# NSDrawTiledRects(_:_:_:_:_:) Draws rectangles with borders. ``` func NSDrawTiledRects(_ boundsRect: NSRect, _ clipRect: NSRect, _ sides: UnsafePointer, _ grays: UnsafePointer, _ count: Int) -> NSRect ``` ## Parameters `boundsRect` The bounding rectangle (in the current coordinate system) in which to draw. Since this function is often used to draw the border of a view, this rectangle will typically be that view’s bounds rectangle. Only those parts of `boundsRect` that lie within the `clipRect` are actually drawn. `clipRect` The clipping rectangle to use during drawing. `sides` The sides of the rectangle for which you want to specify custom gray levels. Each side must have a corresponding entry in the `grays` parameter. `grays` The gray levels to draw for each of the edges listed in the `sides` parameter. `count` The number of 1.0-unit-wide slices to draw on the specified sides. ## Return Value The rectangle that lies within the resulting border. ## Discussion This is a generic function that can be used to draw different types of borders inside a given rectangle. These borders can be used to outline an area or to give rectangles the effect of being recessed from or elevated above the surface of the screen. The `sides`, `grays`, and `count` parameters determine how thick the border is and what gray levels are used to form it. This function uses the `NSDivideRect` function to take successive 1.0-unit-wide slices from the sides of the rectangle specified by the `sides` parameter. Each slice is drawn using the corresponding gray level from the `grays` parameter. This function makes and draws these slices `count` number of times. If you specify the same side more than once, the second slice is drawn inside the first. The following example uses this function to draw a bezeled border consisting of a 1.0–unit-wide white line at the top and on the left side and a 1.0-unit-wide dark-gray line inside a 1.0–unit-wide black line on the other two sides. The resulting rectangle inside this border is then filled in using light gray. ```objc NSRectEdge mySides[] = {NSMinYEdge, NSMaxXEdge, NSMaxYEdge, NSMinXEdge, NSMinYEdge, NSMaxXEdge}; float myGrays[] = {NSBlack, NSBlack, NSWhite, NSWhite, NSDarkGray, NSDarkGray}; NSRect aRect, clipRect; // Assume exists aRect = NSDrawTiledRects(aRect, clipRect, mySides, myGrays, 6); [[NSColor grayColor] set]; NSRectFill(aRect); ``` In the preceding example, `mySides` is an array that specifies sides of a rectangle; for example, `NSMinYEdge` selects the side parallel to the x axis with the smallest y coordinate value. `myGrays` is an array that specifies the successive gray levels to be used in drawing parts of the border. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)