Can I have a UIBarButtonItem with a colored image?

Question

I have an image that I want to display on a UIBarButtonItem, but for some reason it only shows the outline of it and the rest is all white. How can I have it actually display the image?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Here is how I use an image for a UIBarButtonItem:

UIImage *image = [UIImage imageNamed:@"buttonImage.png"];
UIButton *button = [UIButton buttonWithType:UIButtonTypeCustom];
button.bounds = CGRectMake( 0, 0, image.size.width, image.size.height );    
[button setImage:image forState:UIControlStateNormal];
[button addTarget:myTarget action:@selector(myAction) forControlEvents:UIControlEventTouchUpInside];    
UIBarButtonItem *barButtonItem = [[UIBarButtonItem alloc] initWithCustomView:button];
…

Answer 2

Nope. As you can read in the Human Interface Guidelines

After you’ve decided on the appearance of your icon, follow these guidelines as you create it:

Use the PNG format.
Use pure white with appropriate alpha.
Do not include a drop shadow.
Use anti-aliasing.
If you decide to add a bevel, be sure that it is 90° (to help you do this, imagine a light source positioned at the top of the icon).
For toolbar and navigation bar icons, create an icon that measures about 20 x 20 pixels.
For tab bar icons, create an icon that measures about 30 x 30 pixels.

Note: The icon you provide for toolbars, navigation bars, and tab bars is used as a mask to create the icon you see in your application. It is not necessary to create a full-color icon.