libgfx #

A comprehensive 2D vector graphics engine for Dart with software rasterization. Pure Dart implementation with no external dependencies, providing high-quality rendering for vector graphics, text, and images.

Features #

Core Graphics #

• Vector Graphics: Full path support with lines, Bézier curves, arcs, and complex transformations
• Software Rasterization: High-performance scanline-based rendering with sub-pixel precision
• Anti-aliasing: Superior edge smoothing with configurable quality levels
• Transform Stack: Full save/restore state management with nested transformations

Text & Fonts #

• TrueType Font Support: Complete TTF parser with glyph rendering
• Advanced Text Layout: Kerning, ligatures, and unicode support
• Text Metrics: Precise font measurements and bounding box calculations
• Multiple Font Formats: Support for various font weights and styles
• Font Fallback: Automatic fallback for missing glyphs

Painting & Effects #

• Gradients: Linear, radial, and conic gradients with multiple color stops
• Patterns: Bitmap patterns with repeat modes
• Blend Modes: Complete Porter-Duff compositing and separable blend modes
• Image Filters: Gaussian blur, box blur, sharpen, edge detection, emboss, motion blur
• Stroke Styles: Configurable line caps (butt, round, square), joins (miter, round, bevel), and dashing

Advanced Features #

• Clipping: Complex clipping regions with even-odd and non-zero winding rules
• Path Operations: Boolean operations (union, intersection, difference, XOR)
• Image Codecs: PNG, BMP, PPM/P3/P6 format support

Installation #

Add this to your package's pubspec.yaml file:

dependencies:
  libgfx: ^1.0.0

Font Setup #

Fonts are not included in the package to reduce size. Download them using:

./scripts/download_fonts.sh

See data/fonts/README.md for manual download instructions.

Quick Start #

Basic Drawing #

import 'package:libgfx/libgfx.dart';

void main() async {
  // Create a 400x300 canvas
  final engine = GraphicsEngine(400, 300);
  
  // Set up styling
  engine.setFillColor(const Color(0xFFFF0000)); // Red
  engine.setStrokeColor(const Color(0xFF0000FF)); // Blue
  engine.setStrokeWidth(3.0);
  
  // Draw a rectangle using path
  final path = PathBuilder()
    ..moveTo(50, 50)
    ..lineTo(200, 50)
    ..lineTo(200, 150)
    ..lineTo(50, 150)
    ..close();
  
  engine.fill(path.build());
  engine.stroke(path.build());
  
  // Or use convenience methods
  engine.fillRect(250, 50, 100, 100);
  engine.strokeRect(250, 50, 100, 100);
  
  // Save to file (defaults to PPM format)
  await engine.saveToFile('output.ppm');
  
  // For other formats, use the codec system:
  final pngBytes = GraphicsEngine.saveImageToBytes(engine.canvas, 'png');
  await File('output.png').writeAsBytes(pngBytes);
}

Text Rendering #

// Load a font
await engine.setFontFromFile('fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf');
engine.setFontSize(24);
engine.setTextAlign(TextAlign.center);
engine.setTextBaseline(TextBaseline.middle);

// Render text
engine.setFillColor(Color.fromRGBA(0, 0, 0, 255));
engine.fillText('Hello, World!', 200, 150);

Gradients #

// Linear gradient
final gradient = LinearGradient(
  startPoint: Point(0, 0),
  endPoint: Point(200, 0),
  colors: [
    Color.fromRGBA(255, 0, 0, 255),
    Color.fromRGBA(0, 0, 255, 255),
  ],
  stops: [0.0, 1.0],
);
engine.setFillPaint(gradient);

// Radial gradient
final radial = RadialGradient(
  center: Point(100, 100),
  radius: 50,
  colors: [
    Color.fromRGBA(255, 255, 255, 255),
    Color.fromRGBA(0, 0, 0, 255),
  ],
  stops: [0.0, 1.0],
);
engine.setFillPaint(radial);

Transformations #

// Apply transformations
engine.save();
engine.translate(100, 100);
engine.rotate(math.pi / 4);
engine.scale(2.0, 2.0);

// Draw transformed content
engine.fill(path.build());

engine.restore();

Image Filters #

// Apply Gaussian blur
engine.applyGaussianBlur(5.0);

// Apply sharpening
engine.applySharpen(1.5);

// Apply edge detection
engine.applyEdgeDetect(threshold: 128);

Advanced Clipping #

// Create a circular clipping region
final clipPath = PathBuilder()
  ..moveTo(150, 100)
  ..arcTo(100, 100, 50, 0, math.pi * 2, false)
  ..close();

engine.clipWithFillRule(clipPath.build(), fillRule: FillRule.evenOdd);

Documentation #

Comprehensive documentation is available in the doc/ directory:

• Getting Started Guide - Installation and basic usage
• API Reference - Complete API documentation
• Advanced Features - Filters, clipping, path operations
• Examples - Complete working examples

Example Programs #

The example/ directory contains runnable example programs:

Basic Examples #

• example.dart - Basic shapes and paths
• drawing.dart - Simple drawing operations
• smiley.dart - Drawing a smiley face

Text & Fonts #

• ttf_demo.dart - TrueType font demonstration
• unicode_text_demo.dart - Unicode text support

Gradients & Patterns #

• gradient_spread_demo.dart - Gradient spread modes
• pattern_paint_demo.dart - Pattern fill examples
• waterfall.dart - Gradient waterfall effect

Advanced Graphics #

• advanced_features_demo.dart - Comprehensive feature showcase
• blend_modes_demo.dart - All blend mode demonstrations
• clip_demo.dart - Clipping region examples
• path_operations_demo.dart - Boolean path operations

Strokes & Dashes #

• stroking.dart - Stroke styles and line joins
• dashes.dart - Dash patterns and effects
• square_cap_test.dart - Line cap demonstrations

Transformations #

• nested_transforms.dart - Complex transformation stacks
• state_spiral.dart - State management with spirals
• transform_utils_demo.dart - Transform utilities

Artistic Examples #

• snowflake.dart - Procedural snowflake generation
• escher.dart - Escher-like patterns
• tiger.dart - Complex path rendering

Architecture #

The library uses a layered architecture:

1. GraphicsEngine - High-level facade API
2. GraphicsContext - State management and coordination
3. Core Components:
   • Path - Vector path representation
   • Paint - Color, gradient, and pattern system
   • Rasterizer - Scanline-based software rendering
   • Stroker - Path stroking and outlining
   • Bitmap - Pixel buffer management

Development #

# Run tests
dart test

# Run specific test
dart test test/graphics_engine_test.dart

# Analyze code
dart analyze

# Run examples
dart run example/example.dart

Publishing to pub.flutter-io.cn #

To publish this package to pub.flutter-io.cn, follow these steps:

Prerequisites #

1. Ensure you have the Dart SDK installed
2. Verify you have a pub.flutter-io.cn account and are logged in:

   dart pub login
   

Pre-publish Checklist #

1. Update version: Bump the version in pubspec.yaml following semantic versioning
2. Update CHANGELOG.md: Document all changes in the new version
3. Run tests: Ensure all tests pass

   dart test
   

4. Analyze code: Fix any analysis issues

   dart analyze
   

5. Format code: Ensure consistent formatting

   dart format .
   

6. Validate package: Check for any publishing issues

   dart pub publish --dry-run
   

Publishing #

1. Publish the package:

   dart pub publish
   

2. Tag the release (recommended):

   git tag v<version>
   git push origin v<version>
   

Post-publish #

• Verify the package appears correctly on pub.flutter-io.cn
• Test installation in a new project to ensure everything works
• Update any documentation that references the new version

Roadmap / Future Enhancements #

The following features are planned for future releases:

Graphics Engine Enhancements #

• Gradient Support in Fluent API: Full gradient implementation for fillLinearGradient() and fillRadialGradient() methods in FluentGraphicsEngine (currently uses first color stop as fallback)
• Image Filters: Complete implementation of applyFilter() method with support for blur, sharpen, edge detection, and other effects
• Path Offsetting: Proper path offset/outline operations with configurable join types and miter limits

Text & Font System #

• HarfBuzz Integration: Advanced text shaping for complex scripts, ligatures, and bidirectional text
• Font Chain Improvements: Better fallback font selection and tracking

Performance & Quality #

• GPU Acceleration: Optional hardware-accelerated rendering backend
• Multi-threading: Parallel rasterization for improved performance
• Advanced Anti-aliasing: Sub-pixel rendering and coverage optimization

Additional Features #

• SVG Parser: Import and render SVG files
• PDF Export: Export graphics to PDF format
• Animation Framework: Timeline-based animation system
• Vector Effects: Stroke effects, shadows, and lighting

Contributions are welcome! Check the source code for TODO comments to find specific implementation points.

License #

This project is licensed under the BSD 3-Clause License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Contributing #

Contributions to libgfx are welcome! Here's how you can help:

1. Report bugs: If you find a bug, please create an issue with a detailed description and steps to reproduce.
2. Suggest features: Have an idea for a new feature? Open an issue to discuss it.
3. Submit pull requests: Want to fix a bug or add a feature? Fork the repository, make your changes, and submit a pull request.

Development Workflow #

1. Fork the repository
2. Clone your fork: git clone https://github.com/libdbm/libgfx.git
3. Create a branch for your changes: git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name
4. Make your changes
5. Run tests: dart test
6. Commit your changes: git commit -m "Add your feature description"
7. Push to your fork: git push origin feature/your-feature-name
8. Create a pull request

Code Style #

Please follow the Dart style guide and run dart format before submitting your code.