# Problem rendering Compose.Context from GraphPlot.gplot() with gksqt backend on Windows (Julia v1.11.4)
**URL:** https://discourse.julialang.org/t/problem-rendering-compose-context-from-graphplot-gplot-with-gksqt-backend-on-windows-julia-v1-11-4/128908
**Category:** New to Julia
**Tags:** plotting
**Created:** [May 11, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/problem-rendering-compose-context-from-graphplot-gplot-with-gksqt-backend-on-windows-julia-v1-11-4/128908 "2025-05-11T16:53:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@ChaucAPA](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/ChaucAPA)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/problem-rendering-compose-context-from-graphplot-gplot-with-gksqt-backend-on-windows-julia-v1-11-4/128908/1 "2025-05-11T16:53:13Z")
Dear Julia Community,
I am encountering an issue while trying to visualize a simple graph using the `GraphPlot` package (v0.6.1) in Julia (v1.11.4) on a 64-bit Windows operating system. My goal is to use the `gksqt` graphics backend.
1. I have followed these steps in my code:
using Graphs
using GraphPlot
using Plots
using GR\_jll
using Compose
2. Selecting gksqt
gksqt()
3. Generating a simple graph for testing:
g\_simple = SimpleDiGraph(2)
add\_edge!(g\_simple, 1, 2)
labels\_simple = [“A”, “B”]
4. Drawing the graph using GraphPlot.gplot()
drawing = GraphPlot.gplot(g\_simple, nodelabel = labels\_simple)
5. Attempting to display using display()
display(drawing)
6. Additional context about my environment:
Operating System: Windows (x86\_64-w64-mingw32)
Julia Version: 1.11.4 (2025-03-10)
Package Versions (obtained with Pkg.status()
(Note: I have included the full output of Pkg.status() to provide a complete overview of my environment.)
Previously, the GKS QtTerm window did open and function correctly when I executed an extensive decision-making code that also utilized the gksqt backend. This indicates that the backend itself is functional on my system.
My specific question is: What is the correct method to render a Compose.Context object generated by GraphPlot.gplot() so that it is visualized in the GKS QtTerm backend window on my Windows system? Is there an additional function I need to call or any specific configuration I should be aware of to achieve this?
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.
Sincerely,
ChaucAPA
---
### Author:  [@Mattriks](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/Mattriks)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/problem-rendering-compose-context-from-graphplot-gplot-with-gksqt-backend-on-windows-julia-v1-11-4/128908/2 "2025-05-12T04:01:45Z")
Welcome to the Julia community!
- Plots/GR are separate from Compose.jl
- Compose has 3 graphical backends (svg, pdf/png, and tikz/pgf)
- Compose has a `draw` function e.g. `draw(PNG(), drawing)`
- Compose doesn’t need any `display` functions of it’s own (typically other packages that define “plottable objects” write their own display functions e.g. that call `Compose.draw`). See e.g. the Gadfly [display functions](https://github.com/GiovineItalia/Gadfly.jl/blob/8163a4c21a66d44d391af7dc13c43875a27302e5/src/Gadfly.jl#L997)
- see more Julia discourse examples [here](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/can-i-choose-display-software/29510/3) and [here](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/how-does-pluto-decide-what-to-show-graphically/58033/18)
- [Juliacon video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Fb5oNhhbc) about Julia’s display system