how to select from resources randomly (R.drawable.xxxx)

Question

I want to display a random image from the bunch of images i have stored in res/drawable.

The only technique that I know is to access a particular image if you know its r

Answer 1

I did this in my Applez application as follows;

1) create an ArrayList to hold images and fill it 2) take random number and return corresponding image.

in code :

public static void fruitInventory() {
fruitResources.clear();
Field[] fields = R.drawable.class.getFields();

for (Field field : fields) {
    // Take only those with name starting with "fr"
    if (field.getName().startsWith("fr_")) {
        try {
            String FType = field.getName().substring(3);

            fruitResources.add(field.getInt(null));
            alfruitTypes.add(FType);
            Log.d("FruitManager", "Type " + FType);

        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {

            e.printStackTrace();
        } catch (IllegalAccessException e) {

            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }


}

and to add the fruit :

public static void addFruit(Context context){

fruitInventory();

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
Random Rnd = new Random();
int FruitType = Rnd.nextInt(fruitResources.size());
GameObject nextApple = new GameObject(BitmapFactory.decodeResource(context.getResources(),
                  fruitResources.get(FruitType)), FruitType);

MainGamePanel.AppleList.add(nextApple);
}

}

Idea was (and works) that I could add extra fruits to the game, simply by adding for instance "fr_eggplant.bmp" to the images folder.

Answer 2

I realize this is a super old question, but wanted to provide a good solution for any Googlers.

Access resources by name is much less efficient than by id. The whole point of the resource system is so that you don't have to resolve names, and can use ids instead.

What you need to do is utilize the Array Resource type. Follow along with my easy steps! I make random images...Fun!

1. Create an array resource that includes all of the images you want to choose from. I put this in my res/values/arrays.xml file but it can really go anywhere.

   <array name="loading_images">
       <item>@drawable/bg_loading_1</item>
       <item>@drawable/bg_loading_2</item>
       <item>@drawable/bg_loading_3</item>
       <item>@drawable/bg_loading_5</item>
       <item>@drawable/bg_loading_6</item>
       <item>@drawable/bg_loading_7</item>
       <item>@drawable/bg_loading_8</item>
   </array>
   

2. Next, get the TypedArray from the Resources and use that to choose a random image.

   TypedArray images = getResources().obtainTypedArray(R.array.loading_images);
   int choice = (int) (Math.random() * images.length());
   mImageView.setImageResource(images.getResourceId(choice, R.drawable.bg_loading_1));
   images.recycle();
   

3. Profit!

Answer 3

If you don't mind setting up a <level-list> XML file, you should be able to use a LevelListDrawable and call setImageLevel() with your random number.

If you don't want to change this list when you add files, I would assume there is some way of setting up a build event where you could progmatically generate this file.

Answer 4

I can't think of anything you can do at runtime. You could possibly create an array of address integers (since the R.drawable.xxxx is essentially an integer address) and then use java.util.Random to select a random resource address from your array.

Answer 5

If you knew you had X images to choose from could use random.nextInt(X) to randomly generate an integer between 0 (inclusive) and X (exclusive), then switch on it to pick your resource:

Random mRand = new Random();
            int x = mRand.nextInt(8);
            switch (x) {
            case 0:
                mResource = R.id.someresource1
            case 1:
                mResource = R.id.someresource2
            ...
            case X:
                mResource = R.id.someresourceX

            }

Answer 6

I have never used the AssetManager, but would you be able to call getAssets on your Resources class, and then call list on the AssetManager with the location of your resources?