In one embodiment, methods and architectures are provided that heuristically analyze an incoming vector path data stream over multiple DDI calls, and merge the path data strips into a single gradient element. This single gradient element can then be processed, as by being serialized into XAML, so that it can be somewhat more efficiently consumed by a consuming device. Merging of the vector path data can eliminate or at least reduce noticeable seams, conserve parsing time and reduce memory consumption.