finding the points along a QuadCurve2D?

Java 2D
#1

Hello

I need to draw a special arrow for our system today and it kinda looks like this: )—>

That ascii arrow is where I am at now. Given two points and a value for width I draw an arrow from tip to tail with a curve who’s end points are width pixels apart. My curve is a QuadCurve2D.Float and by carefully choosing my control point the curve intersects the end of the arrow.

The tricky part comes next: drawing line segments off the curve which are perpendicular to the arrow. How can I find the points on the curve? Should I even bother?

My only idea thus far is to define a clip that is my existing curve, an identical curve transformed behind my arrow and two lines connecting their end points. That clip will allow me to draw line segments of equal length off the back of my visible curve, but I’d still like to know how to find those points.

Any thoughts appreciated. thanks!

#2

You can make your own method to draw the curve, using beziers.
Here you can find an algorithm to draw Beziers (using lines) http://www.melbpc.org.au/pcupdate/2109/2109article8.htm

Since you draw it, you can find the points (and even the normal) in the curve.

Hope it helps you.

   Rafael.-