Metamorphosis is a concise training program that instructs designers and developers in Swing visual design and user interface implementation.
There are two ways to run Metamorphosis: via web start or by downloading the application. If you choose the latter, you'll need to launch the software from the command-line using the following command: java -jar metamorphosis.jar.
One of the standout features of Metamorphosis is Fakeclipse. This tiny Swing-based application emulates the appearance of an Eclipse IDE on older Windows operating systems, with some restrictions on XP. While Fakeclipse can't perform any useful actions, it provides a visual example of alignment problems that might occur in real-world scenarios.
Fakeclipse is also intended to contribute to the "Swing vs. SWT" discussion. Many people cite the elegant overall appearance of the Eclipse IDE on Windows platforms, but Metamorphosis demonstrates that this look can be emulated relatively quickly using Swing. It took the software's creator less than three hours to build the original Fakeclipse using the JGoodies Windows Look & Feel that he had previously built for JDiskReport.
Overall, if you're looking to improve your design skills for Swing-based Java applications, Metamorphosis is a great option. Its configurable GUI and visual examples can help you avoid common errors, while Fakeclipse sheds light on the debate around SWT vs. Swing.