Adding an Image Frame or Watermark for Video in Android Programmatically
In this article, we’ll explore how to add an image frame or watermark to a video programmatically in Android. This technique is useful for branding your videos, adding a visual element, or protecting your content. We’ll cover both image frames and watermarks, providing a step-by-step guide and code examples.
Image Frame
An image frame adds a decorative border around your video. This can be a simple frame or a more complex design that complements the video’s content.
1. Set up your Project
- Create a new Android Studio project.
- Add the necessary dependencies (e.g., video playback library). You can use the standard `VideoView` or a library like `ExoPlayer` for more advanced features.
2. Prepare the Frame Image
- Create an image file (e.g., PNG, JPEG) that will be used as your frame. Ensure the image’s size is appropriate for the video’s aspect ratio.
- Add the image to your project’s drawable resources.
3. Programmatic Implementation
Here’s an example using the `VideoView` and `SurfaceView` to overlay the frame image:
package com.example.videoframe;
import android.content.Context;
import android.graphics.Canvas;
import android.graphics.Paint;
import android.graphics.PorterDuff;
import android.graphics.PorterDuffXfermode;
import android.graphics.drawable.Drawable;
import android.util.AttributeSet;
import android.view.SurfaceHolder;
import android.view.SurfaceView;
public class FramedVideoView extends SurfaceView implements SurfaceHolder.Callback {
private VideoView videoView;
private Drawable frameDrawable;
private SurfaceHolder surfaceHolder;
public FramedVideoView(Context context) {
super(context);
init();
}
public FramedVideoView(Context context, AttributeSet attrs) {
super(context, attrs);
init();
}
public FramedVideoView(Context context, AttributeSet attrs, int defStyleAttr) {
super(context, attrs, defStyleAttr);
init();
}
private void init() {
getHolder().addCallback(this);
videoView = new VideoView(getContext());
frameDrawable = getResources().getDrawable(R.drawable.frame_image);
}
@Override
public void surfaceCreated(SurfaceHolder holder) {
surfaceHolder = holder;
videoView.getHolder().setFormat(PixelFormat.TRANSLUCENT);
videoView.getHolder().addCallback(new SurfaceHolder.Callback() {
@Override
public void surfaceCreated(SurfaceHolder holder) {
// Not required for this example
}
@Override
public void surfaceChanged(SurfaceHolder holder, int format, int width, int height) {
// Not required for this example
}
@Override
public void surfaceDestroyed(SurfaceHolder holder) {
// Not required for this example
}
});
addView(videoView);
}
@Override
public void surfaceChanged(SurfaceHolder holder, int format, int width, int height) {
// Not required for this example
}
@Override
public void surfaceDestroyed(SurfaceHolder holder) {
// Not required for this example
}
public void setVideoPath(String path) {
videoView.setVideoPath(path);
videoView.start();
}
@Override
protected void onDraw(Canvas canvas) {
super.onDraw(canvas);
// Draw the video view
canvas.drawColor(0, PorterDuff.Mode.CLEAR);
videoView.draw(canvas);
// Draw the frame image
int frameWidth = frameDrawable.getIntrinsicWidth();
int frameHeight = frameDrawable.getIntrinsicHeight();
int canvasWidth = canvas.getWidth();
int canvasHeight = canvas.getHeight();
// Calculate scaling factors to fit the frame image
float scaleX = (float) canvasWidth / frameWidth;
float scaleY = (float) canvasHeight / frameHeight;
// Adjust scaling based on the aspect ratio
if (scaleX < scaleY) {
scaleX = scaleY;
} else {
scaleY = scaleX;
}
// Draw the frame with scaling
canvas.save();
canvas.scale(scaleX, scaleY);
frameDrawable.setBounds(0, 0, canvasWidth, canvasHeight);
frameDrawable.draw(canvas);
canvas.restore();
}
}
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:orientation="vertical">
<com.example.videoframe.FramedVideoView
android:id="@+id/framedVideoView"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="0dp"
android:layout_weight="1">
</com.example.videoframe.FramedVideoView>
</LinearLayout>
package com.example.videoframe;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.MediaController;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
FramedVideoView framedVideoView = findViewById(R.id.framedVideoView);
MediaController mediaController = new MediaController(this);
mediaController.setAnchorView(framedVideoView);
framedVideoView.setVideoPath("android.resource://" + getPackageName() + "/" + R.raw.your_video);
framedVideoView.start();
framedVideoView.setMediaController(mediaController);
}
}
4. Explanation
- In this code, we create a custom `FramedVideoView` that extends `SurfaceView`. This allows us to draw on top of the video view.
- The `onDraw` method is overridden to draw both the video and the frame image. We use a `Paint` object to define the frame image's color and transparency.
- The scaling logic ensures that the frame image is resized to fit the video view without distortion.
Watermark
A watermark is a semi-transparent image placed over the video, typically in a corner or centered, to indicate ownership or branding. Watermarks can be static or dynamic, appearing throughout the video.
1. Prepare the Watermark Image
- Create an image file that will serve as the watermark. Make sure the image's size and transparency level are suitable.
- Add the watermark image to your project's drawable resources.
2. Programmatic Implementation
Here's how you can add a watermark using a custom `VideoView` subclass:
package com.example.watermarkvideo;
import android.content.Context;
import android.graphics.Canvas;
import android.graphics.Paint;
import android.graphics.PorterDuff;
import android.graphics.PorterDuffXfermode;
import android.graphics.drawable.Drawable;
import android.util.AttributeSet;
import android.view.SurfaceHolder;
import android.view.SurfaceView;
public class WatermarkedVideoView extends SurfaceView implements SurfaceHolder.Callback {
private VideoView videoView;
private Drawable watermarkDrawable;
private SurfaceHolder surfaceHolder;
public WatermarkedVideoView(Context context) {
super(context);
init();
}
public WatermarkedVideoView(Context context, AttributeSet attrs) {
super(context, attrs);
init();
}
public WatermarkedVideoView(Context context, AttributeSet attrs, int defStyleAttr) {
super(context, attrs, defStyleAttr);
init();
}
private void init() {
getHolder().addCallback(this);
videoView = new VideoView(getContext());
watermarkDrawable = getResources().getDrawable(R.drawable.watermark_image);
}
@Override
public void surfaceCreated(SurfaceHolder holder) {
surfaceHolder = holder;
videoView.getHolder().setFormat(PixelFormat.TRANSLUCENT);
videoView.getHolder().addCallback(new SurfaceHolder.Callback() {
@Override
public void surfaceCreated(SurfaceHolder holder) {
// Not required for this example
}
@Override
public void surfaceChanged(SurfaceHolder holder, int format, int width, int height) {
// Not required for this example
}
@Override
public void surfaceDestroyed(SurfaceHolder holder) {
// Not required for this example
}
});
addView(videoView);
}
@Override
public void surfaceChanged(SurfaceHolder holder, int format, int width, int height) {
// Not required for this example
}
@Override
public void surfaceDestroyed(SurfaceHolder holder) {
// Not required for this example
}
public void setVideoPath(String path) {
videoView.setVideoPath(path);
videoView.start();
}
@Override
protected void onDraw(Canvas canvas) {
super.onDraw(canvas);
// Draw the video view
canvas.drawColor(0, PorterDuff.Mode.CLEAR);
videoView.draw(canvas);
// Draw the watermark image
int watermarkWidth = watermarkDrawable.getIntrinsicWidth();
int watermarkHeight = watermarkDrawable.getIntrinsicHeight();
int canvasWidth = canvas.getWidth();
int canvasHeight = canvas.getHeight();
// Position the watermark (bottom-right corner in this example)
int watermarkX = canvasWidth - watermarkWidth;
int watermarkY = canvasHeight - watermarkHeight;
// Draw the watermark
watermarkDrawable.setBounds(watermarkX, watermarkY, watermarkX + watermarkWidth, watermarkY + watermarkHeight);
watermarkDrawable.draw(canvas);
}
}
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:orientation="vertical">
<com.example.watermarkvideo.WatermarkedVideoView
android:id="@+id/watermarkedVideoView"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="0dp"
android:layout_weight="1">
</com.example.watermarkvideo.WatermarkedVideoView>
</LinearLayout>
package com.example.watermarkvideo;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.MediaController;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
WatermarkedVideoView watermarkedVideoView = findViewById(R.id.watermarkedVideoView);
MediaController mediaController = new MediaController(this);
mediaController.setAnchorView(watermarkedVideoView);
watermarkedVideoView.setVideoPath("android.resource://" + getPackageName() + "/" + R.raw.your_video);
watermarkedVideoView.start();
watermarkedVideoView.setMediaController(mediaController);
}
}
3. Explanation
- The `onDraw` method now handles both video and watermark rendering. We define the watermark's position and draw it on top of the video.
- By adjusting the watermark image's transparency, you can control its visibility and blend it with the video.
- The watermark can be dynamically positioned using calculations or user input.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Image Frame | Watermark |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Decorative border, visual enhancement | Ownership/branding, content protection |
| Placement | Surrounds the entire video | Typically in a corner or centered |
| Transparency | Usually opaque, but can be semi-transparent | Often semi-transparent |
| Size | Fits the video's aspect ratio | Smaller than the video frame |
Conclusion
Adding image frames or watermarks to your Android videos programmatically is a straightforward process. By customizing the image, position, and transparency, you can achieve unique visual effects and enhance the overall presentation of your content.