Can we use Photoshop/GIMP to create black lines in nine-patch (9.png) images?

Question

Android SDK tool draw9patch is soooo slow when I have to create a nine-patch from a full image (image for backgrounds) because it does not allow quick drawing of black line from top to bottom (like we are used in Photoshop or Gimp), but I have to paint each pixel. So waste of time. I think you know what I am talking about.

So, has anyone tried to draw black lines in Photoshop/GIMP taking care that you do not fill the end pixels? Will Android SDK treat them as a regular 9 PNG images?

Answer 1

9.png is just.png - You can use any of you favorite tool just 1px border must be transparent or filled with black and extension must be set to.9.png

Answer 2

There's this web tool - Simple Nine-patch Generator - which I find quite handy:

http://android-ui-utils.googlecode.com/hg/asset-studio/dist/nine-patches.html

Answer 3

I use Better9patch tool then I test them SDK's 9patch tool. But if you create 9patch with 1px border you should retouch them with PS or etc.. tools