Sample Scout — Analysis Instructions

Read this file before analyzing any GM samples. It contains the classification criteria, interest level guidelines, and API availability checking methodology.

Classification Criteria

Interest Level

Level	Criteria	Examples
high	Visually impressive, demonstrates a useful technique, showcases a powerful API that users would want to learn. Would make a great Gallery demo.	Runtime shaders, shadow utils, path effects showcase, gradient interpolation, mesh drawing, image filter chains, text effects
medium	Educational or useful reference but not visually exciting on its own. Could be combined with other samples.	Bitmap copy, color matrix, simple clip operations, tile modes, basic shapes
low	Internal test, bug regression, GPU-backend-specific test, stress test, or not relevant to SkiaSharp users.	crbug_* files, skbug_* files, Graphite-only tests, GrFragmentProcessor tests, Vulkan/Dawn internals, benchmark GMs

Quick Classification Rules

Files starting with crbug_ or skbug → low (bug regression tests)
Files mentioning Graphite, Dawn, GrFragmentProcessor, GrGeometryProcessor → low (GPU internals)
Files testing a single specific visual feature with nice output → high
Files testing edge cases of an already-covered feature → medium
Files showing off compositing, effects chains, or creative techniques → high

API Availability Check

For each key Skia API used in a GM sample, check if SkiaSharp has a C# equivalent:

Skia C++	SkiaSharp C#	Where to check
`SkCanvas::drawRect`	`SKCanvas.DrawRect`	`binding/SkiaSharp/SKCanvas.cs`
`SkPaint` properties	`SKPaint` properties	`binding/SkiaSharp/SKPaint.cs`
`SkShader` factories	`SKShader.Create*`	`binding/SkiaSharp/SKShader.cs`
`SkImageFilter` factories	`SKImageFilter.Create*`	`binding/SkiaSharp/SKImageFilter.cs`
`SkPathEffect` factories	`SKPathEffect.Create*`	`binding/SkiaSharp/SKPathEffect.cs`
`SkColorFilter` factories	`SKColorFilter.Create*`	`binding/SkiaSharp/SKColorFilter.cs`
`SkRuntimeEffect`	`SKRuntimeEffect`	`binding/SkiaSharp/SKRuntimeEffect.cs`
`SkMesh`	❌ Not available	—
`SkShadowUtils`	❌ Not available	—
`SkImageFilters::RuntimeShader`	❌ Not available	—
`SkColorFilters::HSLAMatrix`	❌ Not available	—
GPU-specific (GrDirectContext, GrBackendTexture)	❌ Not relevant	Internal GPU plumbing
`experimental_DrawEdgeAAQuad`	❌ Not available	Experimental API

To verify, grep the binding directory:

bash

grep -ril "MethodName\|method_name" binding/SkiaSharp/

What Makes a Good Gallery Sample

A good SkiaSharp Gallery sample:

Looks impressive — visual output that makes people say "wow, SkiaSharp can do that?"
Teaches something — demonstrates an API or technique users would want to learn
Is self-contained — doesn't need external resources (or uses bundled assets)
Has controls — interactive parameters users can tweak to understand the API
Works on all platforms — no GPU-specific or platform-specific requirements

Notes Field

Use the notes field to capture important context:

"GPU-only" — requires GPU backend, won't work on CPU raster
"Graphite-specific" — only relevant to Graphite backend (not SkiaSharp)
"Bug regression test" — tests a specific fixed bug, not a feature demo
"Stress test" — performance/edge case test, not visual
"Requires test fonts" — needs specific font files
"Animated" — has frame-based animation
"Combines well with X" — could be merged with another GM for a richer sample

Output Schema

Each finding must have these fields:

json

{
  "file": "mesh.cpp",
  "name": "Custom Vertex Mesh Drawing",
  "description": "Draws custom vertex meshes with SkSL vertex/fragment programs and per-vertex attributes.",
  "interesting": "high",
  "apis_available": false,
  "missing_apis": ["SkMesh", "SkMeshSpecification", "SkCanvas::drawMesh"],
  "key_apis": ["SkMesh::Make", "SkMeshSpecification::Make", "SkCanvas::drawMesh"],
  "notes": "Requires SkMesh API which is not yet exposed in SkiaSharp",
  "visualGoal": "A colorful warped grid of triangles with per-vertex colors, demonstrating programmable vertex displacement and custom fragment shading.",
  "suggestedControls": ["Grid density slider (4–32)", "Warp amplitude slider (0–50)", "Color mode toggle (rainbow/grayscale)"],
  "category": "Shaders",
  "skiaSharpApis": ["SKCanvas.DrawVertices", "SKRuntimeEffect", "SKVertices"]
}

Required fields

file, name, description, interesting, apis_available, missing_apis, key_apis, visualGoal, suggestedControls, category, skiaSharpApis

All fields are required on every finding. missing_apis and suggestedControls should be empty arrays [] when not applicable.