The GUI Builder is a WYSIWYG visual editor for
creating Java dialogs, property sheets and wizards. With the
GUI Builder you can add, arrange, or edit user interface controls
on a panel, and then preview the panel to verify the layout behaves
the way you expected. The panel definitions you create can be
used in dialogs, inserted within property sheets and wizards, or
arranged into splitter, deck, and tabbed panes. The GUI Builder
also allows you to build menu bars, toolbars, and context menu
definitions. Incorporate JavaHelp in your panels, including
context sensitive help.
The Resource Script Converter converts Windows resource scripts into an XML representation that is usable by Java programs. With the Resource Script Converter you can process Windows resource scripts (RC files) from your existing Windows dialogs and menus. These converted files can then be edited with the GUI Builder. Property sheets and wizards can be made from RC files using the resource script converter along with the GUI Builder.
Underlying these two tools is a new technology called the Panel Definition Markup Language, or PDML. PDML is based on the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and defines a platform-independent language for describing the layout of user interface elements. Once your panels are defined in PDML, you can use the runtime API provided by the Graphical Toolbox to display them. The API displays your panels by interpreting the PDML and rendering your user interface using the Java Foundation Classes.
GUI Builder
Two windows are displayed
when you invoke the GUI Builder for the first time, as shown
below:
GUI Builder windows |
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Use the File Builder window to create and edit
your PDML files.
File Builder window |
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Use the Properties window to view or change the
properties of the currently selected control.
Properties window |
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Use the Panel Builder window to create and edit your graphical user interface components. Select the desired component from the toolbar and click on the panel to place it where ever you want. The toolbar also facilities for aligning groups of controls, for previewing the panel, and for requesting online help for a GUI Builder function. See Explanation of the Toolbox Widgets for a description of what each icon does.
Panel Builder window |
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The panel being edited is displayed in the Panel Builder window. The figure below demonstrates how the windows work together:
Example of how GUI Builder windows work together |
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Resource Script Converter
The Resource Script Converter consists of a two-paned tabbed
dialog. On the Convert pane you specify the name of the
Microsoft or VisualAge for Windows RC file that is to be converted to PDML.
You can specify the name of the target PDML file and associated Java resource
bundle that will contain the translated strings for the panels. In addition,
you can request that online help skeletons be generated for the panels, generate
Java source code skeletons for the objects that supply data to the panels, and
serialize the panel definitions for improved performance at runtime. The
Converter's online help provides a detailed description of each input field
on the Convert pane.
Resource Script Converter: Convert pane |
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After the conversion has run successfully, you can use the View pane to view the contents of your newly-created PDML file, and preview your new Java panels. You can use the GUI Builder to make minor adjustments to a panel if needed. The Converter always checks for an existing PDML file before performing a conversion, and attempts to preserve any changes in case you need to run the conversion again later.
Resource Script Converter: View pane