creating an empty bitmap and drawing though canvas in android

Question

I'd like to create an empty bitmap and set canvas to that bitmap and then draw any shape on bitmap.

Answer 1

This is probably simpler than you're thinking:

int w = WIDTH_PX, h = HEIGHT_PX;

Bitmap.Config conf = Bitmap.Config.ARGB_8888; // see other conf types
Bitmap bmp = Bitmap.createBitmap(w, h, conf); // this creates a MUTABLE bitmap
Canvas canvas = new Canvas(bmp);

// ready to draw on that bitmap through that canvas

Here's a series of tutorials I've found on the topic: Drawing with Canvas Series

Answer 2

Do not use Bitmap.Config.ARGB_8888

Instead use int w = WIDTH_PX, h = HEIGHT_PX;

Bitmap.Config conf = Bitmap.Config.ARGB_4444; // see other conf types
Bitmap bmp = Bitmap.createBitmap(w, h, conf); // this creates a MUTABLE bitmap
Canvas canvas = new Canvas(bmp);

// ready to draw on that bitmap through that canvas

ARGB_8888 can land you in OutOfMemory issues when dealing with more bitmaps or large bitmaps. Or better yet, try avoiding usage of ARGB option itself.