How can I define the size of the drawables in the style file?

Question

I would like to specify just once in res/values/styles.xml the size of two checkboxes and their four shape drawables

1. res/drawable/cb1_checked.xml
2. res/drawable/cb1_unchecked.xml
3. res/drawable/cb2_checked.xml
4. res/drawable/cb2_unchecked.xml.

This way the size would appear one time in the style rather than four in the drawables.

Neither of the two attempts below work. Can you suggest a solution? (If you see what's wrong with these two attempts, please do mention it.)

----------------------------------------------------------------Attempt 1----------------------------------------------------------------

Replace

res/drawable/cb1_checked.xml

<size android:width="24dp"
      android:height="24dp" />

with

res/values/styles.xml

<item name="android:layout_width">24dp</item>
<item name="android:layout_height">24dp</item>

----------------------------------------------------------------Attempt 2----------------------------------------------------------------

Add

res/values/styles.xml

<item name="android:background">cb_background</item>

and define a background drawable

res/drawable/cb_background.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:shape="rectangle">
    <solid android:color="#00FF00"/>
    <size android:width="24dp"
          android:height="24dp" />
</shape>

----------------------------------------------------------------Added----------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the full set of XML files:

res/layout/activity_main.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:id="@+id/MyLL"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content">

    <CheckBox
        android:id="@+id/cb1"
        style="@style/CB_style"
        android:button="@drawable/cb1_selector"
        android:height="@dimen/my24sp" />

    <CheckBox
        android:id="@+id/cb2"
        style="@style/CB_style"
        android:button="@drawable/cb2_selector"
        android:height="@dimen/my24sp" />

</LinearLayout>

res/values/styles.xml

<style name="AppBaseTheme" parent="android:Theme.Light">
</style>

<style name="AppTheme" parent="AppBaseTheme">
</style>

<style name="CB_style" parent="@android:style/TextAppearance.Medium">
    <item name="android:layout_width">wrap_content</item>
    <item name="android:layout_height">wrap_content</item>
    <item name="android:layout_weight">1</item>
    <item name="android:layout_gravity">center_horizontal</item>
    <item name="android:gravity">center</item>
    <item name="android:checked">false</item>
</style>

res/drawable/cb1_selector.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<selector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
          android:constantSize="true">

    <item android:state_checked="true"
          android:drawable="@drawable/cb1_checked" />

    <item android:state_checked="false"
          android:drawable="@drawable/cb1_unchecked" />

</selector>

res/drawable/cb1_checked.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:shape="rectangle">
    <solid android:color="#FF0000"/>
    <size android:width="24dp"
          android:height="24dp" />
</shape>

res/drawable/cb1_unchecked.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:shape="rectangle">
    <solid android:color="#880000"/>
    <size android:width="24dp"
          android:height="24dp" />
</shape>

(and similarly for the cb2 selector and checked/unchecked drawables)

Solution

There is a weak solution, weak in the sense that android:width and android:height still appear four times, but at least the dimension can be adjusted by setting just one parameter.

For each of the four drawables, add

<size android:width="@dimen/my24dp"
      android:height="@dimen/my24dp" />

and also define the dimension

res/values/dimens.xml

<dimen name="my24dp">24dp</dimen>

So the question remains: Can the size not be specified at all in the drawables?

Comments

[longi]

really? what's the error? after you create the new dimens.xml you should clean your project.. than java is creating the reference id to get the value with your @dimen/checkbox_width

[Calaf]

There is no error. Nothing appears in either Eclipse or the device. Could you look at the full set of files that I have now added and see if there is something that makes your solution not work on my side?

[Toby Wilson]

I'm doing literally the same thing and this answer works. OP should accept this answer.

[roroinpho21]

I did the same thing but it isn't work. I have the following error Error:Error: Width (0) and height (0) cannot be <= 0. I have min skd tarket set to 19.

[Calaf]

@roroinpho21 It sounds simple, but anything one could suggest here would be just a guess. Double-check and post a question.