How to add padding for background image

Question

I have a LinearLayout which has a background image (a 9 patched png file). How can I add padding to left and right so that the background image does not take up the

Answer 1

Ur background drawable should be like this，using android:bottom

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <item android:bottom="48dp" android:drawable="@drawable/bg">
    </item>

</layer-list>

Answer 2

You can just use

<LinearLayout  xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:orientation="horizontal"
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
android:layout_marginLeft="25dip"
android:layout_marginRight="25dip"
android:background="@drawable/background">

Answer 3

You should use xml drawable, specially designed for this purposes - Inset Drawable: http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/resources/drawable-resource.html#Inset

For example:

res/drawable/inset_background.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<inset xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:drawable="@drawable/your_background_image"
    android:insetRight="25dip"
    android:insetLeft="25dip" />

and then in your xml layout:

<LinearLayout  xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:orientation="horizontal"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="fill_parent"
    android:background="@drawable/inset_background">

Answer 4

That doesn't work because padding only acts on the contents of the LinearLayout. By using a second LinearLayout inside this one the padding will take effect. You must define the background color of the first LinearLayout that will be visible in the padding area.

<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:orientation="horizontal"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="fill_parent"
    android:paddingLeft="25dip"
    android:paddingRight="25dip"
    android:background="#FF000000">

    <LinearLayout
    android:orientation="horizontal"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="fill_parent"
    android:background="@drawable/background">

    </LinearLayout>

</LinearLayout>

Note: This is probably also possible by using an XML file for the background.