:radius="12dp"/>
    </shape>
</item>
<item android:right="1dp" android:left="1dp" android:bottom="5dp">
    <shape 
        android:shape="rectangle">
    <solid android:color="@android:color/white"/>
    <corners android:radius="5dp"/>
    </shape>
</item>
</layer-list>

Answer 2

Try this.. layout_shadow.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <item>
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="#CABBBBBB"/>
            <corners android:radius="2dp" />
        </shape>
    </item>

    <item
        android:left="0dp"
        android:right="0dp"
        android:top="0dp"
        android:bottom="2dp">
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="@android:color/white"/>
            <corners android:radius="2dp" />
        </shape>
    </item>
</layer-list>

Apply to your layout like this

 android:background="@drawable/layout_shadow"

Answer 3

1. save this 9.png. (change name it to 9.png)

2.save it in your drawable.

3.set it to your layout.

4.set padding.

For example :

<LinearLayout  
  android:layout_width="fill_parent"
  android:layout_height="wrap_content"
  android:background="@drawable/shadow"
  android:paddingBottom="6dp"
  android:paddingLeft="5dp"
  android:paddingRight="5dp"
  android:paddingTop="6dp"
>

.
.
.
</LinearLayout>

Answer 4

There is no such attribute in Android, to show a shadow. But possible ways to do it are:

1. Add a plain LinearLayout with grey color, over which add your actual layout, with margin at bottom and right equal to 1 or 2 dp

2. Have a 9-patch image with a shadow and set it as the background to your Linear layout

Answer 5

There is also another solution to the problem by implementing a layer-list that will act as the background for the LinearLayoout.

Add background_with_shadow.xml file to res/drawable. Containing:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <item >
        <shape 
            android:shape="rectangle">
        <solid android:color="@android:color/darker_gray" />
        <corners android:radius="5dp"/>
        </shape>
    </item>
    <item android:right="1dp" android:left="1dp" android:bottom="2dp">
        <shape 
            android:shape="rectangle">
        <solid android:color="@android:color/white"/>
        <corners android:radius="5dp"/>
        </shape>
    </item>
</layer-list>

Then add the the layer-list as background in your LinearLayout.

<LinearLayout
  android:layout_width="wrap_content"
  android:layout_height="wrap_content"
  android:background="@drawable/background_with_shadow"/>

Answer 6

Create a new XML by example named "shadow.xml" at DRAWABLE with the following code (you can modify it or find another better):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

    <item>
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="@color/middle_grey"/>
        </shape>
    </item>

    <item android:left="2dp"
          android:right="2dp"
          android:bottom="2dp">
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="@color/white"/>
        </shape>
    </item>

</layer-list>

After creating the XML in the LinearLayout or another Widget you want to create shade, you use the BACKGROUND property to see the efect. It would be something like :

<LinearLayout
    android:orientation="horizontal"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:paddingRight="@dimen/margin_med"
    android:background="@drawable/shadow"
    android:minHeight="?attr/actionBarSize"
    android:gravity="center_vertical">