Question

I want to apply inner-shadow to a UILabel. I have a solution, but it’s not good enough. Anyone with a better solution?

// UILabel subclass

- (void) drawTextInRect:(CGRect)rect {
    CGSize myShadowOffset = CGSizeMake(0, 2);
    float myColorValues[] = {255, 0, 0, 1};

    CGContextRef myContext = UIGraphicsGetCurrentContext();
    CGContextSaveGState(myContext);

    CGColorSpaceRef myColorSpace = CGColorSpaceCreateDeviceRGB();
    CGColorRef myColor = CGColorCreate(myColorSpace, myColorValues);

    CGContextSetShadowWithColor (myContext, myShadowOffset, 5, myColor);
    CGContextSetBlendMode(myContext, kCGBlendModeLighten);

    [super drawTextInRect:rect];

    CGColorRelease(myColor);
    CGColorSpaceRelease(myColorSpace); 

    CGContextRestoreGState(myContext);
}

I’m familiar with the layer property of UILabel, but shadow offset gives us a outer-shadow, NOT inner-shadow (unless i’m missing something).

Answer 1

I tried to do this but finally opted to use the default shadowOffset and play with the shadowColor to give the inner drop shadow effect to the text. In small texts it gives you a good inner shadow effect. For example, if you have a grayColor background and apply a whiteColor to the shadow, then you have an acceptable inner shadow effect.

Sometimes, it’s better to design those texts with graphic tools and make localized copies if needed.