mouseevent - java draw line as the mouse is moved

Question

I would like to add a feature to my application which allows the user to draw a straight line by clicking the mouse at the start location and releasing it at the end location. The line should move as the mouse moves until it is finally released; similar to the way that a line can be drawn using the Microsoft Paint application.

How can implement this so that the line is repainted as it moves without repainting other things that may already be drawn in that rectangular area?

Answer 1

Try this...Draw a red line on the screen as the mouse is moved (dragged).

public static void main(String args[]) throws Exception {
    JFrame f = new JFrame("Draw a Red Line");
    f.setSize(300, 300);
    f.setLocation(300, 300);
    f.setResizable(false);
    JPanel p = new JPanel() {
        Point pointStart = null;
        Point pointEnd   = null;
        {
            addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter() {
                public void mousePressed(MouseEvent e) {
                    pointStart = e.getPoint();
                }

                public void mouseReleased(MouseEvent e) {
                    pointStart = null;
                }
            });
            addMouseMotionListener(new MouseMotionAdapter() {
                public void mouseMoved(MouseEvent e) {
                    pointEnd = e.getPoint();
                }

                public void mouseDragged(MouseEvent e) {
                    pointEnd = e.getPoint();
                    repaint();
                }
            });
        }
        public void paint(Graphics g) {
            super.paint(g);
            if (pointStart != null) {
                g.setColor(Color.RED);
                g.drawLine(pointStart.x, pointStart.y, pointEnd.x, pointEnd.y);
            }
        }
    };
    f.add(p);
    f.setVisible(true); 
}