How to: Draw an Outlined Shape

This example draws outlined ellipses and rectangles on a form.

Example

Private Sub DrawEllipse()
    Dim myPen As New System.Drawing.Pen(System.Drawing.Color.Red)
    Dim formGraphics As System.Drawing.Graphics
    formGraphics = Me.CreateGraphics()
    formGraphics.DrawEllipse(myPen, New Rectangle(0, 0, 200, 300))
    myPen.Dispose()
    formGraphics.Dispose()
End Sub

Private Sub DrawRectangle()
    Dim myPen As New System.Drawing.Pen(System.Drawing.Color.Red)
    Dim formGraphics As System.Drawing.Graphics
    formGraphics = Me.CreateGraphics()
    formGraphics.DrawRectangle(myPen, New Rectangle(0, 0, 200, 300))
    myPen.Dispose()
    formGraphics.Dispose()
End Sub

private void DrawEllipse()
{
    System.Drawing.Pen myPen = new System.Drawing.Pen(System.Drawing.Color.Red);
    System.Drawing.Graphics formGraphics;
    formGraphics = this.CreateGraphics();
    formGraphics.DrawEllipse(myPen, new Rectangle(0, 0, 200, 300));
    myPen.Dispose();
    formGraphics.Dispose();
}

private void DrawRectangle()
{
    System.Drawing.Pen myPen = new System.Drawing.Pen(System.Drawing.Color.Red);
    System.Drawing.Graphics formGraphics;
    formGraphics = this.CreateGraphics();
    formGraphics.DrawRectangle(myPen, new Rectangle(0, 0, 200, 300));
    myPen.Dispose();
    formGraphics.Dispose();
}

private:
    void DrawEllipse()
    {
        System::Drawing::Pen^ myPen =
            gcnew System::Drawing::Pen(System::Drawing::Color::Red);
        System::Drawing::Graphics^ formGraphics;
        formGraphics = this->CreateGraphics();
        formGraphics->DrawEllipse(myPen, Rectangle(0, 0, 200, 300));
        delete myPen;
        delete formGraphics;
    }

private:
    void DrawRectangle()
    {
        System::Drawing::Pen^ myPen =
            gcnew System::Drawing::Pen(System::Drawing::Color::Red);
        System::Drawing::Graphics^ formGraphics;
        formGraphics = this->CreateGraphics();
        formGraphics->DrawRectangle(myPen, Rectangle(0, 0, 200, 300));
        delete myPen;
        delete formGraphics;
    }

Compiling the Code

You cannot call this method in the Load event handler. The drawn content will not be redrawn if the form is resized or obscured by another form. To make your content automatically repaint, you should override the OnPaint method.

Robust Programming

You should always call Dispose on any objects that consume system resources, such as Pen and Graphics objects.

See Also

Reference

DrawEllipse
OnPaint
DrawRectangle

Other Resources

Getting Started with Graphics Programming
Using a Pen to Draw Lines and Shapes
Graphics and Drawing in Windows Forms