---
title: "Canvas..::.Serialize Method "
canonical: https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_AjaxControls_VectorObjects_Canvas_Serialize.htm
product: "Graphics Mill 5.5 for .NET"
---

This documentation is for the old version. [Go to the latest Graphics Mill docs](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/)

# Canvas.Serialize Method 
 
Serializes the canvas and its layers.
 
**Namespace:** [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.AjaxControls.VectorObjects](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/N_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_AjaxControls_VectorObjects.htm.md)
 **Assembly:** Aurigma.GraphicsMill.AjaxControls.VectorObjects (in Aurigma.GraphicsMill.AjaxControls.VectorObjects.dll)
 
## Syntax
  
```
Public Function Serialize As String
```
 
```csharp
public string Serialize()
```
 
### Return Value
The [String](http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/s1wwdcbf) that keeps the serialized data.
 
## Remarks
  
To restore the canvas from the serialization data, use the [Deserialize(String)](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_AjaxControls_VectorObjects_Canvas_Deserialize_1_bb3a7a4f.htm.md) method.
   
## See Also

### Reference

- [Canvas Class](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_AjaxControls_VectorObjects_Canvas.htm.md)
- [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.AjaxControls.VectorObjects Namespace](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/N_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_AjaxControls_VectorObjects.htm.md)