Duplicate a image variable GD library

Question

What is the easiest way to duplicate an image variable in PHP.

Normally you can simply do $varnew = $varold.

But with a GD library variable if I did the above and then edited $varnew then $varold would be effected too.

Obviously one way would be to reopen the file or to make a new image and copy it into it. Is there an easier way?

Answer 1

The reason your try didn't work is because the variable only stores a handle (a memory pointer) to the GD image. Both $varnew and $varold will still store the same pointer, thus pointing to the exact same image in memory. You have to use imagecopy or, maybe worse, open the image from file again.