Importing gif file to ImageIcon

Question

Hi,
I am trying to use a gif file that I have included in my project (using Windows XP). I am trying to stick the image from the gif file into a ImageIcon variable, and sticking the variable into a label. Here is the code that I am using to have the program access the gif file:
private ImageIcon redX = new ImageIcon( " \\JAVA programs\\Week 8\\lab8_1a\\redshd.gif " );
I have a classPath setup in my environment variables/system variables as follows:
.;C:\Documents and Settings\Jim Roth\My Documents\Visual Studio Projects\Programs
and the path to the gif file is as follows:
C:\Documents and Settings\Jim Roth\My Documents\Visual Studio Projects\Programs\JAVA programs\Week 8\Lab8_1A\redshd.gif
When I run the program, the screen comes up empty. I am using a basic frame, with a GridLayout. When I change the input into the label to a string, it shows up on the label when the program runs.
In debug mode, I am not quite sure of what the values apply to, but oneonf them shows up as 'null'.
I think my problem lies with the program just not finding the gif.file. Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
Jimbo

Answer 1

OK, here is the program.....it is my very first stab at anything gui. We are supposed to display a tic tac toe grid, and have it randomly put x's and o's (or something simiilar) in a3x3 grid in a random fashion. Here it is:
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.util.*;
public class TicTacToe extends JFrame
private ImageIcon redX = new ImageIcon("\\JAVA programs\\Week 8\\lab8_1a\\redshd.gif");
private ImageIcon blueCirc = new ImageIcon("\\JAVA programs\\Week 8\\lab8_1a\\qmark.gif");
/** Default constructor for TicTacToe */
public TicTacToe()
setLayout(new GridLayout(3,3,2,2));//sets grid layout for a 3x3 grid with 2 pixel spacing
//add 9 JLabels to hold image icons
for(int i =0; i < 10; ++i)
add(this.generateJLabel());
public static void main(String[] args)
TicTacToe game = new TicTacToe();
game.setTitle("Tic Tac Toe");
game.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
game.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
game.setSize(250, 250);
game.setVisible(true);
protected JLabel generateJLabel()
Random rand = new Random();//instantiate random object to generate ints
int randNum = rand.nextInt(4);//generate ints between 0 and 4 (exclusive)
/*The following switch statement looks at random number generated by the Random
object and assigns an image to a JLabel according to the int returned./
switch (randNum)
case 1:
JLabel temp = new JLabel(this.redX);
return temp;
case 2:
JLabel temp1 = new JLabel(this.blueCirc);
return temp1;
default:
JLabel temp2 = new JLabel();
return temp2;
}