How to improve look and feel of JAVA swing GUI?

Question

I am working on a project that uses Java Swing. The default look and feel of the Java Swing GUI is very boring. Is there any way I can use a better look and feel? Something like on web pages...

Solution 1

You can set the look and feel to reflect the platform:

try { 
    UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
} catch (Exception e) {
    e.printStackTrace();
}

If this is not nice enough for you, take a look at SWT for Eclipse.

Solution 2

Look at the Java tutorial for setting the look and feel. In addition to those mentioned there, recent Java 6 releases also include the Nimbus Look and Feel.

Solution 3

Substance is a very configurable and modern LAF:

https://github.com/kirill-grouchnikov/substance

Solution 4

if you're good with Photo shop you could declare the JFrame as undecorated and create your own image that will server as your custom GUI.

in this example refer to the JFrame as frame.

JFrame frame = new JFrame();
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.setSize(800, 600);
//If you want full screen enter frame.setExtendedState(JFrame.MAXIMIZE_BOTH);
frame.setUndecorated(true);

now that the JFrame has its own border and custom GUI, if you defined your own custom buttons for minimize, maximize, and exit you need to lay a JPanel over the buttons and declare what those buttons will do in a action listener function(lol sorry...I don't know if it's called function like c++ or class...) for example we will refer to the JPanel as panel and we will set up a exit button.

panel.addActionListener(new ActionListener(){
@Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
System.exit(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
});
}

Solution 5

You can take a look here. I googled on java swing theme.

That said, if you're making a hobby project changing the LAF is no problem. If you're making software for your buddies it's also not a problem. If you make software for customers keep the swing default. It works well and isn't too exciting:)

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Comments

[Dani]

move to Silverlight :-) (it's a joke)

[Mandar]

Hi all your answers are very helpful. Now i got some food for my brain. I will try all these things and chose which ever looks better option ;). Thanks a lot !

[Carl Smotricz]

Probably the very simplest recommendation. With luck, it could be exactly what the OP wanted!

[Michael Borgwardt]

Actually, I'd say that changing from the default Metal L&F to the system L&F would be much better for most customers.

[extraneon]

@Michael Borgwardt OK. I agree with you there. What I actually tried to say is that a boring GUI is not really a problem for most users, they actually like something standard.

[Frederik Wordenskjold]

I think thats a fair statement. My experience is that the user gets scared when seeing a gui he's not familiar with. They need something they can relate to. Which also improves usability.

[Mandar]

hi frederik i tried this. its so nice thanks for your help. this was something i wanted.

[qasimzee]

That is a great out of the box solution. Worked in first attempt. Can't stop myself to voteup

[jpangamarca]

Yes it does improve usability. In the Metal LaF the enter key doesn't execute a button action when it has the focus, while the native Windows LaF does, something a Windows user expects.