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

Made the renderer to use the List of any graphics as an internal paint source for the fill/stroke.

#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.

[YohYamasaki]

Week 2

Made the Gradient tool work with gradient node chains feeding a Fill node.

#4177

Screen.Recording.2026-06-23.at.09.39.02.mov

Let the Gradient tool to read from and write to a "Gradient Value" node chain (optionally paired with "Transform", "Gradient Type", and "Spread Method" nodes) when it feeds a "Fill" node, not just when it feeds a layer directly.

[YohYamasaki]

Week 3

Started working on using the List of any graphics in the entire graph flow, such as Fill / Stroke nodes take the any graphics List as a paint source and apply it to the corresponding attributes. This also means that all other nodes, tools, and property panels need to be updated to use these instead of the legacy Fill enum, Gradient struct, and Stroke.color property.
#4257

Meanwhile, a bug in the gradient tool has been fixed, which could result in the gradient selection and writing target being different.
#4223

[YohYamasaki]

Week 4

Continued working on #4257.

In addition to that, created two PRs.

• Improvement for the renderer to handle the List of graphics better.
  Improve graphic List<T> fill/stroke paint handling #4240
• Change the gradient positioning from bounding box relative to absolute in the geometry's local space. This PR also enables the creation of a skewed gradient.
  Transition gradients from bbox-relative to document-absolute space #4241

Screen.Recording.2026-06-23.at.10.35.16.mov

Screen.Recording.2026-06-23.at.10.37.33.mov