How To Give Gradient Effect To The Page Using XML

Similar PhotoShop Gradient Tool

In Android we have the ability to create gradient effect to a view. This method does not require image creation.
All we have to do is to create a gradient drawable and set it as the source or background of the view.

Gradient Drawable

Like a photoshop gradient tool, Gradient Drawable too has the following options.

1.  Shape – line, oval, rectangle, ring
2.  Angle – 0 to 360 degree
3.  Start color – starting hexa decimal code
4. End color – ending hexa decimal code
5. Type – linear, radial, sweep

The shape drawable with the above attributes is known as a Gradient Drawable which can give a color gradient effect to any type of view which has src/background attribute.

Let’s Create Gradient Drawable

res/drawable/gradient_bg.xml

<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android:shape="rectangle">
    <gradient android:angle="90" android:endColor="#4a80ec" android:startColor="#14316b" android:type="linear" />
</shape>

Activity Layout XML

res/layout/activity_main.xml

Add android:background="@drawable/gradient_bg" to the layout.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools" android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="match_parent" android:paddingBottom="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin" android:paddingLeft="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin" android:paddingRight="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin" android:paddingTop="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin" tools:context="gradientbg.devdeeds.com.gradientbackground.MainActivity" android:background="@drawable/gradient_bg" />

MainActivity Class

import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
    }
}

Run The App

Advantages

• APK will be in less size
• Don’t need graphic designer help
• Easily modifiable as it defined as name value pairs.

Download Source Code