pChart – a PHP class to build charts

pChart is a PHP class oriented framework designed to create aliased charts. Most of today’s chart libraries have a cost, our project is intended to be free. Data can be retrieved from SQL queries, CSV files, or manually provided.

Focus has been put on rendering quality introducing an aliasing algorithm to draw eye candy graphics. In fact, quality is slowing down the renderer engine… this is one of our way of improvement!

The first purpose of pChart was to provide an easy interface for drawing anti-aliased pictures using the GD library. Then alpha-transparency and shadow supports have been integrated in addition to all the primitive functions to draw basic shapes. pChart can be used as a high level drawing library if you only need to create shapes & text composed pictures.

Features

  • Native anti-aliasing
    pChart supports natively anti-aliasing for all basic object : line, curve, box, rounded box, circle, polygons. The anti-aliasing algorithm is an optimized version of the one created for the first version of pChart.
  • Shadow support
    You can enable or disable shadow support, define the color of the shadow, its distance to the object and its transparency factor. Shadows are drawn using the internal anti-alias algorithm.
  • Alpha-transparency
    Alpha transparency is supported by all the primitive drawing functions. It will allow you to create great visual results. Alpha transparency will not slow down the rendering of your picture as it is directly computed by the GD binaries.

To run pChart on your web server, you’ll need to use PHP compiled with the GD library support.

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