---
title: "Graphics and Drawing"
description: Learn about the Graphics, Pen, Brush, and Color objects, and how to perform such tasks as drawing shapes, drawing text, or displaying images in Windows Forms.
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "graphics [Windows Forms]"
  - "graphics [Windows Forms], using in Windows Forms"
  - "GDI+, using in managed code"
  - "drawing [Windows Forms]"
ms.assetid: 362532c5-1a06-4257-bdc8-723461009ede
---
# Graphics and Drawing in Windows Forms
The common language runtime uses an advanced implementation of the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) called GDI+. With GDI+ you can create graphics, draw text, and manipulate graphical images as objects. GDI+ is designed to offer performance and ease of use. You can use GDI+ to render graphical images on Windows Forms and controls. Although you cannot use GDI+ directly on Web Forms, you can display graphical images through the Image Web Server control.  
  
 In this section, you will find topics that introduce the fundamentals of GDI+ programming. Although not intended to be a comprehensive reference, this section includes information about the <xref:System.Drawing.Graphics>, <xref:System.Drawing.Pen>, <xref:System.Drawing.Brush>, and <xref:System.Drawing.Color> objects, and explains how to perform such tasks as drawing shapes, drawing text, or displaying images. For more information, see [GDI+ Reference](/windows/desktop/gdiplus/-gdiplus-class-gdi-reference).  
  
 If you'd like to jump in and get started right away, see [Getting Started with Graphics Programming](getting-started-with-graphics-programming.md). It has topics on how to use code to draw lines, shapes, text, and more on Windows forms.  
  
## In This Section  
 [Graphics Overview](graphics-overview-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides an introduction to the graphics-related managed classes.  
  
 [About GDI+ Managed Code](about-gdi-managed-code.md)  
 Provides information about the managed GDI+ classes.  
  
 [Using Managed Graphics Classes](using-managed-graphics-classes.md)  
 Demonstrates how to complete a variety of tasks using the GDI+ managed classes.  
  
## Reference  
 <xref:System.Drawing>  
 Provides access to GDI+ basic graphics functionality.  
  
 <xref:System.Drawing.Drawing2D>  
 Provides advanced two-dimensional and vector graphics functionality.  
  
 <xref:System.Drawing.Imaging>  
 Provides advanced GDI+ imaging functionality.  
  
 <xref:System.Drawing.Text>  
 Provides advanced GDI+ typography functionality. The classes in this namespace can be used to create and use collections of fonts.  
  
 <xref:System.Drawing.Printing>  
 Provides printing functionality.  
  
## Related Sections  
 [Custom Control Painting and Rendering](../controls/custom-control-painting-and-rendering.md)  
 Details how to provide code for painting controls.