Design a Java GUI Using Only Your Mouse

excellent
key review info
application features
  • Intuitive
  • (2 more, see all...)

Java GUI Builder is a simple to use application that was designed to help developers spare some time when building their software interfaces from code. With it, you can simply drag and drop buttons and manage them with a single click in order to get the results that you are aiming for.

The best thing about this app is that you don't have to write any line of code because it is completely familiar with all the components from both the AWT and Swing Java interfaces. Instead of importing one of these in your code and actually defining each parameter for each component, Java GUI Builder allows you to visually create a graphical user interface in a matter of minutes.

What’s great about using this piece of software is that whenever you decide to use the GUI in a project, you can simply import it, which can be easily done because your GUI project files will be saved with a ".dat" extension,  which makes them easier to handle. All the definitions that you have created will automatically be compiled and built into a single working application and from there on, you can append them to any code.

Java GUI Builder is not only for those projects that require massive amounts of coding and a very complex GUI. It can be used for all kinds of Java project files, such as Applet, Frames, JApplet or JFrame, because it is compatible with all these types of programs.

What sets Java GUI Builder apart is its ability to use and design interfaces with both AWT and Swing and the designer doesn't have to know a single line of code. On the other hand, if you are experienced and you want to look at the code so that you can manage a few parameters here and there, you can always hit the Generate Code button so that you can take a look at what’s behind the interface.

Sometimes, if you don't want to use the project files in their raw ".dat" extension, you can choose to save your work as a simple to use ".java" file, which can be much easier to import in a standalone project by accessing it as an independent project file added to the working area. If you think about it, importing a .java file could be a lot easier than importing and using a .dat extension in your project, not only because of the manageable code but also if you are trying to give your project a professional look.

Java GUI Builder can fill in the gap between coders and interface designers, since using this application will no longer require coding skills but only a sense of artistic design  so that you can make your software more appealing to the open public. If you are planning to create an application that is both powerful and easy to use, leave your coders out of the GUI design and get a professional designer to handle your interface. Coders usually tend to get carried away with the accuracy and robustness of the code and forget about the GUI the regular user works on.

If you have finished your GUI project and imported it as a .java file, it doesn't mean that you will no longer be able to make some small modifications to it. Because you use the actual code and not some other form of data processing, the automatically generated code behind the GUI is 100% manageable and easy to work with. If you decide to make some last minute changes in the layout design, just have one of your coders change some parameter settings or values to get the required results, without having to rewrite or redesign the entire interface.


The Good

Java GUI Builder is perfect for those who want to create an interface in a short amount of time and also for those who have no clue about how a Java coding style looks like. It can fill the gap between coders and designers and it makes them work together in building professional software.

The Bad

When using this app you should also be able to work with more forms at the same time, in different windows. This can be useful when developing large applications that require the use of multiple working panels.

The Truth

Java GUI Builder is the smallest and best to work with piece of software for developing graphical user interfaces. It is very intuitive and straightforward when it comes to making use of the components of both AWT and Swing. The fact that it can automatically generate the code behind the interface and also give you the ability to export it as a ".java" file is the best part, because you can easily add it to your Java projects with no effort at all.

Here are some snapshots of the application:

Review image
Review image
Review image
Review image
Review image
Review image
user interface 4
features 5
ease of use 5
pricing / value 5


final rating 5
Editor's review
excellent
 
NEXT REVIEW: Hot Corners