How to Build a Custom Camera App Using Android’s CameraX Library

Building a custom camera app for Android can be a rewarding experience, especially when you leverage the power of the CameraX library. As part of the Jetpack support library suite, CameraX is designed to simplify and standardize camera development across various Android devices . Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a custom camera app using CameraX.

Getting Started with CameraX

Before diving into the development process, ensure that you have the latest version of Android Studio installed. CameraX is compatible with Android 5.0 (API level 21) and above, making it accessible for a wide range of devices .

Step 1: Create a New Android Studio Project

Start by creating a new project in Android Studio. Choose an appropriate template, such as an empty activity, to get your project up and running quickly .

Step 2: Add CameraX Dependencies

Next, add the necessary CameraX dependencies to your build.gradle file. These dependencies include the core CameraX libraries, which are functionally stable and feature-complete . For example:

dependencies {
    implementation 'androidx.camera:camera-core:1.3.0'
    implementation 'androidx.camera:camera-camera2:1.3.0'
    implementation 'androidx.camera:camera-lifecycle:1.3.0'
    implementation 'androidx.camera:camera-view:1.3.0'
}

Implementing Camera Features

With the setup complete, you can now begin implementing the camera features in your app.

Step 3: Add a PreviewView to Your UI

To display the camera preview, add a PreviewView to your user interface. This component will handle the visual output from the camera . In your XML layout file, include the following code:

<androidx.camera.view.PreviewView
    android:id="@+id/previewView"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent" />

Step 4: Adding a Preview Use Case

In your main activity, initialize the CameraX use cases. The Preview use case is essential for displaying the camera feed. Here’s how you can set it up:

Preview preview = new Preview.Builder().build();
preview.setSurfaceProvider(binding.previewView.getSurfaceProvider());

Step 5: Binding It All Together

To bind the camera to the lifecycle of your activity, use the CameraX.bindToLifecycle method. This ensures that the camera starts and stops appropriately based on the activity’s lifecycle events:

CameraX.bindToLifecycle(this, CameraSelector.DEFAULT_BACK_CAMERA, preview);

Enhancing Your Camera App

Once the basic camera functionality is in place, you can enhance your app by adding more features such as capturing photos or recording videos.

Step 6: Switching Cameras

If your device has multiple cameras, you might want to allow users to switch between them. You can achieve this by changing the CameraSelector when initializing the camera:

CameraSelector cameraSelector = new CameraSelector.Builder()
    .requireLensFacing(CameraSelector.LENS_FACING_FRONT)
    .build();

Conclusion

Building a custom camera app using Android’s CameraX library opens up a world of possibilities for developers. By simplifying the development process, CameraX allows you to focus on creating unique features and enhancing user experiences. Whether you’re developing for personal projects or commercial applications, following these steps will set you on the right path to success . With the tools and resources available today, there’s never been a better time to dive into Android camera development.