Splash screen image is malformed

[Ed]

I am trying to deploy to Android in Graphite

I understand that the splash screen image needs to be in the 9 Patch format but I cannot seem to create a valid image in this format -- at least one that will allow the app to build.  per the advice in the project properties link (http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/graphics/2d-graphics.html#nine-patch) I have tried to follow its guidance but am having no luck.  I've tried all manners of black borders and lines...  sometimes it rejects it outright ("pixel X, Y is either non-black or transparent") and other times it takes the image but fails to build saying the image is malformed (BTW: "malformed" is pretty vague), which then causes three errors because the image fails to process then the jar file fails to build.

Three questions for you:
    1) What are the exact rules surrounding a 9 Patch file? 
    2) Where do I find the default image that Graphite uses?
    3) Is it prudent to allow the user to remove the default image but then provide no means to revert the image to some default value (I don't     care if it is blank at this point)?

I am expected to present to a user group soon and have been effectively blocked from deployment.  Not good.

Any help would be appreciated.

-Ed

[Ed]

I found a good description here:  http://radleymarx.com/blog/simple-guide-to-9-patch/ where he describes common issues.  One pixel just slightly off-shade of true black causes it to be malformed, and this advice fixed my issue.  Ugh, what an unenjoyable image format to work with (not that I have a better one that provides its features).

I would still like to know where the default image resides on my local machine.  I know there are local files installed but they are difficult to sniff out.

[David Silveria]

I've used the tool for creating 9patch from the Android SDK and never really had any problems, check out here: http://developer.android.com/tools/help/draw9patch.html

I've found the 9patch in App_Resources / Android / drawable-nodpi / in my github repo where I sync the Icenium project.

[Ed]

Hi David.  Thanks for the tip.   That sounds like a good option though I have to say I was hoping to avoid installing the Android SDK...  after all, I am using a hybrid tool (Graphite) that is supposed to help me avoid installing and learning platform-specific tools. 

I'm mostly kidding about the imposition but perhaps we can add one to the Icenium feature suggestion box:  a nine-patch WYSIWYG editor :)

[Steve]

Hi Ed,

We're open to any kind of suggestions especially if it gathers enough interest from our users. Post your suggestion on our feedback portal and let's see what goes from there.

Regards,
Steve
Telerik

Don't miss the Icenium May Release Keynote - sign up now!
Share feedback and vote for features on our Feedback Portal.