How do I use graphics (GUI) in Java? Which API is the best?

[MW130]

Hey guys, I'm new to the site and also fairly new to Java. I just had a few questions and hoped you guys could help me out. I've been programming with Java for a bit and I am tired of making text-based programs. I want to move on to graphics and buttons, to games that have actual video and actions. I would like to know what I should use for this and what professionals use. I know games such as Runescape are made with Java, but what do they use for graphics. I have heard of Swing, but do not know if it is good and/or too simple. Which one is simply the most common, professional, and best? Which would allow me to make games and good applications? Which is the native GUI packages that Java already includes? I know im throwing a really big number of questions at you guys, but hopefully you'll be kind enough to enlighten me. Thank you so, so much in advance. Regards, Michael W

[MW130]

Any help? :P

[DarrylBurke]

If you want fancy effects, try JavaFX 2.

If you go with Swing, go through these tutorials:
Trail: Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing (The Java™ Tutorials) (except the second part)
Trail: 2D Graphics (The Java™ Tutorials)

db

[MW130]

But is swing native? Is it the most popular? Can I make games with Swing? Could you please answer a few more of my questions?

[DarrylBurke]

But is swing native?

Native to what?

Is it the most popular?

What makes that significant?

Can I make games with Swing?

I can, and have. What you can do with Swing depends on more than just knowledge of Swing.

Could you please answer a few more of my questions?

Start learning and coding and you'll find the answers.

db