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SWING: Replace a JFrame's pre-existing JPanel with a different JPanel

Hi everyone,

I have a selection list that will drive the contents of a particular JPanel.
This window is in MS Outlook / E-mail format (3 sections):
1) vertical list
2) Selection Criteria (Search)
3) Output Results

Mouse click a JList item (section #1) to put the appropriate search criteria options in the JPanel.

I have created a separate external JPanel object for each criteria setup.

Code:
private void lstReportListMouseClicked(java.awt.event.MouseEvent evt) {
idx = lstReportList.getSelectedIndex()

. . . get clicked objects String Value . . .

if (stringVal.equals("Next Chosen Criteria")) {

// I want to replace the current Criteria JPanel (Section #2) with the new Corresponding JPanel here.
// I have tried the Following:
panelrptCriteria.add(new nextCriteriaPanel());
panelrptCriteria = new nextCriteriaPanel();
}
}

The Jpanel does not refresh correctly to show the search options.
What do I need to do here? I am stuck.

I am using Matisse with MyEclipseIDE to generate the SWING code. The code above is my own custom code in a JList event.

Thanks for your help.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Mick Barry

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Mick Barry

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/uiswing/layout/card.html

fshtank

ASKER

Card layout would have me instantiate each JPanel at construction and then set visible(true/false) as needed correct?

That seems kind of heavy. The intention of this list is for it to grow - so if I have up to 10 even 20 search options, that seems a bit 'big.'

I tried revalidate and it didn't cause the JPanel to be drawn.
I also tried repaint on the window itself - that also did not draw the JPanel.

if (stringVal.equals("Next Chosen Criteria")) {
panelrptCriteria = new nextCriteriaPanel();
}

panelrptCriteria.setVisible(true);
panelrptCriteria.revalidate();
this.repaint(); // repaint the JFrame

Any other thoughts?
- Thanks

Mick Barry

> Card layout would have me instantiate each JPanel at construction and then set visible(true/false) as needed correct?

you'd create them up front, but use the show() method of the layout manager not setVisible()

> That seems kind of heavy.

not really, you'll find creating/adding/removing panels as required is going to put more load on your app

> panelrptCriteria.revalidate();

u need to revalidate() the panel you are adding to, not the panel you added.

fshtank

ASKER

This will simplify things in the short term.

Thanks.