Project Matisse Demo – NetBeans GUI Builder

I’m not a NetBeans user but after seeing this demo I may be forced to re-consider that choice. It sounds like this functionality will be included in the next release of the IDE, with a preview development version coming out at or around the time of JavaOne.

I’ve never really used any of the currently available GUI designers for Java. My current process for developing GUI forms involves the JGoodies form layout manager with a few abstractions to reduce the writing of tedious definitions. It has worked fairly well but I would see value in having a graphic layout tool that could generate easily maintained code. Matisse and the NetBeans GUI Builder are definitely on my radar.

Easy GUI Design?
*Developing a graphical user interface (GUI) used to be a tricky part of Java programming. Developers old and new to Swing often spend countless frustrating hours poring over layout code. Even with the help of advanced GUI builders such as the NetBeans IDE 4.1 Form Editor, designing professional-looking, cross- platform GUIs can be a tedious and error-prone task.

The Matisse project solves the core problem of Java GUI creation by making the layout design of visual forms much easier. The project extends the current NetBeans IDE 4.1 Form Editor to support a brand new “Free Design” paradigm that exposes simple layout rules that are easy to understand and use quickly. It lets you lay out components freely, providing visual guidelines for optimal spacing between components and alignment of components. Matisse infers the appropriate resizing behavior — and more, freeing the developer from the complexities of Swing layout managers. The developer just uses an intuitive visual form builder to produce a professional GUI easily and in the background Matisse produces the correct implementation using a layout manager and other Swing constructs.