Graphics Class

The Graphics class represents a graphics engine used to render diagram items. Instance of this class is accessible via the FlowChart.Graphics property.

 Syntax

VB6

Public Class Graphics

C++

class Graphics

 Remarks

Currently FlowChartX supports two engines: the first one is based on the classic Windows GDI API; the second one is based on the GDI+ library. The following table outlines the differences between them:

	Classic GDI	GDI+
Compatible with Windows 95	yes	no
Additional dependencies	no	gdiplus.dll
Support for FlowChartX plug-ins	yes	no
Anti-aliasing	no	yes
Semi-transparency	no	yes
Dash styles for pen width > 1	no	yes
Rotation of arrow's text as set in TextStyle	not supported on Win9X	yes
Uses hardware acceleration	yes	no
Box rotation	not supported on Win9X	yes

The graphics engines are identified via members of the EGraphicsEngine enumeration, geGdiPlus for GDI+ and geClassic for the classic GDI API. Pass those identifiers to the StartUp method to load a graphics engine. The currently used engine is indicated by EngineType. When your application ends, it is necessary to call ShutDown to unload the engine and free resources allocated to it.

Consider the following when deciding which graphics engine to use:

• GDI+ works correctly only with proportional fonts. If you enable the GDI+ graphics engine, make sure that all fonts used in your application are proportional. Proportional fonts are marked with 'TT' or 'O' symbols in the standard Windows font dialog.
• CustomDraw event handlers receive either a GDI+ Graphics* pointer or a handle to GDI device context as an argument, respectively when the GDI+ or the classic GDI engine is enabled.
• FlowChartX plug-ins used with the bsLibShape box Style are designed and implemented around the classic GDI API. Such plug-ins cannot be used with the GDI+ graphics engine.
• If using GDI+, you must distribute gdiplus.dll with your application.
• Anti-aliasing and alpha-blending are not supported by the classic graphics engine. It ignores AntiAliasing and the FlowChart's ShadowColorAlpha, BoxFillColorAlpha, TableFillColorAlpha etc. properties.
• GDI+ extended metafiles cannot be played via classic API functions. See GdiPlusExtensions for more details.