[ios] Programmatically create a UIView with color gradient

I'm trying to generate a view with a gradient color background (A solid color to transparent) at runtime. Is there a way of doing that?

What you are looking for is CAGradientLayer. Every UIView has a layer - into that layer you can add sublayers, just as you can add subviews. One specific type is the CAGradientLayer, where you give it an array of colors to gradiate between.

One example is this simple wrapper for a gradient view:

http://oleb.net/blog/2010/04/obgradientview-a-simple-uiview-wrapper-for-cagradientlayer/

Note that you need to include the QuartZCore framework in order to access all of the layer parts of a UIView.

I have implemented this in swift with an extension:

Swift 3

extension UIView {
    func addGradientWithColor(color: UIColor) {
        let gradient = CAGradientLayer()
        gradient.frame = self.bounds
        gradient.colors = [UIColor.clear.cgColor, color.cgColor]

        self.layer.insertSublayer(gradient, at: 0)
    }
}

Swift 2.2

extension UIView {
    func addGradientWithColor(color: UIColor) {
        let gradient = CAGradientLayer()
        gradient.frame = self.bounds
        gradient.colors = [UIColor.clearColor().CGColor, color.CGColor]

        self.layer.insertSublayer(gradient, atIndex: 0)
    }
}

No I can set a gradient on every view like this:

myImageView.addGradientWithColor(UIColor.blue)

In Swift 3.1 I have added this extension to UIView

import Foundation
import UIKit
import CoreGraphics


extension UIView {
    func gradientOfView(withColours: UIColor...) {

        var cgColours = [CGColor]()

        for colour in withColours {
            cgColours.append(colour.cgColor)
        }
        let grad = CAGradientLayer()
        grad.frame = self.bounds
        grad.colors = cgColours
        self.layer.insertSublayer(grad, at: 0)
    }
}

which I then call with

    class OverviewVC: UIViewController {

        override func viewDidLoad() {
            super.viewDidLoad()

            self.view.gradientOfView(withColours: UIColor.red,UIColor.green, UIColor.blue)

        }
}

extension UIView {

    func applyGradient(isVertical: Bool, colorArray: [UIColor]) { 
        layer.sublayers?.filter({ $0 is CAGradientLayer }).forEach({ $0.removeFromSuperlayer() })
         
        let gradientLayer = CAGradientLayer()
        gradientLayer.colors = colorArray.map({ $0.cgColor })
        if isVertical {
            //top to bottom
            gradientLayer.locations = [0.0, 1.0]
        } else {
            //left to right
            gradientLayer.startPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.0, y: 0.5)
            gradientLayer.endPoint = CGPoint(x: 1.0, y: 0.5)
        }
        
        backgroundColor = .clear
        gradientLayer.frame = bounds
        layer.insertSublayer(gradientLayer, at: 0)
    }

}

USAGE

someView.applyGradient(isVertical: true, colorArray: [.green, .blue])

This is my recommended approach.

To promote reusability, I'd say create a category of CAGradientLayer and add your desired gradients as class methods. Specify them in the header file like this :

#import <QuartzCore/QuartzCore.h>

@interface CAGradientLayer (SJSGradients)

+ (CAGradientLayer *)redGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)blueGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)turquoiseGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)flavescentGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)whiteGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)chocolateGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)tangerineGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)pastelBlueGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)yellowGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)purpleGradientLayer;
+ (CAGradientLayer *)greenGradientLayer;

@end

Then in your implementation file, specify each gradient with this syntax :

+ (CAGradientLayer *)flavescentGradientLayer
{
    UIColor *topColor = [UIColor colorWithRed:1 green:0.92 blue:0.56 alpha:1];
    UIColor *bottomColor = [UIColor colorWithRed:0.18 green:0.18 blue:0.18 alpha:1];

    NSArray *gradientColors = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:(id)topColor.CGColor, (id)bottomColor.CGColor, nil];
    NSArray *gradientLocations = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:[NSNumber numberWithInt:0.0],[NSNumber numberWithInt:1.0], nil];

    CAGradientLayer *gradientLayer = [CAGradientLayer layer];
    gradientLayer.colors = gradientColors;
    gradientLayer.locations = gradientLocations;

    return gradientLayer;
}

Then simply import this category in your ViewController or any other required subclass, and use it like this :

CAGradientLayer *backgroundLayer = [CAGradientLayer purpleGradientLayer];
backgroundLayer.frame = self.view.frame;
[self.view.layer insertSublayer:backgroundLayer atIndex:0];

SWIFT 3

To add a gradient layer on your view

• Bind your view outlet

  @IBOutlet var YOURVIEW : UIView!
  

• Define the CAGradientLayer()

  var gradient = CAGradientLayer()
  

• Here is the code you have to write in your viewDidLoad

  YOURVIEW.layoutIfNeeded()

  gradient.startPoint = CGPoint(x: CGFloat(0), y: CGFloat(1)) gradient.endPoint = CGPoint(x: CGFloat(1), y: CGFloat(0)) gradient.frame = YOURVIEW.bounds gradient.colors = [UIColor.red.cgColor, UIColor.green.cgColor] gradient.colors = [ UIColor(red: 255.0/255.0, green: 56.0/255.0, blue: 224.0/255.0, alpha: 1.0).cgColor,UIColor(red: 86.0/255.0, green: 13.0/255.0, blue: 232.0/255.0, alpha: 1.0).cgColor,UIColor(red: 16.0/255.0, green: 173.0/255.0, blue: 245.0/255.0, alpha: 1.0).cgColor] gradient.locations = [0.0 ,0.6 ,1.0] YOURVIEW.layer.insertSublayer(gradient, at: 0)

A Swift Approach

This answer builds on the answers above and provides implementation for dealing with the problem of the gradient not being properly applied during rotation. It satisfies this problem by changing the gradient layer to a square so that rotation in all directions results in a correct gradient. The function signature includes a Swift variadic argument that allows one to pass in as many CGColorRef's (CGColor) as needed (see sample usage). Also provided is an example as a Swift extension so that one can apply a gradient to any UIView.

   func configureGradientBackground(colors:CGColorRef...){

        let gradient: CAGradientLayer = CAGradientLayer()
        let maxWidth = max(self.view.bounds.size.height,self.view.bounds.size.width)
        let squareFrame = CGRect(origin: self.view.bounds.origin, size: CGSizeMake(maxWidth, maxWidth))
        gradient.frame = squareFrame

        gradient.colors = colors
        view.layer.insertSublayer(gradient, atIndex: 0)
    }

To use:

in viewDidLoad...

  override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        configureGradientBackground(UIColor.redColor().CGColor, UIColor.whiteColor().CGColor)
  }

Extension implementation

extension CALayer {


    func configureGradientBackground(colors:CGColorRef...){

        let gradient = CAGradientLayer()

        let maxWidth = max(self.bounds.size.height,self.bounds.size.width)
        let squareFrame = CGRect(origin: self.bounds.origin, size: CGSizeMake(maxWidth, maxWidth))
        gradient.frame = squareFrame

        gradient.colors = colors

        self.insertSublayer(gradient, atIndex: 0)
    }

}

Extension use-case example:

 override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()

        self.view.layer.configureGradientBackground(UIColor.purpleColor().CGColor, UIColor.blueColor().CGColor, UIColor.whiteColor().CGColor)
 }

Which means the gradient background can now be applied to any UIControl since all controls are UIViews (or a subclass) and all UIViews have CALayers.

Swift 4

Extension implementation

extension CALayer {
    public func configureGradientBackground(_ colors:CGColor...){

        let gradient = CAGradientLayer()

        let maxWidth = max(self.bounds.size.height,self.bounds.size.width)
        let squareFrame = CGRect(origin: self.bounds.origin, size: CGSize(width: maxWidth, height: maxWidth))
        gradient.frame = squareFrame

        gradient.colors = colors

        self.insertSublayer(gradient, at: 0)
    }    
}

Extension use-case example:

override func viewDidLoad() {
    super.viewDidLoad()

    self.view.layer.configureGradientBackground(UIColor.purple.cgColor, UIColor.blue.cgColor, UIColor.white.cgColor)
}

You can create a custom class GradientView:

Swift 5

class GradientView: UIView {
    override open class var layerClass: AnyClass {
       return CAGradientLayer.classForCoder()
    }

    required init?(coder aDecoder: NSCoder) {
        super.init(coder: aDecoder)
        let gradientLayer = layer as! CAGradientLayer
        gradientLayer.colors = [UIColor.white.cgColor, UIColor.black.cgColor]
    }
}

In the storyboard, set the class type to any view that you want to have gradient background:

This is better in the following ways:

• No need to set frame of CLayer
• Use NSConstraint as usual on the UIView
• Don't need to create sublayers (less memory use)

Swift 4:

Shows gradient in IB correctly:

@IBDesignable public class GradientView: UIView {

    override open class var layerClass: AnyClass {
        return CAGradientLayer.classForCoder()
    }

    required public init?(coder aDecoder: NSCoder) {
        super.init(coder: aDecoder)
        configureGradientLayer()
    }

    public override init(frame: CGRect) {
        super.init(frame: frame)
        configureGradientLayer()
    }

    func configureGradientLayer() {
        let gradientLayer = layer as! CAGradientLayer
        gradientLayer.colors = [UIColor(hex: 0x003399).cgColor, UIColor(hex: 0x00297b).cgColor]
    }
}

Since I only needed one type of gradient throughout my app I created a subclass of UIView and preconfigured the gradient layer on initialization with fixed colors. The initializers of UIView call the configureGradientLayer-method, which configures the CAGradientLayer:

DDGradientView.h:

#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>

@interface DDGradientView : UIView {

}
@end

DDGradientView.m:

#import "DDGradientView.h"

@implementation DDGradientView

// Change the views layer class to CAGradientLayer class
+ (Class)layerClass
{
    return [CAGradientLayer class];
}

- (instancetype)initWithCoder:(NSCoder *)aDecoder {
    self = [super initWithCoder:aDecoder];
    if(self) {
        [self configureGradientLayer];
    }
    return self;
}

- (instancetype)initWithFrame:(CGRect)frame {
    self = [super initWithFrame:frame];
    if(self) {
        [self configureGradientLayer];
    }
    return self;
}

// Make custom configuration of your gradient here   
- (void)configureGradientLayer {
    CAGradientLayer *gLayer = (CAGradientLayer *)self.layer;
    gLayer.colors = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:(id)[[UIColor whiteColor] CGColor], (id)[[UIColor lightGrayColor] CGColor], nil];
}
@end

My solution is to create UIView subclass with CAGradientLayer accessible as a readonly property. This will allow you to customize your gradient how you want and you don't need to handle layout changes yourself. Subclass implementation:

@interface GradientView : UIView

@property (nonatomic, readonly) CAGradientLayer *gradientLayer;

@end

@implementation GradientView

+ (Class)layerClass
{
    return [CAGradientLayer class];
}

- (CAGradientLayer *)gradientLayer
{
    return (CAGradientLayer *)self.layer;
}

@end

Usage:

self.iconBackground = [GradientView new];
[self.background addSubview:self.iconBackground];
self.iconBackground.gradientLayer.colors = @[(id)[UIColor blackColor].CGColor, (id)[UIColor whiteColor].CGColor];
self.iconBackground.gradientLayer.startPoint = CGPointMake(1.0f, 1.0f);
self.iconBackground.gradientLayer.endPoint = CGPointMake(0.0f, 0.0f);

I've extended the accepted answer a little using Swift's extension functionality as well as an enum.

Oh and if you are using Storyboard like I do, make sure to call gradientBackground(from:to:direction:) in viewDidLayoutSubviews() or later.

Swift 3

enum GradientDirection {
    case leftToRight
    case rightToLeft
    case topToBottom
    case bottomToTop
}

extension UIView {
    func gradientBackground(from color1: UIColor, to color2: UIColor, direction: GradientDirection) {
        let gradient = CAGradientLayer()
        gradient.frame = self.bounds
        gradient.colors = [color1.cgColor, color2.cgColor]

        switch direction {
        case .leftToRight:
            gradient.startPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.0, y: 0.5)
            gradient.endPoint = CGPoint(x: 1.0, y: 0.5)
        case .rightToLeft:
            gradient.startPoint = CGPoint(x: 1.0, y: 0.5)
            gradient.endPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.0, y: 0.5)
        case .bottomToTop:
            gradient.startPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.5, y: 1.0)
            gradient.endPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.5, y: 0.0)
        default:
            break
        }

        self.layer.insertSublayer(gradient, at: 0)
    }
}

To give gradient color to UIView (swift 4.2)

func makeGradientLayer(`for` object : UIView, startPoint : CGPoint, endPoint : CGPoint, gradientColors : [Any]) -> CAGradientLayer {
        let gradient: CAGradientLayer = CAGradientLayer()
        gradient.colors = gradientColors
        gradient.locations = [0.0 , 1.0]
        gradient.startPoint = startPoint
        gradient.endPoint = endPoint
        gradient.frame = CGRect(x: 0, y: 0, w: object.frame.size.width, h: object.frame.size.height)
        return gradient
    }

How to use

let start : CGPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.0, y: 1.0)
let end : CGPoint = CGPoint(x: 1.0, y: 1.0)

let gradient: CAGradientLayer = makeGradientLayer(for: cell, startPoint: start, endPoint: end, gradientColors: [
                    UIColor(red:0.92, green:0.07, blue:0.4, alpha:1).cgColor,
                    UIColor(red:0.93, green:0.11, blue:0.14, alpha:1).cgColor
                    ])

self.vwTemp.layer.insertSublayer(gradient, at: 0)

Its a good idea to call the solutions above to update layer on the

viewDidLayoutSubviews 

to get the views updated correctly

Try This it worked like a charm for me,

Objective C

I have set RGB gradient background Color to UIview

   UIView *view = [[UIView alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(0,0,320,35)];
   CAGradientLayer *gradient = [CAGradientLayer layer];
   gradient.frame = view.bounds;
   gradient.startPoint = CGPointZero;
   gradient.endPoint = CGPointMake(1, 1);
   gradient.colors = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:(id)[[UIColor colorWithRed:34.0/255.0 green:211/255.0 blue:198/255.0 alpha:1.0] CGColor],(id)[[UIColor colorWithRed:145/255.0 green:72.0/255.0 blue:203/255.0 alpha:1.0] CGColor], nil];
   [view.layer addSublayer:gradient];

UPDATED :- Swift3 +

Code :-

 var gradientView = UIView(frame: CGRect(x: 0, y: 0, width: 320, height: 35))
 let gradientLayer:CAGradientLayer = CAGradientLayer()
 gradientLayer.frame.size = self.gradientView.frame.size
 gradientLayer.colors = 
 [UIColor.white.cgColor,UIColor.red.withAlphaComponent(1).cgColor] 
//Use diffrent colors
 gradientView.layer.addSublayer(gradientLayer)

You can add starting and end point of gradient color.

  gradientLayer.startPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.0, y: 1.0)
  gradientLayer.endPoint = CGPoint(x: 1.0, y: 1.0)

For more details description refer CAGradientLayer Doc

Hope this is help for some one .

I have implemented this in my code.

UIView *view1 = [[UIView alloc] initWithFrame:CGRectMake(0.0f, 0.0f, self.view.frame.size.width, 31.0f)];
view1.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor];
CAGradientLayer *gradient = [CAGradientLayer layer];
gradient.frame = view1.bounds;
UIColor *topColor = [UIColor colorWithRed:132.0/255.0 green:222.0/255.0 blue:109.0/255.0 alpha:1.0];
UIColor *bottomColor = [UIColor colorWithRed:31.0/255.0 green:150.0/255.0 blue:99.0/255.0 alpha:1.0];
gradient.colors = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:(id)[topColor CGColor], (id)[bottomColor CGColor], nil];


[view1.layer insertSublayer:gradient atIndex:0];

Now I can see a gradient on my view.

Simple swift view based on Yuchen's version

class GradientView: UIView {
    override class func layerClass() -> AnyClass { return CAGradientLayer.self }

    lazy var gradientLayer: CAGradientLayer = {
        return self.layer as! CAGradientLayer
    }()

    override init(frame: CGRect) {
        super.init(frame: frame)
    }

    required init?(coder aDecoder: NSCoder) {
        super.init(coder: aDecoder)
    }

}

Then you can use gradientLayer after initialization like this...

someView.gradientLayer.colors = [UIColor.whiteColor().CGColor, UIColor.blackColor().CGColor]

Swift Implementation:

var gradientLayerView: UIView = UIView(frame: CGRectMake(0, 0, view.bounds.width, 50))
var gradient: CAGradientLayer = CAGradientLayer()
gradient.frame = gradientLayerView.bounds
gradient.colors = [UIColor.grayColor().CGColor, UIColor.clearColor().CGColor]
gradientLayerView.layer.insertSublayer(gradient, atIndex: 0)
self.view.layer.insertSublayer(gradientLayerView.layer, atIndex: 0)