Android elevation showing shadows

Android elevation showing shadows

To display shadows using elevation in Android, you can set the elevation property on your views (like CardView, Button, or any View). Here's how to effectively use elevation to show shadows in your Android app:

Using Elevation in XML

  1. Use CardView: CardView automatically adds elevation and shadow. Set the cardElevation attribute.
<androidx.cardview.widget.CardView android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" app:cardElevation="8dp" app:cardBackgroundColor="@color/white"> <!-- Your content here --> </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>
  1. Set Elevation on Any View: You can set elevation directly on any View starting from API 21 (Lollipop).
<View android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" android:elevation="8dp" android:background="@color/white"/>

Using Elevation Programmatically

If you want to set elevation dynamically in your code:

View yourView = findViewById(R.id.your_view); if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.LOLLIPOP) { yourView.setElevation(8f); // Set elevation in pixels }

Important Notes

  • Shadow Color: Shadows are generally rendered in a semi-transparent black. The actual shadow appearance can vary based on the background color.
  • Elevation and API Level: Elevation is supported from API level 21 (Lollipop) and above. You may want to use alternative methods for earlier versions, such as using LayerDrawable.
  • Material Design Guidelines: Follow Material Design guidelines for appropriate elevation values, usually ranging from 0dp to 24dp.

Example

Here's a complete example in XML and Java:

XML Layout (activity_main.xml)

<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="match_parent" android:orientation="vertical" android:padding="16dp"> <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" app:cardElevation="8dp" app:cardBackgroundColor="@color/white" android:layout_marginBottom="16dp"> <TextView android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content" android:text="Hello, Elevation!" android:padding="16dp"/> </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView> </LinearLayout>

Java Code (MainActivity.java)

import android.os.Bundle; import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity; public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity { @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.activity_main); } }

Conclusion

By setting elevation on your views, you can create a nice shadow effect, enhancing the UI's depth and visual hierarchy. Use CardView for built-in elevation support or set elevation on any view directly.

Examples

  1. "How to set elevation for a View in Android?"

    Description: This query explains how to apply elevation to a View, enabling shadow effects.

    Code:

    <View android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" android:elevation="4dp" />

    This sets an elevation of 4dp, which will cast a shadow below the View.

  2. "How to adjust shadow color in Android elevation?"

    Description: This query discusses how to customize the color of the shadow using CardView.

    Code:

    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" app:cardElevation="8dp" app:cardBackgroundColor="@android:color/white"> <!-- Card contents here --> </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

    This creates a CardView with an elevation that casts a shadow.

  3. "How to use elevation in a RecyclerView item?"

    Description: This query explains how to apply elevation to items within a RecyclerView.

    Code:

    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" app:cardElevation="4dp"> <!-- Item content here --> </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

    Each item in the RecyclerView will have an elevation effect.

  4. "How to animate elevation in Android?"

    Description: This query demonstrates how to animate the elevation of a View.

    Code:

    val view: View = findViewById(R.id.my_view) view.animate().translationZ(10f).setDuration(300).start()

    This code raises the View's elevation temporarily.

  5. "How to create a shadow effect without elevation?"

    Description: This query shows how to create a shadow effect without using elevation.

    Code:

    <View android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" android:background="@drawable/shadow_background" />

    Use a custom drawable to simulate shadow without elevation.

  6. "How to manage elevation in nested Views?"

    Description: This query discusses handling elevation with nested Views.

    Code:

    <LinearLayout android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="match_parent" android:elevation="2dp"> <View android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" android:elevation="4dp" /> </LinearLayout>

    The inner View will appear above the outer one due to higher elevation.

  7. "How to remove elevation from a View?"

    Description: This query explains how to remove elevation to flatten a View.

    Code:

    <View android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" android:elevation="0dp" />

    This sets the elevation to zero, removing any shadow.

  8. "How to set elevation programmatically in Android?"

    Description: This query shows how to set elevation from code.

    Code:

    val view: View = findViewById(R.id.my_view) view.elevation = 6f

    This programmatically sets the elevation to 6dp.

  9. "How to use elevation with ConstraintLayout?"

    Description: This query demonstrates applying elevation in a ConstraintLayout.

    Code:

    <androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="match_parent" android:elevation="5dp"> <!-- Child views here --> </androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout>

    Elevation can also be applied directly to the ConstraintLayout.

  10. "How to adjust shadow size with elevation?"

    Description: This query discusses how the elevation value affects the shadow size.

    Code:

    <View android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content" android:elevation="12dp" />

    A higher elevation value increases the size and softness of the shadow.

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