GUI design

[kennyblue]

Hi everyone,

i need to design a GUI like a normal installation wizard to install something but im stuck at the connection between JFrame and JPanel.. these are the questions in my mind now..

1. Is netbeans good for designing GUI?
im just started to learn it now...

2. how to implement page switching method in a proper way? for example i press next button to next page...


i've tried the JFrame to JFrame method... when i need to open a new page i just create a new JFrame..
new Page2(); //new frame for page 2
dispose(); //terminate current frame

but i noticed that it is kidda slow when switching between JFrame...
maybe there is a way to solve this problem??

so i try to implement it with 1 JFrame with multiple JPanel...
press next button to close the current panel and open the new one....
but if i use this method im stuck at Netbeans GUI tool, it don't allow me to overlap panels...

Thanks !

[KevinWorkman]

Look into CardLayout. Google is your friend.

And no, netbeans is not good for designing a GUI. Ditch the IDE and do it by hand.

[kennyblue]

Thanks Kevin...

previously im using eclipse to write my own GUI using GridBagLayout but i have big problem in adjusting alignment... that is why i change to Netbean to use the GUI designer tool to develop my GUI

ok so should i just go back to eclipse and continue my GUI design with CardLayout? or Netbeans is much better than eclipse?

[Fubarable]

You are learning -- so stick with Eclipse and hand coding as it will give you a much greater understanding of what you're doing.

Also, don't try to make GridBagLayout do more than it was intended to do. Often you're better off nesting JPanels with each one using a simple layout.

[KevinWorkman]

You know my thoughts. Don't use a GUI designer. Whether netbeans is "much better" than eclipse isn't really an answerable question. It's up to you which you like better.

[kennyblue]

You are learning -- so stick with Eclipse and hand coding as it will give you a much greater understanding of what you're doing.

Also, don't try to make GridBagLayout do more than it was intended to do. Often you're better off nesting JPanels with each one using a simple layout.

thx fubarable... i think i get what you mean.. for example next and previous buttons place it on 1 panel with simple layout instead of using GridBagLayout for the whole panel..

i thought GridBagLayout could handle all the placement for me... no wonder it cause me so much troubles ha..

[kennyblue]

You know my thoughts. Don't use a GUI designer. Whether netbeans is "much better" than eclipse isn't really an answerable question. It's up to you which you like better.

i guess i will stick with eclipse since im more familiar with the environment over there... btw thx alot for all the tips.. i know the direction now:D