What is the best API for creating simple 2D graphics in Java, and how has the landscape changed over time?

General Discussions
, ,
4

Yep, been in the creative coding and game dev scene for a while, and sometimes even JavaFX isn’t lightweight enough for what I need.

If you’re hunting for a java graphic lib that’s minimal but expressive, libraries like Processing or Slick2D are gems. Processing especially shines when you want to focus on the visuals, not boilerplate.

void setup() {
  size(400, 400);
}

void draw() {
  line(10, 10, 100, 100);
}

And Slick2D? Great if you want that game-dev vibe with a real game loop and OpenGL under the hood. They cut the fluff and let you get visual output fast.

:small_orange_diamond: Best for: Visual artists, quick prototypes, interactive tools, or entry-level game development.