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# canDraw

A Boolean value indicating whether drawing commands will produce any results.

```
var canDraw: Bool { get }
```

## Discussion

The value of this property is <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/true> when drawing produces expected results. A view object can draw onscreen if it is not hidden, it is attached to a view hierarchy in a window ([`NSWindow`](/documentation/AppKit/NSWindow)), and the window has a corresponding window device. A view object can also draw during printing if it is a descendant of the view being printed.

Check the value of this property before attempting to force drawing to a specific context. For example, if the value of this property is <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/false>, do not call [`lockFocus()`](/documentation/AppKit/NSView/lockFocus()) or do issue any drawing commands from the view. You do not need to check whether drawing can occur when calling the [`display()`](/documentation/AppKit/NSView/display()) method or any of its related methods. The display methods perform appropriate checks before asking the view to draw itself.

## See Also

[`hidden`](/documentation/AppKit/NSView/isHidden)

A Boolean value indicating whether the view is hidden.


---

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