How to Create a Pixelated Grid in Java for Precise Color Manipulation?

Creating a Pixel Grid in Java

For aspiring pixel editors, designing a grid system that allows for precision color manipulation can be daunting. However, Java offers some useful components that can streamline the process.

JButton as a Grid Cell

Initially, using JButtons as grid cells may seem inefficient. While it allows for individual cell modification, it becomes cumbersome when working with numerous cells.

Alternative Grid Implementation

A more effective solution is to utilize the drawImage() method and scale mouse coordinates. This technique creates larger "pixels" while retaining grid-like behavior.

Example Code

The following code demonstrates this approach:

<code class="java">import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.MouseEvent;
import java.awt.event.MouseMotionListener;
import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;

public class Grid extends JPanel implements MouseMotionListener {

    private BufferedImage img;
    private int imgW, imgH, paneW, paneH;

    public Grid(String name) {
        super(true);
        // Load an image icon
        Icon icon = UIManager.getIcon(name);
        imgW = icon.getIconWidth();
        imgH = icon.getIconHeight();
        // Calculate panel dimensions
        this.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(imgW * 10, imgH * 10));
        // Create an image buffer
        img = new BufferedImage(imgW, imgH, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB);
        // Draw the icon to the buffer
        Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D) img.getGraphics();
        icon.paintIcon(null, g2d, 0, 0);
        g2d.dispose();
        // Register mouse motion listener
        this.addMouseMotionListener(this);
    }

    @Override
    protected void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
        paneW = this.getWidth();
        paneH = this.getHeight();
        // Draw the buffered image
        g.drawImage(img, 0, 0, paneW, paneH, null);
    }

    @Override
    public void mouseMoved(MouseEvent e) {
        // Scale mouse coordinates based on panel dimensions
        Point p = e.getPoint();
        int x = p.x * imgW / paneW;
        int y = p.y * imgH / paneH;
        // Retrieve and display color information at the grid location
        int c = img.getRGB(x, y);
        this.setToolTipText(x + "," + y + ": "
                + String.format("%08X", c));
    }

    @Override
    public void mouseDragged(MouseEvent e) {
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Create a JFrame and add the Grid panel
        JFrame f = new JFrame();
        f.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        f.add(new Grid("Tree.closedIcon"));
        f.pack();
        f.setVisible(true);
    }
}</code>

Usage

1. Create a Grid object passing an icon name (e.g., "Tree.closedIcon").
2. Add the grid to a JFrame.
3. Run the application.

Result

The grid will be displayed, allowing users to move the mouse over the pixelated image while obtaining color information for each cell.

The above is the detailed content of How to Create a Pixelated Grid in Java for Precise Color Manipulation?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!