Custom Graphics primitives can't work with parallel Rasterize

Question

I tried to create Graphics primitives using the techniques in this, found problems with parallel rasterization

SetAttributes[createPrimitive,HoldAll];
createPrimitive[patt_,expr_]:=TypesetMakeBoxes[p:patt,fmt_,Graphics]:=TypesetMakeBoxes[Interpretation[expr,p],fmt,Graphics];
createPrimitive[face[x_:0.1],{Circle[{0,0},1],Circle[{-0.3,0.5},x],Circle[{0.3,0.5},x],Line[{{-0.4,-0.2},{0.4,-0.2}}]}];
ParallelTable[Graphics[{face[i]},ImageSize->Tiny],{i,0,0.3,0.3/5}]
ParallelTable[Rasterize@Graphics[{face[i]},ImageSize->Tiny],{i,0,0.3,0.3/5}]

Is there any way to fix this?

@DanielHuber No, things defined with Typeset`MakeBoxes, the FrontEnd doesn't color. — expression, Apr 26 '23 at 09:29
Type ?? face and you will see that face is not defined. Or look at the color. — Daniel Huber, Apr 26 '23 at 13:25
@DanielHuber As mentioned by OP, in this case we've just added a down value for Typeset`MakeBoxes, try #[[Position[#, face[__], Infinity] // Flatten // First]] &[ DownValues@Typeset`MakeBoxes]. For more info, please read the linked post in the question carefully. — xzczd, Apr 26 '23 at 13:49

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 26 '23 at 11:25

I think this is probably related to Parallel evaluation of Image and Rasterize problem. Briefly, Rasterize is not done by the kernel but by the front-end.

For example, when you don't include rasterization, the output of ParallelTable is still Graphics[{face[...]}], and it is then the main front-end that afterwards converts this to your shapes.

ParallelTable[InputForm@Graphics[{face[i]}, ImageSize -> Tiny], {i, {0, .2}}]
(* {Graphics[{face[0]}, ImageSize -> Tiny],
    Graphics[{face[0.2]}, ImageSize -> Tiny]} *)
ParallelTable[ToBoxes@Graphics[{face[i]}, ImageSize -> Tiny], {i, {0, .2}}]
(* {GraphicsBox[{face[0]}, ImageSize -> Tiny], 
    GraphicsBox[{face[0.2]}, ImageSize -> Tiny]}

Therefore, you need to somehow get your definitions to the front-ends that are initiated by the subkernels. DistributeDefinitions doesn't work, but ParallelEvaluate seems to do the job. Maybe there are also some other viable solutions.

ParallelEvaluate[
 SetAttributes[createPrimitive, HoldAll];
 createPrimitive[patt_, expr_] := 
  Typeset`MakeBoxes[p : patt, fmt_, Graphics] := 
   Typeset`MakeBoxes[Interpretation[expr, p], fmt, Graphics];
 createPrimitive[
  face[x_ : 0.1], {Circle[{0, 0}, 1], Circle[{-0.3, 0.5}, x], 
   Circle[{0.3, 0.5}, x], Line[{{-0.4, -0.2}, {0.4, -0.2}}]}];];
ParallelTable[Rasterize@Graphics[{face[i]}, ImageSize -> Tiny], {i, 0, 0.3, 0.3/5}]

This is surprising. BTW it's worth mentioning that DistributedContexts->All doesn't work, either. (+1, of course. ) — xzczd, Apr 26 '23 at 12:24

Custom Graphics primitives can't work with parallel Rasterize

1 Answers1