Can I use SWTDesigner to develop UIs of Eclipse plugins?

[BenH]

I am doing eval of SWTDesigner for Eclipse plugin development. I assumed it could do that, but have found that the docs focus on standalone SWT apps.

I am having difficulties using SWTDesigner with a Plugin project. swt.jar is already in the build path, as a plugin depedency, but SWT Designer doesnt seem to see it. No component palette is visible.

I cannot add it again, for the designer, because Eclipse warns me of duplicate build path entries.

Can I use SWTDesigner to develop UIs of Eclipse plugins? If so, how to get a component palette?

-Ben

[Eric Clayberg]

I am doing eval of SWTDesigner for Eclipse plugin development. I assumed it could do that, but have found that the docs focus on standalone SWT apps.

The docs have extensive discussions of creating various Eclipse plugin and RCP components. For example:
http://www.instantiations.com/windowbui ... zards.html
http://www.instantiations.com/windowbui ... wpart.html

I am having difficulties using SWTDesigner with a Plugin project. swt.jar is already in the build path, as a plugin depedency, but SWT Designer doesnt seem to see it. No component palette is visible.

What version of Eclipse are you using? What OS?

What version of Designer?

Are you using the Designer wizards to create your components?

Do any exceptions appear in your Eclipse ".log" file?

Can I use SWTDesigner to develop UIs of Eclipse plugins?

Yes. SWT Designer is the only Eclipse GUI tool available that provides the ability to create and edit all plugin and RCP GUI components.

If so, how to get a component palette?

Assuming that the product is configured priperly, it should show up automatically. You should review the various Designer FAQ entries to see if anything helps.

If that does not help, send us a test case.

[BenH]

I am using SWTDesigner 5.0.1 with Eclipse 3.2 RC6 [I20060602-1317] and Jdk 1.5.0.6.

The component palette is not showing, though other aspects of SWTDesigner, eg Design layout, Properties, appear as described. No error messages appeared in the eclipse log.

WRT plugin development & docs, I looked at the links you mentioned, but can you direct me to a description of how to configure a Plugin project (ie created by the PDE) so that I can use SWTDesigner to create classes within that projects source folders? Thats the bit Im unsure about.

[Eric Clayberg]

I am using SWTDesigner 5.0.1 with Eclipse 3.2 RC6 [I20060602-1317] and Jdk 1.5.0.6.

What OS are you using?

Are you using the Designer wizards to create your components?

Did you review the various Designer FAQ entries to see if anything helps?

Rather than using the Eclipse 3.2 RC6 beta, you might consider using the Eclipse 3.2 final release.

WRT plugin development & docs, I looked at the links you mentioned, but can you direct me to a description of how to configure a Plugin project (ie created by the PDE) so that I can use SWTDesigner to create classes within that projects source folders? Thats the bit Im unsure about.

There is nothing special that you need to do and nothing you need to configure. SWT Designer will work immediately with a project created by the PDE Plugin project wizard.

It it isn't working on your end, send us a test case (the project you are working on would be ideal).