# JFormDesigner README

Thank you for downloading JFormDesigner.

## Introduction

JFormDesigner™ is an advanced GUI designer for Java™ Swing user interfaces. Its outstanding support for MigLayout, JGoodies FormLayout, GroupLayout (Free Design), TableLayout and GridBagLayout makes it easy to create professional looking forms.

JFormDesigner is available in four editions: as stand-alone application and as IDE plug-ins for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA and NetBeans.

## Changes

Changes since last release: read...

## Home page and contact addresses

www.formdev.com - FormDev Software GmbH

support@formdev.com - Technical support
sales@formdev.com - Sales inquiries

## System Requirements

Java 11 - 21 (OpenJDK or Oracle JRE/JDK).

- Eclipse plug-in: Eclipse 2021-12 (4.22) - 2024-03 (4.31)
- IntelliJ IDEA plug-in: IntelliJ IDEA 2020.1 - 2024.1;
  Marketplace Edition: IntelliJ IDEA 2020.1 - 2024.1 Ultimate
- NetBeans plug-in: NetBeans 13 - 21

## Installation Instructions

- Stand-alone
- Eclipse plug-in
- IntelliJ IDEA plug-in
- NetBeans plug-in

### Stand-alone

- Windows: Execute the installer and follow the instructions. The installer adds a menu item to the Windows Start menu.
- macOS: Open the downloaded disk image (.dmg) and drag-and-drop the JFormDesigner application to your `Applications` folder.
- Other platforms: Extract the downloaded archive. Execute `JFormDesigner.sh` to start JFormDesigner.

### Eclipse plug-in

The Eclipse plug-in is available in two different ZIPs. Make sure to use the right one for the chosen installation method.

- JFormDesigner-x.x-eclipse-site.zip is an Eclipse "Site Archive", which is used to install JFormDesigner using Install New Software wizard. Do not extract this ZIP into the Eclipse installation folder.
- JFormDesigner-x.x-eclipse.zip is a simple ZIP archive, which can be extracted into the Eclipse installation or dropins folder.

#### Install from disk (JFormDesigner-x.x-eclipse-site.zip)

1. Start Eclipse.
2. Open the install wizard (Menu: Help > Install New Software)
3. Click Add button to open the Add Repository dialog.
4. Click Archive button, select the site archive ZIP file (JFormDesigner-x.x-eclipse-site.zip) and click Add to close the Add Repository dialog.
5. Check "JFormDesigner" in the list of available software and click Next.
6. Review the items to be installed and click Next.
7. If requested, accept the license agreement and click Finish to start the installation.
8. Restart Eclipse.

Note: To download and install the latest stable version of the Eclipse plug-in, it is recommended to use the update site https://download.formdev.com/jformdesigner/eclipse/ in the Install New Software wizard instead of downloading the site archive ZIP file. Details »

#### Manual installation (JFormDesigner-x.x-eclipse.zip)

1. Quit Eclipse.
2. Extract the ZIP file (JFormDesigner-x.x-eclipse.zip) into a folder in the Eclipse dropins folder:

       <eclipse-install>/
           dropins/
               JFormDesigner-x.x-eclipse/
                   features/
                       com.jformdesigner_x.x.x/...
                   plugins/
                       com.jformdesigner_x.x.x.jar
                       com.jformdesigner.doc_x.x.x.jar
                       com.jformdesigner.redist_x.x.x/...

3. Start Eclipse.

### IntelliJ IDEA plug-in

1. Start IntelliJ IDEA.
2. Open the plugin manager dialog (Menu: File > Settings > Plugins)
3. Click Gear > Install plugin from disk to open the Choose Plugin file dialog.
4. Select the ZIP file and click OK to close the dialog.
5. Click OK to close the Settings dialog.
6. Restart IntelliJ IDEA.

Note: To download and install the latest stable version of the IntelliJ IDEA plug-in, it is recommended to use the JetBrains Plugins Repository instead of manually downloading the ZIP file. Details »

### NetBeans plug-in

1. Start NetBeans.
2. Open the Plugins dialog (Menu: Tools > Plugins)
3. Select the Downloaded tab.
4. Click Add Plugins button, select the NBM file (JFormDesigner-x.x-netbeans.nbm) and click OK to close the Add Plugins dialog.
5. Review the items to be installed and click Install.
6. If requested, accept the license agreement and click Install to start the installation.
7. Close the Plugins dialog.

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