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# Graphics: Path Drawing Tool

This simple tool helps you by generating code while you interactively draw graphic paths. This was used to draw the violin example.

Run Tool in New Window

## The Path Tool

As you drag the pencil icon, corresponding graphics code is auto-generated. This code can be copied and pasted into a graphics instance to reproduce the paths you created with the pencil.

## Initial State

When the tool window is loaded, its generated code is placed in the text area control. The generated code assumes you will have a separate page to paste it into. This separate page must contain the following code: A graphics container such as this,

    <div id="mygraphiccontainer"></div>

CSS such as this,

    #mygraphiccontainer {
        position: relative;
        width: 700px;
        height:400px;
    }

and a YUI instance containing a `Graphics` object such as this.

    YUI().use('graphics', function (Y) {

        var mygraphic = new Y.Graphic({render:"#mygraphiccontainer"});
        // generated code from the path tool goes here

    });

The tool generates paste-able code for an `addShape` method that will create and render a path. It generates some fill and stroke placeholder code. You can change this to change the attributes of the fill and stroke after it's pasted into your code.

Note: As you draw paths with the pencil, they won't have these attributes; you'll only see thin, red lines for precision. The placeholder attributes below will only show after you paste the code in your page.

    {
       type: "path",
       stroke: {
           weight: 2,
           color: "#00dd00"
       },
       fill: {
           type: "linear",
           stops: [
           {color: "#cc0000", opacity: 1, offset: 0},
           {color: "#00cc00", opacity: 0.3, offset: 0.8} // Opacity of stops not available in IE
           ]
       }
    }

## LineTo (Drag Pencil)

Drag the pencil icon. The `drag:end` event sets the `lineTo` XY value.

## MoveTo (Shift + Drag)

Drag the pencil icon with the shift key down to move without drawing a line.

## CurveTo (Alt + Drag)

Drag the pencil icon with the alt key down. This draws a curve and displays two draggable control points. The curve adjusts while you drag the control points. Clicking the pencil icon, or starting another line, finalizes the `curveTo`.

## New Path Object

Crate a new path object with a new name by changing the name in the 'Graphic Object Name' text input, then clicking the 'New' button.

## Trace an Image

You can modify the CSS of #mygraphiccontainer to include an image background. This will allow you to trace the contours of an image.

    #mygraphiccontainer {
        background: url(assets/images/my-dog.jpg);
    }

zooming the browser can be helpful in accuracy.