Develop Reference

Animating a shape in a JPanel

first questing for me here. Been searching forever but cant seem to find the answer.
Im working on a school assignment. Got given an ui and are supposed to make the different panels in it do different things in separate threads. Anyway, Im trying to make a triangle rotate inside one of the JPanels. I have managed to draw it and somewhat rotate it, but when I try to make a loop to update it it just blinks and then disappears again. Heres the code Ive written.
StartAssignment, starts the application
public class StartAssignment1 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Controller controller = new Controller();
}
Controller, recieves calls from the ui and executes various functions in other classes
public class Controller {
private GUIAssignment1 gui = new GUIAssignment1(this);
private RotateShape rotateShape;
private Thread t1;
public Controller() {
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
gui.Start();
}
});
}
public void startT1(JPanel panel) {
rotateShape = new RotateShape(panel);
t1 = new Thread(rotateShape);
t1.start();
}
public void t1Shutdown() {
rotateShape.shutdown();
}
RotateShape, where Im trying to rotate the damned thing
public class RotateShape implements Runnable {
JPanel panel;
private volatile boolean t1Running = true;
public RotateShape(JPanel panel) {
this.panel = panel;
}
private void draw() {
Graphics2D g2 = (Graphics2D) panel.getGraphics();
g2.rotate(Math.toRadians(10));
g2.drawPolygon(new int[] {50, 100, 150}, new int[] {150, 50, 150}, 3);
}
public void shutdown() {
t1Running = false;
System.out.println("Shutdown");
}
#Override
public void run() {
while (t1Running) {
try {
draw();
Thread.sleep(500);
System.out.println("loop working");
panel.repaint();
panel.revalidate();
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
}

I'm not certain because I don't have access to your GUI code and therefore cannot test it myself, but here's an idea:
It looks like you're rotating your Graphics2D object by a fixed amount on every re-render (i.e. every invocation of draw()). It's possible that the internal JPanel code initiates the Graphics2D at a default rotation before every re-render, which may be why your rotation only causes the shape to "somewhat rotate."
Maybe try storing a variable for the radian offset (e.g. double offset;) as a member field of the RotateShapeclass, incrementing it on every re-render, then calling g2.rotate(Math.toRadians(offset));?
Addendum 1:
The reason that it may draw on top of the previous render is because the Graphics2D object is not clearing the canvas between re-renders. One way to fix this is to "clear" the canvas at the beginning of the draw() method by filling a rectangle that covers the whole canvas.
Addendum 2:
When you call panel.repaint(), it triggers the paintComponent() method of the JPanel object. So, by calling repaint() and your own draw() method, you are doing two separate renders, which may cause some graphical errors. If you were able to extends the JPanel class and use that, you should define an override to replace draw():
#Override
public void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
super.paintComponent(g);
// TODO: add your rendering operations here
}
This way, calls to repaint() should trigger this method.

paintComponent() gets called only when Minimizing-Maximizing Screen

I am trying to develop a game in which I need to draw a grid. For that I am using the paintComponent(Graphics g) method which is being called by repaint() method.
The problem is that the repaint method is inside the infinite While loop and it never calls the paintComponent() method unless I minimize and maximize the screen. After that it works fine and calls the paintComponent() perfectly in the while loop.
So in short, I need to trigger it by Minimizing-Maximizing the screen.
Can anybody help me out?
In the code you can see 3 classes namely, Frame.java, MenuHandler.java & Screen.java. Code starts from the main method in Frame class and it adds the Screen class to itself as Screen extends JPanel. However, the control goes to the Screen class only when user selects "Create Map" on the menu. Then MenuHandler class passes the control to the Screen class where the run method is called in the createMap method and I invoking the repaint method inside this run method.
package so;
public class Screen extends JPanel implements Runnable {
Frame frame;
public Screen(Frame frame) {
this.frame = frame;
}
public void createMap() {
thread.start();
}
public void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
g.setColor(Color.BLUE);
}
#Override
public void run() {
System.out.println("Success******");
long lastFrame = System.currentTimeMillis();
int frames = 0;
running = true;
scene = 0;
// the map grid would be refreshed every 2 ms so that we don't get the
// flickering effect
while (running) {
frames++;
if (System.currentTimeMillis() - 1000 >= lastFrame) {
fps = frames;
frames = 0;
lastFrame = System.currentTimeMillis();
}
// to draw stuff all the time on the screen : goes around 2 millions
// frames per second. Which is of no use.
repaint();
try {
Thread.sleep(2);
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
System.exit(0);
}
}
Timer code in the run method:
public void run() {
System.out.println("Success");
long lastFrame = System.currentTimeMillis();
int frames = 0;
running = true;
scene = 0;
// the map grid would be refreshed every 2 ms so that we don't get the
// flickering effect
while (running) {
frames++;
if (System.currentTimeMillis() - 1000 >= lastFrame) {
fps = frames;
frames = 0;
lastFrame = System.currentTimeMillis();
}
System.out.println("before repaint");
// to draw stuff all the time on the screen : goes around 2 millions
// frames per second. Which is of no use.
ActionListener taskPerformer = new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent evt) {
repaint();
}
};
new Timer(200, taskPerformer).start();
System.out.println("after repaint");
try {
Thread.sleep(2);
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
System.exit(0);
}

I figured out the issue. it was just one line that I had to add to trigger the paintComponent method instead of doing it by minimizing-maximizing the window.
Frame was my top level container and I was adding Screen component (that extends JPanel and has the implementation of paintComponent) to the frame. So while adding, earlier I was doing
frame.add(screen);
I changed this to:
frame.getContentPane().add(screen);
frame.getContentPane().validate();
Calling the validate method after adding it did it for me. I don't know if it makes sense but yes that was the only line that worked for me.
Hope it helps.

JFrame and GlassPane - Trouble with repaint()

This question may be a simple matter of me lacking a fundamental understanding of Java Swing or Graphics, and if so, I apologize.
I'm trying to develop a GUI application using Java Swing that can be controlled by an external device that sends pitch, yaw, and roll values via bluetooth to the Application. My idea is to create a cursor (perhaps an empty circle) that moves around when the external device moves around. I have no problems with receiving the data from the device, just the part where I need to actually paint something over all of my components.
I figured that a GlassPane was the easiest way to show a cursor over the entire application, and have it move around when the external device is moved around. I use a Thread to capture the data, and I'm trying to call repaint() afterwards, but it doesn't seem to be triggering.
Here is the relevant code:
JFrame:
public class Frame extends JFrame {
/**
* Launch the application.
*/
public static void main(String[] args) {
EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
try {
//Thread myoHandlerThread = new Thread(myoHandler);
//myoHandlerThread.start();
Frame frame = new Frame();
GlassPane glassPane = new GlassPane();
glassPane.setVisible(true);
frame.setGlassPane(glassPane);
frame.setVisible(true);
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
});
}
/**
* Create the frame.
*/
public Frame() {
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setBounds(50, 50, 1000, 650);
/* Code to add and place components */
}
}
And my GlassPane:
public class GlassPane extends JComponent {
private static double pitch;
private static double yaw;
private static double roll;
Point point;
public void setPoint(Point p) {
this.point = p;
}
public void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
if (point != null) {
System.out.println("Test print statement");
g.setColor(Color.red);
g.fillOval(point.x - 10, point.y - 10, 20, 20);
}
}
public GlassPane() {
Thread handler = new Thread(deviceHandler);
handler.start();
}
private Runnable deviceHandler = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
Hub hub = new Hub("com.garbage");
System.out.println("Attempting to find device...");
Device externalDevice = hub.waitForDevice(10000);
if (externalDevice == null) {
throw new RuntimeException("Unable to find device!");
}
System.out.println("Connected");
DataCollector dataCollector = new DataCollector();
hub.addListener(dataCollector);
while (true) {
hub.run(1000/20); //gathers data and stores in dataCollector
roll = dataCollector.getRoll();
pitch = dataCollector.getPitch();
yaw = dataCollector.getYaw();
Point p = new Point();
p.setLocation(Math.abs(pitch) * 10, Math.abs(yaw) * 10);
setPoint(p);
repaint();
}
}
};
}
What I would like to happen is for a red circle to be drawn somewhere on the GUI depending on the orientation of the external device. At this point, my "test print statement" doesn't fire even once.
My guess is that I'm lacking some sort of basic understanding of Java's GlassPane or even how paint, paintComponent, and repaint even works. Could anyone point out what I'm doing wrong?

The likely cause of your frustration is trying to set the glass pane visible (Swing components are visible by default), before setting it as the frames GlassPane.
The JFrame is likely resetting the glass pane to be invisible, meaning that it won't be painted (no point painting something that's not visible)
Try setting the glass pane visible AFTER you apply it to the frame

Java repaint() method doesn't always work

There is a problem with the repaint() method in Java. I made a new thread that constantly repaints the screen. When I release the spacebar I want my player to fall smoothly by setting its position and then waiting for 50 milliseconds and looping that 20 times. Instead, it waits the whole amount of time in the loop, then repaints. I am wondering why it doesn't constantly repaint the changes in the players co-ordinates. Thank you.
(Edit) Thanks everyone for the help. This is my first time using stack overflow, and I am only 13 and still learning java, so I probably will go back to the tutorials again.
My 'a' class (main):
public class a {
public static void main(String[] args) {
JFrame frame = new JFrame("StickFigure Game");
frame.setSize(740, 580);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(frame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
frame.setVisible(true);
b board = new b();
frame.add(board);
frame.addKeyListener(board);
}
}
My 'b' class (JPanel/drawing):
public class b extends JPanel implements KeyListener {
c player = new c();
public class MyRunnable implements Runnable {
public void run() {
while (true)
repaint();
}
}
MyRunnable run = new MyRunnable();
public void paint(Graphics g) {
super.paint(g);
Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D) g;
g2d.drawImage(player.getImage(), player.getX(), player.getY(), 80, 140,
null);
}
public b() {
Thread thread = new Thread(new MyRunnable());
thread.start();
}
public static void slow(int n) {
long t0, t1;
t0 = System.currentTimeMillis();
do {
t1 = System.currentTimeMillis();
} while (t1 - t0 < n);
}
public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e) {
if (e.getKeyCode() == KeyEvent.VK_D) {
player.setPos(player.getX() + 6, player.getY());
}
if (e.getKeyCode() == KeyEvent.VK_A) {
player.setPos(player.getX() - 6, player.getY());
}
if (e.getKeyCode() == KeyEvent.VK_SPACE) {
player.setPos(player.getX(), player.getY() - 60);
}
}
public void keyReleased(KeyEvent e) {
if (e.getKeyCode() == KeyEvent.VK_SPACE) {
for (int i = 0; i < 20; i++) {
slow(50);
player.setPos(player.getX(), player.getY() + 2);
}
}
}
public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e) {
}
}
my 'c' class (player):
public class c {
private ImageIcon i = new ImageIcon("guy.png");
private Image img = i.getImage();
private int x = 0;
private int y = 100;
public void wait(int what) {
try {
Thread.sleep(what);
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
// TODO Auto-generated catch block
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
public c() {
}
public Image getImage() {
return img;
}
public int getX() {
return x;
}
public int getY() {
return y;
}
public void setPos(int mx, int my) {
x = mx;
y = my;
}
}

I haven't gone through all the code here but here are some pointers:
Swing has its own concurrency mechanisms which allow you to handle UI updates. You can use a Swing Timer rather than a raw Thread. Related is the use of Thread.sleep - don't do this, it only blocks the EDT and prevents UI updates.
The Swing paint chain mechanism requires you to override paintComponent rather than paint.
Always use Key Bindings rather than KeyListeners in Swing. KeyListeners require component focus to work to interact with the KeyEvents. Key Bindings do not have this limitation.

"There is a problem with the repaint() method in java." Did you consider that perhaps the problem is with your code instead? You are blocking the event thread and giving the system no time to do the intermediate repaints. In particular, this method:
public static void slow (int n){
long t0,t1;
t0=System.currentTimeMillis();
do{
t1=System.currentTimeMillis();
}
while (t1-t0<n);
}
and this loop:
for(int i = 0;i<20;i++){
slow(50);
player.setPos(player.getX(), player.getY()+2);
}
do not relinquish control to the system so that repaints can actually happen. Rewrite those using Swing timers. Look at this tutorial for an introduction on how to use these.
Also, your thread that constantly calls repaint() in a tight loop:
public void run(){
while(true) repaint();
}
is a terrible idea. You don't need to call repaint() at full CPU speed. Once every 30 milliseconds or so is fine for animation. Again, consider using Swing utilities to do this rather than writing your own looping thread.

The repaint is only a "request" to paint as soon as possible. so when you call it it causes a call to the paint method as soon as possible.
from here
So basically you just flooding the scheduled calls of paint or update with while(true) repaint();.
Oracle's stance on painting in AWT and Swing
One way you could do it, or should I say how I would do it, is to make your c class implement KeyListener, so that when a key is pressed (and only when it is pressed) you update it's location.
So move your KeyListener methods to class c, in your class b constructor you can add the call this.addKeyListener(player) or make a method void addPlayer(c player) that adds it.

repaint() fails to work

I wanted to draw an image on my panel based on the data I receive from another thread. I am sure the data and consequent pixel array works well, but the repaint() would never work. Can anyone tell me what's going wrong here?
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.image.*;
/** Create an image from a pixel array. **/
public class PicturePlaza extends JApplet
{
ImagePanel fImagePanel;
ReadCom readComPort;
Thread readPortThread;
public void init () {
// initiate the read port thread so that it can receive data
readComPort = new ReadCom();
readPortThread = new Thread(readComPort,"ReadCom");
readPortThread.start();
Container content_pane = getContentPane ();
fImagePanel = new ImagePanel ();
content_pane.add (fImagePanel);
}
// Tell the panel to create and display the image, if pixel data is ready.
public void start () {
while(true){
if(readComPort.newPic){
fImagePanel.go();
}
try {
Thread.sleep(4000);
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
// TODO Auto-generated catch block
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
}
/** Create an image from a pixel array. **/
class ImagePanel extends JPanel{
Image fImage;
int fWidth = ReadCom.row, fHeight = ReadCom.col;
void go() {
//update the image if newPic flag is set to true
fImage = createImage (new MemoryImageSource (fWidth, fHeight, ReadCom.fpixel, 0, fWidth));
repaint();
readComPort.newPic = false; //disable the flag, indicating the image pixel has been used
}
/** Paint the image on the panel. **/
public void paintComponent (Graphics g) {
super.paintComponent (g);
g.drawImage (fImage, 0, 0, this );
}
}
}
Thanks

Just a little note on repaint(). repaint() schedules a repaint of the screen, it won't always do it immediately in my experience. I found the best solution is to directly call paint() yourself.
Graphics g;
g = getGraphics();
paint(g);
I put this as a new function to call in my code when I wanted it to paint immediately. Also this will not erase the previous graphics on the screen, you will have to do that manually.

Try repaint(); and then validate(); in your Applet (PicturePlaza).