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javaswingsubstance

How to change default operating system's frame around swing application


For example instead of the default operating system container around the application you could have something custom like this swing project below.

enter image description here


Solution

  • You can use a transparent image on a undecorated frame with a transparent background:

    import java.awt.*;
    import java.awt.event.*;
    import javax.swing.*;
    
    public class TransparentImageFrame
    {
        private static void createAndShowUI()
        {
            JLabel label = new JLabel( new ImageIcon("...") );
            label.addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter() {
                @Override
                public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e)
                {
                    if (e.getClickCount() == 2)
                    {
                        System.exit(0);
                    }
                }
            });
    
            JFrame frame = new JFrame("Image Frame");
            frame.setUndecorated(true);
            frame.setBackground(new Color(0, 0, 0, 0));
    
            frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
            frame.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
            frame.add( label );
            frame.pack();
            frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
            frame.setVisible(true);
        }
    
        public static void main(String[] args)
        {
            EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable()
            {
                public void run()
                {
                    createAndShowUI();
                }
            });
        }
    }
    

    The mouse will only respond to non-opaque pixels in whatever image you use.