

= Setting up JME3 in Netbeans 6.x

For development with the jMonkeyEngine 3, we recommend to use the jMonkeyEngine <<sdk#,SDK>>.


Alternatively, you can use your favorite IDE: In this tutorial we show how to download and set up the latest nightly build of the jMonkeyEngine 3 for use with the NetBeans IDE. Instructions for <<jme3/setting_up_jme3_in_eclipse#,Eclipse>> are also available.


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== Downloading jME3

The currently available JAR binaries are the nightly builds. 


.  Download the most recent zipped build from link:http://nightly.jmonkeyengine.org/[http://nightly.jmonkeyengine.org/]
.  Unzip the file and save it as `jME3_xx-xx-2010` in your NetBeansProjects directory. You should see the following files and directories:
..  `lib/` – The jMonkeyEngine binaries and libraries. (Don't remove.)
..  `TestChooser.exe` – Run this file to see various feature demos. (optional)
..  `javadoc/` – jME3 +++<abbr title="Application Programming Interface">API</abbr>+++ documentation. (optional)



== Creating a Project

In NetBeans, choose File &gt; New Project, select Java &gt; Java Application, click Next.


*  Project Name: HelloJME3
*  Project Location: ~/NetBeansProjects
*  Create main() Class: No
*  Set as Main Project: Yes.
*  Click Finish

The new project appears in the Projects window.



== Setting up Dependencies

Your project depends on the jMonkeyEngine libraries and needs to know where they are.


.  In the Projects window, right-click the project's Libraries node and choose “Add JAR/Folder.
.  In the “Add JAR/Folder dialog, browse to the `NetBeansProjects/jME3_xx-xx-2010` directory.
.  Select all JARs in `lib/` and click Select.

The necessary libraries are now on the classpath and should appear in the Libraries list.



== Optional: Configuring the JavaDoc Popups in NetBeans

Configuring Javadoc popups for jme3 classes in NetBeans can be very helpful during the development phase of your game. 


.  In the HelloJME3 project
..  Right-click the Libraries node and choose Properties from the context menu
..  Select the jMonkeyEngine3.jar library entry from the list and click Edit.
...  Javadoc: Browse to JME3's `javadoc` directory and click select.
...  Sources: Browse to JME3's `src`directory and click select.

..  Click OK.


Open a class of your HelloJME3 project, place the caret into a jme3 class, and press ctrl-space to see the javadoc popup, as well as code-completion.



== Build & Run Tips in NetBeans

How to build and run in NetBeans:


*  Clean and build the whole project by pressing Shift-F11.
*  Run any file that is open in the editor and has a main() class by pressing Shift-F6.
*  Run the Main class of the project by pressing F6.

Tips for configuring the main class in NetBeans:


*  Right-click the HelloJME3 project and choose “Set as main project. Now you can use the toolbar buttons (clean&amp;build, run, debug, etc) to control this project.
*  Right-click the HelloJME3 project and choose Properties. Go to the Run section. 
*  Under Main Class, specify the class that will be executed when you run the whole project. For now, enter `hello.HelloJME3`.


== Writing a SimpleApplication

You can now continue to write <<jme3/beginner/hello_simpleapplication#,your first jme3 application>>!

<tags><tag target="documentation" /><tag target="install" /></tags>
