Multiple JFrames but no desktop no JDesktopPane

[Mark Williamson]

Imagine winamp, how in windowns it has multiple *windows/frames*, but in the taskbar there is only *one* minimize/maximize bar....

or Photoshop, on a MAC, one can still see the desktop, but on MS WINDOWS, one cannot. (want to be able to see the desktop)

Many programs on linux are this way, GIMP/ irc/etc.

When creating multiple JFrames in a single app, each is launched with a seperate taskbar association, each one being independently controlled.

Have spoken with some other people, and they said they don't know of a *known* method, but hacking around with CLASS window would yield results.

Am hoping there is something already out there, it such a common method of GUI design now. (Multiple JFrames cause above problem; also not interested in having a JDesktopPane which obsurces the background/other running applications.)

Thank you!

[ August 14, 2005: Message edited by: Mark Williamson ]
[ August 24, 2005: Message edited by: Mark Williamson ]

[Stuart Gray]

JDialogs do not put an icon on the task bar if you create them with a null parent. Maybe you can use this idea?

[hoang vo]

I agree with Stuart.

I did something like winamp for my first app while I am studying for the SCJP , which I am still working and fine tuning.


What I had was a JFrame (to appear in the taskbar), and as many JDialogs as needed. Only the JFrame will appear on the taskbar when minimize or maximize.

I had my JDialogs associate with my JFrame (basically setting the the JFrame to be the parent of the JDialogs, and when I minimize the JFrame all the JDialogs also minimize and vice versa.

I am not sure if that is what u wanted, but it works good for me. I can have like 10 dialog up and a JFrame and can move them anywhere I want.

The only problem I see with this is that all the JDialog will be on top of the JFrame, even if the JFrame has focus.

This is where I got my information on making JDialog and just extend it to what you need.
<a href="http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/HCI/HCI_Handout_CALLER/node92.html#SECTION00094100000000000000<a href="http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/HCI/HCI_Handout_CALLER/node92.html#SECTION00094100000000000000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A" target="_blank">http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/HCI/HCI_Handout_CALLER/node92.html#SECTION00094100000000000000[URL=http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/HCI/HCI_Handout_CALLER/node92.html#SECTION00094100000000000000]A simple Dialog