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Problem getting gridbag to give me symetry

Posted on 2004-08-09
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1 solution
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Last Modified: 2008-03-10
Hi all,

I can't seem to get the gridbag layout to stop adjusting the size of cells relative to each other.  I have two lists side by side, and I want them to split the display exactly 50/50 no matter what.  

When neither has anything in, they are the same size.  However, when one of them gets some list elements, the amount of x axis room allocated to it increases, making the display lopsided.  Is there a way to stop this happening?  I thought that was the point of the weights?  

Here is the code (note: This isn't the exact code - I've cut several of the UI components out to keep it simple but the principle is the same)

    buildConstraints(constraints, 0, 0, 1, 1, 50, 100);
    constraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
    JList list1 = new JList(nameList);
    list1 .setLayoutOrientation(JList.VERTICAL);
    list1 .setVisibleRowCount( -1);
    JScrollPane pane1= new JScrollPane(
      list1 , JScrollPane.VERTICAL_SCROLLBAR_ALWAYS, JScrollPane.HORIZONTAL_SCROLLBAR_NEVER);
    gridbag.setConstraints(pane1, constraints);
    mainPane.add(pane1);

    buildConstraints(constraints, 1, 0, 1, 1, 50, 0);
    constraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
    JList list2 = new JList();
    list2 .setLayoutOrientation(JList.VERTICAL);
    list2 .setVisibleRowCount( -1);
    JScrollPane pane2 = new JScrollPane(
      list2 , JScrollPane.VERTICAL_SCROLLBAR_ALWAYS, JScrollPane.HORIZONTAL_SCROLLBAR_NEVER);
    gridbag.setConstraints(pane2 , constraints);
    mainPane.add(pane2 );
0
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Question by:Dawkins
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13 Comments
 
LVL 37

Expert Comment

by:zzynx
ID: 11757356
>> I want them to split the display exactly 50/50 no matter what.
Then you should better use the grid layout.
Just a quick demo:

/*
 * BoxDemo.java
 *
 */

public class BoxDemo extends javax.swing.JFrame {
   
    public BoxDemo() {
        initComponents();
    }
   
    private void initComponents() {
        jPanel1 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        jButton1 = new javax.swing.JButton();
        jButton2 = new javax.swing.JButton();

        addWindowListener(new java.awt.event.WindowAdapter() {
            public void windowClosing(java.awt.event.WindowEvent evt) {
                exitForm(evt);
            }
        });

        jPanel1.setLayout(new java.awt.GridLayout());

        jButton1.setText("jButton1");
        jPanel1.add(jButton1);

        jButton2.setText("jButton2");
        jPanel1.add(jButton2);

        getContentPane().add(jPanel1, java.awt.BorderLayout.CENTER);

        pack();
    }
   
    private void exitForm(java.awt.event.WindowEvent evt) {
        System.exit(0);
    }
   
    public static void main(String args[]) {
        new BoxDemo().show();
    }
   
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton1;
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton2;
    private javax.swing.JPanel jPanel1;
}

As you can see - if you run it - the two buttons will always extend to 50% of the available space.
Well, replace each button by a JPanel that contains your lists and you have what you want
0
 
LVL 37

Expert Comment

by:zzynx
ID: 11757425
>> the two buttons will always extend to 50% of the available space.
You have to resize to see that of course.

Well, here you have the same demo app with the lists you need. Just try it.

/*
 * BoxDemo.java
 *
 */

public class BoxDemo extends javax.swing.JFrame {
   
    public BoxDemo() {
        initComponents();
    }
   
    private void initComponents() {
        jPanel1 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        panel1 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        jScrollPane1 = new javax.swing.JScrollPane();
        jList1 = new javax.swing.JList();
        panel2 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        jScrollPane2 = new javax.swing.JScrollPane();
        jList2 = new javax.swing.JList();

        addWindowListener(new java.awt.event.WindowAdapter() {
            public void windowClosing(java.awt.event.WindowEvent evt) {
                exitForm(evt);
            }
        });

        jPanel1.setLayout(new java.awt.GridLayout());

        panel1.setLayout(new java.awt.BorderLayout());

        panel1.setBorder(new javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder(new java.awt.Insets(4, 4, 4, 2)));
        jList1.setBorder(new javax.swing.border.LineBorder(new java.awt.Color(0, 0, 0)));
        jScrollPane1.setViewportView(jList1);

        panel1.add(jScrollPane1, java.awt.BorderLayout.CENTER);

        jPanel1.add(panel1);

        panel2.setLayout(new java.awt.BorderLayout());

        panel2.setBorder(new javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder(new java.awt.Insets(4, 2, 4, 4)));
        jList2.setBorder(new javax.swing.border.LineBorder(new java.awt.Color(0, 0, 0)));
        jScrollPane2.setViewportView(jList2);

        panel2.add(jScrollPane2, java.awt.BorderLayout.CENTER);

        jPanel1.add(panel2);

        getContentPane().add(jPanel1, java.awt.BorderLayout.CENTER);

        pack();
    }
   
    private void exitForm(java.awt.event.WindowEvent evt) {
        System.exit(0);
    }
   
    public static void main(String args[]) {
        new BoxDemo().show();
    }
   
    private javax.swing.JList jList1;
    private javax.swing.JList jList2;
    private javax.swing.JPanel jPanel1;
    private javax.swing.JScrollPane jScrollPane1;
    private javax.swing.JScrollPane jScrollPane2;
    private javax.swing.JPanel panel1;
    private javax.swing.JPanel panel2;
}
0
 

Author Comment

by:Dawkins
ID: 11757570
Hi zzynx,

the problem is, I actually want to add more components (a narrow column of buttons between the two lists.)  So I need to use gridbag (I think!).  Sorry if I didn't make that clear in the original question.

I considered a border layout but it expands the center to fill in remaining space.  I want the opposite - two lists on either side taking up all available space and a narrow column in the middle just big enough for the buttons.
0
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LVL 92

Expert Comment

by:objects
ID: 11758368
Use a horizontal BoxLayout, and set the maximum width for your two lists.
0
 
LVL 37

Expert Comment

by:zzynx
ID: 11760760
>>I want the opposite - two lists on either side taking up all available space and a narrow column in the middle just big enough for the buttons.

/*
 * BoxDemo.java
 *
 */

public class BoxDemo extends javax.swing.JFrame {
   
    public BoxDemo() {
        initComponents();
    }
   
    private void initComponents() {
        jPanel1 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        panel1 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        jScrollPane1 = new javax.swing.JScrollPane();
        jList1 = new javax.swing.JList();
        midPanel = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        jPanel2 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        jButton1 = new javax.swing.JButton();
        jButton2 = new javax.swing.JButton();
        panel2 = new javax.swing.JPanel();
        jScrollPane2 = new javax.swing.JScrollPane();
        jList2 = new javax.swing.JList();

        addWindowListener(new java.awt.event.WindowAdapter() {
            public void windowClosing(java.awt.event.WindowEvent evt) {
                exitForm(evt);
            }
        });

        jPanel1.setLayout(new javax.swing.BoxLayout(jPanel1, javax.swing.BoxLayout.X_AXIS));

        panel1.setLayout(new java.awt.BorderLayout());

        panel1.setBorder(new javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder(new java.awt.Insets(4, 4, 4, 2)));
        jList1.setBorder(new javax.swing.border.LineBorder(new java.awt.Color(0, 0, 0)));
        jScrollPane1.setViewportView(jList1);

        panel1.add(jScrollPane1, java.awt.BorderLayout.CENTER);

        jPanel1.add(panel1);

        jPanel2.setLayout(new javax.swing.BoxLayout(jPanel2, javax.swing.BoxLayout.Y_AXIS));

        jButton1.setText("jButton1");
        jPanel2.add(jButton1);

        jButton2.setText("jButton2");
        jPanel2.add(jButton2);

        midPanel.add(jPanel2);

        jPanel1.add(midPanel);

        panel2.setLayout(new java.awt.BorderLayout());

        panel2.setBorder(new javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder(new java.awt.Insets(4, 2, 4, 4)));
        jList2.setBorder(new javax.swing.border.LineBorder(new java.awt.Color(0, 0, 0)));
        jScrollPane2.setViewportView(jList2);

        panel2.add(jScrollPane2, java.awt.BorderLayout.CENTER);

        jPanel1.add(panel2);

        getContentPane().add(jPanel1, java.awt.BorderLayout.CENTER);

        pack();
    }
   
    private void exitForm(java.awt.event.WindowEvent evt) {
        System.exit(0);
    }
   
    public static void main(String args[]) {
        new BoxDemo().show();
    }
   
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton1;
    private javax.swing.JButton jButton2;
    private javax.swing.JList jList1;
    private javax.swing.JList jList2;
    private javax.swing.JPanel jPanel1;
    private javax.swing.JPanel jPanel2;
    private javax.swing.JScrollPane jScrollPane1;
    private javax.swing.JScrollPane jScrollPane2;
    private javax.swing.JPanel midPanel;
    private javax.swing.JPanel panel1;
    private javax.swing.JPanel panel2;
}

Remark:
And if you want the buttons to be vertically centered then add

        midPanel.setLayout(new javax.swing.BoxLayout(midPanel, javax.swing.BoxLayout.X_AXIS));

after the creation of midPanel [ midPanel = new javax.swing.JPanel(); ]
0
 
LVL 92

Expert Comment

by:objects
ID: 11760785
What would you do without my suggestions :-D
0
 

Author Comment

by:Dawkins
ID: 11760827
> Use a horizontal BoxLayout, and set the maximum width for your two lists

OK I've set it up with a horizontal BoxLayout but I can't see how to set widths.
0
 

Author Comment

by:Dawkins
ID: 11760872
Just seen your most recent suggestion zzynx - taking a look at it now
0
 
LVL 92

Expert Comment

by:objects
ID: 11760878
>  I can't see how to set widths.

use the Componment methods:

setPreferredSize()
setMaximumSize()
setMinimumSize()
0
 

Author Comment

by:Dawkins
ID: 11761030
zzynx:  the boxdemo code you posted gets the same problem - when actual data is added to one of the list components they change size.  What's really annoying is it actually *shrinks* when data is put in it!

Objects:  that sets fixed pixel dimensions but I would like the window to be resizable.

I am amazed it is this hard - it's not as if I want anything amazing - just 3 columns of fixed proportions! :)
0
 
LVL 92

Accepted Solution

by:
objects earned 200 total points
ID: 11761047
> Objects:  that sets fixed pixel dimensions but I would like the window to be resizable.

No it doesn't, it just gives hints to the layout manager which you can set appropriately.

0
 

Author Comment

by:Dawkins
ID: 11761303
Ah yes sorry, setPreferredSize() seems to do exactly what I want, thanks!
0
 
LVL 92

Expert Comment

by:objects
ID: 11768646
0

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