Is there any visual/graphic designer for Java GUI?

I am really sorry if I sound really ignorant. To be honest, I am really, really new in Java. Previously I have been programming exclusively in Visual Basic and Visual Basic.NET for many years. I am currently using a book called "Sam's teach yourself Java in 24 hours, Sixth Edition", and I have downloaded JDK7 and Netbeans IDE 7, all I believe is for the latest version of Java. I am still on the early part of the book, but I have flipped over some further pages. What I am surprised is that the book basically suggested using text based programming for GUI. I am wondering, is there any Visual IDE that can be used to design GUI for Java? Some sort like that of Visual Basic.Net makes Visual Basic so popular?

I believe in Java world, it is called visual GUI builder. I think there are some out there. Any suggestions which one is good, reliable, and possibly free (GNU)?

Netbeans has a visual designer integrated into it. To use it just click on New File>Swing GUI Forms and select any one of the templates, although I strongly recommend you go into GUI programming without a designer first in order to learn the difference between JFrames, JPanels, JDialogs etc. in the context of Java programming.

Almost all the Java IDE has a UI editor as well. However, my suggestion is, as a beginner do not use a UI builder initially. To get the better idea about Swing/AWT controls and all code it on a simple editor such as Notepad.

yeah, NetBeans has a GUI editor in it. however, i often find it really hard to create a layout because the Panels gets out of control.

anyway, try using JCreator first, it has at least a better look than notepad.

and BTW, i heard Eclipse has a GUI builder too.

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Originally Posted by clydedoris

i often find it really hard to create a layout because the Panels gets out of control.

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A month or so back I had a panel with *lots* of controls on it. It was just a small utility I wanted so I didn't care that the panel was crowded with buttons. Despite advising other people not to I thought I would use Netbeans and save myself the work of laying them out just so.

I lost an hour of my life to that wretched gui builder before deciding I could do better, faster without its "help". The thing was actually fighting back as I tried to size a panel containing a number of other panels!

that explains why it's not that popular. :) anyway, gotta try using Netbeans soon.

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Originally Posted by clydedoris

yeah, NetBeans has a GUI editor in it. however, i often find it really hard to create a layout because the Panels gets out of control.

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If you have pick the right layout it wont. That is the advantage you have if you are dealing with the basis first on Notepad.

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Originally Posted by pbrockway2

I lost an hour of my life to that wretched gui builder before deciding I could do better, faster without its "help". The thing was actually fighting back as I tried to size a panel containing a number of other panels!

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Honestly, I am using the NetBeans for so many years and still I don't have such issue on my side.

OK, Guys. Thank you so much for the info and advices. I will take those to heart and learn diligently as suggested...

As I said, try to learn the basis first of all. Later you can use an UI builder. Actually to use the UI builder also you need some sort of basic knowledge about all the components.

Eranga,
Will do that. I am going through the book step by step, and it will do exactly that. Thank you so much...

I think eclipse has a good one now too.

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Originally Posted by IndraG

Eranga,
Will do that. I am going through the book step by step, and it will do exactly that. Thank you so much...

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You are welcome.

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Originally Posted by PhQ

I think eclipse has a good one now too.

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Each IDE has pros and cons. It all depends on our skills as well as the stuff we are working on.