Creating a Java GUI

Question

Do you know any decent framework for creating Swing screens? I need to expand the application for developers who have to add their own screens.

Possible options:

• Netbeans Platform with Matisse Editor

• Bean builder (very old and unsupported)

• Eclipse VEP (beta)

Any other option?

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Update: I am not looking for a development-time tool to create my screens. I am looking for an addon or platform that allows developers (users of my application) to create custom screens for different clients. Screens should be saved in some format (for example, xml) and will be displayed to others (for viewing only).

Because of this, solutions like Matisse4MyEclipse are not suitable, because I cannot link my own plugin with my application.

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Update 2:

I ask you to create a framework, not a development-time tool. I want some component to be embedded in my application so that users can create screens themselves.

Answer 1

instances of WindowBuilder - commercial product

Answer 2

In the past, I used the JGoodies Form API , and I liked its simplicity. (I don't like GUI developers ...) I think it can be made custom using Spring.

Answer 3

What do you mean by "screens"? Jframes JPanels?

If you use the JPANel NetBeans form, it is fairly easy to add / change components. With one JPanel per screen, you can combine a bunch of screens into a wizard using tabs, etc. NetBeans GUI formats can be copied, edited, combined quite freely.

Answer 4

I have not seen Matisse4MyEclipse yet . However, this is part of MyEclipse, which is not free, so it seems to me that there are potential problems with licensing.

Regarding the fact that users use screens for different clients, it sounds as if your users will be technically savvy. Perhaps you can use Groovy SwingBuilder to define these views in editable form. I think this is perhaps more of what you are looking for than a development-time tool.

Answer 5

IntelliJ IDEA also has a GUI Designer .