Java^TM 2D API Overview

The Java^TM 2D API enhances the graphics, text, and imaging capabilities of the Abstract Windowing Toolkit (AWT), enabling the development of richer user interfaces and new types of Java applications.

Along with these richer graphics, font, and image APIs, the Java 2D API supports enhanced color definition and composition, hit detection on arbitrary geometric shapes and text, and a uniform rendering model for printers and display devices.

The Java 2D API also enables the creation of advanced graphics libraries, such as CAD-CAM libraries and graphics or imaging special effects libraries, as well as the creation of image and graphic file read/write filters.

When used in conjunction with the Java Media Framework and other Java Media APIs, the Java 2D APIs can be used to create and display animations and other multimedia presentations. The Java Animation and Java Media Framework APIs rely on the Java 2D API for rendering support.