I know soft shadows are not supported by the UILabel out of the box, on the iPhone. So what would be the best way to implement my own one?
EDIT:
Obviously I will subclass the UILabel and draw in the -drawRect:
My question is, how do I get the contents of the label as graphics and draw around them, blur them etc...
EDIT 2:
I returned to this question about a year later. In the meantime I've built a class that allows you to easily add soft shadow to a label and tweak it's radius etc and also to draw gradients on the text itself. You can find it on GitHub: https://github.com/doukasd/iOS-Components/tree/master/Views
As of 3.2 there is direct support for shadows in the SDK.
label.layer.shadowColor = [label.textColor CGColor];
label.layer.shadowOffset = CGSizeMake(0.0, 0.0);
#import <QuartzCore/QuartzCore.h> and play with some parameters:
label.layer.shadowRadius = 3.0;
label.layer.shadowOpacity = 0.5;
And, if you find your shadow clipped by the label bounds:
label.layer.masksToBounds = NO;
finally set
label.layer.shouldRasterize = YES;
I advise you to use the shadowColor and shadowOffset properties of UILabel:
UILabel* label = [[UILabel alloc] init];
label.shadowColor = [UIColor whiteColor];
label.shadowOffset = CGSizeMake(0,1);
This answer to this similar question provides code for drawing a blurred shadow behind a UILabel. The author uses CGContextSetShadow() to generate the shadow for the drawn text.
Additionally to IIDan's answer:
For some purposes it is necessary to set
label.layer.shouldRasterize = YES
I think this is due to the blend mode that is used to render the shadow. For example I had a dark background and white text on it and wanted to "highlight" the text using a black shadowy glow. It wasn't working until I set this property.
Apply the (soft) shadow on the view's layer, like this:
UILabel *label = [[UIabel alloc] init];
label.layer.shadowColor = [[UIColor whiteColor] CGColor];
label.layer.shadowOpacity = 1.0;
To keep things up to date: Creating the shadow in Swift is as easy as that:
Import the QuartzCore Framework
import QuartzCore
And set the shadow attributes to your label
titleLabel.shadowColor = UIColor.blackColor()
titleLabel.shadowOffset = CGSizeMake(0.0, 0.0)
titleLabel.layer.shadowRadius = 5.0
titleLabel.layer.shadowOpacity = 0.8
titleLabel.layer.masksToBounds = false
titleLabel.layer.shouldRasterize = true
_nameLabel = [[UILabel alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectZero];
_nameLabel.font = [UIFont boldSystemFontOfSize:19.0f];
_nameLabel.textColor = [UIColor whiteColor];
_nameLabel.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor];
_nameLabel.shadowColor = [UIColor colorWithWhite:0 alpha:0.2];
_nameLabel.shadowOffset = CGSizeMake(0, 1);
i think you should use the [UIColor colorWithWhite:0 alpha:0.2] to set the alpha value.
I tried almost all of these techniques (except FXLabel) and couldn't get any of them to work with iOS 7. I did eventually find THLabel which is working perfectly for me. I used THLabel in Interface Builder and setup User Defined Runtime Attributes so that it's easy for a non programmer to control the look and feel.
https://github.com/MuscleRumble/THLabel
This like a trick,
UILabel *customLabel = [[UILabel alloc] init];
UIColor *color = [UIColor blueColor];
customLabel.layer.shadowColor = [color CGColor];
customLabel.layer.shadowRadius = 5.0f;
customLabel.layer.shadowOpacity = 1;
customLabel.layer.shadowOffset = CGSizeZero;
customLabel.layer.masksToBounds = NO;
I wrote a library that provides a UILabel subclass with soft shadow support and a bunch of other effects:
https://github.com/nicklockwood/FXLabel
In Swift 3, you can create an extension:
import UIKit
extension UILabel {
func shadow() {
self.layer.shadowColor = self.textColor.cgColor
self.layer.shadowOffset = CGSize.zero
self.layer.shadowRadius = 3.0
self.layer.shadowOpacity = 0.5
self.layer.masksToBounds = false
self.layer.shouldRasterize = true
}
}
and use it via:
label.shadow()
Subclass UILabel, as stated, then, in drawRect:, do [self drawTextInRect:rect]; to get the text drawn into the current context. Once it is in there, you can start working with it by adding filters and whatnot. If you want to make a drop shadow with what you just drew into the context, you should be able to use:
CGContextSetShadowWithColor()
Look that function up in the docs to learn how to use it.
As of iOS 5 Apple provides a private api method to create labels with soft shadows.
The labels are very fast: I'm using dozens at the same time in a series of transparent views and there is no slowdown in scrolling animation.
This is only useful for non-App Store apps (obviously) and you need the header file.
$SBBulletinBlurredShadowLabel = NSClassFromString("SBBulletinBlurredShadowLabel");
CGRect frame = CGRectZero;
SBBulletinBlurredShadowLabel *label = [[[$SBBulletinBlurredShadowLabel alloc] initWithFrame:frame] autorelease];
label.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor];
label.textColor = [UIColor whiteColor];
label.font = [UIFont boldSystemFontOfSize:12];
label.text = #"I am a label with a soft shadow!";
[label sizeToFit];
While it's impossible to set a blur radius directly on UILabel, you definitely could change it by manipulating CALayer.
Just set:
//Required properties
customLabel.layer.shadowRadius = 5.0 //set shadow radius to your desired value.
customLabel.layer.shadowOpacity = 1.0 //Choose an opacity. Make sure it's visible (default is 0.0)
//Other options
customLabel.layer.shadowOffset = CGSize(width: 10, height: 10)
customLabel.layer.shadowColor = UIColor.black.cgColor
customLabel.layer.masksToBounds = false
What I hope will help someone and other answers failed to clarify is that it will not work if you also set UILabel Shadow Color property directly on Interface Builder while trying to setup .layer.shadowRadius.
So if setting label.layer.shadowRadius didn't work, please verify Shadow Color for this UILabel on Interface Builder. It should be set to default. And then, please, if you want a shadow color other than black, set this color also through .layer property.
Subclass UILabel, and override -drawInRect:
Related
I want to create a view which should have a glass like effect. It should look shining as well.
On that i want to add a UITextView which should appear transparent. I'm new to IPhone and not getting how to do this.
I don't want to add image. Wanna do programmatically. The view should look like as if it is a mobile screen.
Thanks
You'll have to do things if you don't want to use the image.
Add one UIView Use this code. And set gradient background color to it. Which will give you shiny glass like effect.
Here is the code:
.h file :
UIColor *pinkDarkOp;
UIColor *pinkLightOp;
CAGradientLayer *gradient;
.m file :
img_TopBarView = [[UIView alloc]initWithFrame:CGRectMake(0.0,0.0,1024.0,50.0)];
img_TopBarView.userInteractionEnabled = YES;
pinkDarkOp = [UIColor colorWithRed:15.0f/255.0 green:138.0f/255.0 blue:216.0f/255.0 alpha:1.0];
pinkLightOp = [UIColor colorWithRed:12.0f/255.0 green:91.0f/255.0 blue:183.0f/255.0 alpha:1.0];
gradient = [CAGradientLayer layer];
gradient.frame = [[img_TopBarView layer] bounds];
gradient.colors = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:(id)pinkDarkOp.CGColor,(id)pinkLightOp.CGColor,nil];
gradient.locations = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:[NSNumber numberWithFloat:0.0f],[NSNumber numberWithFloat:0.7],nil];
[[img_TopBarView layer] insertSublayer:gradient atIndex:0];
[self.view addSubview:img_TopBarView];
[img_TopBarView release];
You have to take the values of pinkDarkOp and pinkLightOp as per your need. You can get this color code anywhere on google.
For eg : http://gradients.glrzad.com
For Creating the transparent UITextView you can use the alpha property of the UITextView.
I hope this helps.
I am new to iphone.i found UILabel instance methodes very hard for me to implement.how can i use it.how can i customize the appearance of your text of a UIlabel further by subclassing UILabel.Plz i need little help to initiate.Foe example i have a label in my viewController how can i custmize it's text and hoe to subclass
.thanks in advance.
You can use so many properties of a UILabel like:
UILabel *lbl = [[UILabel alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(5, 5, 100, 40)];
lbl.font = [UIFont fontWithName:#"Helvetica" size:12.0]; // For setting font style with size
lbl.textColor = [UIColor whiteColor]; //For setting text color
lbl.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor]; // For setting background color
lbl.textAlignment = UITextAlignmentCenter; // For setting the horizontal text alignment
lbl.numberOfLines = 2; // For setting allowed number of lines in a label
lbl.lineBreakMode = UILineBreakModeWordWrap; // For setting line break mode
lbl.text = #"TitleText"; // For setting the text inside the label
Let me know if any thing other than this you want to know!!
The two methods
- (CGRect)textRectForBounds:(CGRect)bounds limitedToNumberOfLines:(NSInteger)numberOfLines
{
return CGRectInset(bounds, MARGIN, MARGIN);
}
- (void)drawTextInRect:(CGRect)rect
{
[super drawTextInRect: CGRectInset(self.bounds, MARGIN, MARGIN)];
}
We are using CGRectInset to create a rectangle that is either larger or smaller than an existing rectangle (bounds).
For Smaller rectangle, use positive values as MARGIN
For Larger rectangle, use positive values as MARGIN
All the best!!!
I am trying to change the UILabel background color with this code
- (void)viewWillAppear:(BOOL)animated
{
[super viewWillAppear:animated];
m_ShopName.text = m_CurrShop.m_Name;
m_ShopAddress.layer.backgroundColor = [UIColor colorWithRed:0.0 green:0.0 blue:0.0 alpha:0.0].CGColor;
}
but nothing is happening.
This will help you
UILable *lbl = [[UILabel alloc]initWithFrame:CGRectMake(10,20,50,200)];
lbl.backgroundColor = [UIColor redColor];
Can you do this:
- (void)viewWillAppear:(BOOL)animated
{
[super viewWillAppear:animated];
m_ShopName.text = m_CurrShop.m_Name;
m_ShopAddress.backgroundColor = [UIColor colorWithRed:0.0 green:0.0 blue:0.0 alpha:0.0];
}
I always did the following
m_ShopAddress.backgroundColor = [UIColor red];
When I wanted to change the alpha...
m_ShopAddress.alpha = 0.0f;
An alpha value of 0 means, it's fully transparent. That's probably why nothings happens (whatever you mean by that).
And I wouldn't access the background color of the layer, but of the UILabel directly.
If you are using a storyboard, check to see if you have a color for the view background in the storyboard. The view background color was overriding the layer color for me. I changed the background color for the view in the storyboard to default and this fixed it for me.
So I had the code:
func select() -> Void {
imageViewBackgroundView.layer.backgroundColor = UIColor.black.cgColor
cellImageView.layer.backgroundColor = UIColor.black.cgColor
cellLabel.layer.backgroundColor = UIColor.black.cgColor
cellLabel.textColor = UIColor.white
}
The cellLabel was the view background that was not changing. I had at one time set a background color for the view in the Storyboard. Once I changed the view background for the cellLabel to default the layer color took effect.
View Background
Okay, this question comes through a friend so it might be lost in translation...
Basically we need to change the color on a View. It appears to be stored in NSString format, but using a NSString to set the UIColor doesn't seem to do anything. In other words, if NSString color holds the value "redColor" then:
self.view.backgroundColor = color; //does nothing
Disclaimer: we are Objective-C/iPhone newbies.
Try
self.view.backgroundColor = [UIColor redColor];
You can also give RGB values like
self.view.backgroundColor = [UIColor colorWithRed:200/255.0 green:0/255.0 blue:67/255.0 alpha:1.0];
All the Best.
The color must be a UIColor object:
self.view.backgroundColor = [UIColor redColor];
like this also we can use
[self.view setBackgroundColor:[UIColor redColor]];
self.view.backgroundColor = [UIColor blueColor];
OR do like this
self.view.backgroundColor = [UIColor colorWithRed:180.0/256.0 green:180.0/256.0 blue:180.0/256.0 alpha:1.0];
The simplest way to add color programmatically is by using ColorLiteral.
Just add the property ColorLiteral as shown in the example, Xcode will prompt you with a whole list of colors which you can choose. The advantage of doing so is lesser code, add HEX values or RGB. You will also get the recently used colors from the storyboard.
Example:
self.view.backgroundColor = ColorLiteral
In my IPhone application, I want the text in UILabel to glow for a second, then fade for a sec;. Also i want to repeat this cycle for say 3 or 4 times.
Is this possible?
As of 3.2 you there is direct support for shadows in the SDK.
label.layer.shadowColor = [label.textColor CGColor];
label.layer.shadowOffset = CGSizeMake(0.0, 0.0);
Play with the parameters:
label.layer.shadowRadius = 3.0;
label.layer.shadowOpacity = 0.5;
And to avoid shadow being clipped by the label bouds:
label.layer.masksToBounds = NO;
Don't forget to
#include <Quartzcore/Quartzcore.h>
and link against the QuartzCore or CoreGraphics frameworks (thanks to commenters for pointing this out).
I've posted some sample code which subclasses UILabel and enables you to apply glow and soft shadows to text.
http://www.redrobotstudios.com/blog/2010/04/29/create-glow-soft-shadow-text-on-iphone/
Yes. Use beginAnimation...commitAnimation, and use the alpha value to brighten or dim the ULabel. Make sure that the default value of the UILabel's alpha starts at 0.85 and brightens to 1.0 and then dims to 0.75, and when all is done, you go back to 0.85.
There are other ways to do it such as having another view on top of the label that is gray or black and you use the same begin...commitAnimation to change the alpha on that from 0 to 0.20 or so.
There are many ways to do this, with varying quality. One way would be to subclass UILabel, and implement some kind of gradient effect in coregraphics in the drawRect method.
You can also play with the text shadow (change the colour and alpha) and see if you can come up with a decent glow.
The easiest way is probably to make a transparent glow-outline image in photoshop and place it behind your text, and then do like mahboudz suggests... fade the image in and out using coreanimation.
- (UILabel *) setUpGlowLabelWithFrame: (CGRect) frame fontSize: (int)fontSize {
UILabel* label = [[UILabel alloc] initWithFrame:frame];
label.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor];
label.font = [UIFont boldSystemFontOfSize:fontSize];
label.textColor = [UIColor whiteColor];
label.autoresizingMask = UIViewAutoresizingFlexibleWidth | UIViewAutoresizingFlexibleBottomMargin;
label.textAlignment = UITextAlignmentCenter;
label.layer.shadowColor = [label.textColor CGColor];
label.layer.shadowOffset = CGSizeMake(0.0, 0.0);
label.layer.masksToBounds = NO;
label.layer.shadowRadius = 0.5f;
label.layer.shadowOpacity = 0.95;
label.numberOfLines = 2;
label.tag = 20;
return label;
}
I get the glow effect when using this.
Hope it helps.
Happy coding :)
For those of you using Swift 4, here's what I used for multiple objects to Glow the same color as they are:
let colorRed: UIColor? = timeLabel.textColor
timeLabel.layer.shadowColor = colorRed?.cgColor
timeLabel.layer.shadowRadius = 4.0
timeLabel.layer.shadowOpacity = 0.9
timeLabel.layer.shadowOffset = CGSize.zero
timeLabel.layer.masksToBounds = false
As for animating the glow, just add a timer for 3-4 loops and change .shadowOpacity to something lower.