Develop Reference

How can I create a click-drag-to-edge button?

I've been messing around with android for about two weeks and need to make an application where you essentially click-and-drag-to-edge a view to make it like sliding button. I'm not sure the term, so probably there is an answer out there that I couldn't find.
What I've come up on my own is the following:
public class MyButton extends View implements View.OnTouchListener {
float defaultX;
int defaultWidth;
public MyButton(Context context, int width) {
super(context);
defaultX = getX();
defaultWidth = width;
setOnTouchListener(this);
}
public boolean onTouch(View view, MotionEvent event) {
int X = (int) event.getRawX();
switch (event.getAction() & MotionEvent.ACTION_MASK) {
case MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN:
case MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE:
setX(X);
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_UP:
setX(defaultX);
break;
}
// Check if view is past width of screen
if (getX()+getWidth() > defaultWidth) {
callOnClick();
setX(defaultX);
}
return true;
}
}
It basically works except for when click is called, it seems to get called multiple times. That screws up when on my next activity after I call finish(), the screen pops back up again because it thinks click is being called over and over - usually about 4 or 5 times. I think this is due to a queue of messages of the drag event being stored for the activity.
Is there a better or 'normal' way of implementing this? The closest thing I can think of similar to what I'm trying to make is like the slide-to-unlock button on the iPhone.

How to draw or write a text like MS-Paint in android using onTouch Event?

I have created panel with collection of different colors, pencil, eraser and different shapes similar to MS-Paint. I could be able to draw or write on a screen using Touch Event method. But when I draw something on a screen (when I touch the screen), MotionEvent.ACTION_Down method is calling. So it works fine. When I release my finger from the screen, MotionEvent.ACTION_up method is calling and works fine.
So, my problem is, like MS-PAINT I am not able to see what I drew or wrote before I release my finger from the screen. For an example, see this video. User can see when he dragged the shapes or trying to draw a pencil. Also, in this link user draws using pencil and it is visible without releasing a finger on the screen.
But, when I draw something on the screen, once I released the finger only it appears.
What I need is, when user touch the screen itself if he/she moves the finger on the screen, user must be able to see what they are trying to draw or write on the screen.
For an example: if I try to write some word like "Apple" on a screen, I am trying to put "A" . But when I write letter "A", it is invisible unless I take my finger from the screen. Once if I released my finger from the screen after I drew letter"A" then only the text or picture has been appeared on a screen what I drew.
So, I have done MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN and MotionEVent.ACTION_UP. It works fine.
But, MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE is not working properly at all.
This is my Code,
#Override
public boolean onTouchEvent(MotionEvent event)
{
if(event.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN)
{
if(Shape == ShapeLine)
{
GraphicObject = new Line();
((Line) GraphicObject).getBegin().setX(event.getX());
((Line) GraphicObject).getBegin().setY(event.getY());
}
if(Shape== ShapeRect)
{
GraphicObject = new Rectangle();
Point temp = new Point(event.getX(), event.getY());
endPoint = new Point();
((Rectangle) GraphicObject).settemppointOfOneEndRectangle(temp);
}
else if(event.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE){
if(Shape== ShapeLine)
{
final float x=event.getX();
final float y=event.getY();
}
if(Shape == ShapeRect)
{
endPoint.x=event.getX();
endPoint.y=event.getY();
invalidate();
}
Anyone suggest me, about ACTION_MOVE. I have tried a lot in a code but no changes and I didn't find any solution while moving.

Basic idea is when you tap record that point in a variable,then inside ACTION_MOVE record the current point and draw a line in between these 2 points.Once done save this point in the previous point. Sudo code:
Point last;
Point current;
...
case ACTION_DOWN:
last=mouse.position;
break;
case ACTION_MOVE:
current=mouse.position;
drawLine(current,last);
last=current;
break;
Do this way,your drawing should be fine.
N.B. Remember,this is a sudo code. :P
EDIT. Example from one of my app. Basically I pointed out what you should do:
public boolean onTouchEvent(MotionEvent event)
{
int action = event.getAction();
switch(action & MotionEvent.ACTION_MASK)
{
case MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN:
initial.x=(int)event.getX();
initial.y=(int)event.getY();
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE:
current.x=(int)event.getX();
current.y=(int)event.getY();
//draw line using initial as start and current as end point
//sudo code: drawLine(initial,current)
//now set initial to current
initial=current// for the continuity of drawing.
break;
}
return true;
}
initial and current both are Point objects.

Partial View invalidation not working as expected

In trying to tackle custom views, I'm attempting to work with touch events and partial invalidation. For this, it's just a row of numbers in squares spaced to fill the screen.
Now when I press on a single block, I get the block's rectangle using this:
private Rect getDirtyRegion(float e){
// The value is the slot number
mValue = ((int)e / mBlockSize);
// start X of the "stall"
int x1 = mValue * mBlockSize;
int y1 = 0;
int x2 = x1 + mBlockSize;
int y2 = getMeasuredHeight();
return new Rect(x1, y1, x2, y2);
}
It works as expected. When there's just a few on screen it works great. Here's my onTouchEvent:
#Override
public boolean onTouchEvent(MotionEvent e){
switch(e.getAction()){
case MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN:
Log.d(TAG, "ActionDown");
setPaint(PinEntry.PAINT_PRESSED);
invalidate(getDirtyRegion(e.getX()));
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_UP:
case MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL:
setPaint(PinEntry.PAINT_NORMAL);
invalidate();
break;
}
return true;
}
(This has been rewritten quite a few times, so the call to invalidate without a rectangle hasn't always been the case.)
What I'm after is, when I tap on a number, it redraws to indicate a PRESSED state by whatever I do in setPaint. When I release, reset.
When I have multiple views in a ScrollView, however it breaks. When I press and release, or even drag outside the bound (triggering ACTION_CANCEL), it resets. However, going back to that row causes the whole thing to invalidate as "PRESSED".
Is this a TouchEvent logic issue, a drawing issue, or some combination of my inexperience with creating custom views?

I ended up splitting it into two different classes, one for the container (parent), and another for each individual block and using the draw(Canvas) method of the View class.

keep ontouch event when view is removed and add

I have a view in a linearlayout. When the view is longpressed the view will be removed from this linearlayout and placed, on the same position of the screen, to a relative layout. On this way a can move the view over the screen with my finger.
it almost works:
i got the longpress event working (remove the view and place the view to the relativelayout). after that i add an ontoucheventlistener so my view stays with my finger, but only for a second. the last time the touchevent is fired i got "MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL". When i remove my finger and place my finger again to the view i can go feature with my movement, then it will keep until i remove my finger.
I think that my problem is that the view it removed for a short moment, at that time i get a "MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL", however, there are still some unhandled events, they will be fired first. Thats why i got for about 1 second still ontouchevents. (this is just a thought).
someone a idee how i can keep the ontouchevent, or let the ontouchevent fired without replacing my finger?
Edited
My thought is not correct. When i do a longpress the view stays with my finger, however i lost the view as soon as i move about 50 to 100 pixels to any direction.
Edited 2
the longpress code of the view inside the linearlayout
view.setOnLongClickListener(new OnLongClickListener() {
public boolean onLongClick(View v) {
_linearLayout.removeView(v);
moveView(v);
return true;
}
});
moveView will be called by the longpress
private void moveView(View v) {
_relativeLayout.addView(v);
v.setOnTouchListener(new OnTouchListener() {
public boolean onTouch(View v, MotionEvent event) {
switch(event.getAction()) {
case MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE:
int x = (int) event.getRawX();
int y = (int) event.getRawY();
v.layout(x, y, x + v.getWidth(), y + v.getHeight());
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_UP:
_relativeLayout.removeView(v);
v = null;
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL:
//it comes here when i move my finger more then 100 pixels
break;
}
return true;
}
});
}
of corse, this is the relevant part of the code and not the original code

Have a look at the Experience - Android Drag and Drop List post. There is also a source code that does something very similar to what are you trying to get. Eric, the author of that post, uses a separate temporary ImageView to hold a dragged view image, taken with getDrawingCache(). He also hides the original list item by setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE).
In the DragNDrop project (link above) you can replace drag(0,y) calls by drag(x,y) in DragNDrop.java to see a dragging in all directions.

Just throwing some possibilities in because I can't see the code but MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL could be being called as the parent layout is switched and the view is getting redrawn.
You could try overriding the onTouchEvent and at the point the ACTION_CANCEL event is sent try get hold of an equivalent view in the new layout and operate on that but I still think the better idea is to redesign so it all takes place in the same layout.

looking to implement a wall (GridView?) that goes off-screen and user can touch to move it around

Desired effect
I have a bunch of small images that I'd like to show on a "wall" and then let the user fling this wall in any direction and select an image.
Initial Idea
as a possible implementation I was thinking a GridView that is larger than the screen can show - but all examples of using this widget indicate that the Gallery doesn't extend beyond the size of the screen.
Question
What is the best widget to use to implement the desired effect ?
A code sample would be especially beneficial.
EDIT...
if someone has example code that will let me put about 30 images on a "wall" (table would be good) then I will accept that as the answer. Note that the "wall" should look like it extends beyond the edges of the display and allow a user to use the finger to drag the "wall" up down left right. Dragging should be in "free-form" mode. A single tap on an image selects it and a callback shall be detectable. I have created a bounty for this solution.

The solution is actually quite simple, but a pain. I had to implement exactly this within a program I recently did. There are a few tricksy things you have to get around though. It must be noted that different OS versions have different experiences. Certain expertise or cludging around is required to make this work as drawing is sometimes adversely affected by this method. While I have a working copy, the code I provide is not for everyone, and is subject to whatever other changes or customizations have been made in your code.
set android:layout_width to wrap_content
set android:layout_height to wrap_content
In your code:
determine how many rows you will have.
divide number of items by the number of rows.
add gridView.setStretchMode(NO_STRETCH);
add gridView.setNumColumns( number of Columns );
add gridView.setColumnWidth( an explicit width in pixels );
To Scroll:
You may simply use gridView.scrollBy() in your onTouchEvent()
These are the steps. All are required in order to get it to work. The key is the NO_STRETCH with an explicit number of columns at a specific width. Further details can be provided, if you need clarification. You may even use a VelocityTracker or onFling to handle flinging. I have snappingToPage enabled in mine. Using this solution, there is not even a requirement to override onDraw() or onLayout(). Those three lines of code get rid of the need for a WebView or any other embedding or nesting.
Bi-directional scrolling is also quite easy to implement. Here is a simple code solution:
First, in your class begin tracking X and Y positions by making two class members. Also add State tracking;
// Holds the last position of the touch event (including movement)
int myLastX;
int myLastY;
// Tracks the state of the Touch handling
final static private int TOUCH_STATE_REST = 0;
final static private int TOUCH_STATE_SCROLLING = 1;
int myState = TOUCH_STATE_REST;
Second, make sure to check for Scrolling, that way you can still click or longclick the images themselves.
#Override public boolean onInterceptTouchEvent(final MotionEvent ev)
{//User is already scrolling something. If we haven't interrupted this already,
// then something else is handling its own scrolling and we should let this be.
// Once we return TRUE, this event no longer fires and instead all goes to
// onTouch() until the next TouchEvent begins (often beginning with ACTION_DOWN).
if ((ev.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE)
&& (myState != TOUCH_STATE_REST))
return false;
// Grab the X and Y positions of the MotionEvent
final float _x = ev.getX();
final float _y = ev.getY();
switch (ev.getAction())
{ case MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE:
final int _diffX = (int) Math.abs(_x - myLastX);
final int _diffY = (int) Math.abs(_y - myLastY);
final boolean xMoved = _diffX > 0;
final boolean yMoved = _diffY > 0;
if (xMoved || yMoved)
myState = TOUCH_STATE_SCROLLING;
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN:
// Remember location of down touch
myLastX = _x;
myLastY = _y;
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL:
case MotionEvent.ACTION_UP:
if (myState == TOUCH_STATE_SCROLLING)
// Release the drag
myState = TOUCH_STATE_REST;
}
//If we are not At Rest, start handling in our own onTouch()
return myState != TOUCH_STATE_REST;
}
After the GridView knows that you are Scrolling, it will send all Touch Events to onTouch. Do your Scrolling here.
#Override public boolean onTouchEvent(final MotionEvent ev)
{
final int action = ev.getAction();
final float x = ev.getX();
final float y = ev.getY();
final View child;
switch (action)
{
case MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN:
//Supplemental code, if needed
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE:
// This handles Scrolling only.
if (myState == TOUCH_STATE_SCROLLING)
{
// Scroll to follow the motion event
// This will update the vars as long as your finger is down.
final int deltaX = (int) (myLastX - x);
final int deltaY = (int) (myLastY - y);
myLastX = x;
myLastY = y;
scrollBy(deltaX, deltaY);
}
break;
case MotionEvent.ACTION_UP:
// If Scrolling, stop the scroll so we can scroll later.
if (myState == TOUCH_STATE_SCROLLING)
myState = TOUCH_STATE_REST;
break
case MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL:
// This is just a failsafe. I don't even know how to cancel a touch event
myState = TOUCH_STATE_REST;
}
return true;
}
If course, this solution moves at X and Y at the same time. If you want to move just one direction at a time, you can differentiate easily by checking the greater of the X and Y differences. (i.e. Math.abs(deltaX) > Math.abs(deltaY)) Below is a partial sample for one directional scrolling, but can switch between X or Y direction.
3b. Change this in your OnTouch() if you want to handle one direction at a time:
case MotionEvent.ACTION_MOVE:
if (myState == TOUCH_STATE_SCROLLING)
{
//This will update the vars as long as your finger is down.
final int deltaX = (int) (myLastX - x);
final int deltaY = (int) (myLastY - y);
myLastX = x;
myLastY = y;
// Check which direction is the bigger of the two
if (Math.abs(deltaX) > Math.abs(deltaY))
scrollBy(deltaX, 0);
else if (Math.abs(deltaY) > Math.abs(deltaX))
scrollBy(0, deltaY);
// We do nothing if they are equal.
}
break;
FuzzicalLogic

A GridView can have content that extends beyond the size of the screen, but only in the vertical direction.
Question: What is the best widget to use to implement the desired effect ?
The are no default widgets (at least prior to 3.0) which implement 2D scrolling. All of them implement 1D (scrolling in one direction) only. Sadly the solution to your problem is not that easy.
You could:
Place a TableLayout inside a custom ScrollView class, and handle the touch events yourself. This would allow you to do proper 2D panning, but would not be so good for large data-sets since there would be no view recycling
Modify GridView if possible to enable horizontal scrolling functionality (probably the best solution if you can do it)
Try putting a TableLayout inside a ScrollView (with layout_width="wrap_content) which you put inside a HorizontalScrollView - though this may work it wouldn't be the optimum solution
Do something with OpenGL and draw straight to a canvas - this is how the default Gallery 3D app does it's "wall of pictures"

I think that the only Android native solution for this is to have an embebed WebView in which you can have that bi-dimensional scroll (and by the way is the only thing that has this capability).
Be pressing an image you can control the behavior by a callback from JavaScript to JAva.
This is not very "pretty" but... it's the only viable way to do what you want "out of the box".

I have implemented a GridView that overrides the onInterceptTouchEvent methods. I set the OnTouchListeneras explained by Fuzzical Logic. My issue is that setting a custom OnTouchListener, the objects of my gridView are not clickable anymore. Is that because the default OnTouchListener of a GridView calls onItemClickListener ?
I would like to have a 2 directions scrollable GridView but that has still cliackable objects. Should I implement my own method to check whether a touch matches a item or is there a easier way to achieve this ?
Grodak