how to draw CALayer with line path like simulate eraser effect?

Question

I want to simulate eraser effect with touch event to show a image that behind something block on top, eg, gray color;

Something like that:

I have find for a long time for the solution but I can't do it well.

following is my custom view code: CustomView.m:

-(id)initWithCoder:(NSCoder *)aDecoder
{
    if (self = [super initWithCoder:aDecoder]) {
        [self setup];
    }
    return self;
}

-(id)initWithFrame:(CGRect)frame
{
    self = [super initWithFrame:frame];
    if (self) {
        [self setup];
    }
    return self;

}
-(void)setup
{
    [self setMultipleTouchEnabled:NO];
    [self setBackgroundColor:[UIColor darkGrayColor]];
    self.drawingPath = [UIBezierPath bezierPath];
    [self.drawingPath moveToPoint:CGPointZero];
    [self.drawingPath setLineWidth:5.0];

    self.image = [UIImage imageNamed:@"transformers.jpg"];
    self.shapeLayer = [CAShapeLayer layer];
    self.caLayer = [CALayer layer];
    self.caLayer.frame = self.bounds;
    self.caLayer.contents = (id)(self.image.CGImage);
    [self.layer addSublayer:self.caLayer];
}
- (void)drawRect:(CGRect)rect
{
    self.shapeLayer.path = [self.drawingPath CGPath];

    self.caLayer.mask = self.shapeLayer;
    self.shapeLayer.lineWidth = 5.0;

}

-(void)touchesBegan:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event
{
    UITouch *touch = [touches anyObject];
    CGPoint location = [touch locationInView:self];

    [self.drawingPath moveToPoint:location];
    lastPt = location;
    [self setNeedsDisplay];

    NSLog(@"Touch Began");
}
-(void)touchesMoved:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event
{
    UITouch *touch = [touches anyObject];
    CGPoint location = [touch locationInView:self];

    [self.drawingPath addLineToPoint:location];

    [self setNeedsDisplay];

}
-(void)touchesEnded:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event
{
    [self touchesMoved:touches withEvent:event];
}
-(void)touchesCancelled:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event
{
    [self touchesMoved:touches withEvent:event];
}

However it just simulate the behind image fill in the path. I want to be eraser effect like the picture. Please help.

Paries

Can you clarify what you mean by "it just simulate the behind image fill in the path."? – Franciscofranciska

You're thinking about this the wrong way.Create a background layer that is grey, then create a layer with the real image. Then apply the path to the real image and use it as a mask for the grey image. So with no mask it shows grey, when you mask the real image it shows through and the rest is grey. – Surfing

Thx MD, could u mind give me some sample / code? because I think the concept of this is not easy. – Paries

Answer 1

Your code is close, but what you need is a custom layer class that has a gray background, and draws the path as transparent. You can do that with code like this

RevealLayer.h

@interface RevealLayer : CALayer
@property (strong, nonatomic) UIBezierPath *drawingPath;
@end

RevealLayer.m

@implementation RevealLayer
- (UIBezierPath *)drawingPath
{
    if ( !_drawingPath )
    {
        _drawingPath = [UIBezierPath new];
        [_drawingPath moveToPoint:CGPointZero];
        [_drawingPath setLineWidth:20.0];
        [_drawingPath setLineCapStyle:kCGLineCapRound];
    }
    return( _drawingPath );
}

- (void)drawInContext:(CGContextRef)context
{
    UIGraphicsPushContext( context );

    [[UIColor darkGrayColor] set];
    CGContextFillRect( context, self.bounds );

    CGContextSetBlendMode( context, kCGBlendModeClear );
    [self.drawingPath stroke];

    UIGraphicsPopContext();
}
@end

Then the code for the custom view class is similar to what you already have. However, the setup is a little different and you don't need to implement the drawRect: method.

CustomView.m

@interface CustomView()
@property (strong, nonatomic) RevealLayer *revealLayer;
@end

@implementation CustomView
- (void)setup
{
    self.userInteractionEnabled = YES;
    [self setMultipleTouchEnabled:NO];

    self.image = [UIImage imageNamed:@"transformers.jpg"];

    self.revealLayer = [RevealLayer new];
    self.revealLayer.frame = self.bounds;
    self.revealLayer.backgroundColor = [[UIColor clearColor] CGColor];
    [self.revealLayer setNeedsDisplay];

    [self.layer addSublayer:self.revealLayer];
}

- (void)touchesBegan:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event
{
    UITouch *touch = [touches anyObject];
    CGPoint location = [touch locationInView:self];

    [self.revealLayer.drawingPath moveToPoint:location];
    [self.revealLayer setNeedsDisplay];
}

- (void)touchesMoved:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event
{
    UITouch *touch = [touches anyObject];
    CGPoint location = [touch locationInView:self];

    [self.revealLayer.drawingPath addLineToPoint:location];
    [self.revealLayer setNeedsDisplay];
}

Pending

It's work! thank you very much. your answer is clear and short! – Paries

@Pending .. Can you give any idea about undo functionality for this erase the layer..If you know how to possible the undo ,then please tell me.. – Gallopade

@Pending Please upload your code to create undo functionality ..I am new in iOS...please – Gallopade

@Pending Please help me for this #27438568 I am trying this from last three days..please – Gallopade