In the background, the GUI Builder translates your design decisions into a functional UI that is implemented using the new GroupLayout layout manager and other Swing constructs. As you lay out your form, the GUI Builder provides visual guidelines suggesting optimal spacing and alignment of components. It does this by extending the current NetBeans IDE GUI Builder to support a straightforward 'Free Design' paradigm with simple layout rules that are easy to understand and use. The IDE’s GUI Builder solves the core problem of Java GUI creation by streamlining the workflow of creating graphical interfaces, freeing developers from the complexities of Swing layout managers. Displays the properties of the component currently selected in the GUI Builder, Navigator window, Projects window, or Files window.

In addition, you can create, remove, and rearrange the categories displayed in the Palette using the customizer. A customizable list of available components containing tabs for JFC/Swing, AWT, and JavaBeans components, as well as layout managers. The Navigator also provides visual feedback about what component in the tree is currently being edited in the GUI Builder as well as allows you to organize components in the available panels. Provides a representation of all the components, both visual and non-visual, in your application as a tree hierarchy.

The additional toolbar buttons provide convenient access to common commands, such as choosing between Selection and Connection modes, aligning components, setting component auto-resizing behavior, and previewing forms. The toolbar’s Source button enables you to view a class’s source code, the Design button allows you to view a graphical view of the GUI components, the History button allows you to access the local history of changes of the file.

The GUI Builder’s primary window for creating and editing Java GUI forms.

Window builder java