WindowBuilder Design Tab incomplete in Eclipse

Question

I was creating a JFrame for a project and while trying to edit it, the design tab was blank.

I've created a test project with everything on default and this "error" still there.

Here's the code of the test:

package test;

import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder;

public class Test extends JFrame {

private JPanel contentPane;

/**
 * Launch the application.
 */
public static void main(String[] args) {
    EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
        public void run() {
            try {
                Test frame = new Test();
                frame.setVisible(true);
            } catch (Exception e) {
                e.printStackTrace();
            }
        }
    });
}

/**
 * Create the frame.
 */
public Test() {
    setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    setBounds(100, 100, 450, 300);
    contentPane = new JPanel();
    contentPane.setBorder(new EmptyBorder(5, 5, 5, 5));
    contentPane.setLayout(new BorderLayout(0, 0));
    setContentPane(contentPane);
  }

}

And this is what i've done already:

• WindowBuilder is already installed, both 1.9.5 and 1.9.6.pre Nightly Build (i've tried installing only one of them too but no success).

• I have installed all the necessary packages for Swing, including: Swing Designer, All SWT Components, and all WindowBuilder Components.

• I've tried to uninstall and install it again all of those packages and components, but still no success.

• The option "Associate WindowBuilder editor with automatically recognized Java GUI files" on Window>Preferences>WindowBuilder is already checked.

The only thing left would be reinstalling Eclipse which i'm kinda concerned with because of how many plugins i have installed. Reinstalling them would be a pain (kinda of).

Does WindowBuilder have some incompatibilities with some plugin? I have a few for Python and others that is just QoL.

EDIT: Problem solved, for anynone going through that as well, just add --illegal-access=permit in the eclipse.ini in the last line.

Answer 1

This is a known and already fixed issue when running Eclipse with Java 16 or higher :

WindowBuilder issue #45 - Reflective access with CGLIB breaks windowbuilder in java 16 and higher

Update : The issue has been fixed . It is already available in the WindowBuilder Nightly Build (update site:https://download.eclipse.org/windowbuilder/lastgoodbuild/ ) and will be available in the upcoming WindowBuilder 1.9.8 release.

Answer 2

Open new project in JavaSE-11 and downgrade window builder to version 1.9.4 and everything will work fine. I have had the same problem.

Answer 3

I think you have to refer following as it is working at my end

https://youtu.be/WXKMjBWSrrc

https://youtu.be/LgOMN3US6Bk

Answer 4

Issue

After creating new application, WindowBuilder design view is blank. No pallets, no window displayed when using Java 17, WindowBuilder 1.9.7 and Eclipse 2021-12

Possible solution(s)- AS PER SUGGESTIONS ABOVE (AND BELOW)

1. Revert to Java 11 and WindowBuilder 1.9.4 (not ideal)
2. Add --illegal-access=permit to the ini file of Eclipse (Already there in the ini file of 2021-12)
3. Update WindowBuilder to the nightly build version 1.9.8.pre (Works!!!!)

Answer 5

I tried the above solutions but nothing works. This is what works for me:

https://download.eclipse.org/windowbuilder/lastgoodbuild/

Use Help>Install New Software then add the link above After installation, restart eclipse