What is a SceneBuilder vertical button bar?

A vertical button bar in JavaFX Scene Builder is a UI element that organizes buttons in a column. It is commonly used to provide a structured set of actions or options to users. Unlike a horizontal button bar that lays out buttons side-by-side, a vertical button bar arranges them one on top of the other.

Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics and uses:

1. Structure and Layout:

- Buttons are aligned vertically, creating a clear and easily navigable list of options. - This layout is especially useful when space is limited horizontally, or when you have many options to display, such as navigation controls or settings.

2. Implementation in Scene Builder:

- In Scene Builder, the vertical button bar is not a specific component, rather it is a visual design pattern achieved by using layout panes or similar, like VBox or AnchorPane, in combination with button elements. - You would typically drag a layout container like a VBox onto the canvas and then add button elements within it.

3. Key Concepts:

- VBox (Vertical Box): This is a common layout pane used in JavaFX. It arranges its child nodes in a single column. When you add buttons to a VBox, they will automatically be arranged vertically.

- Button Elements: Each button in the vertical bar can trigger a specific action. You might configure these buttons to load a new scene, modify data, or perform other tasks.

- Spacing and Alignment: Scene Builder allows you to control the spacing between the buttons and their alignment within the vertical bar through the layout pane properties. This is crucial for aesthetics and usability.

4. Use Cases:

- Navigation: Commonly used in applications for navigation menus, often seen in sidebars or panels. - Tools or Controls: Used to arrange tool buttons or controls related to a specific task, especially where space is constrained.

- Settings and Options: Provide a collection of settings or options within a panel that needs to be displayed vertically.

5. Example Code Illustration (JavaFX with FXML):

While you design in Scene Builder, here's what the FXML equivalent structure could be (assuming you are using VBox) :

<VBox xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx" xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml">
  <Button text="Option 1" />
  <Button text="Option 2" />
  <Button text="Option 3" />
</VBox>

To summarize, a SceneBuilder vertical button bar is a practical way to present a list of button actions to the user in a clear and vertically organized layout. It's useful for navigation, tool access, and displaying settings or options. It is not a specific component but a visual arrangement using layout panes such as a VBox or others along with button elements within the JavaFX Scene Builder environment.

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