I've tried searching the web and cant find anything to help me. I'm trying to create a 2D java maze application and have come up with the code below.
It generates the maze and GUI no problem, and I've worked the code out to create a xPosition and a yPosition integer.
However, Im trying to get the background colour of the grid layout to change when i click the forward button to 'move' around the maze.
If anyone could have a look and suggest anything I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks

import java.awt.*;         
import java.awt.event.*;	
import javax.swing.*;		JPanel class
import java.awt.event.*;

public class C2D3DGraphicsApp2D extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{
  Container yourContainer;      //declare container  
  JMenuItem exitItem, fontItem, forward, rotate, room1, room2, room3, clear, helpItem, aboutItem;
  JPanel eastPanel = new JPanel();
  JPanel menuArea = new JPanel();  
  JPanel mazeArea = new JPanel();
  JPanel compassArea = new JPanel();    //declare JPanels 
  
  JButton forwardButton;          //declare JButton
  JButton rotateButton;          //declare JButton
  JButton room1Button;          //declare JButton
  JButton room2Button;          //declare JButton
  JButton room3Button;          //declare JButton
  JButton resetButton;          //declare JButton
  JButton solveButton;          //declare JButton
  JButton exitButton;          //declare JButton
  
  JTextField helloTextField;    //declare JTextField
  
  int [][] imazePlan = {
		  				{0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,3,0,0,0,0,0},
		  				{0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,1,0},
		  				{0,1,1,0,0,1,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,1,1,0},
		  				{0,0,1,0,0,1,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,1,0,0},
		  				{0,0,1,1,1,1,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,0,0},
		  				{0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0},
		  				{0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0},
		  				{0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,1,1,0,0},
		  				{0,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,1,1,1,0,0,0},
		  				{0,1,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,1,0,0,0,0,0},
		  				{0,1,1,1,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,0},
		  				{0,0,0,1,0,1,1,1,1,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0},
		  				{0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,1,0},
		  				{0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,1,0,0,1,0,0,1,1,0},
		  				{0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,0,0,1,0,0,1,0,0},
		  				{0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,1,0,0},
		  				{0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,1,1,1,1,0,0},
		  				{0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0},
		  				{0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0},
		  				{0,2,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0},
          			  };
  mazeLayout mlayout = new mazeLayout();
  JPanel [][]wall = new JPanel[imazePlan.length][imazePlan[0].length];

  int xPosition=2;
  int yPosition=2;
  int xMovement=0;
  int yMovement=-1;
  int rotation=0;
  String direction="North";
  

  public C2D3DGraphicsApp2D()         //could use (String title) then super(title) and declare title.
  {
    super ("Java 2D/3D Graphics Application");     //set the JFrame title
    yourContainer = getContentPane();              // get content pane and name it
    yourContainer.setLayout(new BorderLayout());   // use border layout

    
    eastPanel.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
    yourContainer.add(eastPanel, BorderLayout.EAST);
    
    controlSetup();
    setExtendedState(MAXIMIZED_BOTH);
    setVisible(true);           					//display the JFrame
  }

  public class mazeLayout extends JPanel { //code to create the maze layout
	  mazeLayout(){
    	 setLayout(new GridLayout(imazePlan.length, imazePlan[0].length)); 
         JPanel [][]wall = new JPanel[imazePlan.length][imazePlan[0].length];
            for(int i=0; i<imazePlan.length; i++){ 
            for(int j=0; j<imazePlan[0].length;j++){ 
               wall[i][j] = new JPanel();
               if(imazePlan[i][j]==0) 
               wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.darkGray);
               else if(imazePlan[i][j]==2) 
	           wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.GREEN);
               else if(imazePlan[i][j]==3) 
		       wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.RED);
               else if (imazePlan[i][j]==1)
               wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.lightGray);
               add(wall[i][j]);
            }
         }
      }
  }
  
public void controlSetup()  //Code that creates the east Panel layout
  {

	    menuArea.setLayout(new GridLayout(0,2));  //set JPanel Layout
	    
	    forwardButton = new JButton("Forward");         // create button
	    forwardButton.setToolTipText("Move Forward");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
	    menuArea.add(forwardButton);
	    forwardButton.addActionListener(this);

	    rotateButton = new JButton("Rotate");         // create button
	    rotateButton.setToolTipText("Rotate 90 degrees to the right.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
	    menuArea.add(rotateButton);
	    rotateButton.addActionListener(this);
	    
	    room1Button = new JButton("Room 1");         // create button
	    room1Button.setToolTipText("Room 1");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
	    menuArea.add(room1Button);
	    
	    room2Button = new JButton("Room 2");         // create button
	    room2Button.setToolTipText("Room 2");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
	    menuArea.add(room2Button);
	    
	    room3Button = new JButton("Room 3");         // create button
	    room3Button.setToolTipText("Room 3");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
	    menuArea.add(room3Button);
	        
	    solveButton = new JButton("Solve");         // create button
	    solveButton.setToolTipText("Solves the maze.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
	    menuArea.add(solveButton);
	    
	    resetButton = new JButton("Reset");         // create button
	    resetButton.setToolTipText("Resets the maze.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
	    menuArea.add(resetButton);

	   exitButton = new JButton("Exit");         // create button
	   exitButton.setToolTipText("Exits the program.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
	   exitButton.addActionListener(this);
	   menuArea.add(exitButton);
	   
	   
	   mazeArea.add(mlayout);
	   
	   helloTextField = new JTextField("", 12 );   //create text field to display button response
	   helloTextField.setEditable( false );        //prevent text field editing
                     
	   compassArea.add( helloTextField, BorderLayout.CENTER);     //add text field to container
	   
	   eastPanel.add(compassArea, BorderLayout.CENTER);
       eastPanel.add(mazeArea, BorderLayout.NORTH);
	   eastPanel.add(menuArea, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
  }
  
   
  public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
  { 
	    if (event.getSource() == exitItem)
	    {
	    	System.exit(0);
        }
	    if (event.getSource() == exitButton)
	    {
	    	System.exit(0);
        }
	    if (event.getSource() == rotateButton) //"Press") could also be used
	    {
	    rotation= ++rotation;
	    Color color = getBackground();
		  {
		    	if (rotation==0)          //the following is the logic for moving around the maze
		        {
		    	  xMovement=0;
		    	  yMovement=-1;
		    	  direction="North";
		    	}
		    	else if (rotation==1)
		        {
		    	  xMovement=+1;
		    	  yMovement=0;
		    	  direction="East";
		    	}
		    	else if (rotation==2)
		      	{
		    	  xMovement=0;
		    	  yMovement=+1;
		    	  direction="South";
		      	}
		    	else if (rotation==3)
		      	{
		    	  xMovement=-1;
		    	  yMovement=0;
		    	  direction="West";
		      	}
		    	else if (rotation > 3)
		    	{
		    		rotation=0;
		    		xMovement=0;
		    		yMovement=-1;
		    		direction="North";
		    	}	

		  }
	    }
	    if (event.getSource() == forwardButton) //"Press") could also be used
	    {
	       //xPosition = xPosition + xMovement;
	       //yPosition = yPosition + yMovement;
	       helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..

	    }
	    


  }
  
  public static void main(String[] args)
  {
        try
        {
          UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
        }
        catch (Exception e)
        {
            System.err.println("Couldn't use the system look and feel: " + e);
        }
        C2D3DGraphicsApp2D C2D3DGraphicsApp = new C2D3DGraphicsApp2D(); //C2D3DGraphicsApp("Java 2D/3D Graphics Application");
        C2D3DGraphicsApp.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE); //close frame Swing way
  }
}// end class C2D3DGraphicsApp

I think you have a good start. I revised your code a little bit to give your mazeLayout class a paintComponent that can be called from C2D3DGraphicsApp2D's actionPerformed. I made mlayout a data member of C2D3DGraphicsApp2D to facilitate the calling of paintComponent. I added a new 2-D array of type Color called wallColor to mazeLayout. You can change wallColor for a certain box on the maze depending on what you want to do. I put an example at the bottom of actionPerformed that changes color of a box on the maze depending on what direction you are facing. I've added some comments with my initials (VD: yes, I know, ha ha :D ). I'm sure I forgot to comment at least something, but hopefully this'll help.

import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;		// JPanel class
import java.awt.event.*;

public class C2D3DGraphicsApp2D extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{

    Container yourContainer;      //declare container  
    JMenuItem exitItem, fontItem, forward, rotate, room1, room2, room3, clear, helpItem, aboutItem;
    JPanel eastPanel = new JPanel();
    JPanel menuArea = new JPanel();
    JPanel mazeArea = new JPanel();
    JPanel compassArea = new JPanel();    //declare JPanels 
    JButton forwardButton;          //declare JButton
    JButton rotateButton;          //declare JButton
    JButton room1Button;          //declare JButton
    JButton room2Button;          //declare JButton
    JButton room3Button;          //declare JButton
    JButton resetButton;          //declare JButton
    JButton solveButton;          //declare JButton
    JButton exitButton;          //declare JButton
    JTextField helloTextField;    //declare JTextField
    mazeLayout mlayout;     // put this as part of C2D3DGraphicsApp2D:VD
    int[][] imazePlan = {
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0},
        {0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0},
        {0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0},
        {0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
          			      
            
                };

  JPanel [][]wall = new JPanel[imazePlan.length][imazePlan[0].length];
    int xPosition = 2;
    int yPosition = 2;
    int xMovement = 0;
    int yMovement = -1;
    int rotation = 0;
    String direction = "North";

    public C2D3DGraphicsApp2D()         //could use (String title) then super(title) and declare title.
    {

        super("Java 2D/3D Graphics Application");     //set the JFrame title

        mlayout = new mazeLayout();

        yourContainer = getContentPane();              // get content pane and name it
        yourContainer.setLayout(new BorderLayout());   // use border layout


        eastPanel.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
        yourContainer.add(eastPanel, BorderLayout.EAST);

        controlSetup();
        setExtendedState(MAXIMIZED_BOTH);
        setVisible(true);           					//display the JFrame
    }

    public class mazeLayout extends JPanel
    { //code to create the maze layout

        Color[][] wallColor;  // added this:VD
        JPanel[][] wall;      // placed this outside of constructor:VD

        mazeLayout()
        {
            setLayout(new GridLayout(imazePlan.length, imazePlan[0].length));
            wall = new JPanel[imazePlan.length][imazePlan[0].length];
            wallColor = new Color[imazePlan.length][imazePlan[0].length];
            for (int i = 0; i < imazePlan.length; i++)
            {
                for (int j = 0; j < imazePlan[0].length; j++)
                {
                    wall[i][j] = new JPanel();
                    if (imazePlan[i][j] == 0)
                    {
                        wallColor[i][j] = Color.darkGray;
                    // wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.darkGray);
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        if (imazePlan[i][j] == 2)
                        {
                            wallColor[i][j] = Color.GREEN;
                        //  wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.GREEN);
                        }
                        else
                        {
                            if (imazePlan[i][j] == 3)
                            {
                                wallColor[i][j] = Color.RED;
                            //  wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.RED);
                            }
                            else
                            {
                                if (imazePlan[i][j] == 1)
                                {
                                    wallColor[i][j] = Color.lightGray;
                                //  wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.lightGray);
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    add(wall[i][j]);
                }
            }
        }

        public void paintComponent(Graphics g)
        {
            Graphics2D g2 = (Graphics2D) g;
            g2.setRenderingHint(RenderingHints.KEY_ANTIALIASING, RenderingHints.VALUE_ANTIALIAS_ON);
            for (int i = 0; i < imazePlan.length; i++)
            {
                for (int j = 0; j < imazePlan[0].length; j++)
                {
                    wall[i][j].setBackground(wallColor[i][j]);
                }
            }
        }
    }

    public void controlSetup()  //Code that creates the east Panel layout
    {

        menuArea.setLayout(new GridLayout(0, 2));  //set JPanel Layout

        forwardButton = new JButton("Forward");         // create button
        forwardButton.setToolTipText("Move Forward");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(forwardButton);
        forwardButton.addActionListener(this);

        rotateButton = new JButton("Rotate");         // create button
        rotateButton.setToolTipText("Rotate 90 degrees to the right.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(rotateButton);
        rotateButton.addActionListener(this);

        room1Button = new JButton("Room 1");         // create button
        room1Button.setToolTipText("Room 1");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(room1Button);

        room2Button = new JButton("Room 2");         // create button
        room2Button.setToolTipText("Room 2");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(room2Button);

        room3Button = new JButton("Room 3");         // create button
        room3Button.setToolTipText("Room 3");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(room3Button);

        solveButton = new JButton("Solve");         // create button
        solveButton.setToolTipText("Solves the maze.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(solveButton);

        resetButton = new JButton("Reset");         // create button
        resetButton.setToolTipText("Resets the maze.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(resetButton);

        exitButton = new JButton("Exit");         // create button
        exitButton.setToolTipText("Exits the program.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        exitButton.addActionListener(this);
        menuArea.add(exitButton);


        mazeArea.add(mlayout);

        helloTextField = new JTextField("", 12);   //create text field to display button response
        helloTextField.setEditable(false);        //prevent text field editing

        compassArea.add(helloTextField, BorderLayout.CENTER);     //add text field to container

        eastPanel.add(compassArea, BorderLayout.CENTER);
        eastPanel.add(mazeArea, BorderLayout.NORTH);
        eastPanel.add(menuArea, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
    }

    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
    {
        if (event.getSource() == exitItem)
        {
            System.exit(0);
        }
        if (event.getSource() == exitButton)
        {
            System.exit(0);
        }
        if (event.getSource() == rotateButton) //"Press") could also be used
        {
            rotation = ++rotation;
            Color color = getBackground();
            {
                if (rotation == 0)          //the following is the logic for moving around the maze
                {
                    xMovement = 0;
                    yMovement = -1;
                    direction = "North";
                }
                else
                {
                    if (rotation == 1)
                    {
                        xMovement = +1;
                        yMovement = 0;
                        direction = "East";
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        if (rotation == 2)
                        {
                            xMovement = 0;
                            yMovement = +1;
                            direction = "South";
                        }
                        else
                        {
                            if (rotation == 3)
                            {
                                xMovement = -1;
                                yMovement = 0;
                                direction = "West";
                            }
                            else
                            {
                                if (rotation > 3)
                                {
                                    rotation = 0;
                                    xMovement = 0;
                                    yMovement = -1;
                                    direction = "North";
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }

            }
        }
        if (event.getSource() == forwardButton) //"Press") could also be used
        {
            //xPosition = xPosition + xMovement;
            //yPosition = yPosition + yMovement;
            helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..
        }


        // added code below as example:VD
        if (xMovement == 0)
        {
            mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition] = Color.blue;
        }
        else
        {
            mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition] = Color.orange;
        }
        mlayout.repaint();
    // added code above:VD
    }

    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        try
        {
            UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
        } catch (Exception e)
        {
            System.err.println("Couldn't use the system look and feel: " + e);
        }
        C2D3DGraphicsApp2D C2D3DGraphicsApp = new C2D3DGraphicsApp2D(); //C2D3DGraphicsApp("Java 2D/3D Graphics Application");
        C2D3DGraphicsApp.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE); //close frame Swing way
    }
}// end class C2D3DGraphicsApp

That is fantastic!!
Thank you so very much, thats been bugging me for days! I've altered it slightly so that my code now looks like the code below. Now all is left is to add some inteligence to stop the user from moving outside the walls.

Would the best way to do this to perform some sort of check before the action performed command below?
Action Performed Code:

if (event.getSource() == forwardButton) 
            xPosition = xPosition + xMovement;
            yPosition = yPosition + yMovement;
            helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..
            mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition] = Color.blue;
            mlayout.repaint();
        }

New Maze Code:

import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;		// JPanel class
import java.awt.event.*;

public class maze extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{

    Container yourContainer;      //declare container  
    JMenuItem exitItem, fontItem, forward, rotate, room1, room2, room3, clear, helpItem, aboutItem;
    JPanel eastPanel = new JPanel();
    JPanel menuArea = new JPanel();
    JPanel mazeArea = new JPanel();
    JPanel compassArea = new JPanel();  //declare JPanels 
    JButton forwardButton;          	//declare JButton
    JButton rotateButton;          		//declare JButton
    JButton room1Button;          		//declare JButton
    JButton room2Button;          		//declare JButton
    JButton room3Button;          		//declare JButton
    JButton resetButton;          		//declare JButton
    JButton solveButton;          		//declare JButton
    JButton exitButton;          		//declare JButton
    JTextField helloTextField;    		//declare JTextField
    mazeLayout mlayout;     			// put this as part of maze:VD
    int[][] imazePlan = {
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0},
        {0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0},
        {0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0},
        {0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0},
        {0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
        {0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0},
          			      
            
                };

  JPanel [][]wall = new JPanel[imazePlan.length][imazePlan[0].length];
    int xPosition = 19;
    int yPosition = 1;
    int xMovement = -1;
    int yMovement = 0;
    int rotation = 0;
    String direction = "North";

    public maze()         //could use (String title) then super(title) and declare title.
    {

        super("Java 2D/3D Graphics Application");     //set the JFrame title

        mlayout = new mazeLayout();

        yourContainer = getContentPane();              // get content pane and name it
        yourContainer.setLayout(new BorderLayout());   // use border layout


        eastPanel.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
        yourContainer.add(eastPanel, BorderLayout.EAST);

        controlSetup();
        setExtendedState(MAXIMIZED_BOTH);
        setVisible(true);           					//display the JFrame
    }

    public class mazeLayout extends JPanel
    { //code to create the maze layout

        Color[][] wallColor;  // added this:VD
        JPanel[][] wall;      // placed this outside of constructor:VD

        mazeLayout()
        {
            setLayout(new GridLayout(imazePlan.length, imazePlan[0].length));
            wall = new JPanel[imazePlan.length][imazePlan[0].length];
            wallColor = new Color[imazePlan.length][imazePlan[0].length];
            for (int i = 0; i < imazePlan.length; i++)
            {
                for (int j = 0; j < imazePlan[0].length; j++)
                {
                    wall[i][j] = new JPanel();
                    if (imazePlan[i][j] == 0)
                    {
                        wallColor[i][j] = Color.darkGray;
                    // wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.darkGray);
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        if (imazePlan[i][j] == 2)
                        {
                            wallColor[i][j] = Color.GREEN;
                        //  wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.GREEN);
                        }
                        else
                        {
                            if (imazePlan[i][j] == 3)
                            {
                                wallColor[i][j] = Color.RED;
                            //  wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.RED);
                            }
                            else
                            {
                                if (imazePlan[i][j] == 1)
                                {
                                    wallColor[i][j] = Color.lightGray;
                                //  wall[i][j].setBackground(Color.lightGray);
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    add(wall[i][j]);
                }
            }
        }

        public void paintComponent(Graphics g)
        {
            Graphics2D g2 = (Graphics2D) g;
            g2.setRenderingHint(RenderingHints.KEY_ANTIALIASING, RenderingHints.VALUE_ANTIALIAS_ON);
            for (int i = 0; i < imazePlan.length; i++)
            {
                for (int j = 0; j < imazePlan[0].length; j++)
                {
                    wall[i][j].setBackground(wallColor[i][j]);
                }
            }
        }
    }

    public void controlSetup()  //Code that creates the east Panel layout
    {

        menuArea.setLayout(new GridLayout(0, 2));  //set JPanel Layout

        forwardButton = new JButton("Forward");         // create button
        forwardButton.setToolTipText("Move Forward");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(forwardButton);
        forwardButton.addActionListener(this);

        rotateButton = new JButton("Rotate");         // create button
        rotateButton.setToolTipText("Rotate 90 degrees to the right.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(rotateButton);
        rotateButton.addActionListener(this);

        room1Button = new JButton("Room 1");         // create button
        room1Button.setToolTipText("Room 1");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(room1Button);

        room2Button = new JButton("Room 2");         // create button
        room2Button.setToolTipText("Room 2");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(room2Button);

        room3Button = new JButton("Room 3");         // create button
        room3Button.setToolTipText("Room 3");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(room3Button);

        solveButton = new JButton("Solve");         // create button
        solveButton.setToolTipText("Solves the maze.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(solveButton);

        resetButton = new JButton("Reset");         // create button
        resetButton.setToolTipText("Resets the maze.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        menuArea.add(resetButton);

        exitButton = new JButton("Exit");         // create button
        exitButton.setToolTipText("Exits the program.");     // gives a mouse over help / tip.
        exitButton.addActionListener(this);
        menuArea.add(exitButton);


        mazeArea.add(mlayout);

        helloTextField = new JTextField("", 12);   //create text field to display button response
        helloTextField.setEditable(false);        //prevent text field editing

        compassArea.add(helloTextField, BorderLayout.CENTER);     //add text field to container

        eastPanel.add(compassArea, BorderLayout.CENTER);
        eastPanel.add(mazeArea, BorderLayout.NORTH);
        eastPanel.add(menuArea, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
    }

    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
    {
        if (event.getSource() == exitItem)
        {
            System.exit(0);
        }
        if (event.getSource() == exitButton)
        {
            System.exit(0);
        }
        if (event.getSource() == rotateButton) //"Press") could also be used
        {
            rotation = ++rotation;
            {
                if (rotation == 0)          //the following is the logic for moving around the maze
                {
                    xMovement = -1;
                    yMovement = 0;
                    direction = "North";
                    helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..
                }
                else
                {
                    if (rotation == 1)
                    {
                        xMovement = 0;
                        yMovement = +1;
                        direction = "East";
                        helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..

                    }
                    else
                    {
                        if (rotation == 2)
                        {
                            xMovement = +1;
                            yMovement = 0;
                            direction = "South";
                            helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..
                        }
                        else
                        {
                            if (rotation == 3)
                            {
                                xMovement = 0;
                                yMovement = -1;
                                direction = "West";
                                helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..
                            }
                            else
                            {
                                if (rotation > 3)
                                {
                                    rotation = 0;
                                    xMovement = -1;
                                    yMovement = 0;
                                    direction = "North";
                                    helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }

            }
        }
        if (event.getSource() == forwardButton) 
            xPosition = xPosition + xMovement;
            yPosition = yPosition + yMovement;
            helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..
            mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition] = Color.blue;
            mlayout.repaint();
        }
    

    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        try
        {
            UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
        } catch (Exception e)
        {
            System.err.println("Couldn't use the system look and feel: " + e);
        }
        maze C2D3DGraphicsApp = new maze(); //C2D3DGraphicsApp("Java 2D/3D Graphics Application");
        C2D3DGraphicsApp.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE); //close frame Swing way
    }
}// end class C2D3DGraphicsApp

That is fantastic!!
Thank you so very much, thats been bugging me for days! I've altered it slightly so that my code now looks like the code below. Now all is left is to add some inteligence to stop the user from moving outside the walls.

Would the best way to do this to perform some sort of check before the action performed command below?
Action Performed Code:

if (event.getSource() == forwardButton) 
            xPosition = xPosition + xMovement;
            yPosition = yPosition + yMovement;
            helloTextField.setText(direction); //set the text to this..
            mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition] = Color.blue;
            mlayout.repaint();
        }

Yes, I think a check would be a good idea. You know where you are now, you know the direction you are facing. Calculate the coordinates of where you WILL BE after the step is taken if there is no wall, but don't change xPosition and yPosition yet until you know that you are NOT going to run into a wall. So I would create a couple of new variables called newX and newY. Put in them the coordinates of where you will end up if the step is taken. Check the color of the box at those coordinates. A certain color (light grey? I don't recall) represents a wall. If the new coordinates are not that color, it's a legal move as far as I can tell. So change the color of mlayout.wallColor[newX][newY] to be the color of the person in the maze (green?). Change the color of the box at the current (xPosition,yPosition) back to whatever color it was that represents the floor with no one standing on it (dark gray?). Then change xPosition to newX and yPosition to newY and call mlayout.repaint().

If you DID hit a wall, the move is illegal so don't do any of this. Just return from actionPerformed without changing any variable values, any wall colors, and without repainting.

Yes, I think a check would be a good idea. You know where you are now, you know the direction you are facing. Calculate the coordinates of where you WILL BE after the step is taken if there is no wall, but don't change xPosition and yPosition yet until you know that you are NOT going to run into a wall. So I would create a couple of new variables called newX and newY. Put in them the coordinates of where you will end up if the step is taken. Check the color of the box at those coordinates. A certain color (light grey? I don't recall) represents a wall. If the new coordinates are not that color, it's a legal move as far as I can tell. So change the color of mlayout.wallColor[newX][newY] to be the color of the person in the maze (green?). Change the color of the box at the current (xPosition,yPosition) back to whatever color it was that represents the floor with no one standing on it (dark gray?). Then change xPosition to newX and yPosition to newY and call mlayout.repaint().

If you DID hit a wall, the move is illegal so don't do any of this. Just return from actionPerformed without changing any variable values, any wall colors, and without repainting.

Thats Brilliant!!
Thank you so much for your help...have got me out of a right hole there!!

Hello!
Me again!
lol!
Ive tried working on my solve maze algorithm and can see no reason why its not working!
The following loops should, as far as I can see 'solve' the maze.
Any ideas??
Sorry to be a hassle!

if (event.getSource() == solveButton)
        {
        	int i=1;
        	if (mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition] != Color.RED){
        	while (mlayout.wallColor[xPosition-i][yPosition] == Color.LIGHT_GRAY)
        	{
            newXPosition=xPosition-1;
            mlayout.wallColor[newXPosition][yPosition] = Color.BLUE;
            xPosition=newXPosition;
            mlayout.repaint();
        	}
        	while (mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition+i] == Color.LIGHT_GRAY)
        	{
                newYPosition=yPosition+1;
                mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][newYPosition] = Color.BLUE;
                yPosition=newYPosition;
                mlayout.repaint();
        	}
        	while (mlayout.wallColor[xPosition+i][yPosition] == Color.LIGHT_GRAY)
        	{
                newXPosition=xPosition+1;
                mlayout.wallColor[newXPosition][yPosition] = Color.BLUE;
                xPosition=newXPosition;
                mlayout.repaint();
        	}
        	while (mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition-i] == Color.LIGHT_GRAY)
        	{
                newYPosition=yPosition-1;
                mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][newYPosition] = Color.BLUE;
                yPosition=newYPosition;
                mlayout.repaint();
        	}
        	}
        
        }
        }

Not sure if your updated code does this already, but I don't see an actionListener ever added for solveButton from the code in post 3.

Sorry! I should have said!
Ive added the action listener, and altered the code so that only a single blue square moves around the maze.
When the solve button is clicked, the line runs up to the first corner, turns right then runs to the next corner and stops. Ive got no idea why it wont carry on round the maze!
Is there anything obvious I'm missing?
Thanks

Took me forever to spot this, but that's OK, I like a good puzzle. One, if you consistently hit "Solve", it gets closer and closer. Change the top "if" statement within your "solveButton" from an "if" to a "while". This'll keep going through the loop till it solves it, like this:

while (mlayout.wallColor[xPosition][yPosition] != Color.RED)

Two, and more important, are your four "while" conditions within this larger "if" statement above ("while" after you change it):

while (mlayout.wallColor[xPosition + i][yPosition] == Color.LIGHT_GRAY)

The above is an example. The other three are like it. None of them look for a red square. You are solving the maze all the way EXCEPT for the last step (when you change the top "if" to a "while"). You need to look out for a red square as well as a light gray square in order to make that final step to the finish line.

Finally, since you are looking for a red square to get out of that while loop and call the maze solved, make sure that when you DO take that final step, don't change that last box to blue.

That was aggravating, but rewarding!

Hi,
Thanks again for the post! I cant tell you how I appreciate you helping me.
I changed the top if statement to a while statement, but when clicked, it doesn't do anything and actually crashes my GUI.
The while statement was how I originally tried it, but faced this exact problem. Using the if statement was the only way I could get it to solve any portion of the maze.
I didn't notice however that if you keep clicking the solve button it eventually solves the maze.
So I've tried looping the if statement in a for loop and a while loop but to no avail!!
I cant see why this isnt working, as far as I can tell, as you suggested, using the while loop should work!

Actually scrap that...I used a for loop, above the if statement and it completed the maze!

My only problem now is what happens if the algorithm takes the 'robot' to a dead end, but I'm sure i can work that one out!

Thanks for all of your help!!

Actually scrap that...I used a for loop, above the if statement and it completed the maze!

My only problem now is what happens if the algorithm takes the 'robot' to a dead end, but I'm sure i can work that one out!

Thanks for all of your help!!

hi,

i a have been trying the same example. can you please send me the full code which makes the application working..

i will be very much thankful if you please post the whole code..

thanks

hi,

i a have been trying the same example. can you please send me the full code which makes the application working..

i will be very much thankful if you please post the whole code..

thanks

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.