SetLineDash(Single[]) Method

In This Topic

Sets the dash pattern to be used when paths are stroked, for example, when you use the DrawLine method or the DrawRectangle method. The line dash pattern controls the pattern of dashes and gaps used to stroke paths. You are allowed to define dashes and gaps with the various length using this method. All specified values need to be expressed in the current units defined in the PDF document. The initial value is set to be a solid line. You can reset the dash pattern to its initial value simply by using the SetLineNoDash method.

The dash pattern parameter is one of the graphics state parameters. These parameters are initialized to their default values at the beginning of each page (see PDF Reference, Section "Graphics State").

You can use the GetMeasurementUnit method to determine the currently defined units and you can use the SetMeasurementUnit method to reset the units according to your preference.

Syntax

Visual Basic
C#
Delphi
JScript
Managed Extensions for C++
C++/CLI

'Declaration
 
Public Overloads Function SetLineDash( _
   ByVal DashPattern() As Single _
) As GdPictureStatus

public GdPictureStatus SetLineDash( 
   float[] DashPattern
)

public function SetLineDash( 
    DashPattern: Singlearray of
): GdPictureStatus;

public function SetLineDash( 
   DashPattern : float[]
) : GdPictureStatus;

public: GdPictureStatus SetLineDash( 
   float[]* DashPattern
)

public:
GdPictureStatus SetLineDash( 
   array<float>^ DashPattern
)

Parameters

DashPattern: Specifies the length of the custom dashes and gaps, expressed in the current units defined in the PDF document. The first element defined the length of a first dash, the second element defines the length of a first gap, the third element defines the length of a next dash, and so forth. Initial value is a solid line.
Zero DashPattern parameter can be used to restore the dash pattern to a solid line in the same way like using the SetLineNoDash method.

Return Value

A member of the GdPictureStatus enumeration. If the method has been successfully followed, then the return value is GdPictureStatus.OK.

We strongly recommend always checking this status first.

Remarks

This method is only allowed for use with non-encrypted documents.

Be aware also that graphics state parameters are initialized to their default values at the beginning of each page.

Example

How to define different dashed lines to draw various rectangles.

VB.NET
C#

Dim caption As String = "Example: SetLineDash"
Dim gdpicturePDF As New GdPicturePDF()
Dim status As GdPictureStatus = gdpicturePDF.NewPDF()
If status = GdPictureStatus.OK Then
    gdpicturePDF.SetOrigin(PdfOrigin.PdfOriginTopLeft)
    gdpicturePDF.SetMeasurementUnit(PdfMeasurementUnit.PdfMeasurementUnitMillimeter)
    If (gdpicturePDF.NewPage(210, 297) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.ResetGraphicsState() = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso 'The default graphics state is set.
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(1) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineColor(Color.Blue) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetFillColor(Color.Cyan) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(10, 10, 40, 20, True, True) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(5) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(80, 10, 40, 20, True, True) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(2) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineDash(5, 3) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(150, 10, 40, 20, True, True) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineNoDash() = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineColor(Color.Red) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(0) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(10, 50, 40, 20, True, True) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(3) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(80, 50, 40, 20, True, True) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(1) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.SetLineDash(New Single() {2, 1, 1, 1}) = GdPictureStatus.OK) AndAlso
       (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(150, 50, 40, 20, True, True) = GdPictureStatus.OK) Then
        status = gdpicturePDF.SaveToFile("test_Lines.pdf")
        If status = GdPictureStatus.OK Then
            MessageBox.Show("The example has been followed successfully and the file has been saved.", caption)
        Else
            MessageBox.Show("The example has been followed successfully, but the file can't be saved. Status: " + status.ToString(), caption)
        End If
    Else
        MessageBox.Show("The example has not been followed successfully." + vbCrLf + "The last known status is " + gdpicturePDF.GetStat().ToString(), caption)
    End If
Else
    MessageBox.Show("The NewPDF() method has failed with the status: " + status.ToString(), caption)
End If
gdpicturePDF.Dispose()

string caption = "Example: SetLineDash";
GdPicturePDF gdpicturePDF = new GdPicturePDF();
GdPictureStatus status = gdpicturePDF.NewPDF();
if (status == GdPictureStatus.OK)
{
    gdpicturePDF.SetOrigin(PdfOrigin.PdfOriginTopLeft);
    gdpicturePDF.SetMeasurementUnit(PdfMeasurementUnit.PdfMeasurementUnitMillimeter);
    if ((gdpicturePDF.NewPage(210, 297) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.ResetGraphicsState() == GdPictureStatus.OK) && //The default graphics state is set.
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(1) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineColor(Color.Blue) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetFillColor(Color.Cyan) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(10, 10, 40, 20, true, true) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(5) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(80, 10, 40, 20, true, true) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(2) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineDash(5, 3) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(150, 10, 40, 20, true, true) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineNoDash() == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineColor(Color.Red) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(0) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(10, 50, 40, 20, true, true) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(3) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(80, 50, 40, 20, true, true) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineWidth(1) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.SetLineDash(new float[] {2, 1, 1, 1}) == GdPictureStatus.OK) &&
        (gdpicturePDF.DrawRectangle(150, 50, 40, 20, true, true) == GdPictureStatus.OK))
    {
        status = gdpicturePDF.SaveToFile("test_Lines.pdf");
        if (status == GdPictureStatus.OK)
            MessageBox.Show("The example has been followed successfully and the file has been saved.", caption);
        else
            MessageBox.Show("The example has been followed successfully, but the file can't be saved. Status: " + status.ToString(), caption);
    }
    else
        MessageBox.Show("The example has not been followed successfully.\nThe last known status is " + gdpicturePDF.GetStat().ToString(), caption);
}
else
    MessageBox.Show("The NewPDF() method has failed with the status: " + status.ToString(), caption);
gdpicturePDF.Dispose();

Reference

GdPicturePDF Class
GdPicturePDF Members
Overload List
SetMeasurementUnit Method
SetLineNoDash Method
SetLineWidth Method
SetLineColor(Byte,Byte,Byte) Method
DrawLine Method
DrawRectangle Method
ResetGraphicsState Method