How can I use VectorDrawable with the Android Toolbar?

Question

What is the proper method to use the new VectorDrawable in the toolbar?

I tried to use the app:srcCompat element as illustrated below, but nothing showed up.

<menu
  xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
  xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto">
  <item
    app:srcCompat="@drawable/ic_clear"
    app:showAsAction="ifRoom" />
</menu>

I have my own toolbar layout using android.support.v7.widget.Toolbar and Android Support Library v23.2 on JB (16).

@vigilancer your comment put me on the right track and it works. Make a real answer with a small snippet and I'll accept it as an answer. — vwrynn, Mar 05 '16 at 13:08

vigilancer · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-05T13:21:31.390

38

Turns out it's quite easy. Say, you have vector drawable vd_trash_24dp.

Describing MenuItem one cannot address VectorDrawable directly with android:icon. It seems ignoring app:srcCompat also.

But. As all we know ;)

AppCompat does support loading vector drawables when they are referenced in another drawable container such as a StateListDrawable, InsetDrawable, LayerDrawable, LevelListDrawable, and RotateDrawable

Let's try it, should we?

Create StateListDrawable vd_test_vd

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<selector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <item android:drawable="@drawable/vd_trash_24dp" />

</selector>

than

<menu xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
      xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools">
    <item android:id="@+id/menu_action_filter"
          android:title="@string/menu_action_filter"
          android:icon="@drawable/vd_test_vd"
          android:orderInCategory="100"
          app:showAsAction="always"/>
</menu>

street magic indeed.

Yes, one could try and set drawable at runtime with MenuItem.setIcon(). But who need that %)

edited Mar 05 '16 at 13:21

answered Mar 05 '16 at 13:06

vigilancer

1,456
14
15

app keeps crashing on support library 24.1.1 – PYPL Jul 31 '16 at 18:39
5

this seems to be working now (verified in 24.2.1) without the `StateListDrawable` fyi – Nate Rickard Oct 26 '16 at 20:34
Thanks! That came very handy! – inteist May 19 '17 at 20:26
Another method is to use the drawable you get from AppCompatResources.getDrawable – android developer Jun 08 '17 at 08:00
Nicely done! You remind me one of my friend who used to clip things! – Shivansh Sep 27 '17 at 15:50
2

DiscDev, you must be new to all this :) That's just one of the many. – vigilancer Nov 01 '17 at 06:42
> As of Android Support Library 23.3.0, support vector drawables can only be loaded via app:srcCompat or setImageResource().. It looks like in version 23.3.0 of the Support Library, you can only load VectorDrawables via app:srcCompat and setImageResource. [Source](http://android-developers.blogspot.ru/2016/02/android-support-library-232.html) – Brandon Tripp May 06 '16 at 20:17

How can I use VectorDrawable with the Android Toolbar?

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