Python: Draw Shapes in PDF Documents

Shapes play a vital role in PDF documents. By drawing graphics, defining outlines, filling colors, setting border styles, and applying geometric transformations, shapes provide rich visual effects and design options for documents. The properties of shapes such as color, line type, and fill effects can be customized according to requirements to meet personalized design needs. They can be used to create charts, decorations, logos, and other elements that enhance the readability and appeal of the document. This article will introduce how to use Spire.PDF for Python to draw shapes into PDF documents from Python.

• Draw Lines in PDF Documents in Python
• Draw Pies in PDF Documents in Python
• Draw Rectangles in PDF Documents in Python
• Draw Ellipses in PDF Documents in Python

Install Spire.PDF for Python

This scenario requires Spire.PDF for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.PDF

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to this tutorial: How to Install Spire.PDF for Python on Windows

Draw Lines in PDF Documents in Python

Spire.PDF for Python provides the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawLine() method to draw lines by specifying the coordinates of the starting point and end point and a brush object. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to draw lines:

• Create a PdfDocument object.
• Use the PdfDocument.Pages.Add() method to add a blank page to the PDF document.
• Save the current drawing state using the PdfPageBase.Canvas.Save() method so it can be restored later.
• Define the start point coordinate (x, y) and the length of a solid line segment.
• Create a PdfPen object.
• Draw a solid line segment using the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawLine() method with the previously created pen object.
• Set the DashStyle property of the pen to PdfDashStyle.Dash to create a dashed line style.
• Draw a dashed line segment using the pen with a dashed line style via the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawLine() method.
• Restore the previous drawing state using the PdfPageBase.Canvas.Restore(state) method.
• Save the document to a file using the PdfDocument.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.pdf.common import *
from spire.pdf import *

# Create PDF Document Object
doc = PdfDocument()

# Add a Page
page = doc.Pages.Add()

# Save the current drawing state
state = page.Canvas.Save()

# The starting X coordinate of the line
x = 100.0

# The starting Y coordinate of the line
y = 50.0

# The length of the line
width = 300.0

# Create a pen object with deep sky blue color and a line width of 3.0
pen = PdfPen(PdfRGBColor(Color.get_DeepSkyBlue()), 3.0)  

# Draw a solid line
page.Canvas.DrawLine(pen, x, y, x + width, y)

# Set the pen style to dashed
pen.DashStyle = PdfDashStyle.Dash

# Set the dashed pattern to [1, 4, 1]
pen.DashPattern = [1, 4, 1]

# The Y coordinate for the start of the dashed line
y = 80.0

# Draw a dashed line
page.Canvas.DrawLine(pen, x, y, x + width, y)

# Restore the previously saved drawing state
page.Canvas.Restore(state)

# Save the document to a file
doc.SaveToFile("Drawing Lines.pdf")

# Close the document and release resources
doc.Close()
doc.Dispose()

Draw Pies in PDF Documents in Python

To draw pie charts with different positions, sizes, and angles on a specified page, call the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawPie() method and pass appropriate parameters. The detailed steps are as follows:

• Create a PdfDocument object.
• Add a blank page to the PDF document using the PdfDocument.Pages.Add() method.
• Save the current drawing state using the PdfPageBase.Canvas.Save() method so it can be restored later.
• Create a PdfPen object.
• Call the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawPie() method and pass various position, size, and angle parameters to draw three pie charts.
• Restore the previous drawing state using the PdfPageBase.Canvas.Restore(state) method.
• Save the document to a file using the PdfDocument.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.pdf.common import *
from spire.pdf import *

# Create PDF Document Object
doc = PdfDocument()

# Add a Page
page = doc.Pages.Add()

# Save the current drawing state
state = page.Canvas.Save()

# Create a pen object with dark red color and a line width of 2.0
pen = PdfPen(PdfRGBColor(Color.get_DarkRed()), 2.0)

# Draw the first pie chart
page.Canvas.DrawPie(pen, 10.0, 30.0, 130.0, 130.0, 360.0, 300.0)

# Draw the second pie chart
page.Canvas.DrawPie(pen, 160.0, 30.0, 130.0, 130.0, 360.0, 330.0)

# Draw the third pie chart
page.Canvas.DrawPie(pen, 320.0, 30.0, 130.0, 130.0, 360.0, 360.0)

# Restore the previously saved drawing state
page.Canvas.Restore(state)

# Save the document to a file
doc.SaveToFile("Drawing Pie Charts.pdf")

# Close the document and release resources
doc.Close()
doc.Dispose()

Draw Rectangles in PDF Documents in Python

Spire.PDF for Python provides the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawRectangle() method to draw rectangular shapes. By passing position and size parameters, you can define the position and dimensions of the rectangle. Here are the detailed steps for drawing a rectangle:

• Create a PdfDocument object.
• Use the PdfDocument.Pages.Add() method to add a blank page to the PDF document.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.Save() method to save the current drawing state for later restoration.
• Create a PdfPen object.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawRectangle() method with the pen to draw the outline of a rectangle.
• Create a PdfLinearGradientBrush object for linear gradient filling.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawRectangle() method with the linear gradient brush to draw a filled rectangle.
• Create a PdfRadialGradientBrush object for radial gradient filling.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawRectangle() method with the radial gradient brush to draw a filled rectangle.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.Restore(state) method to restore the previously saved drawing state.
• Use the PdfDocument.SaveToFile() method to save the document to a file.

from spire.pdf.common import *
from spire.pdf import *

# Create PDF Document Object
doc = PdfDocument()

# Add a Page
page = doc.Pages.Add()

# Save the current drawing state
state = page.Canvas.Save()

# Create a Pen object with chocolate color and line width of 1.5
pen = PdfPen(PdfRGBColor(Color.get_Chocolate()), 1.5)

# Draw the outline of a rectangle using the pen
page.Canvas.DrawRectangle(pen, RectangleF(PointF(20.0, 30.0), SizeF(150.0, 120.0)))

# Create a linear gradient brush
linearGradientBrush = PdfLinearGradientBrush(PointF(200.0, 30.0), PointF(350.0, 150.0), PdfRGBColor(Color.get_Green()), PdfRGBColor(Color.get_Red()))

# Draw a filled rectangle using the linear gradient brush
page.Canvas.DrawRectangle(linearGradientBrush, RectangleF(PointF(200.0, 30.0), SizeF(150.0, 120.0)))

# Create a radial gradient brush
radialGradientBrush = PdfRadialGradientBrush(PointF(380.0, 30.0), 150.0, PointF(530.0, 150.0), 150.0, PdfRGBColor(Color.get_Orange()) , PdfRGBColor(Color.get_Blue()))

# Draw a filled rectangle using the radial gradient brush
page.Canvas.DrawRectangle(radialGradientBrush, RectangleF(PointF(380.0, 30.0), SizeF(150.0, 120.0)))

# Restore the previously saved drawing state
page.Canvas.Restore(state)

# Save the document to a file
doc.SaveToFile("Drawing Rectangle Shapes.pdf")

# Close the document and release resources
doc.Close()
doc.Dispose()

Draw Ellipses in PDF Documents in Python

Spire.PDF for Python provides the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawEllipse() method to draw elliptical shapes. You can use either a pen or a fill brush to draw ellipses in different styles. Here are the detailed steps for drawing an ellipse:

• Create a PdfDocument object.
• Use the PdfDocument.Pages.Add() method to add a blank page to the PDF document.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.Save() method to save the current drawing state for later restoration.
• Create a PdfPen object.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawEllipse() method with the pen object to draw the outline of an ellipse, specifying the position and size of the ellipse.
• Create a PdfSolidBrush object.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.DrawEllipse() method with the fill brush object to draw a filled ellipse, specifying the position and size of the ellipse.
• Use the PdfPageBase.Canvas.Restore(state) method to restore the previously saved drawing state.
• Use the PdfDocument.SaveToFile() method to save the document to a file.

from spire.pdf.common import *
from spire.pdf import *

# Create PDF Document Object
doc = PdfDocument()

# Add a Page
page = doc.Pages.Add()

# Save the current drawing state
state = page.Canvas.Save()

# Create a Pen object
pen = PdfPens.get_CadetBlue()

# Draw the outline of an ellipse shape
page.Canvas.DrawEllipse(pen, 50.0, 30.0, 120.0, 100.0)

# Create a Brush object for filling
brush = PdfSolidBrush(PdfRGBColor(Color.get_CadetBlue()))

# Draw the filled ellipse shape
page.Canvas.DrawEllipse(brush, 180.0, 30.0, 120.0, 100.0)

# Restore the previously saved drawing state
page.Canvas.Restore(state)

# Save the document to a file
doc.SaveToFile("Drawing Ellipse Shape.pdf")

# Close the document and release resources
doc.Close()
doc.Dispose()

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