Graphics - How do I use the method create(int x, int y, int width, int height) and translate(int x, int y)?

Question

I was trying to do my computer science homework but I am stuck as I was trying to use the following methods.

1. public Graphics create(int x,int y,int width,int height)

   That Creates a new Graphics object based on this Graphics object, but with a new translation and clip area.

   Parameters:

   • x - the x coordinate.
   • y - the y coordinate.
   • width - the width of the clipping rectangle.
   • height - the height of the clipping rectangle.
      

2. public abstract void translate(int x,int y)

   That Translates the origin of the graphics context to the point (x, y) in the current coordinate system.

Can anyone explain and give examples of how to use them?

i was trying to do this..

public Graphics drawPlayer1()
{
    myPencil.up();
    myPencil.move(-620,300);
    myPencil.down();
    myPencil.fillCircle(20);
    myPencil.up();
    myPencil.move(-590,300);
    myPencil.drawString("Player1: " + player1);
    p1.create(-620,300,40,40);
    return p1;
}//end drawPlayer1

and it threw me a nullPointerException when it comes to p1.create(-620,300,40,40);

Answer 1

I'm with Andrew on this one, I've never used Graphics#create(int, int, int, int). I do use Graphics#create though.

Basically, the create method will create a new graphics context which is a copy of the original. This allows you to manipulate the copy with out effecting the original. This is important if you are performing operations on the graphics that can't be (easily) undone.

Translate simple "zeros" the graphics context to the new location. The Swing painting process does this for each component it paints. Basically, before paint is called, the graphics context is translated to the components position, meaning that all painting within the component is done from 0x0

public class TestGraphics01 {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        new TestGraphics01();
    }

    public TestGraphics01() {
        EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                try {
                    UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
                } catch (Exception ex) {
                }

                JFrame frame = new JFrame("Testing");
                frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
                frame.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
                frame.add(new TestGraphicsPane());
                frame.pack();
                frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
                frame.setVisible(true);
            }
        });
    }

    public class TestGraphicsPane extends JPanel {

        @Override
        public Dimension getPreferredSize() {
            return new Dimension(400, 400);
        }

        @Override
        protected void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
            super.paintComponent(g);
            FontMetrics fm = g.getFontMetrics();

            // This creates a "copy" the graphics context, it's translated
            // to the x, y position within the current graphics context
            // and has a width and height.  If the width or height is outside
            // the current graphics context, then it is truncated...
            // It's kind of like clip, except what ever you do to this copy
            // does not effect the graphics context it came from...
            // This would be simular to setting the clipping region, just it 
            // won't effect the parent Graphics context it was copied from...
            Graphics create = g.create(100, 100, 200, 200);
            create.setColor(Color.GREEN);
            create.fillRect(0, 0, 200, 200);
            create.setColor(Color.YELLOW);
            create.drawString("I'm inside...", 0, fm.getAscent());
            create.dispose();

            // But I remain uneffected...
            g.drawString("I'm outside...", 0, fm.getAscent());

            // I will effect every thing draw afterwards...
            g.setColor(Color.RED);
            int y = 50 - (fm.getHeight() / 2) + fm.getAscent();
            g.translate(50, y);
            g.drawString("I'm half way", 0, 0);
            // You must reset the translation if you want to reuse the graphics OR
            // you didn't create a copy...
            g.translate(-50, -y);

            y = 350 - (fm.getHeight() / 2) + fm.getAscent();
            g.translate(300, y);
            g.drawString("I'm half way", 0, 0);
            // You must reset the translation if you want to reuse the graphics OR
            // you didn't create a copy...
            g.translate(-300, -y);

        }

    }

}