java: Simulate keypress and hold while mouse hovers

Question

I am trying to simulate a keypress and hold (in java) while the mouse is on top of a button. The keypress should only stop when the mouse is no longer over the button. I have the keypress working but not to keep it pressed. What is the best way to do this? I tried never-ending loops but then it does not stop when the mouse exits (obviously).

Here is my somewhat working code:

    buttonSD = new JButton("S+D");
    buttonSD.addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter(){
        public void mouseEntered(MouseEvent e){
            CoordsLabel.setText("Bottom Right");
                currentBtn.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_S);
                currentBtn2.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_D);
        }

        public void mouseExited(MouseEvent e){
            currentBtn.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_S);
            currentBtn2.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_S);
        }
    });
    c.weightx = .25;
    c.weighty = .25;
    c.gridx = 2;
    c.gridy = 2;
    gridbag.setConstraints(buttonSD, c);
    controlFrame.add(buttonSD);

    try{
        currentBtn = new Robot();
        currentBtn2 = new Robot();
    } catch (AWTException e){
        e.printStackTrace();
    }

Thanks in advance!

I didn't get that far yet because I don't have the hold working. This just a piece of the code. — SinTek Solutions, Jun 25 '16 at 19:07
Why are you trying to do this. I'm sure there is a better solution is we understand the actual requirement. — camickr, Jun 25 '16 at 19:11
I'm building an accessibility program for a friend with a disability to play video games. So, he can use WASD with just a mouse over. — SinTek Solutions, Jun 25 '16 at 19:17

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:22

1

So, he can use WASD with just a mouse over.

So then what you probably want to do is start a Swing Timer on the mouseEntered event and then stop the Timer on a mouseExited event.

When the timer fires you would then just invoke the doClick() method of the button.

Read the section from the Swing tutorial on How to Use Swing Timer for more information and working examples.

You can also check out: Update a Label with a Swing Timer for a simpler example.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:22

Community

1
1

answered Jun 25 '16 at 20:24

camickr

321,443
19
166
288

I was just thinking that. Let me try it and get back to you. Thanks! – SinTek Solutions Jun 25 '16 at 20:28

noumenal · Answer 2 · 2016-06-25T19:18:50.850

A MouseEvent e is fired. To simulate a key hold, send the keyPress only once by adding a variable called toggle to represent the hold state and add a guardian clause to each function:

bool toggle = 0;

public void mouseEntered(MouseEvent e){
        if (toggle == 0) {
            CoordsLabel.setText("Bottom Right");
            currentBtn.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_S);
            currentBtn2.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_D);
            toggle = 1;
        }
    }


public void mouseExited(MouseEvent e){
        if (toggle == 1) {
            CoordsLabel.setText("RELEASED");
            currentBtn.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_S);
            currentBtn2.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_S);
        } else {
            CoordsLabel.setText("Nope");
        }
    }

java: Simulate keypress and hold while mouse hovers

2 Answers2