Creating a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) Application

See Also

The multiple document interface (MDI) model is similar to a traditional computer windowing system in that it includes a desktop above which additional windows float. In a JFC/Swing MDI application, the individual internal windows are all contained within a single enclosing window (i.e. desktop) which users can position, resize, minimize, and close.

To create an MDI application:

  1. Choose File > New to display the New wizard.
  2. In the New File wizard's Project combo box, select the project for which you want to create the form.
  3. Expand the Java GUI Forms node and select one of the following templates:
  4. Click Next.
  5. On the wizard's Name and Location page, enter the form's name in the Class Name combo box, then specify the Location and Package. Click Finish. The IDE displays the new file in the Created File field.
  6. (Optional) If you chose the JFrame Form template, select the JDesktopPane node in the Palette window's Swing category and click anywhere in the form.
  7. (Optional) Add JInternalFrame components to the JDesktopPane container by selecting JInternalFrame components from the Swing category in the Palette window and click in the JDesktopPane container. Alternately, you can copy and paste JInternalFrame components to the JDesktopPane container in the Files or Project window.
  8. The IDE updates the form's layout and displays the new internal frames in the GUI Builder.

Notes:

See Also
Creating a New Form
Adding a Component to a Form
Designing Java GUIs with the GUI Builder

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