Runnable JARs missing Images/Files (Resources)

When I export my code as runnable JAR from eclipse all the files that I've set it to grab such as button images and other files are missing even though they are actually in the JAR. I've added getClass().getResource in front of the files but then when I try to run the JAR nothing even happens, any suggestions?

Solution 1:

Seems like you not putting your stuff in the right sense. In order to make it work, follow these steps :

1. Right-Click your Project in Project Explorer Tree.
2. Go to New -> Source Folder and then provide any Name to the Source Folder.
3. Now manually add your stuff to this Source Folder so created by you, like if you want to add images then make a New Folder, by manually visiting this Source Folder through File System.
4. Name this New Folder as images and copy your images to this Folder.
5. Now go back to your Eclipse IDE and Refresh your Project from the Project Explorer, by Right Clicking your Project, here you be able to see your added content now after refreshing.

Now in order to access, say any image, you will use.

getClass().getResource("/images/yourImageName.extension");

which will return one URL object. Do remember the first forward slash, in this case, since whatever is inside your Source Folder is accessed with the help of this, in simpler terms. Now when you will Run your project, the content of this Source Folder will be automatically added to the bin folder and when you will create a Runnable Jar, then the stuff inside your Source Folder can be accessed as it is.

Solution 2:

The path needs to be right for the resource.

For "foo.gif" being at the root of the jar, you must refer to it using "/foo.gif".

If the program works correctly after a complete clean and rebuild, but fails as a jar, you most likely do not have the files included in the jar.