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drawing
​
DEPRECATED. Primitives for drawing on the screen in various ways.
hs.drawing is now deprecated and will be removed in a future release. Its functionality is now implemented by hs.canvas and you should migrate your code to using that directly. The API docs for hs.drawing remain here as a convenience.

Submodules

API Overview

API Documentation

Constants

Signature
hs.drawing.windowBehaviors[]
Type
Constant
Description
Array of window behavior labels for determining how an hs.drawing object is handled in Spaces and Exposé
Notes
  • This table has a __tostring() metamethod which allows listing it's contents in the Hammerspoon console by typing hs.drawing.windowBehaviors.
Signature
hs.drawing.windowLevels
Type
Constant
Description
A table of predefined window levels usable with hs.drawing:setLevel(...)
Notes
  • This table has a __tostring() metamethod which allows listing it's contents in the Hammerspoon console by typing hs.drawing.windowLevels.
  • These key names map to the constants used in CoreGraphics to specify window levels and may not actually be used for what the name might suggest. For example, tests suggest that an active screen saver actually runs at a level of 2002, rather than at 1000, which is the window level corresponding to kCGScreenSaverWindowLevelKey.
  • Each drawing level is sorted separately and hs.drawing:orderAbove(...) and hs.drawing:orderBelow(...)` only arrange windows within the same level.
  • If you use Dock hiding (or in 10.11, Menubar hiding) please note that when the Dock (or Menubar) is popped up, it is done so with an implicit orderAbove, which will place it above any items you may also draw at the Dock (or MainMenu) level.

Functions

Signature
hs.drawing.defaultTextStyle() -> hs.styledtext attributes table
Type
Function
Description
Returns a table containing the default font, size, color, and paragraphStyle used by hs.drawing for text drawing objects.
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • a table containing the default style attributes hs.drawing uses for text drawing objects in the hs.styledtext attributes table format.
Notes
  • This method returns the default font, size, color, and paragraphStyle used by hs.drawing for text objects. If you modify a drawing object's defaults with hs.drawing:setColor, hs.drawing:setTextFont, or hs.drawing:setTextSize, the changes will not be reflected by this function.
Signature
hs.drawing.disableScreenUpdates() -> None
Type
Function
Description
Tells the OS X window server to pause updating the physical displays for a short while.
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • None
Notes
  • This method can be used to allow multiple changes which are being made to the users display appear as if they all occur simultaneously by holding off on updating the screen on the regular schedule.
  • This method should always be balanced with a call to hs.drawing.enableScreenUpdates when your updates have been completed. Failure to do so will be logged in the system logs.
  • The window server will only allow you to pause updates for up to 1 second. This prevents a rogue or hung process from locking the systems display completely. Updates will be resumed when hs.drawing.enableScreenUpdates is encountered or after 1 second, whichever comes first.
  • The underlying OS function for disabling screen updates is deprecated.
Signature
hs.drawing.enableScreenUpdates() -> None
Type
Function
Description
Tells the OS X window server to resume updating the physical displays after a previous pause.
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • None
Notes
  • In conjunction with hs.drawing.disableScreenUpdates, this method can be used to allow multiple changes which are being made to the users display appear as if they all occur simultaneously by holding off on updating the screen on the regular schedule.
  • The window server will only allow you to pause updates for up to 1 second. This prevents a rogue or hung process from locking the systems display completely. Updates will be resumed when this function is encountered or after 1 second, whichever comes first.
  • The underlying OS function for enabling screen updates is deprecated.
| Signature | hs.drawing.getTextDrawingSize(styledTextObject or theText, [textStyle]) -> sizeTable | nil | | -----------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Type | Function | | Description | Get the size of the rectangle necessary to fully render the text with the specified style so that is will be completely visible. | | Parameters |
  • styledTextObject - an object created with the hs.styledtext module or its table representation (see hs.styledtext).
  • textStyle - an optional table containing one or more of the following keys to set for the text of the drawing object (if textStyle is nil or missing, the hs.drawing defaults are used):
| | Returns |
  • sizeTable - a table containing the Height and Width necessary to fully display the text drawing object, or nil if an error occurred
| | Notes |
  • This function assumes the default values specified for any key which is not included in the provided textStyle.
  • The size returned is an approximation and may return a width that is off by about 4 points. Use the returned size as a minimum starting point. Sometimes using the "clip" or "truncateMiddle" lineBreak modes or "justified" alignment will fit, but its safest to add in your own buffer if you have the space in your layout.
  • Multi-line text (separated by a newline or return) is supported. The height will be for the multiple lines and the width returned will be for the longest line.
|

Constructors

​appImage​

Signature
hs.drawing.appImage(sizeRect, bundleID) -> drawingObject or nil
Type
Constructor
Description
Creates a new image object with the icon of a given app
Parameters
  • sizeRect - A rect-table containing the location/size of the image. If the size values are -1 then the image will be displayed at the icon's native size
  • bundleID - A string containing the bundle identifier of an app (e.g. "com.apple.Safari")
Returns
  • An hs.drawing object, or nil if an error occurs

​arc​

Signature
hs.drawing.arc(centerPoint, radius, startAngle, endAngle) -> drawingObject or nil
Type
Constructor
Description
Creates a new arc object
Parameters
  • centerPoint - A point-table containing the center of the circle used to define the arc
  • radius - The radius of the circle used to define the arc
  • startAngle - The starting angle of the arc, measured in degrees clockwise from the y-axis.
  • endAngle - The ending angle of the arc, measured in degrees clockwise from the y-axis.
Returns
  • An hs.drawing object, or nil if an error occurs
Notes
  • This constructor is actually a wrapper for the hs.drawing.ellipticalArc constructor.

​circle​

Signature
hs.drawing.circle(sizeRect) -> drawingObject or nil
Type
Constructor
Description
Creates a new circle object
Parameters
  • sizeRect - A rect-table containing the location/size of the circle
Returns
  • An hs.drawing object, or nil if an error occurs
Signature
hs.drawing.ellipticalArc(sizeRect, startAngle, endAngle) -> drawingObject or nil
Type
Constructor
Description
Creates a new elliptical arc object
Parameters
  • sizeRect - A rect-table containing the location and size of the ellipse used to define the arc
  • startAngle - The starting angle of the arc, measured in degrees clockwise from the y-axis.
  • endAngle - The ending angle of the arc, measured in degrees clockwise from the y-axis.
Returns
  • An hs.drawing object, or nil if an error occurs

​image​

Signature
hs.drawing.image(sizeRect, imageData) -> drawingObject or nil
Type
Constructor
Description
Creates a new image object
Parameters
  • sizeRect - A rect-table containing the location/size of the image
  • imageData - This can be either:
  • An hs.image object
  • A string containing a path to an image file
  • A string beginning with ASCII: which signifies that the rest of the string is interpreted as a special form of ASCII diagram, which will be rendered to an image. See the notes below for information about the special format of ASCII diagram.
Returns
  • An hs.drawing object, or nil if an error occurs
  • Paths relative to the PWD of Hammerspoon (typically /.hammerspoon/) will work, but paths relative to the UNIX homedir character, will not
  • Animated GIFs are supported. They're not super friendly on your CPU, but they work
Notes
  • To use the ASCII diagram image support, see http://cocoamine.net/blog/2015/03/20/replacing-photoshop-with-nsstring/ and be sure to preface your ASCII diagram with the special string ASCII:

​line​

Signature
hs.drawing.line(originPoint, endPoint) -> drawingObject or nil
Type
Constructor
Description
Creates a new line object
Parameters
  • originPoint - A point-table containing the co-ordinates of the starting point of the line
  • endPoint - A point-table containing the co-ordinates of the end point of the line
Returns
  • An hs.drawing object, or nil if an error occurs

​rectangle​

Signature
hs.drawing.rectangle(sizeRect) -> drawingObject or nil
Type
Constructor
Description
Creates a new rectangle object
Parameters
  • sizeRect - A rect-table containing the location/size of the rectangle
Returns
  • An hs.drawing object, or nil if an error occurs

​text​

Signature
hs.drawing.text(sizeRect, message) -> drawingObject or nil
Type
Constructor
Description
Creates a new text object
Parameters
  • sizeRect - A rect-table containing the location/size of the text
  • message - A string containing the text to be displayed. May also be any of the types supported by hs.styledtext. See hs.styledtext for more details.
Returns
  • An hs.drawing object, or nil if an error occurs

Methods

​alpha​

Signature
hs.drawing:alpha() -> number
Type
Method
Description
Get the alpha level of the window containing the hs.drawing object.
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • The current alpha level for the hs.drawing object

​behavior​

Signature
hs.drawing:behavior() -> number
Type
Method
Description
Returns the current behavior of the hs.drawing object with respect to Spaces and Exposé for the object.
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • The numeric representation of the current behaviors for the hs.drawing object
Signature
hs.drawing:behaviorAsLabels() -> table
Type
Method
Description
Returns a table of the labels for the current behaviors of the object.
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • Returns a table of the labels for the current behaviors with respect to Spaces and Exposé for the object.
Signature
hs.drawing:bringToFront([aboveEverything]) -> drawingObject
Type
Method
Description
Places the drawing object on top of normal windows
Parameters
  • aboveEverything - An optional boolean value that controls how far to the front the drawing should be placed. true to place the drawing on top of all windows (including the dock and menubar), false to place the drawing above normal windows, but below the dock and menubar. Defaults to false.
Returns
  • The drawing object
Notes
  • As of macOS Sierra and later, if you want a hs.drawing object to appear above full-screen windows you must hide the Hammerspoon Dock icon first using: hs.dockicon.hide()
Signature
hs.drawing:clickCallbackActivating([false]) -> drawingObject or current value
Type
Method
Description
Get or set whether or not clicking on a drawing with a click callback defined should bring all of Hammerspoon's open windows to the front.
Parameters
  • flag - an optional boolean indicating whether or not clicking on a drawing with a click callback function defined should activate Hammerspoon and bring its windows forward. Defaults to true.
Returns
  • If a setting value is provided, the drawing object is returned; if no argument is provided, the current setting is returned.
Notes
  • Setting this to false changes a drawing object's AXsubrole value and may affect the results of filters defined for hs.window.filter, depending upon how they are defined.
Signature
hs.drawing:clippingRectangle([rect]) -> drawingObject or current value
Type
Method
Description
Set the screen area in which the drawing contents are visible.
Parameters
  • rect - an optional rectangle specifying the visible area of the screen where the drawing's contents are visible. If an explicit nil is specified, no clipping rectangle is set. Defaults to nil
Returns
  • if an argument is provided, returns the drawing object; otherwise the current value is returned.
Notes
  • This method can be used to specify the area of the display where this drawing should be visible. If any portion of the drawing extends beyond this rectangle, the image is clipped so that only the portion within this rectangle is visible.
  • The rectangle defined by this method is independant of the drawing's actual frame -- if you move the drawing with hs.drawing:setFrame or hs.drawing:setTopLeft, this rectangle retains its current value.

​delete​

Signature
hs.drawing:delete()
Type
Method
Description
Destroys the drawing object
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • None
Notes
  • This method immediately destroys the drawing object. If you want it to fade out, use :hide() first, with some suitable time, and hs.timer.doAfter() to schedule the :delete() call

​frame​

Signature
hs.drawing:frame() -> hs.geometry object
Type
Method
Description
Gets the frame of a drawingObject in absolute coordinates
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • An hs.geometry object containing the frame of the drawing object
Signature
hs.drawing:getStyledText() -> hs.styledtext object
Type
Method
Description
Gets the text of a drawing object as an hs.styledtext object
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • an hs.styledtext object
Notes
  • This method should only be used on text drawing objects

​hide​

Signature
hs.drawing:hide([fadeOutTime]) -> drawingObject
Type
Method
Description
Hides the drawing object
Parameters
  • fadeOut - An optional number of seconds over which to fade out the drawing object. Defaults to zero
Returns
  • The drawing object
Signature
hs.drawing:imageAlignment([type]) -> drawingObject or current value
Type
Method
Description
Get or set the alignment of an image that doesn't fully fill the drawing objects frame.
Parameters
  • type - an optional string value which should match one of the following (default is center):
  • topLeft - the image's top left corner will match the drawing frame's top left corner
  • top - the image's top match the drawing frame's top and will be centered horizontally
  • topRight - the image's top right corner will match the drawing frame's top right corner
  • left - the image's left side will match the drawing frame's left side and will be centered vertically
  • center - the image will be centered vertically and horizontally within the drawing frame
  • right - the image's right side will match the drawing frame's right side and will be centered vertically
  • bottomLeft - the image's bottom left corner will match the drawing frame's bottom left corner
  • bottom - the image's bottom match the drawing frame's bottom and will be centered horizontally
  • bottomRight - the image's bottom right corner will match the drawing frame's bottom right corner
Returns
  • If a setting value is provided, the drawing object is returned; if no argument is provided, the current setting is returned.
Signature
hs.drawing:imageAnimates([flag]) -> drawingObject or current value
Type
Method
Description
Get or set whether or not an animated GIF image should cycle through its animation.
Parameters
  • flag - an optional boolean flag indicating whether or not an animated GIF image should cycle through its animation. Defaults to true.
Returns
  • If a setting value is provided, the drawing object is returned; if no argument is provided, the current setting is returned.
Signature
hs.drawing:imageFrame([type]) -> drawingObject or current value
Type
Method
Description
Get or set what type of frame should be around the drawing frame of the image.
Parameters
  • type - an optional string value which should match one of the following (default is none):
  • none - no frame is drawing around the drawingObject's frameRect
  • photo - a thin black outline with a white background and a dropped shadow.
  • bezel - a gray, concave bezel with no background that makes the image look sunken.
  • groove - a thin groove with a gray background that looks etched around the image.
  • button - a convex bezel with a gray background that makes the image stand out in relief, like a button.
Returns
  • If a setting value is provided, the drawing object is returned; if no argument is provided, the current setting is returned.
Notes
  • Apple considers the photo, groove, and button style frames "stylistically obsolete" and if a frame is required, recommend that you use the bezel style or draw your own to more closely match the OS look and feel.
Signature
hs.drawing:imageScaling([type]) -> drawingObject or current value
Type
Method
Description
Get or set how an image is scaled within the frame of a drawing object containing an image.
Parameters
  • type - an optional string value which should match one of the following (default is scaleProportionally):
  • shrinkToFit - shrink the image, preserving the aspect ratio, to fit the drawing frame only if the image is larger than the drawing frame.
  • scaleToFit - shrink or expand the image to fully fill the drawing frame. This does not preserve the aspect ratio.
  • none - perform no scaling or resizing of the image.
  • scalePropertionally - shrink or expand the image to fully fill the drawing frame, preserving the aspect ration.
Returns
  • If a setting value is provided, the drawing object is returned; if no argument is provided, the current setting is returned.
Signature
hs.drawing:orderAbove([object2]) -> object
Type
Method
Description
Moves drawing object above drawing object2, or all drawing objects in the same presentation level, if object2 is not provided.
Parameters
  • Optional drawing object to place the drawing object above.
Returns
  • The hs.drawing object
Signature
hs.drawing:orderBelow([object2]) -> object1
Type
Method
Description
Moves drawing object below drawing object2, or all drawing objects in the same presentation level, if object2 is not provided.
Parameters
  • Optional drawing object to place the drawing object below.
Returns
  • The hs.drawing object
Signature
hs.drawing:rotateImage(angle) -> drawingObject
Type
Method
Description
Rotates an image clockwise around its center
Parameters
  • angle - the angle in degrees to rotate the image around its center in a clockwise direction.
Returns
  • The drawing object
Notes
  • This method works by rotating the image view within its drawing window. This means that an image which completely fills its viewing area will most likely be cropped in some places. Best results are achieved with images that have clear space around their edges or with hs.drawing.imageScaling set to "none".
Signature
hs.drawing:sendToBack() -> drawingObject
Type
Method
Description
Places the drawing object behind normal windows, between the desktop wallpaper and desktop icons
Parameters
  • None
Returns
  • The drawing object

​setAlpha​

Signature
hs.drawing:setAlpha(level) -> object
Type
Method
Description
Sets the alpha level of the window containing the hs.drawing object.
Parameters
  • level - the alpha level (0.0 - 1.0) to set the object to
Returns
  • The hs.drawing object
Signature
hs.drawing:setArcAngles(startAngle, endAngle) -> drawingObject
Type
Method
Description
Changes the starting and ending angles for an arc drawing object
Parameters
  • startAngle - The starting angle of the arc, measured in degrees clockwise from the y-axis.
  • endAngle - The ending angle of the arc, measured in degrees clockwise from the y-axis.
Returns
  • The drawing object
Notes
  • This method should only be used on arc drawing objects
Signature
hs.drawing:setBehavior(behavior) -> object
Type
Method
Description
Sets the window behaviors represented by the number provided for the window containing the hs.drawing object.
Parameters
  • behavior - the numeric representation of the behaviors to set for the window of the object
Returns
  • The hs.drawing object
Signature
hs.drawing:setBehaviorByLabels(table) -> object
Type
Method
Description
Sets the window behaviors based upon the labels specified in the table provided.
Parameters
  • a table of label strings or numbers. Recognized values can be found in hs.drawing.windowBehaviors.
Returns
  • The hs.drawing object
Signature
hs.drawing:setClickCallback(mouseUpFn, mouseDownFn) -> drawingObject
Type
Method
Description
Sets a callback for mouseUp and mouseDown click events
Parameters
  • mouseUpFn - A function, can be nil, that will be called when the drawing object is clicked on and the mouse button is released. If this argument is nil, any existing callback is removed.
  • mouseDownFn - A function, can be nil, that will be called when the drawing object is clicked on and the mouse button is first pressed down. If this argument is nil, any existing callback is removed.
Returns
  • The drawing object
Notes
  • No distinction is made between the left, right, or other mouse buttons -- they all invoke the same up or down function. If you need to determine which specific button was pressed, use hs.eventtap.checkMouseButtons() within your callback to check.

​setFill​

Signature
hs.drawing:setFill(doFill) -> drawingObject
Type
Method
Description
Sets whether or not to fill a drawing object
Parameters
  • doFill - A boolean, true to fill the drawing object, false to not fill
Returns
  • The drawing object
Notes
  • This method should only be used on line, rectangle, circle, or arc drawing objects
Signature
hs.drawing:setFillColor(color) -> drawingObject
Type
Method
Description
Sets the fill color of a drawing object
Parameters
  • color - a color table as described in hs.drawing.color
Returns
  • The drawing object
Notes
  • This method should only be used on rectangle, circle, or arc drawing objects
  • Calling this method will remove any gradient fill colors previously set with hs.drawing:setFillGradient()