/* ===========================================================
 * JFreeChart : a free chart library for the Java(tm) platform
 * ===========================================================
 *
 * (C) Copyright 2000-2007, by Object Refinery Limited and Contributors.
 *
 * Project Info:  http://www.jfree.org/jfreechart/index.html
 *
 * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it 
 * under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by 
 * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or 
 * (at your option) any later version.
 *
 * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but 
 * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY 
 * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU Lesser General Public 
 * License for more details.
 *
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
 * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
 * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, 
 * USA.  
 *
 * [Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. 
 * in the United States and other countries.]
 *
 * --------------
 * DialFrame.java
 * --------------
 * (C) Copyright 2006-2007, by Object Refinery Limited.
 *
 * Original Author:  David Gilbert (for Object Refinery Limited);
 * Contributor(s):   -;
 *
 * Changes
 * -------
 * 03-Nov-2006 : Version 1 (DG);
 * 
 */

package org.jfree.chart.plot.dial;

import java.awt.Shape;
import java.awt.geom.Rectangle2D;
import java.io.Serializable;

/**
 * A dial frame is the face plate for a dial plot - it is always drawn last.
 * JFreeChart includes a couple of implementations of this interface 
 * ({@link StandardDialFrame} and {@link ArcDialFrame}).
 * <br><br>
 * Classes that implement this interface should be {@link Serializable}, 
 * otherwise chart serialization may fail.
 * 
 * @since 1.0.7
 */
public interface DialFrame extends DialLayer {
    
    /**
     * Returns the shape of the viewing window for the dial, or 
     * <code>null</code> if the dial is completely open.  Other layers in the
     * plot will rely on their drawing to be clipped within this window.
     * 
     * @param frame  the reference frame for the dial.
     * 
     * @return The window.
     */
    public Shape getWindow(Rectangle2D frame);

}
