Displaying an X3D image within a subpanel

[Matthew Yeend]

I'm writing code for a Java project that displays X3D models and I'm using an XML parser to import the X3D files into the project. I've used some Subpanels to show where the X3D models would go when they're selected. The code that I have so far in the main class is:

package heritagetogther.java
 
import java.awt.Color;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import java.awt.event.KeyEvent;
 
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JMenu;
import javax.swing.JMenuBar;
import javax.swing.JMenuItem;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
 
class MenuActionListener implements ActionListener {
    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
        System.out.println("Selected: " + e.getActionCommand());
    }
}
 
public class HeritageTogether {    
     
    public static void main(final String args[]) {
        JFrame frame = new JFrame("3D Heritage Model Viewer");
        frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        JMenuBar menuBar = new JMenuBar();
 
        // File Menu, F - Mnemonic
        JMenu fileMenu = new JMenu("Areas");
        fileMenu.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_F);
        menuBar.add(fileMenu);
 
        // File->New, N - Mnemonic
        JMenuItem newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area1");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
 
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area2");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
 
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area3");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area4");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area5");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area6");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area7");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area8");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area9");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("area10");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
 
         
        fileMenu = new JMenu("Types Of Models");
        fileMenu.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_F);
        menuBar.add(fileMenu);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model1");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model2");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model3");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model4");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model5");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model6");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model7");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
 
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model8");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
 
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model9");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model10");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
 
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model11");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
 
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model12");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
         
        newMenuItem = new JMenuItem("model13");
        newMenuItem.addActionListener(new MenuActionListener());
        fileMenu.add(newMenuItem);
 
 
         
         
        frame.setJMenuBar(menuBar);
        frame.setSize(1200, 650);
        frame.setVisible(true);
         
        // Set up  subpanels
        JPanel subPanel1 = new JPanel();
        subPanel1.setPreferredSize (new Dimension(135, 135));
        subPanel1.setBackground (Color.white);
 
        JPanel subPanel2 = new JPanel();
        subPanel2.setPreferredSize (new Dimension(135, 135));
        subPanel2.setBackground (Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel3 = new JPanel();
        subPanel3.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel3.setBackground(Color.white);
 
        JPanel subPanel4 = new JPanel();
        subPanel4.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel4.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel5 = new JPanel();
        subPanel5.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel5.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel6 = new JPanel();
        subPanel6.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel6.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel7 = new JPanel();
        subPanel7.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel7.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel8 = new JPanel();
        subPanel8.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel8.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel9 = new JPanel();
        subPanel9.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel9.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel10 = new JPanel();
        subPanel10.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel10.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel11 = new JPanel();
        subPanel11.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel11.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel12 = new JPanel();
        subPanel12.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel12.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel13 = new JPanel();
        subPanel13.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel13.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel14 = new JPanel();
        subPanel14.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel14.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel15 = new JPanel();
        subPanel15.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel15.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel16 = new JPanel();
        subPanel16.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel16.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel17 = new JPanel();
        subPanel17.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel17.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel18 = new JPanel();
        subPanel18.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel18.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel19 = new JPanel();
        subPanel19.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel19.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel20 = new JPanel();
        subPanel20.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel20.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel21 = new JPanel();
        subPanel21.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel21.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel22 = new JPanel();
        subPanel22.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel22.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel23 = new JPanel();
        subPanel23.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel23.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel24 = new JPanel();
        subPanel24.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel24.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel25 = new JPanel();
        subPanel25.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel25.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel26 = new JPanel();
        subPanel26.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel26.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel27 = new JPanel();
        subPanel27.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel27.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel28 = new JPanel();
        subPanel28.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel28.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel29 = new JPanel();
        subPanel29.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel29.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel30 = new JPanel();
        subPanel30.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel30.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel31 = new JPanel();
        subPanel31.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel31.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel32 = new JPanel();
        subPanel32.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel32.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel33 = new JPanel();
        subPanel33.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel33.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel34 = new JPanel();
        subPanel34.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel34.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel35 = new JPanel();
        subPanel35.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel35.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        JPanel subPanel36 = new JPanel();
        subPanel36.setPreferredSize (new Dimension (135, 135));
        subPanel36.setBackground(Color.white);
         
        // Set up primary panel
        JPanel primary = new JPanel();
        primary.setBackground (Color.lightGray);
        primary.add (subPanel1);
        primary.add (subPanel2);
        primary.add (subPanel3);
        primary.add (subPanel4);
        primary.add (subPanel5);
        primary.add (subPanel6);
        primary.add (subPanel7);
        primary.add (subPanel8);
        primary.add (subPanel9);
        primary.add (subPanel10);
        primary.add (subPanel11);
        primary.add (subPanel12);
        primary.add (subPanel13);
        primary.add (subPanel14);
        primary.add (subPanel15);
        primary.add (subPanel16);
        primary.add (subPanel17);
        primary.add (subPanel18);
        primary.add (subPanel19);
        primary.add (subPanel20);
        primary.add (subPanel21);
        primary.add (subPanel22);
        primary.add (subPanel23);
        primary.add (subPanel24);
        primary.add (subPanel25);
        primary.add (subPanel26);
        primary.add (subPanel27);
        primary.add (subPanel28);
        primary.add (subPanel29);
        primary.add (subPanel30);
        primary.add (subPanel31);
        primary.add (subPanel32);
        primary.add (subPanel33);
        primary.add (subPanel34);
        primary.add (subPanel35);
        primary.add (subPanel36);
 
        frame.getContentPane().add(primary);
        frame.pack();
        frame.setVisible(true);
    }
}

The XML parser that I have so far is:

package heritagetogether.java;
 
import java.io.IOException;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Iterator;
import java.util.List;
 
import javax.xml.parsers.DocumentBuilder;
import javax.xml.parsers.DocumentBuilderFactory;
import javax.xml.parsers.ParserConfigurationException;
 
import org.w3c.dom.Document;
import org.w3c.dom.Element;
import org.w3c.dom.NodeList;
import org.xml.sax.SAXException;
 
public class DomParserExampleJava {
 
    private List<Employee> myEmpls = new ArrayList<Employee>();
 
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException, ParserConfigurationException {
        DomParserExampleJava domParser = new DomParserExampleJava();
        domParser.parseXmlFile();
    }
 
    private void parseXmlFile() throws IOException, ParserConfigurationException {
        // get the factory
        DocumentBuilderFactory dbf = DocumentBuilderFactory.newInstance();
 
        try {
 
            // Using factory get an instance of document builder
            DocumentBuilder db = dbf.newDocumentBuilder();
 
            // parse using builder to get DOM representation of the XML file
            Document dom = db.parse("possi04.x3d");
            parseDocument(dom);
            printData();
 
        } catch (SAXException se) {
            se.printStackTrace();
        } catch (IOException ioe) {
            ioe.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
 
    private void parseDocument(Document dom) {
        // get the root element
        Element docEle = dom.getDocumentElement();
 
        // get a nodelist of elements
        NodeList nl = docEle.getElementsByTagName("Employee");
        if (nl != null && nl.getLength() > 0) {
            for (int i = 0; i < nl.getLength(); i++) {
 
                // get the employee element
                Element el = (Element) nl.item(i);
 
                // get the Employee object
                Employee e = getEmployee(el);
 
                // add it to list
                myEmpls.add(e);
            }
        }
    }
 
    /**
     * I take an employee element and read the values in, create an Employee object and return it
     */
    private Employee getEmployee(Element empEl) {
 
        // for each <employee> element get text or int values of
        // name ,id, age and name
        String name = getTextValue(empEl, "Name");
        int id = getIntValue(empEl, "Id");
        int age = getIntValue(empEl, "Age");
 
        String type = empEl.getAttribute("type");
 
        // Create a new Employee with the value read from the xml nodes
        Employee e = new Employee(name, id, age, type);
 
        return e;
    }
 
    private String getTextValue(Element ele, String tagName) {
        String textVal = null;
        NodeList nl = ele.getElementsByTagName(tagName);
        if (nl != null && nl.getLength() > 0) {
            Element el = (Element) nl.item(0);
            textVal = el.getFirstChild().getNodeValue();
        }
 
        return textVal;
    }
 
    private int getIntValue(Element ele, String tagName) {
        // in production application you would catch the exception
        return Integer.parseInt(getTextValue(ele, tagName));
    }
 
    private void printData() {
 
        System.out.println("No of Employees '" + myEmpls.size() + "'.");
 
        Iterator<Employee> it = myEmpls.iterator();
        while (it.hasNext()) {
            System.out.println(it.next().toString());
        }
    }
}

package heritagetogether.java;
 
public class Employee {
 
    private String name;
    private int id;
    private int age;
    private String type;
 
    public Employee(String name, int id, int age, String type) {
        this.name = name;
        this.id = id;
        this.age = age;
        this.type = type;
    }
 
    public String toString() {
        return id + ": " + name + ", age: " + age + ", type: " + type;
    }
 
}

As you can see the XML parsers have a different layout as I used it to show a file called employees.xml and I haven't changed it round yet. The question that I'm asking is, how do I display the X3D models in the subpanels that I have in the main class at the top.

[Paul Clapham]

That's a lot of code, so please excuse me if I missed it when scrolling through it, but... where would I find some X3D models in that code?

By the way, on the subject of "a lot of code", it seems to me that your code could be made a lot shorter if you used some arrays.

[Matthew Yeend]

The X3D model that I've got in is in the first XML parser code called possi04.x3d

[Paul Clapham]

Do you mean the DomParserExampleJava class? But that's a Java application. You should turn it into a class whereby you can extract the parsed values from an object of the class after it parses the XML document.

[Matthew Yeend]

Yeah that class. And how would I go about turning it into a class? I'm sorry if it seems a silly question

[Paul Clapham]

Oh dear. You have jumped into two swamps full of alligators at the same time. First there's Swing, which isn't an easy thing to get started with. And using Swing properly requires a reasonably good knowledge of object-oriented principles, the other swamp I referred to. So I'd really recommend spending some time going through this introductory tutorial: Classes and Objects.

However your XML parsing code looks reasonably good to me, so I don't think you have an XML problem. I'm going to move this thread to the Beginning Java forum instead.

[Fred Kleinschmidt]

I've used some Subpanels to show where the X3D models would go when they're selected.

No, you have created 36 panels of size 135x135, and added all of them to a JPanel whose default layout manager is FlowLayout. So they will ba laid out in one row until there is no more room, then wrap to the next row. Changing the size of the main frame will re-arrange those panels.

Also, you call first call frame.setSize(1200,650) which will allow for 8 of the subpanels per row so it takes 5 rows to dhow all of them, but that requires a minimum of 675 pixels in height to show them - without taking into account the size of the menu -so some of the rows will be clipped. Then you call frame.setVisible(true) before you add any of the panels to the primary panel, so none would be visible initially.

Then after you add the subpanels to the primary panel you call frame.pack(), which causes your setSize() call to be ignored and everything will be laid out in their preferred size, and call frame.setVisible(true) again.

And none of this is done on the Event Dispatch thread, so the visible look may be all fouled up.

[Matthew Yeend]

The Subpanels are in place where I want to X3D models to be shown, so the X3D models would be where the Subpanels are.

So I'd need to research into Swing and understand that, along with object oriented principles? So the XML parsing code looks okay? How would I change it to parse X3D through it so it displays?

[Paul Clapham]

Matthew Yeend wrote:So the XML parsing code looks okay?

As far as I can tell it looks okay. Whether it extracts the correct data or not, I can't tell.

How would I change it to parse X3D through it so it displays?

You wouldn't do that. You would write something which displays data, and have it get the data from an object which includes that parsing code. One of the key architectural principles of Swing is that the data model should be kept separate from the display components. Have a look at the Wikipedia article about Model–view–controller to see how that works.

[Matthew Yeend]

So you'd suggest writing code that displays the data, and have it import the data from an object that includes the parsing code?

[Paul Clapham]

Yes, that would be the "controller" part of the application which gets your parsed data from the "model" and updates some display components (the "view").