How to: Create Different Tile Patterns with a TileBrush

This example shows how to use the TileMode property of a TileBrush to create a pattern.

The TileMode property enables you to specify how the content of a TileBrush is repeated, that is, tiled to fill an output area. To create a pattern, you set the TileMode to Tile, FlipX, FlipY, or FlipXY. You must also set the Viewport of the TileBrush so that it is smaller than the area that you are painting; otherwise, only a single tile is produced, regardless which TileMode setting you use.

Example

The following example creates five DrawingBrush objects, gives them each a different TileMode setting, and uses them to paint five rectangles. Although this example uses the DrawingBrush class to demonstrate TileMode behavior, the TileMode property works identically for all the TileBrush objects, that is, for ImageBrush, VisualBrush, and DrawingBrush.

The following illustration shows the output that this example produces.

Tile patterns created with the TileMode property

using System;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows.Input;
using System.Windows.Media;
using System.Windows.Media.Animation;
using System.Windows.Shapes;

namespace BrushesIntroduction
{
    public class TileModeExample : Page
    {

        public TileModeExample()
        {
            Background = Brushes.White;
            Margin = new Thickness(20);
            StackPanel mainPanel = new StackPanel();
            mainPanel.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Left;

            //
            // Create a Drawing. This will be the DrawingBrushes' content.
            //
            PolyLineSegment triangleLinesSegment = new PolyLineSegment();
            triangleLinesSegment.Points.Add(new Point(50, 0));
            triangleLinesSegment.Points.Add(new Point(0, 50));
            PathFigure triangleFigure = new PathFigure();
            triangleFigure.IsClosed = true;
            triangleFigure.StartPoint = new Point(0, 0);
            triangleFigure.Segments.Add(triangleLinesSegment);
            PathGeometry triangleGeometry = new PathGeometry();
            triangleGeometry.Figures.Add(triangleFigure);

            GeometryDrawing triangleDrawing = new GeometryDrawing();
            triangleDrawing.Geometry = triangleGeometry;
            triangleDrawing.Brush = new SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 204, 204, 255));
            Pen trianglePen = new Pen(Brushes.Black, 2);
            triangleDrawing.Pen = trianglePen;
            trianglePen.MiterLimit = 0;
            triangleDrawing.Freeze();

            //
            // Create the first TileBrush. Its content is not tiled.
            //
            DrawingBrush tileBrushWithoutTiling = new DrawingBrush();
            tileBrushWithoutTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing;
            tileBrushWithoutTiling.TileMode = TileMode.None;

            // Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Rectangle noTileExampleRectangle = createExampleRectangle();
            noTileExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithoutTiling;

            // Add a header and the rectangle to the main panel.
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("None"));
            mainPanel.Children.Add(noTileExampleRectangle);

            //
            // Create another TileBrush, this time with tiling.
            //
            DrawingBrush tileBrushWithTiling = new DrawingBrush();
            tileBrushWithTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing;
            tileBrushWithTiling.TileMode = TileMode.Tile;

            // Specify the brush's Viewport. Otherwise,
            // a single tile will be produced that fills
            // the entire output area and its TileMode will
            // have no effect.
            // This setting uses realtive values to
            // creates four tiles.
            tileBrushWithTiling.Viewport = new Rect(0, 0, 0.5, 0.5);

            // Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Rectangle tilingExampleRectangle = createExampleRectangle();
            tilingExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithTiling;
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("Tile"));
            mainPanel.Children.Add(tilingExampleRectangle);

            //
            // Create a TileBrush with FlipX tiling.
            // The brush's content is flipped horizontally as it is
            // tiled in this example
            //
            DrawingBrush tileBrushWithFlipXTiling = new DrawingBrush();
            tileBrushWithFlipXTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing;
            tileBrushWithFlipXTiling.TileMode = TileMode.FlipX;

            // Specify the brush's Viewport.
            tileBrushWithFlipXTiling.Viewport = new Rect(0, 0, 0.5, 0.5);

            // Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Rectangle flipXTilingExampleRectangle = createExampleRectangle();
            flipXTilingExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithFlipXTiling;
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("FlipX"));
            mainPanel.Children.Add(flipXTilingExampleRectangle);

            //
            // Create a TileBrush with FlipY tiling.
            // The brush's content is flipped vertically as it is
            // tiled in this example
            //
            DrawingBrush tileBrushWithFlipYTiling = new DrawingBrush();
            tileBrushWithFlipYTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing;
            tileBrushWithFlipYTiling.TileMode = TileMode.FlipY;

            // Specify the brush's Viewport.
            tileBrushWithFlipYTiling.Viewport = new Rect(0, 0, 0.5, 0.5);

            // Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Rectangle flipYTilingExampleRectangle = createExampleRectangle();
            flipYTilingExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithFlipYTiling;
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("FlipY"));
            mainPanel.Children.Add(flipYTilingExampleRectangle);

            //
            // Create a TileBrush with FlipXY tiling.
            // The brush's content is flipped vertically as it is
            // tiled in this example
            //
            DrawingBrush tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling = new DrawingBrush();
            tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing;
            tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling.TileMode = TileMode.FlipXY;

            // Specify the brush's Viewport.
            tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling.Viewport = new Rect(0, 0, 0.5, 0.5);

            // Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Rectangle flipXYTilingExampleRectangle = createExampleRectangle();
            flipXYTilingExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling;
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("FlipXY"));
            mainPanel.Children.Add(flipXYTilingExampleRectangle);

            Content = mainPanel;
        }

        //
        // Helper method that creates rectangle elements.
        //
        private static Rectangle createExampleRectangle()
        {
            Rectangle exampleRectangle = new Rectangle();
            exampleRectangle.Width = 50;
            exampleRectangle.Height = 50;
            exampleRectangle.Stroke = Brushes.Black;
            exampleRectangle.StrokeThickness = 1;
            return exampleRectangle;
        }

        //
        // Helper method that creates headers for the examples.
        //
        private static TextBlock createExampleHeader(String text)
        {
            TextBlock header = new TextBlock();
            header.Margin = new Thickness(0, 10, 0, 0);
            header.Text = text;
            return header;
        }
    }
}

Imports System.Windows
Imports System.Windows.Controls
Imports System.Windows.Input
Imports System.Windows.Media
Imports System.Windows.Media.Animation
Imports System.Windows.Shapes

Namespace BrushesIntroduction
    Public Class TileModeExample
        Inherits Page

        Public Sub New()
            Background = Brushes.White
            Margin = New Thickness(20)
            Dim mainPanel As New StackPanel()
            mainPanel.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Left

            '
            ' Create a Drawing. This will be the DrawingBrushes' content.
            '
            Dim triangleLinesSegment As New PolyLineSegment()
            triangleLinesSegment.Points.Add(New Point(50, 0))
            triangleLinesSegment.Points.Add(New Point(0, 50))
            Dim triangleFigure As New PathFigure()
            triangleFigure.IsClosed = True
            triangleFigure.StartPoint = New Point(0, 0)
            triangleFigure.Segments.Add(triangleLinesSegment)
            Dim triangleGeometry As New PathGeometry()
            triangleGeometry.Figures.Add(triangleFigure)

            Dim triangleDrawing As New GeometryDrawing()
            triangleDrawing.Geometry = triangleGeometry
            triangleDrawing.Brush = New SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 204, 204, 255))
            Dim trianglePen As New Pen(Brushes.Black, 2)
            triangleDrawing.Pen = trianglePen
            trianglePen.MiterLimit = 0
            triangleDrawing.Freeze()

            '
            ' Create the first TileBrush. Its content is not tiled.
            '
            Dim tileBrushWithoutTiling As New DrawingBrush()
            tileBrushWithoutTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing
            tileBrushWithoutTiling.TileMode = TileMode.None

            ' Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Dim noTileExampleRectangle As Rectangle = createExampleRectangle()
            noTileExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithoutTiling

            ' Add a header and the rectangle to the main panel.
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("None"))
            mainPanel.Children.Add(noTileExampleRectangle)

            '
            ' Create another TileBrush, this time with tiling.
            '
            Dim tileBrushWithTiling As New DrawingBrush()
            tileBrushWithTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing
            tileBrushWithTiling.TileMode = TileMode.Tile

            ' Specify the brush's Viewport. Otherwise,
            ' a single tile will be produced that fills
            ' the entire output area and its TileMode will
            ' have no effect.
            ' This setting uses realtive values to
            ' creates four tiles. 
            tileBrushWithTiling.Viewport = New Rect(0, 0, 0.5, 0.5)

            ' Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Dim tilingExampleRectangle As Rectangle = createExampleRectangle()
            tilingExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithTiling
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("Tile"))
            mainPanel.Children.Add(tilingExampleRectangle)

            '
            ' Create a TileBrush with FlipX tiling.
            ' The brush's content is flipped horizontally as it is
            ' tiled in this example
            '
            Dim tileBrushWithFlipXTiling As New DrawingBrush()
            tileBrushWithFlipXTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing
            tileBrushWithFlipXTiling.TileMode = TileMode.FlipX

            ' Specify the brush's Viewport.
            tileBrushWithFlipXTiling.Viewport = New Rect(0, 0, 0.5, 0.5)

            ' Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Dim flipXTilingExampleRectangle As Rectangle = createExampleRectangle()
            flipXTilingExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithFlipXTiling
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("FlipX"))
            mainPanel.Children.Add(flipXTilingExampleRectangle)

            '
            ' Create a TileBrush with FlipY tiling.
            ' The brush's content is flipped vertically as it is
            ' tiled in this example
            '
            Dim tileBrushWithFlipYTiling As New DrawingBrush()
            tileBrushWithFlipYTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing
            tileBrushWithFlipYTiling.TileMode = TileMode.FlipY

            ' Specify the brush's Viewport.
            tileBrushWithFlipYTiling.Viewport = New Rect(0, 0, 0.5, 0.5)

            ' Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Dim flipYTilingExampleRectangle As Rectangle = createExampleRectangle()
            flipYTilingExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithFlipYTiling
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("FlipY"))
            mainPanel.Children.Add(flipYTilingExampleRectangle)

            '
            ' Create a TileBrush with FlipXY tiling.
            ' The brush's content is flipped vertically as it is
            ' tiled in this example
            '
            Dim tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling As New DrawingBrush()
            tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling.Drawing = triangleDrawing
            tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling.TileMode = TileMode.FlipXY

            ' Specify the brush's Viewport.
            tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling.Viewport = New Rect(0, 0, 0.5, 0.5)

            ' Create a rectangle and paint it with the DrawingBrush.
            Dim flipXYTilingExampleRectangle As Rectangle = createExampleRectangle()
            flipXYTilingExampleRectangle.Fill = tileBrushWithFlipXYTiling
            mainPanel.Children.Add(createExampleHeader("FlipXY"))
            mainPanel.Children.Add(flipXYTilingExampleRectangle)

            Content = mainPanel
        End Sub

        '
        ' Helper method that creates rectangle elements.
        '
        Private Shared Function createExampleRectangle() As Rectangle
            Dim exampleRectangle As New Rectangle()
            exampleRectangle.Width = 50
            exampleRectangle.Height = 50
            exampleRectangle.Stroke = Brushes.Black
            exampleRectangle.StrokeThickness = 1
            Return exampleRectangle
        End Function

        '
        ' Helper method that creates headers for the examples. 
        '
        Private Shared Function createExampleHeader(ByVal text As String) As TextBlock
            Dim header As New TextBlock()
            header.Margin = New Thickness(0, 10, 0, 0)
            header.Text = text
            Return header
        End Function
    End Class
End Namespace

<!-- Demonstrates TileMode values. -->
<Page  
  xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
  xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
  xmlns:PresentationOptions="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation/options" 
  xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
  mc:Ignorable="PresentationOptions"
  Background="White" Margin="20">
  <Page.Resources>

    <!-- Define a Drawing as a resource that it can be easily used
         as content for all the DrawingBrush objects in this example. -->
    <GeometryDrawing x:Key="TriangleDrawing"
      Geometry="M0,0 L50,0 0,50Z" Brush="#CCCCFF"
      PresentationOptions:Freeze="True" >
      <GeometryDrawing.Pen>
        <Pen Thickness="2" Brush="Black" MiterLimit="0" />
      </GeometryDrawing.Pen>
    </GeometryDrawing>
  </Page.Resources>

  <StackPanel HorizontalAlignment="Left">
    <TextBlock Margin="0,10,0,0">None</TextBlock>
    <Rectangle Width="50" Height="50" Stroke="Black" StrokeThickness="1">
      <Rectangle.Fill>

        <!-- The DrawingBrush's content is not tiled in this example. -->
        <DrawingBrush TileMode="None" 
          Drawing="{StaticResource TriangleDrawing}" />
      </Rectangle.Fill>
    </Rectangle>

    <TextBlock Margin="0,10,0,0">Tile</TextBlock>
    <Rectangle Width="50" Height="50" Stroke="Black" StrokeThickness="1">
      <Rectangle.Fill>

        <!-- The DrawingBrush's content is tiled in this example. 
             The Viewport property is set to create four tiles. -->
        <DrawingBrush TileMode="Tile" Viewport="0,0,0.5,0.5" 
          Drawing="{StaticResource TriangleDrawing}"/>
      </Rectangle.Fill>
    </Rectangle>

    <TextBlock Margin="0,10,0,0">FlipX</TextBlock>
    <Rectangle Width="50" Height="50" Stroke="Black" StrokeThickness="1">
      <Rectangle.Fill>

        <!-- The DrawingBrush's content is flipped horizontally as it is
             tiled in this example. -->
        <DrawingBrush 
          TileMode="FlipX" Viewport="0,0,0.5,0.5"
          Drawing="{StaticResource TriangleDrawing}" />
      </Rectangle.Fill>
    </Rectangle>

    <TextBlock Margin="0,10,0,0">FlipY</TextBlock>
    <Rectangle Width="50" Height="50" Stroke="Black" StrokeThickness="1">
      <Rectangle.Fill>

        <!-- The DrawingBrush's content is flipped vertically as it is
             tiled in this example. -->
        <DrawingBrush TileMode="FlipY" Viewport="0,0,0.5,0.5" 
          Drawing="{StaticResource TriangleDrawing}" />
      </Rectangle.Fill>
    </Rectangle>

    <TextBlock Margin="0,10,0,0">FlipXY</TextBlock>
    <Rectangle Width="50" Height="50" Stroke="Black" StrokeThickness="1">
      <Rectangle.Fill>

        <!-- The DrawingBrush's content is flipped horizontally
             and vertically as it is tiled in this example. -->
        <DrawingBrush TileMode="FlipXY" Viewport="0,0,0.5,0.5" 
          Drawing="{StaticResource TriangleDrawing}" />
      </Rectangle.Fill>
    </Rectangle>

  </StackPanel>
</Page>

See also

• Set the Tile Size for a TileBrush
• Painting with Images, Drawings, and Visuals