I'm doing a simulator project that tests several A* based algorithms and show how they work and their results. The algorithms are all multi-agent and run on a grid map environment.
I used a JPanel for the grid which contains a two dimensional array of Cells where each Cell is a custom class that extends the Component class and use the paint method to draw the stuff i need inside each cell. For the drawing inside the cell I use method such as Graphics.fillRect or Graphics.drawImage to fill each cell with a certain color or icon).
I'm using a special Icon for the start position and goal position of every agent on the grid. My problem is that I want to be able to draw more than one item on the same cell.
For example I want to be able to show the path of one of the agents by painting the cells along the path in a special color and the path might go through a start position of a different agent, so I want to be able to fill the cell with the color and have an icon drawn on top. In another example I want to be able to mix two colors using alpha blending.
If I use graphics.fillRect() with one color that has alpha and then use it again with a different color with alpha value it won't work since the last fillRect() will override the first call.
Is there a way I can achieve what I need using the same Cell Component I created or should I implement it differently? Perhaps there is a better solution to this problem? I would really appreciate any advice on this matter.