NetBeans Matisse

Matisse is the name of the 'free form' editor in the NetBeans IDE.

Matisse allows to quickly create complex layouts which automatically take the preferred spacings of the current look and feel into account.

Behind the scenes, Matisse uses javax.swing.GroupLayout and javax.swing.LayoutStyle.

How to create layouts for the Quaqua Look and Feel using Matisse

  1. After you have laid out all components on the form, take a look at the generated code in method initComponents. If the code contains absolute gap values in Pixels, change the layout until all values are based on logical values. If your layout contains indentations, create a copy of method initComponents, and code the indentations manually (see GroupLayout on how to do this). Put the original initComponents method into /* */ comments.
  2. After you have laid out all components on the form, take a look at the generated code in method initComponents. If the GroupLayout groups do not match the logical structure of the components, create a copy of method initComponents, and rearrange the groups manually. Put the original initComponents method into /* */ comments.