JFormDesigner 4 introduces several new features and enhancements. This topic describes some of the significant or more interesting changes. Please have a look at the change log for a complete list of changes.
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GroupLayout (Free Design) support | Support for GroupLayout brings the "Free
Design" paradigm to JFormDesigner. You can lay out your forms by simply
placing components where you want them. Visual guidelines suggest
optimal spacing, alignment and resizing of components. This makes it
easy to design professional-looking GUIs.![]() GroupLayout has been developed by the NetBeans team and is also used by the NetBeans GUI Builder (formerly Project Matisse). |
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JGoodies Forms 1.2 support | JGoodies FormLayout
1.2 provides a new string syntax for encoded column and row
specifications, which allows JFormDesigner to generate much shorter
Java code. Just two strings, compared to
the complex expressions that were necessary for FormLayout 1.1. FormLayout 1.1: ![]() FormLayout 1.2: ![]() To upgrade Java code of existing forms to FormLayout 1.2, invoke the JFormDesigner Java code generator once from command-line. If you prefer to use an older JGoodies Forms version, specify it in the FormLayout preferences. |
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Improved IntelliJ IDEA form conversion |
The improved conversion of IntelliJ IDEA forms now removes IDEA's GUI code (e.g. $$$setupUI$$$ method and component fields) and also uses the same modifiers (public, private, protected, etc) for the new component fields as the removed fields. This makes the migration from IntelliJ IDEA GUI builder to JFormDesigner seamless. IntelliJ IDEA plug-in and Eclipse plug-in only. |
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Abeille form conversion | JFormDesigner can now convert Abeille forms (.jfrm and .xml) to JFormDesigner forms. |
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Improved "Choose Bean" dialog | The "Choose Bean" dialog now updates its class
name cache in the background. You can immediately start typing your
search criteria or select a class.![]() |
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SwingX layout manager and border support |
Support for SwingX layout managers HorizontalLayout and VerticalLayout makes it easier to use SwingX components (like JXTaskPaneContainer and JXCollapsiblePane) in JFormDesigner. Also SwingX's DropShadowBorder is fully supported. |
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Java Code Style |
The Java code generator now supports custom code
indentation. The IDE plug-ins are using the IDE code style settings of
the project or workspace. The stand-alone edition provides a new Code Style preferences
page.![]() |
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Command-line Java code generation | You can now invoke the JFormDesigner Java code generator from command-line if necessary. This helps you to upgrade your forms code to JGoodies FormLayout 1.2, which introduced a new much shorter syntax for encoded column and row specifications. |
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Localization: Safer deletion of messages from
resource bundles |
The new Localization
preferences option "Delete messages only if key prefix is equal to
form's key prefix", which is on by default, avoids removal of shared
messages.![]() |
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