Question

Java, how to set a jpg as a background in a JFrame.

Answer 1

Within the context of using images - with the ImageIcon class, I have learned that it's possible to set the ImageIcon object as a picture by doing the following:

1) declare an instance of the ImageIcon class referencing the jpg you want
```
ImageIcon ic = new ImageIcon("C:\\woodrowPic.jpg");
```
2) add the object to the constructor of the JLabel class:
```
JLabel lab = new JLabel(ic);
```
3) add the JLabel object to a JPanel's add method:
```
JPanel pan = new JPanel();
pan.add(lab);
```
4) add the JPanel to the JFrame via the JFrame's add method:
```
JFrame jf = new JFrame("Here is a pic"); //this constructor is the title of window
jf.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
//exits program when closed
jf.add(pan); //adds JPanel to the JFrame
jf.pack(); //sets the dimensions of the window to the picture's size
jf.setVisible(true); //sets the window to visible
```
Now there is a window with a picture inside of it--
However, this is a JLabel, and it is not possible to place other components ontop of a JLabel (such as JButton || more JLabels || JTextField), hence I am unable to place any components ontop of the picture -- any JButton added would simply be in the white-space of the JFrame to the right of the picture or below it.

My goal is to be able to place components ontop of a jpg in a JFrame.

I have found that JButtons can even reference a picture--
```
ImageIcon ic = new ImageIcon("C:\\woodrowPic.jpg");
JButton but = new JButton(ic);
JFrame jf = new JFrame("Giant Button Picture");
jf.add(but);
jf.pack();
jf.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
jf.setVisible(true);
```
Apparantly, a JButton can be added directly to a JFrame -- with the ImageIcon object in the JButton's constructor -- the entire image has become a button. I'm happy that I can get a whole picture to be a button - though I'm more-or less striving to be able to put multiple buttons on a picture -- as well as the fact that I only want a portion of the picture to be a button, not the whole picture. For instance- here is a giant JButton:

(I attatched a jpg -- it will appear somewhere.. most likely.) The whole picture is a button as opposed to just the 'button shaped' portion.

fyi -- in terms of adding a JButton as a picture - this is also proper syntax:
adding the button to the panel, then adding it to the frame - instead of adding the button to the frame directly-
```
ImageIcon ic = new ImageIcon("C:\\woodPic.jpg");
JButton but = new JButton(ic);
JButton b22 = new JButton("A button on the side of the pic/frame");
JPanel pan = new JPanel();
pan.add(but);
pan.add(b22);
JFrame jf = new JFrame("Pic display");
jf.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
jf.add(pan);
jf.pack();
jf.setVisible(true);
```
I also added a 2nd JButton onto the JPanel before adding it to the JFrame. This button 'b22' will be on the side of the picture, awkwardly placed.

In terms of setting backgrounds as a picture, from where I can add JPanel components ontop -- here are some failed attempts:

-try setting ImageIcon object directly to JFrame; causes error
```
JFrame jf = new JFrame();
ImageIcon ic = new ImageIcon("C:\\officeeclipsewood\\garwood.jpg");
jf.add(ic);
jf.pack();
jf.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
jf.setVisible(true);
```

-attempt adding a JPanel ontop of another JPanel to see if they overlay:
```
JFrame jf = new JFrame();
ImageIcon ic = new ImageIcon("C:\\officeeclipsewood\\garwood.jpg");
JLabel lab = new JLabel(ic);
JPanel pan = new JPanel();
pan.add(lab);
JPanel p2 = new JPanel();
JButton buttonOnP2 = new JButton("Test");
p2.add(buttonOnP2);
jf.add(pan);
jf.add(p2);
jf.pack();
jf.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
jf.setVisible(true);
```
The second panel completely blocks off the first panel that I added to the JFrame - so nothing from the first JPanel pan displays when compiled & run.


I'm currently learning layout managers - hopefully I learn something that helps - any input is appreciated.

The background of a JPanel can be set to one of 13 colors such as:
```
JPanel pan = new JPanel();
pan.setBackground(Color.CYAN);
```

If only setting a jpg as a background was as easy.

Answer 2

What sort of project have you had to do with JFrame library?

Answer 3

None in particular; though adding JPanel components ontop of a picture would be rad. I've heard anything is possible with javafx - but I'm currently looking for a swing/awt solution since it's what I'm learning at the moment.