Using an xml Layout for a Google Map Marker for Android
android, google-maps-android-api-2, imageview, layout
Solution
You cannot directly use a layout with `BitmapDescriptorFactory.fromResource()`:
Creates a BitmapDescriptor using the resource id of an image.
However, you could draw the layout into a bitmap, and then use that. You'd need to:
- Inflate the layout from xml (with a `LayoutInflater`).
- Change whatever properties you want (e.g. background color).
- Render this layout into a `Bitmap`, via `Canvas`, for example as described here.
- Pass this bitmap into `BitmapDescriptorFactory.fromBitmap()`.
Problem
I want to use a layout and not a drawable for my `marker` I am using with Google Maps Api 2 for an Android app. Like this: ``` Marker m = googleMap .addMarker(new MarkerOptions() .position(LOC) .snippet(user) .title(name) .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory.fromResource(R.layout.map_marker))); ``` However, it seems this is only designed for use from `drawable` folder. I simply what an image with a background where I can change colors based on marker type. This is the layout I want to use: ``` <LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android:orientation="vertical" android:layout_width="50dp" android:layout_height="50dp" android:background="#222" android:id="@+id/llMarker"> <ImageView android:id="@+id/ivMarker" android:layout_marginTop="5dp" android:layout_width="40dp" android:layout_height="40dp" /> </LinearLayout> ``` Pretty basic. How can I use this as a marker? (or at least replicate the end result that I am going for?) The documents say you can use this: ``` fromResource (int resourceId) ``` So I assumed a layout might work. UPDATE: I have taken the concept from answer below and reworked some things; this still is not working; no errors. Just will not show image. ``` LayoutInflater inflater = (LayoutInflater) getActivity() .getSystemService(Context.LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE); View v = inflater.inflate(R.layout.map_marker, null); m = googleMap .addMarker(new MarkerOptions() .position(LOC) .snippet(user) .title(name) .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory.fromBitmap(loadBitmapFromView(v)))); ``` // method ``` public static Bitmap loadBitmapFromView(View v) { if (v.getMeasuredHeight() <= 0) { v.measure(WindowManager.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT, WindowManager.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT); Bitmap b = Bitmap.createBitmap(v.getMeasuredWidth(), v.getMeasuredHeight(), Bitmap.Config.ARGB_8888); Canvas c = new Canvas(b); v.layout(0, 0, v.getMeasuredWidth(), v.getMeasuredHeight()); v.draw(c); return b; } return null; } ```