JavaFX and Java Scene Builder (Gluon)

A couple of months ago my interest in JavaFX on Treehouse was peaked when I read this forum thread:

https://teamtreehouse.com/community/what-are-some-of-the-alternatives-to-java-swings

That thread has two important links:

http://teamtreehouse.com/library/build-a-javafx-application/upcoming

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/javafx/get-started-tutorial/get_start_apps.htm#JFXST804

.

To these links I would also add the Treehouse Roadmap page

(which details pre-staging info for the new JavaFX course--currently in QA):

https://teamtreehouse.com/roadmap

---

So, other than sitting on one's hands, what could one do to "jumpstart" the JavaFX experience.

First you need to get the Java 8 SDK:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html

Then you've got your choice of IDEs (like NetBeans and IntelliJ).

---

I would also recommend the Java Scene Builder.

But where to download it?

The Oracle site has you going round and round following links to nowhere.

I found this StackOverFlow thread:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28808130/where-exactly-can-i-download-the-latest-version-of-scene-builder-for-java

...which has links to:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javafxscenebuilder-1x-archive-2199384.html

http://hg.openjdk.java.net/openjfx/8u/rt/file/5fc0ddb42776/apps/scenebuilder

The first of these links contains a warning:

WARNING: These versions of JavaFX Scene Builder may include components that do not contain the latest security patches and are not recommended for use in production.

The second link doesn't seem to lead to any pre-compiled binaries.

---

One of the most interesting controls I wanted to play with in Scene Builder is the Spinner Control.

So I googled for "java scene builder spinner" and came up with this oracle community thread:

https://community.oracle.com/thread/3688006

..which lead me to these two Gluon pages:

http://gluonhq.com/products/tools/

http://gluonhq.com/open-source/scene-builder/

Hopefully Craig will be referencing these two pages in the upcoming course.

http://teamtreehouse.com/craigsdennis

..and the Pomodoro timer in the upcoming JavaFX course will also include a spinner control.

---

I also found this stackoverflow thread in my searching:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28880785/where-is-the-javafx-scene-builder-gone

It not only has (towards the bottom of the thread) instructions on

"Install JavaFx Scene Builder (Gluon) with Intellij 14 on Windows with JDK7"

but also has a link to "an open repository where anybody can contribute":

https://bitbucket.org/gluon-oss/scenebuilder

For those who want the "standard" info on integrating SceneBuilder with IDEs, it's here:

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/scene-builder-2/work-with-java-ides/index.html

---

For the CLI (command Line jockies) here's a link to build OpenJFX from repos (using gradle):

https://wiki.openjdk.java.net/display/OpenJFX/Building+OpenJFX#BuildingOpenJFX-GettingtheSources

Related blog post on "writing and running a simple JavaFX application using only command-line tools":

http://www.javaworld.com/article/2074480/core-java/hello-javafx-2-0--introduction-by-command-line.html

---

Other JavaFX samples pages:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview/javafx-samples-2158687.html

http://jfx.wikia.com/wiki/Demos

http://code.makery.ch/library/javafx-8-tutorial/

http://www.javafxgame.com/download/

http://www.javajazzup.com/issue14javafx/page32.shtml

Note: the advanced examples in the last link go all the way from page 32 thru page 59:

http://www.javajazzup.com/issue14javafx/page59.shtml

Phobos - A JavaFX Games Engine: Part 2 - JavaFX Scene API and the FSM :

http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/topic/347981-phobos-a-javafx-games-engine-part-2-javafx-scene-api-and-the-fsm/

There is a JavaFX 8 book that has free source code examples on the "Source Code/Downloads" tab of this page:

http://www.apress.com/9781430264606

LWJGL/JavaFX Integration

http://www.java-gaming.org/topics/lwjgl-javafx-integration/27801/view.html

---

Other tutorial pages:

Skinning JavaFX Applications with CSS:

http://docs.oracle.com/javafx/2/css_tutorial/jfxpub-css_tutorial.htm

Tutorial: A glimpse at JavaFX’s Canvas API:

https://jaxenter.com/tutorial-a-glimpse-at-javafxs-canvas-api-105696.html

An old Java FX 1.0 tutorial: how to create a rpg like game

(I have been working with JavaFX since 2008 so this was one of the first tuts I went thu):

http://silveiraneto.net/2008/12/08/javafx-how-to-create-a-rpg-like-game/

Game Loops and Box2D (JBox2D):

http://svanimpe.be/blog/game-loops-fx.html

Atom Smasher - Game Loop (with source code):

https://carlfx.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/javafx-2-gametutorial-part-2/

https://github.com/carldea/JFXGen

An old tutorial: "Tutorial: How to develop a simple JavaFx 2.2 game":

http://smooth-java.blogspot.com/2013/12/tutorial-how-to-develop-simple-javafx.html

Managing Multiple Screens in JavaFX game:

https://blogs.oracle.com/acaicedo/entry/managing_multiple_screens_in_javafx1

Note: Includes links to youtube video and github at end of article

https://github.com/acaicedo/JFX-MultiScreen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GsdaZWDcdY&feature=youtu.be

JavaFx - Working with scene graph:

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/javafx/scene-graph-tutorial/scenegraph.htm

---

That's about all I could throw together in 15 minutes...can't wait for the course..james