Xceed Chart for WinForms v4.4 Documentation
Welcome to Xceed Chart for WinForms v4.4 / User Guide / Fill Effects / Gradient

In This Topic
    Gradient
    In This Topic

    The FillEffect object supports a fill called gradient, which may be familiar to you if you have worked with the Microsoft Chart embedded in Excel. The simple gradients of the FillEffect object provide all the functionality you'll need if you want to apply gradients based on two colors. If you want to apply more complex gradients, please refer to the Advanced Gradient topic in this book for more information. Simple gradients are divided into six groups, each of them with four variants, except for the From Center type, which has only two variants. The group defines the direction of the gradient (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, etc.), and the variant defines how the gradient merges the start and the end color. The programming pattern you'll need to follow in order to apply a gradient is similar to the one we already discussed in the Solid Color topic. For example, to apply a white to black horizontal gradient, you must use the following code:

    VB.NET  
    fillEffect.SetGradient(GradientStyle.Horizontal, GradientVariant.Variant1, Color.White, Color.Black)
    C#  
    fillEffect.SetGradient(GradientStyle.Horizontal, GradientVariant.Variant1, Color.White, Color.Black);

    You can also manually modify the FillEffect properties to achieve the same result:

    VB.NET  

    fillEffect.Type = FillEffectType.Gradient

    fillEffect.GradientStyle = GradientStyle.Horizontal

    fillEffect.GradientVariant = GradientVariant.Variant1

    fillEffect.BeginColor = Color.White

    fillEffect.EndColor = Color.White

    C#  

    fillEffect.Type = FillEffectType.Gradient;

    fillEffect.GradientStyle = GradientStyle.Horizontal;

    fillEffect.GradientVariant = GradientVariant.Variant1;

    fillEffect.BeginColor = Color.White;

    fillEffect.EndColor = Color.White;

    This approach is not recommended because it results in longer code. Internally gradients follow the same mapping rules as textures, and this is why you can also apply advanced texture transformations to them, such as scaling and mapping. To learn more about these features, consult the Texture Mapping topic in this book. The following table shows the different gradient styles and variants for a gradient with a white starting and black ending color. 

    Gradient style Variant 1 Variant 2 Variant 3 Variant 4
    Horizontal
    Vertical
    Diagonal up
    Diagonal down
    From corner
    From center    

    Related Examples

    Windows Forms: Fill Effects\General

    See Also

    FillEffect | Xceed 3D Lighting Model | Working with Lights | Texture Mapping