create_similar

Creates a new surface of the same backend as an existing one, sized $width by $height, and returns it as the concrete subclass.

It can be called either way round, as a class method naming the model surface or as a method on the model surface itself:

Cairo::Surface->create_similar($other, $content, $width, $height)
$other->create_similar($content, $width, $height)

$content is 'color', 'alpha' or 'color-alpha'. The result is a blank surface, not a copy of $other; only the backend and its device characteristics are inherited, which is what makes it the efficient choice for an intermediate you will later composite back. Wraps cairo_surface_create_similar.