I would like to print this JPanel class. How?

I thought that by transfering the Graphics g with paintThis that it would work.

I just want to print the PrintThis Jpanel class. What am I doing wrong? The print screen opens up but when I confirm i get a nullpointerexception.

Code:

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import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.print.*;

public class PrintTest implements Printable {


        PrintThisGraphic printThisGraphic = new PrintThisGraphic();
        public Graphics paintThis;
        public int stringGap = 25, fretGap = 25, frets = 2;

    public static void main(String args[]) {
        new PrintTest();
    }

        PrintTest() {
                PrinterJob job = PrinterJob.getPrinterJob();
        job.setPrintable(this);
        boolean ok = job.printDialog();
        if (ok) {
            try {
                job.print();
            } catch (PrinterException ex) {
            }
        }
        }

    public int print(Graphics g, PageFormat pf, int page) throws PrinterException {

        if (page > 0) {
            return NO_SUCH_PAGE;
        }
                g = paintThis;

        Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D)g;
        g2d.translate(pf.getImageableX(), pf.getImageableY());

        return PAGE_EXISTS;
    }

    //******** I want this to print.
    class PrintThisGraphic extends JPanel {

                public void paintComponent(Graphics g) {

                        g.setColor(Color.BLACK);
                        for(int string = 0; string < 6; string++) {
                                for(int fret = 0; fret <= frets; fret++) {
                                        //Strings
                                        g.drawLine(stringGap+(stringGap*(string)), fretGap, stringGap+(stringGap*(string)), fretGap+(fretGap*(frets)));
                                        //Frets
                                        g.drawLine(stringGap-2, (fretGap) + fretGap * fret, stringGap*6+2, (fretGap) + fretGap * fret);

                                }
                        // paintThis = g; was moved out of the for loop... ridiculous mistake! Also renamed it to something clearer.
                        }

                paintThis= g;

                }
        }
}

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bumb bump bump

Your Graphics/Graphics2D object is null, but that's not surprising as you're getting it (in a nested for loop?) from within a paintComponent method of a JComponent. Those Graphics objects aren't meant to persist.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fubarable

Your Graphics/Graphics2D object is null, but that's not surprising as you're getting it (in a nested for loop?) from within a paintComponent method of a JComponent. Those Graphics objects aren't meant to persist.

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Quote:

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Your Graphics/Graphics2D object is null

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The NullPinterException is because of

Code:

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paintThis  = g;

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Quote:

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(in a nested for loop?) from within a paintComponent method of a JComponent. Those Graphics objects aren't meant to persist.

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Are you saying do not use nested for loops in a paintComponent?



btw: I can get it it print if I move this in the print() method.

Code:

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g.setColor(Color.BLACK);
                        for(int string = 0; string < 6; string++) {
                                for(int fret = 0; fret <= frets; fret++) {
                                        //Strings
                                        g.drawLine(stringGap+(stringGap*(string)), fretGap, stringGap+(stringGap*(string)), fretGap+(fretGap*(frets)));
                                        //Frets
                                        g.drawLine(stringGap-2, (fretGap) + fretGap * fret, stringGap*6+2, (fretGap) + fretGap * fret);

                                        paintThis = g;
                                }
                        }

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So how can I copy Graphics objects that are drawn on screen to a new object to recall in a print() method?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AcousticBruce

Are you saying do not use nested for loops in a paintComponent?

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No, but it makes no sense to try to extract a Graphics object from inside that method, and even if theoretically you could do it, why do it inside of nested for loops, where you'll be extracting the object a new time with every loop?

Quote:

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So how can I copy Graphics objects that are drawn on screen to a new object to recall in a print() method?

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I'm no print expert, but you're going to get a viable Graphics object passed into the Printable's print method:

Code:

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  public int print(Graphics g, PageFormat pf, int page) throws PrinterException {

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Why not use this object since it's not null, and is the one used for printing?

perhaps call print(Graphics g) on your GUI object after it is rendered, passing into the print method the Graphics object above? You'll need to have an instance of your GUI visible in the class.

Oh haha.. yeah i tried to make a quick SSCCE and put that in the for loop.. didnt even notice. i am changing the main post.. cause that is a blatent error.

For instance, something like this (my comments and changes are denoted by // !!):

Code:

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import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.print.*;

public class PrintTest2 implements Printable {

  // !! public Graphics paintThis;
  private PrintThis printThis = new PrintThis(); // !!

  public static void main(String args[]) {
      new PrintTest2();
  }

  PrintTest2() {
      // !! new PrintThis();
      // !! need a way to render the JPanel, so put in JFrame
      JFrame frame = new JFrame();
      printThis.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(600, 600));
      frame.getContentPane().add(printThis);
      frame.pack(); // !! and render it by calling pack().
      // !!

      PrinterJob job = PrinterJob.getPrinterJob();
      job.setPrintable(this);
      boolean ok = job.printDialog();
      if (ok) {
        try {
            job.print();
        } catch (PrinterException ex) {
        }
      }
  }

  public int print(Graphics g, PageFormat pf, int page) throws PrinterException {

      if (page > 0) {
        return NO_SUCH_PAGE;
      }
      // !! g = paintThis;

      Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D) g;
      // !! System.out.printf("g2d null: %b;  pf null: %b" , g2d == null, pf ==
      // null);
      g2d.translate(pf.getImageableX(), pf.getImageableY());

      // !! call print on the JComponent, passing in the Graphics object given to this method
      printThis.print(g); // !!

      return PAGE_EXISTS;
  }

  class PrintThis extends JPanel {

      public int stringGap = 25, fretGap = 25, frets = 2;

      public void paintComponent(Graphics g) {

        g.setColor(Color.BLACK);
        for (int string = 0; string < 6; string++) {
            for (int fret = 0; fret <= frets; fret++) {
              // Strings
              g.drawLine(stringGap + (stringGap * (string)), fretGap, stringGap
                        + (stringGap * (string)), fretGap + (fretGap * (frets)));
              // Frets
              g.drawLine(stringGap - 2, (fretGap) + fretGap * fret, stringGap * 6 + 2, (fretGap)
                        + fretGap * fret);

              // !! paintThis = g;
            }
        }
      }
  }
}

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but again, please note that I know next to nothing about printing in Java, so I'm just going by what seems like common sense. I will need to review the tutorials.

I didnt realize you can call a printThis.print(g). I still dont understand, I will look over the API in more detail.

I also didnt realize you needed a frame. The reason i didnt think you need a frame is because you can build the graphics right in the print method.

Well your code does work. I will study it.



I think its time to start studying Bruce Eckels book :)

Fubarable thank you so much. the print() method in a JComponent is new to me. This is the method that I needed to know about which I wasnt finding in the print tutorials.


from API

Quote:

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print(Graphics g) : Invoke this method to print the component to the specified Graphics.

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So happy now!