9 Patch Editor
Online WYSIWYG tool to create 9 patch images for Android
What is 9 Patch Editor? Complete Overview
The 9 Patch Editor is an online WYSIWYG tool designed to create NinePatch images, similar to the functionality found in Android Studio. NinePatch images are bitmap graphics that can automatically resize to accommodate varying view contents and screen sizes. This tool allows developers to define stretchable regions and content areas within an image by drawing indicators directly on the image. The editor provides a user-friendly interface with real-time previews, making it easy to visualize how the image will scale. Target users include Android developers, UI/UX designers, and anyone needing to create scalable graphics for mobile applications. The tool solves the pain point of manually creating and testing NinePatch images, streamlining the workflow for responsive design.
9 Patch Editor Interface & Screenshots
9 Patch Editor Official screenshot of the tool interface
What Can 9 Patch Editor Do? Key Features
WYSIWYG Editor
The editor provides a What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get interface, allowing users to draw stretchable patches and content areas directly on the image. The right pane shows a real-time preview of how the image will scale, ensuring accuracy before saving.
Drag and Drop Support
Users can easily upload images by dragging and dropping them into the editor or clicking the 'Select image' button. This simplifies the process of starting a new NinePatch project.
Preview Options
The editor includes multiple preview options such as showing stretchable patches (pink), content areas (purple), and bad patches (red). These visual aids help users identify and correct potential scaling issues before finalizing the image.
Zoom and Scale Controls
Users can adjust the zoom level of the graphic in the drawing area and modify the patch scale in the preview area. These controls provide flexibility in viewing and testing the image at different sizes.
Automatic .9.png Extension
When saving the image, the tool automatically appends the .9.png extension, ensuring compatibility with Android's NinePatch format. Users can also rename the image before saving.
Best 9 Patch Editor Use Cases & Applications
Android App Development
Android developers can use the 9 Patch Editor to create scalable backgrounds for buttons, dialogs, and other UI elements. This ensures that graphics maintain their visual integrity across different screen sizes and resolutions.
UI/UX Design
Designers can prototype responsive UI components by quickly creating and testing NinePatch images. The tool's real-time preview helps iterate designs efficiently.
Cross-Platform Development
Developers working with frameworks like Flutter can use the editor to create NinePatch images that work seamlessly across Android and iOS, as referenced in the external links.
How to Use 9 Patch Editor: Step-by-Step Guide
Upload your image by clicking the 'Select image' button or dragging and dropping the image file into the editor. The image will appear in the center pane, which is the drawing area.
Use the drawing tools to define the stretchable patches and content area by clicking within the 1-pixel perimeter. The right pane will show a real-time preview of how the image scales.
Optionally, use the preview controls to visualize stretchable patches, content areas, and bad patches. Adjust the zoom and patch scale as needed to fine-tune your design.
Rename your image if desired. The tool will automatically save it with the .9.png extension to ensure it's recognized as a NinePatch image.
Click the 'Save image' button to download your NinePatch graphic. Verify that stretchable regions are at least 2x2 pixels to avoid issues when scaling down.
9 Patch Editor Pros and Cons: Honest Review
Pros
Considerations
Is 9 Patch Editor Worth It? FAQ & Reviews
A NinePatch image is a bitmap graphic that can automatically resize to accommodate varying content and screen sizes. It includes stretchable regions and an optional content area defined by 1-pixel borders.
Make sure stretchable regions are at least 2x2 pixels to avoid disappearing when scaled down. Also, provide 1 pixel of extra safe space around stretchable regions to prevent color interpolation issues.
While NinePatch is primarily an Android format, the external links provide resources on using these images in iOS, macOS, and Flutter, making the tool useful for cross-platform development.
The website does not specify file size limits, but performance may vary with very large images. It's recommended to use appropriately sized graphics for optimal results.