Skinning Java desktop applications?

Question

Does anybody know a way to "skin" Java desktop applications. (Like Winamp skins, or skins for MirandaIM)? I don't want to create my own look and feel.

Answer 1

Swing has built-in dynamic look and feel support. If you are talking about desktop apps, you might want to start with Lesson: Modifying the Look and Feel.

Edit: If you are talking about a webapp, then absolutely use different .css to acheive a skinnable interface. CSS Zen Garden is a great example/tutorial on how the same page can look entirely different with a different .css file.

Answer 2

We've successfully used the NimROD Look and Feel to 'skin' the Swing look & feel. It works well, has several 'themes' already written for it, and can be added in a few lines of code.

Answer 3

Yes, there are a few ways this can be done, but I don't know anyone that is really simple. Have a look at Nimbus: The New Face of Swing, it contains a few examples. You can often override the look of components or just change the colors.

Some links:

• Nimbus Colors
• Skinning a Slider with Nimbus
• Nimbus UIManager UIDefaults

And you can always change to another LaF, in example Substance.