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Android Build a Simple Android App with Java Creating the Screen Layout Adding a Button

Posted by Codrin Postu
Codrin Postu
8,022 Points

All the items I drag and drop on the layout just go to the top left corner

Is there anyone that could explain why this happens? I don't get the blue dotted lines or arrows when I use RelativeLayout and I don't know what setting I am missing.

I can edit it manually in XML file but I am curious why for Ben it works just by dragging and for me it doesn't

Here is what it looks like: https://i.imgur.com/vsxeY13.png

Edit: I managed to get them to be in a certain position on the screen but I do not have the dotted lines or centered lines to help me align them properly. Is there a setting to turn them on?

3 Answers

Lauren Moineau
Lauren Moineau
9,483 Points

Hi Codrin. I think that when that video was recorded, RelativeLayout was the default root layout. Now it's ConstraintLayout and afaik you no longer get these guidelines by default with the RelativeLayout.

You can try the following in the Layout Editor:

  • Click on the magnet icon (next to the eye icon, top left, next to the Palette menu) so that it's not crossed out: this turns on Autoconnect.
  • Drag a new view onto your layout.
  • You will see 2 grey lines (1 horizontal and 1 vertical) coming out of that view as you move it along the layout (along with dimensions). They're 2 default constraints to the parent layout.
  • Click on the (red) dot on the view frame to remove both constraints. At this point, your view should be back at the top left corner
  • Now as you move your view again around the layout, you should see the horizontal and vertical guidelines appear in bold green. Release your view when you're happy with its position.
  • Repeat with the next view (remove the 2 default constraints). You will see thinner green lines to help you align that new view to the previous one too.

I hope this helps :) If it's unclear, let me know and I'll include screenshots.

Codrin Postu
Codrin Postu
8,022 Points

Right now I changed to ConstraintLayout because that has the snapping lines and I did click the magnet icon. It works now. I will wait to reach for the video where it explains the difference between them more in depth. Which one is recommended to be used though? Relative or Constraint?

Lauren Moineau
Lauren Moineau
9,483 Points

Great, Glad you got it working with Constraint. I would advise you to go with ConstraintLayout now. It's got everything RelativeLayout has plus much more :) Here is a nice Google codelab if you'd like to practise a little.

Jared Brunk
Jared Brunk
533 Points
Jared Brunk
Jared Brunk
533 Points

Thank you, this was very helpful

Malcom T.L Musuma
Malcom T.L Musuma
11,363 Points
Malcom T.L Musuma
Malcom T.L Musuma
11,363 Points

Hello, i cant figure out the red dot in the view frame. Can you send a screenshot

Ted Trollope
Ted Trollope
417 Points

It's on the 4 dots surrounding the frame , they start blue but when you mouse over them they turn red

Gedeon Christ
Gedeon Christ
194 Points
Gedeon Christ
Gedeon Christ
194 Points

Thanks a lot. I had the same problem but not it is working.

Lauren Moineau
Lauren Moineau
9,483 Points

I'm glad it helped :)