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Overview of the Java 2D API

The Java 2D API introduced in JDK 1.2 provides enhanced two-dimensional graphics, text, and imaging capabilities for Java programs through extensions to the Abstract Windowing Toolkit (AWT). This comprehensive rendering package supports line art, text, and images in a flexible, full-featured framework for developing richer user interfaces, sophisticated drawing programs and image editors.

The Java 2D API provides

• A uniform rendering model for display devices and printers
• A wide range of geometric primitives, such as curves, rectangles, and ellipses and a mechanism for rendering virtually any geometric shape
• Mechanisms for performing hit detection on shapes, text, and images
• A compositing model that provides control over how overlapping objects are rendered
• Enhanced color support that facilitates color management
• Support for printing complex documents

These topics are discussed in the following sections:

• Java 2D Rendering
• Coordinate Systems
• Shapes
• Text
• Images
• Printing

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