How to show shadow around the linearlayout in andr

Question

How can i show shadow for my linear layout. I want white colored rounded background with shadow around the linearlayout. I have done this so far. Please help me. Thanks in advance.

<LinearLayout
 android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_margin="10dp"
android:background="@xml/rounded_rect_shape"
android:orientation="vertical"
android:padding="10dp">
<-- My buttons, textviews, Imageviews go here -->
</LinearLayout>

And rounded_rect_shape.xml under xml directory

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

   <solid android:color="#ffffff" />

   <corners
      android:bottomLeftRadius="3dp"
      android:bottomRightRadius="3dp"
      android:topLeftRadius="3dp"
      android:topRightRadius="3dp" />
</shape>

Answer 1

Actually I agree with @odedbreiner but I put the dialog_frame inside the first layer and hide the black background under the white layer.

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <item
        android:drawable="@android:drawable/dialog_frame"
        android:right="2dp" android:left="2dp" android:bottom="2dp" android:top="5dp" >
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <corners android:radius="5dp"/>
        </shape>
    </item>
    <item>
        <shape
            android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="@android:color/white"/>
            <corners android:radius="5dp"/>
        </shape>
    </item>
</layer-list>

Answer 2

There is also another solution to the problem by implementing a layer-list that will act as the background for the LinearLayoout.

Add background_with_shadow.xml file to res/drawable. Containing:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <item >
        <shape 
            android:shape="rectangle">
        <solid android:color="@android:color/darker_gray" />
        <corners android:radius="5dp"/>
        </shape>
    </item>
    <item android:right="1dp" android:left="1dp" android:bottom="2dp">
        <shape 
            android:shape="rectangle">
        <solid android:color="@android:color/white"/>
        <corners android:radius="5dp"/>
        </shape>
    </item>
</layer-list>

Then add the the layer-list as background in your LinearLayout.

<LinearLayout
  android:layout_width="wrap_content"
  android:layout_height="wrap_content"
  android:background="@drawable/background_with_shadow"/>

Answer 3

Well, this is easy to achieve .

Just build a GradientDrawable that comes from black and goes to a transparent color, than use parent relationship to place your shape close to the View that you want to have a shadow, then you just have to give any values to height or width .

Here is an example, this file have to be created inside res/drawable , I name it as shadow.xml :

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

    <gradient
        android:startColor="#9444"
        android:endColor="#0000"
        android:type="linear"
        android:angle="90"> <!-- Change this value to have the correct shadow angle, must be multiple from 45 -->
    </gradient>

</shape>

Place the following code above from a LinearLayout , for example, set the android:layout_width and android:layout_height to fill_parent and 2.3dp, you'll have a nice shadow effect on your LinearLayout .

<View
    android:id="@+id/shadow"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="2.3dp"  
    android:layout_above="@+id/id_from_your_LinearLayout" 
    android:background="@drawable/shadow">
</View>

Note 1: If you increase android:layout_height more shadow will be shown .

Note 2: Use android:layout_above="@+id/id_from_your_LinearLayout" attribute if you are placing this code inside a RelativeLayout, otherwise ignore it.

Hope it help someone.

Answer 4

I know this is old, but most of these answers require a ton of extra code.

If you have a light colored background, you can simply use this:

android:elevation="25dp"

Answer 5

set this xml drwable as your background;---

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

<!-- Bottom 2dp Shadow -->
<item>
    <shape android:shape="rectangle" >
        <solid android:color="#d8d8d8" />-->Your shadow color<--

        <corners android:radius="15dp" />
    </shape>
</item>

<!-- White Top color -->
<item android:bottom="3px" android:left="3px" android:right="3px" android:top="3px">-->here you can customize the shadow size<---
    <shape android:shape="rectangle" >
        <solid android:color="#FFFFFF" />

        <corners android:radius="15dp" />
    </shape>
</item>

</layer-list>

Answer 6

Try this.. layout_shadow.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <item>
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="#CABBBBBB"/>
            <corners android:radius="2dp" />
        </shape>
    </item>

    <item
        android:left="0dp"
        android:right="0dp"
        android:top="0dp"
        android:bottom="2dp">
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="@android:color/white"/>
            <corners android:radius="2dp" />
        </shape>
    </item>
</layer-list>

Apply to your layout like this

 android:background="@drawable/layout_shadow"