GSoC 2026: Generalized graphical data rendering representation

[YohYamasaki]

About

My name is Yohei Yamasaki (@YohYamasaki) and I will be working on the "Generalised graphical data rendering representation" project as a Graphite GSoC '26 contributor.

Synopsis

This project refactors Graphite to create a more generalized graphic representation of paints. It introduces dedicated Gradient and Pattern nodes, as well as updated Fill and Stroke nodes that can consume generalized graphic sources, not just the current fill and color types. The project also enables the standalone rendering of colors, gradients, patterns, and other compatible graphics as ordinary layers. The implementation will update Graphite's graphics, nodes, and Vello/SVG renderers to support gradient strokes and pattern fills.

Deliverables

• Provide a foundation of more flexibility of painting for fill and strokes of vectors.
• Gradient-painted strokes.
• Pattern-painted fills and strokes.
• A new Gradient and Pattern nodes with control geometry.
• Broader gradient support, such as elliptical gradients, mesh gradients, conic gradients, and gradients along strokes.

[YohYamasaki]

Community Bonding Period ~ Week 1

Use the 'List' as an internal paint source for the fill/stroke in the renderer

#4111

render-fill-and-stroke-via-list-graphic.mp4

• Added ATTR_FILL_GRAPHIC / ATTR_STROKE_PAINT_GRAPHIC row attributes on List<Vector> and temporary Fill → List<Graphic> / Color → List<Graphic> converters, plus a pair of debug nodes for non-color / non-gradient paint inputs until the Fill / Stroke node refactor in the upcoming weeks.

• Updated the Vello fill / stroke renderers to consume List<Graphic>. Color and Gradient swap into the existing brush path, other graphic types are clipped by the target. Strokes are expanded first since Vello has no stroke-clip primitive.

• Updated the SVG fill / stroke renderers to emit paint graphics as <pattern> paint servers (initially <clipPath>, switched to <pattern> so the emission helper is shared between fill and stroke). Extended the existing fill/stroke z-order polyfill so it handles the new clipping path.

• Hit a +14% Ir cached-execution regression in the profiling benchmark after exposing row attributes by storing entire List<Vector> in DocumentMetadata, which was cloning every row attribute per layer. Resolved by restoring Arc<Vector> and adding dedicated fill_attributes / stroke_paint_attributes on it.