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Show multiple JPane images on a single JFrame

First off, I am new to JFrame and all the associated classes so I am still learning how to do this.
My current goal is to draw multiple images on a single JFrame. So far, I can get test2.png to draw, but not test1.png. Any suggestions or help understanding JFrame is appreciated. This is my main class:
package com.osj.oneshotjava;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
/**
*
* #author BCG04
*/
public class actorTest {
public static void main(String []args){
JFrame jFrame = new JFrame("OSJ actor test");
jFrame.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(640, 480)); // sets window size
jFrame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
Actor2 Background = new Actor2(jFrame, "test1.png");
Actor2 testActor = new Actor2(jFrame, "test2.png");
jFrame.pack(); // automatically adjusts window size (also sets window size based on the maximum and minimum sizes)
jFrame.setVisible(true);
}
}
And this is Actor2:
package com.osj.oneshotjava;
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
import java.io.File;
import javax.imageio.ImageIO;
import javax.swing.ImageIcon;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
/**
*
* #author BCG04
*/
public class Actor2 { //Purpose: make it easer to add multiple images to a single JFrame using only a single call to Actor2's constuctor rather than repeating the same section of code for each image.
private BufferedImage image = null;
private JLabel jLabel = null;
public Actor2(JFrame jFrame, String filename){
try
{ // try to load a image 'filename' into 'image'
image = ImageIO.read(new File(filename));
}
catch (Exception e)
{
e.printStackTrace(); // if loading fails, print the error
System.exit(1); // then exit with an error code 1 'unsuccessful exit'
}
ImageIcon imageIcon = new ImageIcon(image); // create a new ImageIcon that contains 'image'
JPanel jPanel = new JPanel();
jLabel = new JLabel();
jLabel.setIcon(imageIcon); // set JLabel 'jLabel' to contain 'imageIcon'
jPanel.add(jLabel);
jFrame.getContentPane().add(jPanel, BorderLayout.CENTER); // makes window visible?
}
public JLabel getJLabel(){
return jLabel;
}
}
Edit:
-removed Thread.sleep(1000); and setLocation(90, 90); since they were not relevant to the question or the problem and I originally had them in to test whether I could move images.
-removed jLabel.setBounds as it did not seem to do anything.
+added a comment clarifying Actor2's goal.
I'd like to clarify my end goal, I would like to create a simple 2d game that uses Java.

Here is a complete, self contained example that is close to what you're after. It is to demonstrate the use of a layout manager.
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.image.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
public class DuelingJLabels{
public static void startGui(){
JFrame frame = new JFrame();
JPanel scene = new JPanel();
Actor red = new Actor(Color.RED);
Actor blue = new Actor(Color.BLUE);
//scene.setLayout( null );
scene.add(red.image);
scene.add(blue.image);
//scene.setPreferredSize( new Dimension(512, 512) );
frame.add(scene, BorderLayout.CENTER);
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
}
static class Actor{
int x, y;
JLabel image;
public Actor(Color c){
BufferedImage a = new BufferedImage(64, 64, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB);
Graphics g = a.getGraphics();
g.setColor(c);
g.fillOval(0, 0, 64, 64);
image = new JLabel();
image.setIcon(new ImageIcon(a));
image.setLocation( x, y );
image.setSize( 64, 64);
image.addMouseListener( new MouseAdapter(){
#Override
public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent evt){
x = x+64;
if(x>=448){
x = 0;
y += 64;
}
image.setLocation(x, y);
}
});
}
}
public static void main(String[] args){
EventQueue.invokeLater( DuelingJLabels::startGui );
}
}
Take note of the line scene.setLayout(null); if you run the example with that line commented out, then you will see two circles side by side. That is because we are letting swing handle the layout. scene is a JPanel with a FlowLayout by default.
Now when you click the circles, nothing happens* because we tell the new position but the layout manager resets the position.
*Actually they move sometimes, but if you trigger a re-validation then they get moved by the layout manager.
So now remove the comment on scene.setLayout(null); and notice the difference.
The frame is tiny, and we have to manually resize it to see our scene.
There is only one circle.
If you click on the circle, it moves.
That's because we have told swing to not use a layout manager for the JPanel scene. That means it will not reposition the components in the scene for us, and it will not adjust the sizes for us either.
The other line that is commented setPreferredSize makes scene tell the parent component a size it would like to be at. If you uncomment that line then the JFrame will not start out incredibly small. You should only use that with custom components, otherwise you can end up conflicting with the layout manager.
Another tool, which I have found usefull is the JLayeredPane because it gives you some depth. I also think the example is good.
Finally, another technique for putting custom graphics arbitrarily is to #Override paintComponent. That way you can draw whatever, where-ever on your component.

Attempting to set the layout to BoxLayout

I can't seem to find a solution online for why I'm getting this error on attempted run
I'm working on making a simple test system for a different program when are button press will yield value in a text box. I would like them to be on different lines to make it cleaner, so I looked into layouts. I decided a Box Layout would fit me best. I looked at different examples before attempting this and my code ended up looking like this, (apologies for the messy code)
Update
Got the box layout error to disappear but the code will not center them on the panel/frame. The label and button align left while the textfield becomes very large. I don't need it todo that
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import java.util.Random;
import static javax.swing.BoxLayout.Y_AXIS;
import static javax.swing.SwingConstants.CENTER;
public class button extends JFrame {
static JFrame f;
static JButton b;
static JLabel l;
// main class
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// create a new frame to stor text field and button
f = new JFrame("panel");
BoxLayout layout = new BoxLayout(f, BoxLayout.Y_AXIS);
f.setLayout(layout);
// create a label to display text
l = new JLabel("panel label");
b = new JButton("button1");
JTextField textArea = new JTextField(5);
textArea.setEditable(false);
//textArea.append("Hello World");
// create a panel to add buttons
JPanel p = new JPanel();
// add buttons and textfield to panel
f.add(p);
f.setSize(300, 300);
p.add(l);
p.add(b);
p.setBackground(Color.white);
p.add(textArea);
f.show();
f.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
b.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent arg0) {
Random r = new Random();
textArea.setText(String.valueOf(r));
}
});
}
}
Error
Exception in thread "main" java.awt.AWTError: BoxLayout can't be shared
at java.desktop/javax.swing.BoxLayout.checkContainer(BoxLayout.java:461)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.BoxLayout.invalidateLayout(BoxLayout.java:245)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.BoxLayout.addLayoutComponent(BoxLayout.java:278)
at java.desktop/java.awt.Container.addImpl(Container.java:1152)
at java.desktop/java.awt.Container.add(Container.java:1029)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JFrame.addImpl(JFrame.java:553)
at java.desktop/java.awt.Container.add(Container.java:436)
at button.main(button.java:36)
I would like the three items to all to be stacked one on top of another with a space between them. The order doesn't matter right now.

Swing was first added to the JDK in 1998 and has undergone a lot of changes since. Unfortunately, when you read Web pages about Swing, it is not obvious when that page was last updated. Consequently you may be learning outdated techniques for writing Swing code.
First of all, according to the code you posted, class button does not need to extend class JFrame since you use a static variable as your application's JFrame. Also, JFrame is a top-level container which makes it a special kind of container and not the same kind of continer as a JPanel. You need to set the layout manager for your JPanel and then add the JLabel, JTextField and JButton to that JPanel. And then add the JPanel to the JFrame.
Calling method pack() of class JFrame will automatically set the preferred sizes for the components inside the JFrame. It appears in the code below.
Please also look at Java coding conventions which allows others to more easily read and understand your code. And note that, according to these conventions, I renamed your class from button to Buttons and also because there are already several class in the JDK named Button.
Here is my rewrite of your code...
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import java.util.Random;
import javax.swing.BoxLayout;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JTextField;
import javax.swing.WindowConstants;
public class Buttons implements Runnable {
public void run() {
createAndShowGui();
}
private void createAndShowGui() {
JFrame f = new JFrame("Box");
f.setDefaultCloseOperation(WindowConstants.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
JPanel p = new JPanel();
BoxLayout layout = new BoxLayout(p, BoxLayout.Y_AXIS);
p.setLayout(layout);
JLabel l = new JLabel("panel label");
JTextField textField = new JTextField(5);
JButton b = new JButton("button1");
b.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent arg0) {
Random r = new Random();
textField.setText(String.valueOf(r.nextBoolean()));
}
});
p.add(l);
p.add(textField);
p.add(b);
f.add(p);
f.pack();
f.setLocationByPlatform(true);
f.setVisible(true);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Buttons instance = new Buttons();
EventQueue.invokeLater(instance);
}
}

How to Center JButtons in a centered JLabel in a BoxLayout?

I'm new in Java GUI programming and I have a strange issue with the BoxLayout:
I have an JLabel with an Icon. Added to the label are two JButtons. The Jlabel is placed in the CENTER position of the BorderLayout from a JFrame. Now I want that these two JButtons are always in the center of the JLabel even when I resize the JFrame. With setAlignmentX() the Jbuttons are centered horizontally , but there is no solution with setAlignmentY() for the vertical direction.
here is the code:
package footballQuestioner;
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import javax.swing.BoxLayout;
import javax.swing.ImageIcon;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
public class Houdini {
public static void main(String[] args) {
JFrame frame = new House();
}
}
class House extends JFrame {
private JLabel label = new JLabel(
new ImageIcon(
"C:\\Users\\laudatio\\Documents\\Java\\MyProject\\src\\footballQuestioner\\footballfield.jpg")
);
private JButton one=new JButton("one");
private JButton two=new JButton("two");
public House() {
label.setLayout(new BoxLayout(label, BoxLayout.Y_AXIS));
label.add(one);
label.add(two);
one.setAlignmentX(CENTER_ALIGNMENT);
one.setAlignmentY(CENTER_ALIGNMENT);
two.setAlignmentX(CENTER_ALIGNMENT);
two.setAlignmentY(CENTER_ALIGNMENT);
setLayout(new BorderLayout());
setLocation(300, 500);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setResizable(true);
add(label,BorderLayout.CENTER);
pack();
setVisible(true);
}
}
Please Help! :-((((

but there is no solution with setAlignmentY() for the vertical direction.
Use "glue" before and after your two components. See the section from the Swing tutorial on How to Use Box Layout for more information and examples.
Although MadProgrammers comment to use a GridBagLayout is an easier solution, but knowing about "glue" and "struts" can be helpful for customizing the layout of a BoxLayout.

JTextField is blanking out my JPanels

I am attempting to learn more about creating more dynamic GUI's. I am hoping to add different panels with different content and as you press buttons on one main panel, it changes the adjacent panels. I have added two panels and some buttons and when I test the program, it displays correctly. The problem is when I add a JTextField (or JTextArea) the panels are blank and there are no buttons. The strange thing is I haven't added the JTextField to either panel. I have only created a global variable. If I comment it out, the program runs correctly. Am I missing something very simple?
Here is the gameWindow class that has the JTextField
package rpgcreator;
import java.awt.Color;
import java.awt.FlowLayout;
import java.awt.GridLayout;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JTextArea;
import javax.swing.JTextField;
class gameWindow extends JPanel {
JPanel startWindowPanel;
JPanel settingsPanel;
JPanel characterPanel;
JPanel scenarioPanel;
JPanel mapPanel;
JButton CharacterButton = new JButton("Create your character");
JButton StoryButton = new JButton("Choose your Story line");
JButton MapButton = new JButton("Choose your World");
//JTextField nameField = new JTextField(15); //comment or uncomment to see issue
public gameWindow() {
setLayout(new GridLayout(0,2,5,0));
startWindowPanel = new JPanel(new FlowLayout());
settingsPanel = new JPanel(new GridLayout(2,1));
startWindowPanel.setBackground(Color.blue);
settingsPanel.setBackground(Color.black);
startWindowPanel.add(MapButton);
startWindowPanel.add(StoryButton);
startWindowPanel.add(CharacterButton);
add(startWindowPanel);
add(settingsPanel);
}
}
Here is main
package rpgcreator;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
public class RPGCreator extends JFrame{
private static void mainWindow(){
RPGCreator mainwindow = new RPGCreator();
mainwindow.setSize(1200, 800);
mainwindow.setResizable(false);
mainwindow.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
mainwindow.setTitle("RPG Creator");
mainwindow.setVisible(true);
mainwindow.add(new gameWindow());
mainwindow.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
// TODO code application logic here
mainWindow();
}
}

setVisible should go at the end. You're currently setting visible to true, and then adding a panel.
mainwindow.setVisible(true);
mainwindow.add(new gameWindow());
Put setVisible at the end after setDeaultCLoseOperation

I'm not entirely sure why it does it, maybe someone else can explain.
What I do know, is I usually call pack() which seems to make your problem go away.
private static void mainWindow(){
final RPGCreator mainwindow = new RPGCreator();
mainwindow.setMinimumSize(new Dimension(1200, 800));
mainwindow.setResizable(false);
mainwindow.setTitle("RPG Creator");
mainwindow.setVisible(true);
mainwindow.add(new gameWindow());
mainwindow.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
mainwindow.pack(); //This usually goes after you've added all of your components
mainwindow.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
}
Some notes:
I had to change to mainwindow.setMinimumSize(new Dimension(1200, 800)); to avoid the frame looking squashed. Although I would usually let the layout manager deal with the sizes of things.
Call setLocationRelativeTo(null) after you call pack() so that it has the desired effect. Again not sure why, but I've learnt that through some hardship.

JCheckBox not showing (text appears, but without check box)

import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import javax.swing.BoxLayout;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JCheckBox;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.JOptionPane;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
public class SideNotes {
public static JPanel panel = new JPanel();
private List<String> notes = new ArrayList<String>();
private static JButton add = new JButton("Add note");
public SideNotes() {
panel.setLayout(new BoxLayout(panel, BoxLayout.Y_AXIS));
panel.add(add);
loadNotes();
add.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
addNote();
}
});
}
public void addNote() {
String note = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Enter note: ", null);
notes.add(note);
JLabel label = new JLabel(note);
panel.add(label);
panel.revalidate();
panel.repaint();
}
private void loadNotes() {
for (int i = 0; i < notes.size(); i++) {
JCheckBox jcb = new JCheckBox(notes.get(i), false);
panel.add(jcb);
panel.revalidate();
panel.repaint();
}
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
JFrame frame = new JFrame();
frame.setSize(200, 400);
panel.setLayout(new BoxLayout(panel, BoxLayout.Y_AXIS));
panel.add(add);
frame.add(panel);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.setVisible(true);
new SideNotes();
}
}
Why isn't my JCheckBox showing up? The text shows up but not the actual box. What's the deal?
I have edited my post to contain all of my code in case that helps solve the issue.
needmoretextneedmoretextneedmoretextneedmoretextneedmoretextneedmoretextneedmoretext

Possible reasons:
panel has not been added to GUI
panel has been added but for some reason is not visible.
panel is too small to show the child component. This can happen for instance if you set a component's size or preferredSize or if you place it in a FlowLayout-using container without thought.
panel uses null layout.
panel's layout manager is not one that easily accepts a new component -- think GroupLayout for this one.
There are other unspecified layout manager problems going on. Do you call pack() on your GUI? Do you use null layout or absolute positioning anywhere? Do you need to put panel in a JScrollPane?
Consider creating and posting an sscce for better help.
Edit
Your posted code doesn't ever add any JCheckBoxes to the JPanel, just JLabels. To prove this is so, click on the labels and you'll see that they don't respond to clicks.
Your code grossly over-uses static fields. Get rid of all static modifiers on all variables. They should all be instance variables. The only static anything in your code above should be the main method, and that's it. If this causes errors, then fix the errors, but not by making fields static.
Give your SideNotes class a method, getPanel() that returns the panel field.
Create a SideNotes instance in the beginning of your main method. Then call the above method on the instance to get the JPanel for the JFrame. i.e., frame.add(sideNotes.getPanel());.
Don't add JLabels to your GUI (I've no idea why you're doing this). Add JCheckBoxes in the actionPerformed method.

Every time you press the button, a new Note (JLabel) is added to the panel. But you never call loadNotes() after adding a new Note. So the JLabel is added but not its respective JCheckBox as intended.
Besides of this I'd suggest you make this change:
public void addNote() {
String note = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Enter note: ", null);
if(notes != null) {
notes.add(note);
JLabel label = new JLabel(note);
panel.add(label);
panel.add(new JCheckBox(note, false));
panel.revalidate();
panel.repaint();
}
}
So you don't need to call loadNotes() and update the GUI just once.