The createPattern function

• Arguments to the function
• An example

Patterns can be created to make self-repeating fills/strokes instead of using a standard color or gradient. You can use an image as the source, or a video, or another canvas. By using an image to cover the canvas you could create realistic repeating images (eg of water or sand) from just one small image.

You don't have to use an image - other options include video and other canvas tags. This allows you to draw a pattern on one canvas and then have that repeated as a background on another tag. Alternatively, you could create a pattern out of a video (that plays in the background).

Arguments to the function

• The image, html5 video or another canvas
• The repetition of the image (valid values are repeat, repeat-x, repeat-y and no-repeat (the default is repeat)

An example

<script>
    window.onload = function ()
    {
        var canvas = document.getElementById('cvs');
        var context = canvas.getContext('2d');

        var image = new Image();
        image.src = '/images/logo.png';
        image.onload = function ()
        {
            var pattern = context.createPattern(image, 'repeat');
            context.fillStyle = pattern;
            context.fillRect(0, 0, 600, 250);
        }
    }
</script>