Use Default Netbeans Look and Feel on Ubuntu

The NetBeans IDE is an award-winning integrated development environment available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Solaris. The NetBeans project consists of an open-source IDE and an application platform that enable developers to rapidly create web, enterprise, desktop, and mobile applications using the Java platform, as well as PHP, JavaScript and Ajax, Groovy and Grails, and C/C++.

I'm one of many fans of Netbeans, I often use it to do my college assignment. Unfortunately, Netbeans looks very ugly on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin. Actually, it has big font and uncomfortable menu bar.

So today, I'd like give you a trick on how to use "default" Netbeans (or many Java based applications) look and feel.

For me, the second look and feel is better than the first one.

OK! Please open file "netbeans.conf" located in the "etc" directory of Netbeans installation folder e.g. "/home/username/netbeans-7.1.2/etc" and replace:

• netbeans_default_options="-J-client -J-Xss2m -J-Xms32m -J-XX:PermSize=32m -J-Dapple.laf.useScreenMenuBar=true -J-Dapple.awt.graphics.UseQuartz=true -J-Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -J-Dsun.zip.disableMemoryMapping=true -J-Dswing.aatext=true -J-Dawt.useSystemAAFontSettings=lcd"

With this one:

• netbeans_default_options="-J-client -J-Xss2m -J-Xms32m -J-XX:PermSize=32m -J-Dapple.laf.useScreenMenuBar=true -J-Dapple.awt.graphics.UseQuartz=true -J-Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -J-Dsun.zip.disableMemoryMapping=true --laf Metal -J-Dswing.aatext=true -J-Dawt.useSystemAAFontSettings=lcd"

Done! Save the file and open your Netbeans.

Enjoy :)