An application can convert a path into a region by calling the PathToRegion function. Like SelectClipPath, PathToRegion is useful in the creation of special graphics effects. For example, there are no functions that allow an application to offset a path; however, there is a function that enables an application to offset a region (OffsetRgn). Using PathToRegion, an application can create the effect of animating a complex shape by creating a path that defines the shape, converting the path into a region (by calling PathToRegion), and then repeatedly painting, moving, and erasing the region (by calling functions in a sequence, such as FillRgn, OffsetRgn, and FillRgn).