This is a quick tutorial showing how quick and easy it is to start an MDI application project and add one JInternalFrame.

1. Start a 'New Project' and choose 'Java Application'.



2. Give you project a name and a location.




3. From 'Source Packages' create a 'New - MDI Application'.



4. I have added a JToolBar and a JButton.



5. Create a 'New - JInternalFrame Form'.



6. Here you are ready to use the Matisse GUI Builder to design the JInternalFrame.



7. I have added a JToolBar and a JButton, with some sample form elements.



8. On the JDesktopPane I am adding an Event to open the JInternalFrame.



9. I have added the following code to the btnOpenIFrameActionPerformed method of the MDI Frame to open the JInternalFrame.

private void btnOpenIFrameActionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {
IfrmMyIFrame frm = new IfrmMyIFrame();
int width = 400;
int height = 300;
frm.setSize(width, height);
frm.setVisible(true);
desktopPane.add(frm);
}


10. I have added the following to the constructor of the IfrmMyIFrame class.
super("My little JInternalFrame",true,true,true,true);
setLocation(50, 50);

11. I have added the following code to the btnHelloWorldActionPerformed method
private void btHelloWorldActionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, "Hello World!", "Message", JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);
}

12. Hit the 'F6' and Run Main Project and you're on your way.



In Summary, you can quickly create an MDI application, use the Matisse GUI Builder to do what you like with the main JDesktopPane, then create individual JInternalFrame which you can in-turn use the Matisse GUI Builder to layout and do what you like with as well. Pretty cool stuff.
Matt