This reference is for Processing 3.0+. If you have a previous version, use the reference included with your software in the Help menu. If you see any errors or have suggestions, please let us know. If you prefer a more technical reference, visit the Processing Core Javadoc and Libraries Javadoc.

Name

background()

Examples
example pic
background(51);
example pic
background(255, 204, 0);
example pic
PImage img;
img = loadImage("laDefense.jpg");
background(img);
Description The background() function sets the color used for the background of the Processing window. The default background is light gray. This function is typically used within draw() to clear the display window at the beginning of each frame, but it can be used inside setup() to set the background on the first frame of animation or if the backgound need only be set once.

An image can also be used as the background for a sketch, although the image's width and height must match that of the sketch window. Images used with background() will ignore the current tint() setting. To resize an image to the size of the sketch window, use image.resize(width, height).

It is not possible to use the transparency alpha parameter with background colors on the main drawing surface. It can only be used along with a PGraphics object and createGraphics().
Syntax
background(rgb)
background(rgb, alpha)
background(gray)
background(gray, alpha)
background(v1, v2, v3)
background(v1, v2, v3, alpha)
background(image)
Parameters
rgb int: any value of the color datatype
alpha float: opacity of the background
gray float: specifies a value between white and black
v1 float: red or hue value (depending on the current color mode)
v2 float: green or saturation value (depending on the current color mode)
v3 float: blue or brightness value (depending on the current color mode)
image PImage: PImage to set as background (must be same size as the sketch window)
Returnsvoid
Relatedstroke()
fill()
tint()
colorMode()
Updated on January 21, 2019 10:05:12am EST

Creative Commons License