Graphical User Interface while developing Eclipse Plug-in

Question

I've done some searching around and found questions similar to this but the answers do not meet my requirement.

I have already finished developing the back-end codes of an Eclipse plug-in. Now, I have to develop the front-end of it. Such as when I click on the plug-in from the Eclipse menu-bar, a new window (within Eclipse) must open and it must show some buttons, drop-downs etc.

Is there a way to develop plug-ins with interfaces? Rather than the normal plug-in that is created from a menu or a button in the action bars of Eclipse?

Answer 1

I suggest you to download Eclipse for RCP and RAP Developers Neon (or later), and Install Window Builder via Update Site.

Eclipse for RCP and RAP Developers contains the E4 model editor, a graphical tree editor to use for shape the application and its services.

Here is the link to download Eclipse RCP/RAP Neon R: https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/eclipse-rcp-and-rap-developers/neonr

WindowBuilder, on the other side, is a great tool to design RCP User Interfaces graphically. So, you can design graphically each single UI with WindowBuilder.

Here is the update site to install Window Builder in Eclipse 4.6: http://download.eclipse.org/windowbuilder/WB/integration/4.6/

Note: Even if you use Window Builder, you should know basics of SWT, JFace and DataBinding.