Thread: Cant figure out why images in applet wont how

So I am trying to make this java applet that will display a random image of three that is a sub folder of my src folder within my project.

When you run the project currentlt all you get is a white applet. Here is the code:

import java.applet.Applet;
import java. awt.*;
 
public class myPictures extends Applet {
	Image action;
 
	public void paint(Graphics g){
 
int rint = (int)(Math.random() * 3);
if(rint == 0){
	action = getImage(getDocumentBase(), "../../images/bee3.jpg");
 
} else if(rint == 1){
	action = getImage(getDocumentBase(), "../../images/bee1.jpg");
} else {
    action = getImage(getDocumentBase(), "../../images/bee2.jpg");
}
}
 
}

Welcome to the forum! Thanks for taking the time to learn how to post code correctly. If you haven't already, please read this topic to learn other useful info for new members.

Are you using an IDE? Typically, these problems plague new users (and old) until they figure out how to reliably load the files and images they know are there. Then, it'll work fine in the IDE but won't work from the command line or as a .jar file. Start with a simple program that loads one image and displays it on an Applet or some other graphics object that you know you've gotten right. When you've gotten that figured out, you can apply that to other similar programs.

I also don't see where you're adding the image to the graphics object; for example, a statement using the Graphics.showImage() method.

Update: Oh, and there's no reason to reload the images every time through the paint() method. Load them once and display the desired one according to logic in or outside (preferred) the paint() method.

Can you show me an example of that (loading the images once)? On another note, i left out a part of the code the first time so here it is in its entirety. Also I am using an IDE (eclipse). Thanks for your help in advance.

Also the println debugging doesnt show ny numbers of rint.

import java.applet.Applet;
import java. awt.*;
 
public class myPictures extends Applet {
Image action;
 
public void start(){
int rint = (int)(Math.random() * 2);
System.out.println("var=" + rint);
if(rint == 0){
	System.out.println("var=" + rint);
    action = getImage(getDocumentBase(), "images/bee1.jpg");
 
} else if(rint == 1){
	System.out.println("var=" + rint);
    action = getImage(getDocumentBase(), "images/bee2.jpg");
} else {
	System.out.println("var=" + rint);
    action = getImage(getDocumentBase(), "images/bee3.jpg");
}
}
    public void paint(Graphics graph) {
    	if(action != null){
     graph.drawImage(action, 10, 50, this);
     graph.drawString("The Forest of Bent Tress", 475, 30);
     resize(1200,900);
    }
    }
}

I also use Eclipase and create directories in my projects to hold images and data files. When I'm simply coding something in a hurry, working out the first steps of locating the files needed for my project, I'll initially code something like this:

import java.awt.Graphics;
import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
import java.io.File;
import java.io.IOException;
 
import javax.imageio.ImageIO;
import javax.swing.JApplet;
 
public class TestClass extends JApplet
{
    BufferedImage action;
 
    // initialize the applet
    public void init()
    {
        try
        {
            // load the image file to the buffered image from the
            // files directory off the project folder
            action = ImageIO.read( new File( "../files/ArrowLeft.png" ) );
        }
        catch ( IOException e )
        {
            // or print an error
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
 
    } // end method init()
 
    // method paint() draws the applet's graphics area 
    @Override
    public void paint(Graphics g)
    {
        g.drawImage(action, 10, 50, this);
        g.drawString("The Forest of Bent Tress", 475, 30);
 
    } // end method paint()
 
} // end class TestClass

The above runs correctly with the source code in the /src directory of the default package of some project with the image file in another directly called /files which hangs off the project directory at the same level as the /src folder. Play around with this simplified code, substituting your own path and image file name for what I've done until you get it right.

Thanks

--- Update ---

If I highlight the src folder in my project then use the drop down arrow from the "New" toolbar item to add a folder to the src folder, I don't get an icon that looks like a folder, i get an image that is a square with a cross in it. Plus I cant get your code to work.

The folder is not created as a child of /src but a child or subfolder of the project to which /src belongs. Right click on the project name in the Project Explorer, select New, Folder, then a dialog appears that lets you select the parent (the project you right clicked on should be highlighted, but you could change it), give the folder a name (like files), select finish. Put your image files in that folder.

Plus I cant get your code to work.

Don't know what that means.

If I highlight the src folder in my project then use the drop down arrow from the "New" toolbar item to add a folder to the src folder, I don't get an icon that looks like a folder, i get an image that is a square with a cross in it. Or am I adding the wrong type of folder? Plus I cant get your code to work.

--- Update ---

Finally got it. Thanks

You're welcome. This will continue to frustrate you as you explore the other cases I mentioned. Don't give up, you'll figure those out too.