How to create a JavaFX module in IntelliJ IDEA

Question

I would like to integrate a JavaFX GUI in an existing IntelliJ IDEA Java project (java version 1.8.0_20).

Although I can create a JavaFX project from scratch (JavaFX plugin is enabled) in my IDE, I can't figure out how to create a module.

Do I need to define a new module SDK for a new Java module? Or does the type of the JavaFX module has to be IntelliJ Platform Plugin? I tried both without any success. Please help.

Many thanks, Cristina

Answer 1

Update for Idea 2021.3

The previous information on this answer for Idea 13.1 is now outdated.

For Idea 2021.3, create a new JavaFX project using an Idea wizard:

• New JavaFX project wizard.

  1. From the main menu, select File | New | Project.

  2. In the New Project wizard, select JavaFX from the list on the left.

I advise you follow the detailed instructions for creation and execution of JavaFX project at the new JavaFX project wizard link supplied.

A new JavaFX project created this way will be different from creating a new Java project using the same wizard. The new JavaFX project will be configured to use a build tool (e.g. maven or gradle). It will have the JavaFX module dependencies defined and will include sample code for a modular HelloWorld JavaFX FXML application. It is the perfect thing to use to get started with a new JavaFX application IMO.

If you want a new Idea module rather than a new project, then you just follow the same steps as above, but instead of selecting File | New | Project, you select File | New | Module, then select JavaFX from the list on the left as before.

Alternatively, you can create new modules in Idea by defining the modules in a Maven or Gradle project and importing the build tool project file for the project into Idea.

Prior answer for Idea 13.1

I don't think you can define a new JavaFX module in Idea 13.1. Note that there is not much difference between a JavaFX project and a non-JavaFX project in Idea, so you can just create a normal Java module and make a couple of manual tweaks to the module configuration and it should behave the same as if you created a JavaFX project. See the following answer for more details:

• How to convert a normal java project in intellij into a JavaFx project