How to: Fill Open Figures

You can fill a path by passing a GraphicsPath object to the FillPath method. The FillPath method fills the path according to the fill mode (alternate or winding) currently set for the path. If the path has any open figures, the path is filled as if those figures were closed. GDI+ closes a figure by drawing a straight line from its ending point to its starting point.

Example

The following example creates a path that has one open figure (an arc) and one closed figure (an ellipse). The FillPath method fills the path according to the default fill mode, which is Alternate.

The following illustration shows the output of the example code. Note that the path is filled (according to Alternate) as if the open figure were closed by a straight line from its ending point to its starting point.

GraphicsPath path = new GraphicsPath();

// Add an open figure.
path.AddArc(0, 0, 150, 120, 30, 120);

// Add an intrinsically closed figure.
path.AddEllipse(50, 50, 50, 100);

Pen pen = new Pen(Color.FromArgb(128, 0, 0, 255), 5);
SolidBrush brush = new SolidBrush(Color.Red);

// The fill mode is FillMode.Alternate by default.
e.Graphics.FillPath(brush, path);
e.Graphics.DrawPath(pen, path);

Dim path As New GraphicsPath()

' Add an open figure.
path.AddArc(0, 0, 150, 120, 30, 120)

' Add an intrinsically closed figure.
path.AddEllipse(50, 50, 50, 100)

Dim pen As New Pen(Color.FromArgb(128, 0, 0, 255), 5)
Dim brush As New SolidBrush(Color.Red)

' The fill mode is FillMode.Alternate by default.
e.Graphics.FillPath(brush, path)
e.Graphics.DrawPath(pen, path)

Compiling the Code

The preceding example is designed for use with Windows Forms, and it requires PaintEventArgs e, which is a parameter of the Paint event handler.

See also

• GraphicsPath
• Graphics Paths in GDI+