JavaFIG - the Java diagram editor

This is the home page for the JavaFIG graphics/diagram editor. JavaFIG is based on the xfig graphics editor for the X11 window system. It tries to mimic as much of the functionality and user interface of xfig as possible with the current Java release. (For more information about xfig contact Brian Smith, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, bvsmith@lbl.gov).

Please read the tutorial if you are not familiar with the concepts of xfig or JavaFIG. JavaFIG is no substitute for typical "presentation graphics" programs like Microsoft Powerpoint, and it provides much less features and effects than a typical drawing program like Corel Draw. Also, its user interface differs somewhat from these drawing programs.

JavaFIG is intended for the creation and editing of technical diagrams and drawings. Key points of the JavaFIG and xfig editing functions and user interaction are support of hierarchical objects (called compounds) to arbitrary depth, several styles of arrows, easy attribute updates, and smart object copy and move functions.

JavaFIG promises to be as portable as possible to xfig. Unfortunately, there is a tradeoff between what I want to do and what I could do with the current Java release, that is, Java 1.1. Some features of the current xfig versions (3.1.4 and 3.2) are not supported by JavaFIG. A list of missing or differing functions and bugs can be found here.

On the other hand, JavaFIG allows to load documents and embedded pictures via URLs over the Internet, allows embedded hyperlinks (clickable objects) in the drawings, provides for unlimited UNDO, and supports native Java printing and native GIF export. A new arrow style (solder dots) helps to draw electronic circuit schematics. The internal resolution of JavaFIG is increased to 2400dpi.


JavaFIG applet / download

While JavaFIG is best used as a standalone Java application, it can be started as an applet from within a Java 1.1 compatible WWW-browser or Suns appletviewer. Depending on your browser's security settings, however, the JavaFIG applet may not be able to access files on your local system. In that case, it can still access input files via the HTTP-protocol from WWW-servers.

Note that even the current versions of the Netscape Navigator (4.05) and the Microsoft Internet Explorer (4.1) are not fully Java 1.1 compatible and cannot run the current version of JavaFIG. You might try to run the older (and quite buggy) Java 1.02 compatible version of JavaFIG. However, I greatly recommend to download the JavaFIG class archive and run JavaFIG as an application.


JavaFIG installation

To install JavaFIG to your computer, just download the class-archive (see below) and follow the instructions in the README file in the "doc" subdirectory. Also read the FAQ and CHANGES files for additional information.


Future developments:

As soon as the Java 2D API is available (and stable), I will include most/all of the FIG attributes still missing from JavaFIG, most notably rotated text, pattern fills, and robust line styles.

How to participate: Please send me an email, if you found severe bugs not listed in the bug-list below, or if you would like to improve JavaFIG.


Archives and documentation:

JavaFIG class archives and installation:
Examples and class documentation:
Transfig package:


last updated: Fri Aug 21 11:41:11 MET DST 1998 Norman Hendrich
http://tech-www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/applets/javafig/javafig.html