In this post I would like to share my findings about defining and using shapes.  A shape is an XML file that defines a geometric shape, including strokes, colors and gradients

To define a shape:

1. Create a new Android XML file in the folder res/drawable

2. Make sure the root element of the file is <shape >. (If it’s not, then change it manually)

3. Inside the <shape> element, press CTRL + Space to reveal all the available elements you can use to define a shape:

As you can see, the elements are pretty self explanatory. To reveal the attributes of an element, put the cursor inside that element and press CTRL + Space:

4. Once the shape is defined, you can specify it as a background resource to any view: android:background=”@drawable/myshape”

res/drawable/boxbg.xml:

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

<stroke
  android:width="2dp"
  android:color="#FFFFFF" />

<corners android:radius="5dp" />

<gradient
  android:angle="270"
  android:centerColor="#6E7FFF"
  android:endColor="#142FFC"
  android:startColor="#BAC2FF" />

</shape>

 

res/drawable/box2bg.xml:

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

<solid android:color="#4D9611" />

<stroke
  android:width="4dp"
  android:color="#FFFB00" />

</shape>

 

res/layout/main.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
android:orientation="vertical" >

<!-- First box, boxbg.xml -->
<LinearLayout
  android:layout_width="match_parent"
  android:layout_height="80dp"
  android:layout_margin="20dp"
  android:background="@drawable/boxbg"
  android:orientation="vertical"
  android:padding="5dp" >

  <TextView
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:text="@string/hello"
    android:textColor="#000"
    android:textSize="20dp" />
</LinearLayout>

<!-- Second box, box2bg.xml -->
<LinearLayout
  android:layout_width="match_parent"
  android:layout_height="80dp"
  android:layout_margin="20dp"
  android:background="@drawable/box2bg"
  android:orientation="vertical"
  android:padding="7dp" >

  <TextView
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:text="@string/hello"
    android:textColor="#FFF"
    android:textSize="20dp" />
</LinearLayout>

</LinearLayout>

 

The final output should look like this: