Documentation

Nimbus Look and Feel
Trail: Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing
Lesson: Modifying the Look and Feel

Nimbus Look and Feel

Nimbus is a polished cross-platform look and feel introduced in the Java SE 6 Update 10 (6u10) release. The following screen capture, from SwingSet3 shows the Nimbus look and feel.

SwingSet3 Screen capture Using Nimbus Look and Feel

Nimbus uses Java 2D vector graphics to draw the user interface (UI), rather than static bitmaps, so the UI can be crisply rendered at any resolution.

Nimbus is highly customizable. You can use the Nimbus look and feel as is, or you can skin (customize) the look with your own brand.

Enabling the Nimbus Look and Feel

For backwards compatibility, Metal is still the default Swing look and feel, but you can change to Nimbus in one of three ways:


Previous page: A Synth Example
Next page: Changing the Look of Nimbus