GridBagLayout padding
gridbaglayout, java, swing, user-interface
Solution
Unfortunately, with `GridBagLayout`, if the contents do not fill the entire container that it is in, it will automatically center all its contents within its container. That is why you are getting a really large gap.
There are essentially two ways to fix this:
- The hard way: Fiddle with the `GridBagConstraints`. I had limited success with this when trying to avoid the centre-ing behaviour.
- The easy way: Put the `GridBagLayout` inside of a `FlowLayout`, and then set the alignment of the `FlowLayout` to top-left, or whatever you wish.
I have asked, and answered, this question myself sometime last week.
So in your case you are adding your `panel1` and `middlePanel` directly to the JFrame (?), with a `GridBagLayout`
JFrame (GridBagLayout)
- panel1
- middlePanel
I would suggest this alternative structure instead, to get rid of all the extra space (and centre alignment as well, if you like).
JFrame (FlowLayout)
- JPanel (GridBagLayout)
- panel1
- middlePanel
HTH
Problem
I am using a `GridBagLayout` to (currently) display two rows. I am aware this layout is overkill for this task, but am trying to learn how to use it. The problem is that I have added the two panels to the two separate rows and there is a huge gap around the content (see image and code below): alt text http://www.imagechicken.com/uploads/1264533379009864500.png ``` Image background; public Table(){ super(); ImageIcon ii = new ImageIcon(this.getClass().getResource("pokerTableV2.png")); background = ii.getImage(); setSize(Constants.FRAME_WIDTH, Constants.TABLE_HEIGHT); setLayout(new GridBagLayout()); GridBagConstraints constraints = new GridBagConstraints(); constraints.gridx = 0; constraints.gridy = 0; constraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.HORIZONTAL; JButton button = new JButton("hello world"); JPanel panel1 = new JPanel(); panel1.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(800,100)); panel1.add(button, BorderLayout.CENTER); panel1.setBackground(Color.yellow); add(panel1, constraints); constraints.gridx = 0; constraints.gridy = 1; JPanel middlePanel = new JPanel(); middlePanel.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(800,350)); middlePanel.add(button, BorderLayout.CENTER); middlePanel.setBackground(Color.blue); add(middlePanel, constraints); } ```