Backgorund image

Question

How to change the background of my application to an image one instead of color?

Answer 1

I prefer a pattern algorithm to create a textured background as it carries next to no overhead and its more fun: eg;-
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.geom.Rectangle2D;
import javax.swing.border.Border;  
* A Pattern5.class.
* @author Sum-shusSue
* Nov 2002 jdk 1.3.1
public class Pattern5 extends JFrame{
   public final static int BORDER_TYPE_RAISEDBEVEL = 3;
   JPanel pan;
   public Pattern5()  {     
      super();
      pan = new JPanel() {
         public void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
           super.paintComponent(g);
              for(int x = 0;x < this.getWidth();x+=2) {
                 for(int y = 0;y < this.getHeight();y+=2) {
                    if ((x % 6 == 0)&&(y % 4 == 0))g.setColor(Color.white);
                    else if ((x % 4 == 0)&&(y % 6 == 0)) g.setColor(Color.lightGray);
                    else g.setColor(Color.black);
                    g.drawLine(x,y,x-1,y-1);
       pan.setOpaque(false);
       getContentPane().add(pan);
       Border m_border = BorderFactory.createRaisedBevelBorder();
       pan.setBorder(m_border);
public static void main (String []args) {
   Pattern5 frame = new Pattern5();
   frame.setSize(400, 300);
   frame.setVisible(true);
   frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
   frame.show();
}