Java: Filling a BufferedImage with transparent pixels

Question

I have an off-screen BufferedImage, constructed with the type BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB. It can contain anything, and I'm looking for a way to (fairly efficiently) completely overwrite the image with transparent pixels, resulting in an 'invisible' image.

Using something like this:

    (bufimg.getGraphics()).setColor(new Color(10, 10, 100, 0));   
    (bufimg.getGraphics()).fillRect (0, 0, x, y);

Has no effect. One possible method might be just to write over every pixel in the BufferedImage, but I'm not sure this is the best solution. How would you do it?

[edit]
The Graphics documentation advises against using clearRect for off-screen images, but I have tried it with the same results as above.

[edit2]
After experimenting with MeBigFatGuy's code (thanks!), it does clear an image. But it also stops further painting to that image (or appears to). This code for example:

    BufferedImage img = new BufferedImage (600, 600, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB);
    Graphics g = img.createGraphics ()    
    g.drawLine (100, 100, 500, 500);
    AlphaComposite composite = AlphaComposite.getInstance(AlphaComposite.CLEAR, 0.0f);
    g.setComposite(composite);
    g.setColor(new Color(0, 0, 0, 0));
    g.fillRect(0, 0, 600, 600);
    graphicsAI.setColor(new Color (10, 10, 10, 255));
    graphicsAI.drawLine (100, 100, 500, 500);

Results in nothing seen on the image (I'm drawing the image to a JPanel). Is this something to do with the addition of alpha values?

Answer 1

After you clear the background with the CLEAR composite, you need to set it back to SRC_OVER to draw normally again. ex:

//clear
g2.setComposite(AlphaComposite.getInstance(AlphaComposite.CLEAR));
g2.fillRect(0,0,256,256);

//reset composite
g2.setComposite(AlphaComposite.getInstance(AlphaComposite.SRC_OVER));
//draw
g2.setPaint(Color.RED);
g2.fillOval(50,50,100,100);