Setting the context using CGContextRef [duplicate] - ios

Question

This question already exists:
Closed 10 years ago.
Possible Duplicate:
Drawing shape iOS
CGContextRef, CGPoint, and CGSize
I am trying to use a current method where I have to include the CGContextRef, CGPoint, and CGSize:
CGPoint p1 = {10, 10};
CGSize size;
CGContextRef context = UIGraphicsGetCurrentContext();
[self drawArrowWithContext:context atPoint:p1 withSize:size lineWidth:400 arrowHeight:400];
When I run the application I get this error:
Jan 21 21:41:56 Alexs-ipad Splash-it[1497] : CGContextDrawPath: invalid context 0x0
The problem must be in the context, but I can't find anywhere on the internet the solution to the problem. This whole code should call a method for drawing an arrow.
Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

In order to return a valid context you have to be in the appropriate area.
That basically means this code needs to be in drawRect: or you need to create an image context using UIGraphicsBeginImageContext
Update: the DrawRect:
The drawRect: is a special method called for each UIView that gives you an access point to do custom drawing using Core Graphics. The most common use for this is to create a custom UIView object in your case an ArrowView. Then in that you would override drawRect: using your code.
- (void)drawRect:(CGRect)rect
{
CGPoint p1 = {10, 10};
CGSize size;
CGContextRef context = UIGraphicsGetCurrentContext();
[self drawArrowWithContext:context atPoint:p1 withSize:size lineWidth:400 arrowHeight:400];
}
Update: the image context
A secondary way to tap into custom Core Graphics drawing is to create an imageContext then harvest its results.
So you'd start by creating an image context, running your drawing code, then converting that into an UIImage you can add to your existing views.
UIGraphicsBeginImageContext(CGSizeMake(400.0, 400.0));
CGPoint p1 = {10, 10};
CGSize size;
CGContextRef context = UIGraphicsGetCurrentContext();
[self drawArrowWithContext:context atPoint:p1 withSize:size lineWidth:400 arrowHeight:400];
// converts your context into a UIImage
UIImage *image = UIGraphicsGetImageFromCurrentImageContext();
// Adds that image into an imageView and sticks it on the screen.
UIImageView *imageView = [[UIImageView alloc] initWithImage:image];
[self.view addSubview:imageView];