arc (a path command)

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context.arc(centerX, centerY, radius, startingRadianAngle, endingRadianAngle)

Draws a circular arc given a centerpoint, radius and starting & ending angles. The angles are expressed as radians. To convert degrees to radians you can use this formula: radians = degrees * Math.PI / 180;.

Angle 0 faces directly rightward from the center of the arc.

By default, the arc is drawn clockwise, An optional [true|false] parameter instructs the arc to be drawn counter-clockwise: context.arc(10,10,20,0,Math.PI*2,true)

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
    body{ background-color:white; }
    #canvas{border:1px solid red; }
</style>
<script>
window.onload=(function(){

    // get a reference to the canvas element and its context
    var canvas=document.getElementById("canvas");
    var ctx=canvas.getContext("2d");

    // arguments
    var centerX=50;
    var centerY=50;
    var radius=30;
    var startingRadianAngle=Math.PI*2*;  // start at 90 degrees == centerY+radius
    var endingRadianAngle=Math.PI*2*.75;  // end at 270 degrees (==PI*2*.75 in radians)

    // A partial circle (i.e. arc) drawn using the "arc" command
    ctx.beginPath();
    ctx.arc(centerX, centerY, radius,  startingRadianAngle, endingRadianAngle);
    ctx.stroke();

}); // end window.onload
</script>
</head>
<body>
    <canvas id="canvas" width=200 height=150></canvas>
</body>
</html>

To draw a complete circle you can make endingAngle = startingAngle + 360 degrees (360 degrees == Math.PI2).

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
    body{ background-color:white; }
    #canvas{border:1px solid red; }
</style>
<script>
window.onload=(function(){

    // get a reference to the canvas element and its context
    var canvas=document.getElementById("canvas");
    var ctx=canvas.getContext("2d");

    // arguments
    var centerX=50;
    var centerY=50;
    var radius=30;
    var startingRadianAngle=0;       // start at 0 degrees
    var endingRadianAngle=Math.PI*2; // end at 360 degrees (==PI*2 in radians)

    // A complete circle drawn using the "arc" command
    ctx.beginPath();
    ctx.arc(centerX, centerY, radius,  startingRadianAngle, endingRadianAngle);
    ctx.stroke();

}); // end window.onload
</script>
</head>
<body>
    <canvas id="canvas" width=200 height=150></canvas>
</body>
</html>

Found a mistake? Have a question or improvement idea? Let me know.

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