Even–odd rule

Unlike the nonzero-rule algorithm, this algorithm will alternatively color and leave uncolored shapes defined by nested closed paths irrespective of their winding.

The SVG defines the even–odd rule by saying: This rule determines the "insideness" of a point on the canvas by drawing a ray from that point to infinity in any direction and counting the number of path segments from the given shape that the ray crosses.

If this number is odd, the point is inside; if even, the point is outside.The rule can be seen in effect in many vector graphic programs (such as Freehand or Illustrator), where a crossing of an outline with itself causes shapes to fill in strange ways.

On a simple curve, the even–odd rule reduces to a decision algorithm for the point in polygon problem.

[2] Below is a partial example implementation in Python,[3] by using a ray to the right of the point being checked:

A curve (top) is filled according to two rules: the even–odd rule (left), and the non-zero winding rule (right). In each case an arrow shows a ray from a point P heading out of the curve. In the even–odd case, the ray is intersected by two lines, an even number; therefore P is concluded to be 'outside' the curve. By the non-zero winding rule, the ray is intersected in a clockwise direction twice, each contributing −1 to the winding score: because the total, −2, is not zero, P is concluded to be 'inside' the curve.