How to create a point on my paint object to act as an identifier

[David Vach]

Hi all, so this is a rather hard question to explain, but I will try my best. So I am creating a painting mini game for my first java game, which actually spawned from a failed attempt at something else funnily enough. But what I want to do now is create something on my paint object that allows the user to more easily see where they are painting. For instance, say the user is trying to fill a box with the color yellow for some reason (By the way, I like the way my paint game is right now, I only want to add this feature). As the user colors it in right now, it becomes harder for the user to track where their paint object is because it gets lost in the color. What I want to do is create an indicator, a color or even something at flashes for the user to know where their paint object is and then they can more accurately color in said box. This would be especially helpful if they switch to the color black, which I am using for the eraser on this game, since the background is also black (I know its not practical, but I do not have the time to learn how to make a proper eraser yet). I don't know if this is possible, especially since I want the color the user is using to paint to not be affected by the paint object identifier. You can more easily see what I mean if you examine or run the code below:

import java.applet.Applet;
import java.applet.AudioClip;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
import java.io.IOException;
import javax.imageio.ImageIO;
import javax.swing.*;

public class Game extends JPanel implements KeyListener, ActionListener 
{

    // YOUR CODE GOES HERE...
    // declare all instance variables (i.e. fields) here

    private Cycle flynn = new Cycle();
    private Cycle sark = new Cycle();
    private BufferedImage img;
    private static int[] board = new int[3];
    private int frameCount;
    private static String title = "~~ Tron Light Cycles ~~  ";
    private Timer timer;// handles animation
    private static Image offScreenBuffer;// needed for double buffering graphics
    private Graphics offScreenGraphics;// needed for double buffering graphics
    private AudioClip sound0;//needed for sound
    private AudioClip sound1;
    private AudioClip sound2;
    private AudioClip sound3;
    private AudioClip sound4;
    private AudioClip sound5;
    private AudioClip sound6;
    private AudioClip sound7;
    private AudioClip sound8;
    private AudioClip sound9;
    private AudioClip sound10;
    private AudioClip sound11;
    private AudioClip sound12;
    private AudioClip sound13;
    private AudioClip sound14;
    private AudioClip gameSounds[];
    int r = 0;//
    int s = 2;//speed
    int sarkScore = 0;
    int flynnScore = 0;
    boolean sarkWins=false;
    boolean flynnWins=false;
    String winner;
    private String flynnPlayer = "Flynn";
    private String sarkPlayer = "Sark";
    public static JFrame window = new JFrame(title); 
    Color color;
    Color color2=color;
    static Color color1 = Color.BLACK;
    static int background = -16777216;
    
    /**
    * main() is needed to initialize the window.<br>
    * THIS METHOD SHOULD NOT BE MODIFIED! .. <br>
    * you should write all necessary initialization code in initRound()
    */
   public static void main(String [] args)
   {   
       window.setBounds(0, 0, 1366, 768);// almost 1280x1024 window
       window.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
       window.setResizable(false);
       Game game = new Game();
       window.getContentPane().add(game);
       window.setBackground(color1);
       window.setVisible(true);
       game.init();
       window.addKeyListener(game);
    }

    /**
    * init method needed to initialize non-static fields<br>
    * THIS METHOD SHOULD NOT BE MODIFIED! ..
    */
   public void init() 
   {
      sound0 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("All_looks_easy.wav"));
      sound1 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("LightCycle.wav"));
      sound2 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("battle.wav"));
      sound3 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("endofline.wav"));
      sound4 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("nowthis (1).wav"));
      sound5 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("gameon (1).wav"));
      sound6 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("Gotta-be-good.wav"));
      sound7 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("Have-fun-sweetheart.wav"));
      sound8 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("zenthing.wav"));
      sound9 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("radical.wav"));
      sound10 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("computer notes music.wav"));
      sound11 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("blop.wav"));
      sound12 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("GAME OVER.wav"));
      sound13 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("Victory.wav"));
      sound14 = Applet.newAudioClip(getClass().getResource("Bob Ross Background.wav"));
      AudioClip a[] = new AudioClip[9];
      a[0]=sound0;
      a[1]=sound3;
      a[2]=sound4;
      a[3]=sound5;
      a[4]=sound6;
      a[5]=sound7;
      a[6]=sound8;
      a[7]=sound9;
      a[8]=sound12;
      gameSounds=a.clone();
      menu();
      offScreenBuffer = createImage(getWidth(), getHeight());// should be 1016x736
      offScreenGraphics = offScreenBuffer.getGraphics();
      timer = new Timer(20, this);
      repaint();
      // timer fires every 20 milliseconds.. invokes method actionPerformed()
      initRound();
   }

    /**
    * initializes all fields needed for each round of play (i.e. restart)
    */
   public void initRound() 
   {
       sound14.loop();
       frameCount = 0;
       offScreenGraphics.clearRect(0, 0, 1366, 768);
       repaint();
       // YOUR CODE GOES HERE..
       flynn = new Cycle(1080,100,270,color,s);
       // initialize instance variables here for each round of play
    }

    /**
    * Called automatically after a repaint request<br>
    * THIS METHOD SHOULD NOT BE MODIFIED! ..
    */
   public void paint(Graphics g) 
   {
       draw((Graphics2D) offScreenGraphics);
       g.drawImage(offScreenBuffer, 0, 0, this);
   }

   public void options()
   {
      sound11.play();
      JFrame frame = new JFrame("Options");
      JPanel panel = new JPanel();
      JButton controls = new JButton ("Controls");
      JButton name = new JButton ("Enter new name");
      JButton Exit = new JButton ("Return to options");
      controls.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
              sound11.play();
              controls();
          }
      });
      name.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
              sound11.play();
              enterName();
          }
      });
      Exit.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
              sound11.play();
              frame.dispose();
              menu();
          }
      });
      panel.add(controls);
      panel.add(name);
      panel.add(Exit);
      frame.add(panel);
      frame.setSize(300, 300);
      frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
      frame.setVisible(true);
   }
   
    
  public void controls()
  {
      sound11.play();
      JFrame frame = new JFrame("Control Scheme");
      JPanel panel = new JPanel();
      JLabel Controls = new JLabel("CONTROLS:");
      JLabel labelFlynn = new JLabel(flynnPlayer + " movement : Arrow keys");
      JLabel restart = new JLabel("To restart drawing press r");
      JLabel returnToMenu = new JLabel("To erase drawing press e");
      JLabel erase = new JLabel("Esc to return to menu in game");
      JButton Exit = new JButton ("Return to options");
      Exit.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
              sound11.play();
              frame.dispose();
          }
      });
      panel.add(Controls);
      panel.add(labelFlynn);
      panel.add(erase);
      panel.add(restart);
      panel.add(returnToMenu);
      panel.add(Exit);
      frame.add(panel);
      frame.setSize(300, 300);
      frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
      frame.setVisible(true);
  }
   
  public void enterName()
  {
      String name1 = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Enter player 1 name: ");
      flynnPlayer = name1;
      JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, "Player 1 name is: " + flynnPlayer);
  }
  
  public void menu()
  {
      TronGame game = new TronGame();
      JFrame frame = new JFrame("Hello " + flynnPlayer + ", please choose a color");
      JPanel panel = new JPanel();
      JLabel faq = new JLabel("You may select new colors whenever you please");
      JButton red = new JButton("Red");
      JButton blue = new JButton("Blue");
      JButton yellow = new JButton("Yellow");
      JButton pink = new JButton("Pink");
      JButton black = new JButton("Black");
      JButton orange = new JButton("Orange");
      JButton white = new JButton("White");
      JButton purple = new JButton("Purple");
      JButton green = new JButton("Green");
      JButton resume = new JButton("Resume");
      JButton options = new JButton("Options");
      JButton Exit = new JButton("Back to game modes"); 
      resume.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                frame.dispose();
          }
      });  
      options.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                options();
                frame.dispose();
          }
      });  
      green.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(Color.GREEN);
                color2 = Color.GREEN;
          }
      });      
      red.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(Color.RED);
                color2 = Color.RED;
          }
      });      
      blue.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(Color.BLUE);
                color2 = Color.BLUE;
          }
      });      
      yellow.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(Color.YELLOW);
                color2 = Color.YELLOW;
          }
      });      
      pink.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(new Color(255,105,180));
                color2 = new Color(255,105,180);
          }
      });      
      orange.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(new Color(255,165,0));
                color2 = new Color(255,165,0);
          }
      });      
      white.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(Color.WHITE);
                color2 = Color.WHITE;
          }
      });      
      purple.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(new Color(128,0,128));
                color2 = new Color(128,0,128);
          }
      });     
      black.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                flynn.setColor(Color.BLACK);
                color2 = Color.BLACK;
          }
      });     
      Exit.addActionListener(new ActionListener()
      {
          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
          {
                sound14.stop();
                frame.dispose();
                window.dispose();
          }
      });      
      panel.add(faq);
      panel.add(resume);
      panel.add(options);
      panel.add(red);
      panel.add(blue);
      panel.add(yellow);
      panel.add(pink);
      panel.add(orange);
      panel.add(white);
      panel.add(black);
      panel.add(purple);
      panel.add(green);
      panel.add(Exit);
      frame.add(panel);
      frame.setSize(380,300);
      frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
      frame.setVisible(true);
  }
  
   /**
   * renders all objects to Graphics g
   */
  public void draw(Graphics2D g) 
  {
      g.setColor(Color.BLACK);
      flynn.draw(g);

      // YOUR CODE GOES HERE..
      flynn.updatePos();
      // render all game objects here
  }

  /**
   * Called automatically when the timer fires<br>
   * this is where all the game fields will be updated
   */
  public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) 
  {

      // update all game Objects here
      flynn.updatePos();

      frameCount++;// update the frameCount
      repaint();// needed to refresh the animation
  }

  /**
   * handles any key pressed events and updates the Cycle's direction by setting
   * their direction to either 0,90,180 or 270 based on which key is pressed.
   */
  public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e) 
  {
      int keyCode = e.getKeyCode();
      if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_R) 
      {
          // start the game .. if the game has not currently running
          if (!timer.isRunning()) 
          {
              initRound();
              menu();
          }
      }
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_E) 
      {
          initRound();
          flynn.setColor(color2);
      } 
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_LEFT) 
      {
          timer.start();
          flynn.setDirection(180);
      } 
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT) 
      {
          timer.start();
          flynn.setDirection(0);
      }
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_UP)
      {
          timer.start();
          flynn.setDirection(90);
      }
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_DOWN)
      {
          timer.start();
          flynn.setDirection(270);
      }
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_ESCAPE) 
      {
           menu();
      }
  }

  /**
   * handles any key released events ... <br>
   * starts game by the '6 Key'<br>
   * kills the game window by the 'Escape Key'
   */
  public void keyReleased(KeyEvent e) 
  {
      int keyCode = e.getKeyCode();
      if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_R) 
      {
          // start the game .. if the game has not currently running
      }
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_LEFT) 
      {
          timer.stop();
          flynn.setDirection(180);
      } 
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT) 
      {
          timer.stop();
          flynn.setDirection(0);
      }
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_UP)
      {
          timer.stop();
          flynn.setDirection(90);
      }
      else if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_DOWN)
      {
          timer.stop();
          flynn.setDirection(270);
      }
  }

  /**
   * this method is needed for implementing interface KeyListener<br>
   * THIS METHOD SHOULD NOT BE MODIFIED! ..
   */
  public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e) 
  {
  }

  /**
   * returns true if the color value of the pixel<br>
   * with coordinates (x,y) is WHITE, false otherwise<br>
   * NOTE: THIS METHOD SHOULD NOT BE MODIFIED!!!
   */
  public static boolean isWhite(int x, int y) 
  {
      BufferedImage bi = (BufferedImage) offScreenBuffer;
      if (bi == null)
        return true;
      try 
      {
          int colorVal = bi.getRGB(x, y);
          return (colorVal == background);
      } 
      catch (Exception ex) 
      {
          return false;
      }
  }

}// end class Game

import java.awt.*;
/**
 * Write a description of class Cycle here.
 * 
 * @author (your name) 
 * @version (a version number or a date)
 */
public class Cycle
{
    // instance variables - replace the example below with your own
    private int xPos;//pixel position in the window
    private int yPos;
    private int sideLength;//length of a side (of the square shaped body of our Cycle)
    private int direction;//either 0,90,180,270 (right, up, left, down)
    private Color color;
    private double speed;//number of pixels the Cycle moves each frame
    private double s;
    private boolean boost;
    private int score;

    /**
     * Constructor for objects of class Cycle
     */
    public Cycle()
    {
        // initialise instance variables
        xPos=0;
        yPos=0;
        sideLength=0;
        direction=0;
        speed=0;
        color = null;
    }

    //other constructor
    public Cycle(int xVal, int yVal, int dirVal, Color colVal, double s)
    {
        xPos = xVal;
        yPos = yVal;
        direction = dirVal;
        color = colVal;
        sideLength = 8;
        speed = s;
    }

    public void draw(Graphics2D g) 
    {
        g.setColor(color);
        g.fillRect(xPos,yPos,sideLength,sideLength);
    }
    
    public void updatePos()
    {
        //that modifies xPos or yPos based on direction
        if (direction == 0) 
             xPos += speed;
        else if (direction == 180)
            xPos -= speed;
        else if (direction == 90)
            yPos -= speed;
        else if (direction == 270)
            yPos += speed;
    }
    
    public int getDirection()
    {
        return direction;
    }
    
    public void setDirection(int d) //that assigns d to direction  
    {
        direction = d;
    }
    
    public void setColor(Color a)
    {
        color = a;
    }
    
    public boolean willDie() //that returns a boolean and takes no parameters
    {
        if (direction == 0 && !TronGame.isWhite(xPos + sideLength + 1, yPos)) //right
          return true;  
        else if (direction == 180 && !TronGame.isWhite(xPos-sideLength-1, yPos))//left
            return true;
        else if (direction == 90 && !TronGame.isWhite(xPos, yPos-sideLength-1))//top
            return true;
        else if (direction == 270 && !TronGame.isWhite(xPos, yPos+sideLength+1))//bottom
            return true;
        return false;
    }
    
    public void setScore(int s)
    {
        score = s;
    }
    
    public int getScore()
    {
        return score;
    }
    
    public void setBoost(boolean b, int s)
    {
        if (b==true)
        {
            speed=speed*s;
        }
    }
    
    public void reverseBoost(boolean b)
    {
        if (b==false)
        {
            speed=speed/2;
        }
    }
    
    public void setSpeed(double s)
    {
        speed=speed*s;
    }
    
    public double getSpeed()
    {
        return speed;
    }
}

(Note) Ignore comments that say not to edit code in a method