Path2D()

This is an experimental technology
Because this technology's specification has not stabilized, check the compatibility table for usage in various browsers. Also note that the syntax and behavior of an experimental technology is subject to change in future versions of browsers as the specification changes.

The Path2D() constructor returns a newly instantiated Path2D object, optionally with another path as an argument (creates a copy), or optionally with a string consisting of SVG path data.

Syntax

new Path2D();
new Path2D(path);
new Path2D(d);

Parameters

path Optional
When invoked with another Path2D object, a copy of the path argument is created.
d Optional
When invoked with a string consisting of SVG path data, a new path is created from that description.

Examples

Creating and copying paths

This is just a simple code snippet which creates and copies Path2D paths.

var canvas = document.getElementById('canvas');
var ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
var path1 = new Path2D();
path1.rect(10, 10, 100,100);
var path2 = new Path2D(path1);
path2.moveTo(220, 60);
path2.arc(170, 60, 50, 0, 2 * Math.PI);
ctx.stroke(path2);

Edit the code below and see your changes update live in the canvas:

Playable code
<canvas id="canvas" width="400" height="200" class="playable-canvas"></canvas>
<div class="playable-buttons">
  <input id="edit" type="button" value="Edit" />
  <input id="reset" type="button" value="Reset" />
</div>
<textarea id="code" class="playable-code" style="height: 150px">
var path1 = new Path2D();
path1.rect(10, 10, 100,100);
var path2 = new Path2D(path1);
path2.moveTo(220, 60);
path2.arc(170, 60, 50, 0, 2 * Math.PI);
ctx.stroke(path2);</textarea>
var canvas = document.getElementById("canvas");
var ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
var textarea = document.getElementById("code");
var reset = document.getElementById("reset");
var edit = document.getElementById("edit");
var code = textarea.value;
function drawCanvas() {
  ctx.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
  eval(textarea.value);
}
reset.addEventListener("click", function() {
  textarea.value = code;
  drawCanvas();
});
edit.addEventListener("click", function() {
  textarea.focus();
})
textarea.addEventListener("input", drawCanvas);
window.addEventListener("load", drawCanvas);

Using SVG paths

This is just a simple code snippet which creates a Path2D path using SVG path data. The path will move to point (M10 10) and then move horizontally 80 points to the right (h 80), then 80 points down (v 80), then 80 points to the left (h -80), and then back to the start (z).

var canvas = document.getElementById('canvas');
var ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
var p = new Path2D('M10 10 h 80 v 80 h -80 Z');
ctx.fill(p);

Edit the code below and see your changes update live in the canvas:

Playable code2
<canvas id="canvas" width="400" height="200" class="playable-canvas"></canvas>
<div class="playable-buttons">
  <input id="edit" type="button" value="Edit" />
  <input id="reset" type="button" value="Reset" />
</div>
<textarea id="code" class="playable-code">
var p = new Path2D("M10 10 h 80 v 80 h -80 Z");
ctx.fill(p);</textarea>
var canvas = document.getElementById("canvas");
var ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
var textarea = document.getElementById("code");
var reset = document.getElementById("reset");
var edit = document.getElementById("edit");
var code = textarea.value;
function drawCanvas() {
  ctx.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
  eval(textarea.value);
}
reset.addEventListener("click", function() {
  textarea.value = code;
  drawCanvas();
});
edit.addEventListener("click", function() {
  textarea.focus();
})
textarea.addEventListener("input", drawCanvas);
window.addEventListener("load", drawCanvas);

Specification

Specification Status Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard
The definition of 'Path2D()' in that specification.
Living Standard Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support ? 31.0 (31.0) No support ? ?
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support ? 31.0 (31.0) No support ? ?

See also

  • Path2D, the interface this constructor belongs to.
 

Document Tags and Contributors

 Contributors to this page: nmve, Sheppy, fscholz
 Last updated by: nmve,