Designing GUI in NetBeans 6.1

I have some forms with JTextFields, JButtons and JLabels.
I have a very annoying problem in the NetBeans 6.1, that sometimes if I change the location of one of the components in the form (in the design view), for example a JTextField, the entire form changes its look - buttons are moving, labels are dissappearing etc.
Why is that? Is it a bug in the IDE?

hi it is unlikely people will answer you here because it is about netbeans. this is a java site so they will probably tell you to go to a netbeans site. the one i use is nabbles netbeans just do a search on google to find it.
you might get lucky here but i doubt it because most people here use notepad and run programs from command prompt. so they might not even know anyway. also i think there is a tutorial at the netbeans sites about transfering libraries they tell you how in some of the introductory tutorials. i think one of the tutorials in relation to setting up a database using derby shows you how to do it but i can't remember.
your best bet is nabble good luck.

Similar Messages

  • Problem with design area in netbeans

    out of no where am starting to have this problem.....my design area in netbeans is not visible....when i create a new JFrame , the code to the basic design area is
    there, but when i switch to design view there is no design area. thus i can not drag any items there......am using netbeans 6.0.1 ...the problem occured out of no where , the ide used to work fine before....... i found the similar problem in this thread :
    [http://www.nabble.com/Pls-Help%3A-I-cannot-add-any-component-with-my-GUI-Builder-by-drag-drop-td17411692.html]
    the thread shows the similar problem as to mine, with pictures hint......but no solution .......need some help...
    regards.......

    As at the NetBeans forum.

  • Creating a GUI in netbeans

    If anyone can help it would be so GREAT! I am trying to create a GUI, which can import two programs off my desktop into two frames on the GUI. If possible does anyone knows how to do it?
    Basically my GUI is used in terface and see two differnt prograsm at once. One program is a video feeder, and the other program is a sensor reading software. the GUI is for a senior design project, whre we can operate a remote control car, see wheres its going through the video feed program and collect sensor readings.

    Nothing is impossible.. just possibly more complicated than it's worth.
    Are the two programs java programs by any chance? Do you have access to the source, and you're just trying to create a combination of the two? Or are they completely independent, non-java programs?
    Either way, I'd say it's probably going to require more work than creating a GUI in netbeans. Maybe if you listed exactly what the two programs are, somebody would know a way to link them with java?
    Edited by: kevinaworkman on Apr 7, 2009 7:33 PM

  • Serious problems on GUI with NetBeans.....

    package supershare;
    import java.awt.event.*;
    import javax.swing.*;
    public class testGUI extends javax.swing.JFrame implements java.awt.event.ActionListener{
        public testGUI(){initComponents();}
    public void initComponents(){/*Generated Code*/}
    public static void main(String args[]) {
                    new testGUI().setVisible(true);
      public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)
            /*JProgressBar jp = new JProgressBar(0, 100);
            jp.setValue(0);
            jp.setStringPainted(true);
            this.add(jp);
            this.validate();*/
            this.remove(jButton1);
        // Variables declaration - do not modify
        private javax.swing.JButton jButton1;
        // End of variables declaration
    }Above is the code I made under NetBeans....
    As you know, NetBeans has a function called "JFrameForm", which allows you to design GUI more conviniently....
    if you are familar with NetBeans, you can easily understand the above code...
    You know what I am trying to do is that when I click the button, the button should disappear, but it doesnot....
    please help here... actually, I have a bigger project meeting this problem.. and if I have to design the whole project without using NetBeans's JFrameForm function, it will be a nightmare...yes, lots of work...
    Apreciate any help
    thanks

    Has any one here used NetBeans before???
    It has nothing to do with netbeans (except the layout manager you used happens to come with it)
    You need to understand what you are doing in terms of LayoutManagers and Containers. You cannot just add a Component to a Container with anything but the simplest layout manager - you need to understand the constraints the manager uses. In this case, I designed my JFrame using the Netbeans designer (which is most cool I must say) and added a JPanel to act as an area to add and remove components from (so I don't have to understand the GroupLayout constraints).
    Be forewarned that GroupLayout is not (as of yet) part of the standard jdk and you may have issues trying to distribute your application or run it outside of netbeans unless you know what you are doing or netbeans does it for you (I haven't tried yet)
    Good luck
    import java.awt.BorderLayout;
    import javax.swing.JProgressBar;
    * @author  Ian Schneider
    public class NewJFrame extends javax.swing.JFrame {
        /** Creates new form NewJFrame */
        public NewJFrame() {
            initComponents();
        /** This method is called from within the constructor to
         * initialize the form.
         * WARNING: Do NOT modify this code. The content of this method is
         * always regenerated by the Form Editor.
        // <editor-fold defaultstate="collapsed" desc=" Generated Code ">
        private void initComponents() {
            jButton1 = new javax.swing.JButton();
            jPanel1 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
            setDefaultCloseOperation(javax.swing.WindowConstants.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
            jButton1.setText("Press Me");
            jButton1.addActionListener(new java.awt.event.ActionListener() {
                public void actionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {
                    jButton1ActionPerformed(evt);
            jPanel1.setLayout(new java.awt.BorderLayout());
            jPanel1.setName("progressArea");
            org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout layout = new org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout(getContentPane());
            getContentPane().setLayout(layout);
            layout.setHorizontalGroup(
                layout.createParallelGroup(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING)
                .add(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING, layout.createSequentialGroup()
                    .addContainerGap()
                    .add(jButton1)
                    .addPreferredGap(org.jdesktop.layout.LayoutStyle.RELATED)
                    .add(jPanel1, org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 281, Short.MAX_VALUE)
                    .addContainerGap())
            layout.setVerticalGroup(
                layout.createParallelGroup(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING)
                .add(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING, layout.createSequentialGroup()
                    .addContainerGap()
                    .add(layout.createParallelGroup(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.TRAILING, false)
                        .add(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING, jPanel1, 0, org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, Short.MAX_VALUE)
                        .add(jButton1, org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, Short.MAX_VALUE))
                    .addContainerGap(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, Short.MAX_VALUE))
            pack();
        // </editor-fold>
        private void jButton1ActionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {
            final JProgressBar jpb = new JProgressBar(0,100);
            jPanel1.add(jpb,BorderLayout.CENTER);
            jPanel1.validate();
            jPanel1.repaint();
            Runnable task = new Runnable() {
                public void run() {
                    jButton1.setEnabled(false);
                    for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
                        jpb.setValue(i);
                        try {
                            Thread.sleep(50);
                        } catch (InterruptedException ie) {}
                    jButton1.setEnabled(true);
                    jPanel1.remove(jpb);
                    jPanel1.validate();
                    jPanel1.repaint();
            new Thread(task).start();
         * @param args the command line arguments
        public static void main(String args[]) {
            java.awt.EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
                public void run() {
                    new NewJFrame().setVisible(true);
        // Variables declaration - do not modify
        private javax.swing.JButton jButton1;
        private javax.swing.JPanel jPanel1;
        // End of variables declaration
    }

  • Program for designing GUI

    Does anyone know of a program, where you can design GUI without having to write the code.
    I know you can do something like that in JBuilder, but Im not a fan of it, so would like to use somethins else.
    Hope anyone can help
    thanks
    cool_a

    No of course not, I was just pointing out that itgets confusing to work with a
    large number of variables with non-descriptivenames.
    Agreed, any component I will be using in code, i.e.
    calling methods on, gets a real name, no matter how
    few there are.
    JLabels, JSeparators, and unless they are dynamic,
    any other internal containers, keep the numbering
    scheme.Another thing I don't like about editors is that they keep references to containers, labels, etc. that I don't want to keep. If I add a Label to a Panel, I don't usually want a reference to it, I just want it to display in the Panel. Likewise for Panels that are only for arranging components in a larger Panel. The editor puts a reference to all of them in the code, and you can't edit it.
    Once I ditch the editor I usually go back and delete all that stuff, but it's worth it to have all the basic set up done automatically.

  • Hi, can anyone help me out with this, I need some help on designing GUI for e-learning coursewares. Some tutorials or some helpful sites will do.

    I need some help with the GUI design.

    Have you tried the line inputs on the back of your FirePod? If you update its firmware (not sure if you will need to or not), I seem to remember hearing that the FirePod can run without FW connection, i.e. stand alone. In this mode with the outs from your mixer into line ins 1-2 (2nd from left on the back) it should work fine. I say should because I have never tried. However, these are used for returns from an external effects unit. I assume here, and the important word is assume, that there are two so that they can be used as a stereo send or as a mono send. Worth a try! Let us know how it goes.
    Best, Fred

  • Design GUI in VB, put it into Java code !!!!

    Hi Guys!
    I have just developed software named Xtreme VB2J that builds java classes from the Visual Basic form files (.frm). Java does not have any built-in Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Graphical User Interface (GUI) design; on the other hand, Visual Basic (VB) has a very nice and easy IDE for GUI design. This software is just an preliminary approach to integrate the power of EASY-GUI-Design of VB and Java to reduce wastage of a-lot-of time in software development.
    Before Running VB2J
    Since this software originally has been designed in Visual Basic, before running, your computer must have Visual Basic Runtime files or Visual Basic itself installed. You may obtain it from MyDownload section of my website or directly from: http://download.microsoft.com/download/vb60pro/install/6/Win98Me/EN-US/VBRun60.exe
    Hope you won�t be sick of Layout Managers anymore!! :)
    Try it today from the MyDownload section at: www.tanzimsaqib.tk
    Happy GUI design!! :D
    Thank you!
    -- Md. Tanzim Saqib
    [ www.tanzimsaqib.tk ]

    Obviously Zim you are not up to date on what is available for Java GUI building and what IDEs are out there. There are a host of products already available for free that far surpass anything I've used in VB (and I've developed with all flavors of VB for over 10 years now).
    Come away from the dark side and into the light.
    BTW: you don't have to use layout managers in Java either, but then just why wouldn't you want your application to resize smoothly?

  • GUI - Using NetBeans

    Hi,
    I am new to using NetBeans and have built a basic GUI using it. However, I want to change the background colour of my GUI to black and cant see how to do this using NetBeans. Please could someone explain to me how to do this.
    My code is as follows :-
    * GUIII.java
    * Created on 29 November 2007, 19:47
    package my.GUIII;
    public class GUIII extends javax.swing.JFrame {
    /** Creates new form GUIII */
    public GUIII() {
    initComponents();
    /** This method is called from within the constructor to
    * initialize the form.
    * WARNING: Do NOT modify this code. The content of this method is
    * always regenerated by the Form Editor.
    // <editor-fold defaultstate="collapsed" desc="Generated Code">
    private void initComponents() {
    jLabel1 = new javax.swing.JLabel();
    jDialog1 = new javax.swing.JDialog();
    jPanel1 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
    jButton5 = new javax.swing.JButton();
    jButton4 = new javax.swing.JButton();
    jButton3 = new javax.swing.JButton();
    jButton2 = new javax.swing.JButton();
    jButton1 = new javax.swing.JButton();
    jLabel2 = new javax.swing.JLabel();
    jLabel1.setText("jLabel1");
    javax.swing.GroupLayout jDialog1Layout = new javax.swing.GroupLayout(jDialog1.getContentPane());
    jDialog1.getContentPane().setLayout(jDialog1Layout);
    jDialog1Layout.setHorizontalGroup(
    jDialog1Layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.LEADING)
    .addGap(0, 400, Short.MAX_VALUE)
    jDialog1Layout.setVerticalGroup(
    jDialog1Layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.LEADING)
    .addGap(0, 300, Short.MAX_VALUE)
    setDefaultCloseOperation(javax.swing.WindowConstants.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    setTitle("Guiness Rugby League");
    setBackground(new java.awt.Color(0, 0, 0));
    jPanel1.setBorder(javax.swing.BorderFactory.createTitledBorder(""));
    jButton5.setText("Exit");
    jButton4.setText("Clear");
    jButton3.setText("Update Database");
    jButton2.setText("Read Database");
    jButton1.setText("Read File");
    jButton1.addActionListener(new java.awt.event.ActionListener() {
    public void actionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {
    jButton1ActionPerformed(evt);
    javax.swing.GroupLayout jPanel1Layout = new javax.swing.GroupLayout(jPanel1);
    jPanel1.setLayout(jPanel1Layout);
    jPanel1Layout.setHorizontalGroup(
    jPanel1Layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.LEADING)
    .addGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.TRAILING, jPanel1Layout.createSequentialGroup()
    .addComponent(jButton1)
    .addPreferredGap(javax.swing.LayoutStyle.ComponentPlacement.RELATED, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, Short.MAX_VALUE)
    .addComponent(jButton2)
    .addGap(18, 18, 18)
    .addComponent(jButton3)
    .addPreferredGap(javax.swing.LayoutStyle.ComponentPlacement.RELATED)
    .addComponent(jButton4)
    .addPreferredGap(javax.swing.LayoutStyle.ComponentPlacement.RELATED)
    .addComponent(jButton5)
    .addGap(36, 36, 36))
    jPanel1Layout.setVerticalGroup(
    jPanel1Layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.LEADING)
    .addGroup(jPanel1Layout.createSequentialGroup()
    .addGap(20, 20, 20)
    .addGroup(jPanel1Layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.BASELINE)
    .addComponent(jButton1)
    .addComponent(jButton3)
    .addComponent(jButton4)
    .addComponent(jButton5)
    .addComponent(jButton2))
    .addContainerGap(21, Short.MAX_VALUE))
    jLabel2.setIcon(new javax.swing.ImageIcon("C:\\Users\\Blampied\\Desktop\\P_GPremLogo.gif")); // NOI18N
    javax.swing.GroupLayout layout = new javax.swing.GroupLayout(getContentPane());
    getContentPane().setLayout(layout);
    layout.setHorizontalGroup(
    layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.LEADING)
    .addGroup(layout.createSequentialGroup()
    .addGroup(layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.LEADING)
    .addGroup(layout.createSequentialGroup()
    .addGap(117, 117, 117)
    .addComponent(jLabel2))
    .addGroup(layout.createSequentialGroup()
    .addGap(25, 25, 25)
    .addComponent(jPanel1, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, 457, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)))
    .addContainerGap(42, Short.MAX_VALUE))
    layout.setVerticalGroup(
    layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.LEADING)
    .addGroup(layout.createSequentialGroup()
    .addComponent(jLabel2, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, 76, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addPreferredGap(javax.swing.LayoutStyle.ComponentPlacement.RELATED, 446, Short.MAX_VALUE)
    .addComponent(jPanel1, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addContainerGap())
    pack();
    }// </editor-fold>
    private void jButton1ActionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {
    // TODO add your handling code here:
    * @param args the command line arguments
    public static void main(String args[]) {
    java.awt.EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
    public void run() {
    new GUIII().setVisible(true);
    // Variables declaration - do not modify
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton1;
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton2;
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton3;
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton4;
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton5;
    private javax.swing.JDialog jDialog1;
    private javax.swing.JLabel jLabel1;
    private javax.swing.JLabel jLabel2;
    private javax.swing.JPanel jPanel1;
    // End of variables declaration
    }

    Use Component's setBackground method; See this tutorial that has examples of its use:
    http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/uiswing/components/jcomponent.html
    Please post future Swing questions in the Swing forum.

  • Using objects, design view in NetBeans

    I started using NetBeans a few weeks ago, and I was wondering, if it's possible to visualize an object that you declared manually , in the design view?
    For example, if I manually declare a jTextLabel, Can I see it , in the design view?
    Because I haven't managed to find a way to do it.
    Thanks for your attention.

    zrkd51 wrote:
    I started using NetBeans a few weeks ago, and I was wondering, if it's possible to visualize an object that you declared manually , in the design view?Your terminology is unclear. What does "object" mean in this sentence? The word "object" is not to be used in a blurry context in Java (which is an Object - Oriented programming language).
    For example, if I manually declare a jTextLabel, Can I see it , in the design view?Because of the unclear terminology, your example is unclear too.
    - Do you mean you have implemented a class JTextLabel, and you want to use it in the forms designer? Yes it's possible, you have to right-click on the class and "Add to beans palette", or something along those lines.
    - Do you mean you have added an attribute of type JTextLabel (whatever that is, but maybe you meant JTextField )? Then no, NB will not show it in the forms designer, for the reason Kayaman said (except that in NetBeans, the metadata is stored in a separate +.form+ file, which is generated by the forms designer. Adding your attribute in the Java source does not propagate to the .forms file; and tweaking the .form file manually is something I'd clearly recommend against).
    Note that this is merely a question for NetBeans forums, andsuch questions are generally frowned upon here (myself I don't frown, indeed I find it unfortunate that the NB forums are separate, and I find the NB forums unhelpful in general, but you can't tell until you try them).
    Also note that nothing in your post suggests you read the NetBeans documentation. If you did, please state it, which chapters, and why it doesn't answer your question (the "Add from palette" thing is clearly in the docs).
    Best regards,
    J.

  • View design/Gui design

    Hi Gurus,
    1.) The view which we design is because of drag and drop in WDA.
          But when a button or text feld gets created it is static . 
          How can we make the postion of that feld dynamic.
          For eg:
          I create an element say text box..it gets created at the top..
          what if i want to postion the same in the centre of the view.. How is this possible..?
    2.) How can we create dynamic selection screen
    Eg: We used to make screen-group = active etc in our report se38 programming.
    Are there any methods for the same...?
    Best Regards,
    Navin Fernandes.
    Edited by: NAVIN FERNANDES on Dec 4, 2009 11:41 AM

    hi
    2.) How can we create dynamic selection screen
    Eg: We used to make screen-group = active etc in our report se38 programming.
    Are there any methods for the same...?
    do u mean u want to create UI dynamically in ur view , u can use the concept of DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING in WD ABAP
    To create a new node, the method add_new_child_node( ) can be used. This method hands back the reference to the metadata of the new node.
    Dynamic Context AttributesAttributes for the dynamic nodes created can be created by calling the method add_attribute ( ) from the reference to the metadata of the node. This method has to be called once for each attribute.
    However add_new_child_node ( ) method not only allows to create a context node, but also to create related attributes.
    The interface of method wdDoModifyView provides a parameter VIEW, which is a reference to an object of type IF_WD_VIEW representing the instance of a view at runtime
    check out my WIKI :
    http://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/display/stage/dynamiclayoutmanipulationinWD+ABAP
    Procedure to create context nodes dynamically:
    In order to create a new independent context node a reference to the metadata of the context root node has to be obtained first. This reference is obtained by calling the method
    wd_context->get_node_info( ).
    Next, the metadata of the new node has to be defined. To create a new node, the method add_new_child_node( ) from the reference to the context root node can be used. This method hands back the reference to the metadata of the new node. An important parameter of the method add_new_child_node( ) is static. Only if this parameter is set to abap_false can the related node can be deleted at runtime.
    I am creating the drop down by index . I have used the reference using the attribute mr_view .
    mr_view refers to the associated TYPE IF_WD_VIEW .
    regards,
    amit

  • Help with dynamic GUI in NetBeans

    Hey all,
    I'm new here and was looking for help. I'm trying to create a GUI which is dynamic. I want a JPanel (I think this is the proper component) that will be dynamically populated with other modules, namely other JPanels defined as classes. This JPanel is within a JDialog. Ive been trying things like this:
    myPanel.add(new myNewPanel)inside of a the index changed method but the panel is not being added. I feel like I'm doing something fundamentally wrong. Does anyone have any words of advice??
    Thanks

    Of course JDialog has a pack() method.
    If you need further help then you need to create a [Short, Self Contained, Compilable and Executable, Example Program (SSCCE)|http://homepage1.nifty.com/algafield/sscce.html], that demonstrates the incorrect behaviour.
    Don't forget to use the [Code Formatting Tags|http://forum.java.sun.com/help.jspa?sec=formatting], so the posted code retains its original formatting.

  • Help.. I can't find the design button on NetBeans..? Where can I re enable?

    I must have clicked something, before I can see the design view, now I don't. How do I re - enable that?
    Thanks.

    Please help me.... I tried to uninstall it and it is still doing the same thing... No Design View.. Please help me

  • Help in designing GUI

    In my GUI, I have created a window that is having a Jpanel displaying an array of buttons.
    I have a facility to dynamically add buttons to the array of buttons.
    So, during runtime, after adding a button to the button array, how can I refresh the panel?
    If any of you have idea about this, please let me know soon.
    Regards.

    Try myPanel.repaint() or (preferrably) myPanel.validate().

  • Design GUI in JSP

    I am new to JDeveloper (and JSP). I followed
    the tutorial to create master/detail
    form. I want to create a form where by
    I can place the controls
    (Text,ListBox,radio etc.) in the JSP environment. Can I do it? How?
    Thanks in advance
    Will greatly appreciate if you can email me as well as posting

    hi,
    one way to do so is to comment out the
    render method inside the jsp-page and
    access the rowset object directly. Below
    is a sample.
    My question is: is there another (more)
    convenient way?
    <jsp:useBean id="RowViewer" class="oracle.jbo.html.databeans.ViewCurrentRecord" scope="request">
    <%
    RowViewer.initialize(application, session , request, response, out, "bo_BoModule.ProduktView");
    ViewObject vo = RowViewer.getRowSet().getViewObject();
    Row row = RowViewer.getRowSet().getCurrentRow();
    for( int i = 0; i < row.getAttributeCount(); i++)
    AttributeDef attr = vo.getAttributeDef(i);
    out.print(attr.getColumnName() + ": ");
    Object attribute = row.getAttribute(i);
    if( attribute instanceof String)
    out.println(attribute);
    else
    try {
    out.println(attribute.toString());
    catch(Exception ex) {
    out.println("Not available.");
    RowViewer.setReleaseApplicationResources(true);
    //RowViewer.render();
    %>
    </jsp:useBean>

  • Running a NetBeans 5.5.1 GUI in Java 1.5?

    Hi everyone, thanks for your interest.
    I've created a GUI in NetBeans 5.5.1 using the Group Layout package, which is included in Java 1.6.
    The only problem is I need this app to run in a Java 1.5 environment.
    I'm not an expert at this but after extensive searching it looks like I can import a .jar file to make everything work again?
    The problem is I add this swing-layout-1.0.jar to my class path but in the source file for my application it refers to these classes by javax.swing.________ and not by the org.whatever that the .jar I took uses. Futhermore, there seem to exist some differences between the classes in the javax.swing and my .jar file.
    Is there ANY way for me to make all this java 1.6 code to run in java 1.5. Perhaps by including some extra package?
    If so, where would I find such a package?
    If you don't think this can be done please let me know so I can stop bashing my head against the wall.
    Thanks,
    Craig

    From this URL
    http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/tools/nb_guibuilder/
    The Free Design layout has been available since NetBeans IDE 5.0. NetBeans IDE 5.0's GUI Builder provided support for this layout strategy by using a separate library called the Swing Layout Extensions. The IDE provided that library because the support for the underlying GroupLayout layout manager was not yet part of the core Java platform in J2SE 5.0. The Swing Layout Extensions are still available, but now that functionality also exists in the core libraries of the Java SE 6 platform.
    You can use NetBeans IDE 5.5 to develop applications and UIs for Java SE 6 or earlier Java platform versions. If you write applications for any platform version prior to Java SE 6, you must continue to use the Swing Layout Extensions. However, the new GUI builder can also generate your UI using the layout manager functionality supported in the Java SE 6 platform. In the latter case, you do not need to use or include the layout extensions in your final product.
    If you create a new project in NetBeans IDE 5.5 and your target platform is Java SE 6, the GUI builder will automatically generate your UI using the Java SE 6 platform's core libraries. However, if you import an old project into NetBeans IDE 5.5, you should manually update the project's layout to use the new Java SE 6 platform libraries. Of course, you can still use the layout extensions if you like, but doing so is not necessary with the Java SE 6 platform.
    You can change the Layout Generation Style for your UI by accessing the properties for your form. In the NetBeans IDE GUI Builder main window, make sure the Design mode is active. This shows your UI design graphically in the Design pane. Click on the form in the Inspector pane to see the form's properties. One of the properties is Layout Generation Style. You can select either Standard Java 6 Code or Swing Layout Extensions Library. Changing this setting does not affect how your UI will look, but it does change how the GUI builder generates the code to create the UI. Figure 16 shows the Layout Generation Style property.

Maybe you are looking for