Those of you who follow us on Twitter might be aware that I’ve recently become smitten with Netbeans. Personally, when coding, I prefer to use a dark theme. It’s less harsh on my eyes. Unfortunately, there simply aren’t many available for Netbeans. After an hour or so of searching, I was able to find exactly one theme — which was mostly specific to Ruby. So, I took it upon myself to convert the popular Twilight theme to Netbeans/PHP!
Installation Instructions
To add this theme, simply open “Preferences” (“Options” on PC) and click “Import” at the bottom. Then browse for your zip file — do not unzip — and click “okay!” That’s it.
* Note – At this point in time, I’ve only coded for HTML, PHP, and JavaScript. As I’m still “debugging”, so to speak, I’ll continue to update the downloadable source code. If you notice any quirks/inconsistencies in the coloring, please feel free to let me know, via the comments. … And if you like this theme, please send a link to your NetBeans buddies!
- Follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to the NETTUTS RSS Feed for more daily web development tuts and articles.
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Follow us on Twitter or simply recommend us to friends and colleagues!
By Jeffrey Way
Premium Members
Source Files, Bonus Tutorials & More for all relevant Tuts+ sites in one subscription. Join Now
Related Posts
Premium Membership
Source Files, Bonus Tutorials & More for all relevant Tuts+ sites in one subscription
Breezi Comming Soon page - More
Web Basix
Just getting started? Start with our basix tutorials on the fundamentals. View All Basix Tutorials
Other Plus Sites ...
aetuts+ audiotuts+ vectortuts+ tuts+ phototuts+ cgtuts+ nettuts+ psdtuts+ activetuts+Create a Tutorial, Get Paid!
Have something to teach the world? Want to earn money doing it? Tutorials, screencasts, and articles published here on Nettuts+ are largely contributed by readers just like you! We'll pay you great money for good content. Find Out More
Awesome!
I like that textmate-ish style!
Awesome thank you! NetBeans is fantastic.
Looks really nice! Couldn’t find an “import” option on PC though.. Just moved the content of the zip file to “C:\Documents and Settings\_USER_\.netbeans\6.5\” and it worked. Thanks for the theme!
For a PC, it’s under Tools > Options > Import
Thanks, I use 6.5 too. I unzip the zip file to the dir It worked now
Yarrr.. by the way, which version do you use? Because I’m unable to find theme import option.
And how did you achieved that solid look’n'feel of the GUI? Mine is somewhat “OMG it’s full of gradients!”…
I’m using the latest nightly build. They’ve updated the UI quite a bit.
http://bits.netbeans.org/download/trunk/nightly/latest/
Thanks Jeff.
Ah, thanks Jeff I was wondering why I didn’t see any import option.
Downloading 6.7 now.
what version of netbeans are you using? 6.5 doesn’t have any “import” button…
Sorry guys. I’m new to NetBeans and am using the 6.7 dev build. I just assumed that all versions had the import option.
If you’re using an older version, just do what @RevellNL mentioned.
Or better yet – download 6.7 beta.
thanks for the answer, i’ll do what @RevellNL suggested
Which directory if using a Mac?
I’ve been using the PHP version of Netbeans for a few days now (probably spurred on by your mentions on twitter) and I’ve been impressed enough to take it on as my new IDE for PHP.
So I might have a pop at this theme. Thanks.
For linux users that don’t have the import button just unzip the theme into ~/.netbeans/*YOUR_VERSION*/
Holy awesomeness!
Definitely going to give this one shot, looking good… Thanks a lot!
Thanks! Already using the theme with some modifications:
- Changed the tag color to blue (a little contrast – rgb(102,153,255))
- Highlight color changed to red background and white foreground.
You should try the blue. It looks better.
One question though: What’s with the line in the center of the screen ?
I think that may be a guide showing him where the 80-character mark is for each line
Can I disable it? (or at least change the color to match the background)
I don’t find the line useful right now
That’s the 80 column line. Tools > Options > Editor > Formatting > Right Margin in 6.5
Forgot can be changed by Tools > Options > Fonts & Colors > Highlighting > Text Limit Line
It has to do with the right margin setting. To modify this, go to
Tools > Options > Editor > Formatting > Right Margin
…on a PC
Thanks Blaine
Finally Dreamweaver can rest in peace.
I tried Notepad++, Aptana, Zend Studio, e Text Editor and other programs but I think NetBeans is perfect for me.
Awesome thanks! I’ve been looking for this exactly!
Had to change the font to Monospaced. Looks good.
for linux users with netbeans 6.5 put files into /home/YOUR USER/.netbeans/6.5
Yes, I dropped the “Editors” directory into the conf directory and then select “tools”> “Options” >”Font & Colors” and in the profile section, select Netbeans_Twilight then “ok”
You should see a preview at the bottom of the screen.
Thank you!
NetBeans is a horrible application in my opinion, mainly because it’s performance is so damn horrible compared to other clients, such as Aptana. If you are on a mac looking for an IDE, I suggest using Komodo IDE. There’s a Ruby like template for it as well
I 100% haven’t noticed these performance issues that you speak of.
My notebook isn’t the fastest thing in the world but I actually switched from Aptana to NetBeans partly because of the performance…. and haven’t looked back.
actually netbeans is one of the best IDE for all the supported languages it has!! I don’t even think the reference you are taking to have that opinion!
Aptana (Eclipse) is waaaay slower than Netbeans….
Netbeans is more responsive as compared to Eclipse and Aptana for me.
I love Netbeans, never seen any performance problems. Plus works great as my JAVA IDE as well. Would be happy to never see eclipse again.
Are you kidding? Aptana and Eclipse are slow as mollasses – and I’m running on a pretty new MacBook Pro. I switched to netbeans last week, and have been evangalistic about it in our engineering dept!
How does netbeans compare with Eclipse? I’ve used eclipse for java development but I can’t get the debugger working for php, so I’m looking for a new IDE. Maybe netbeans is it! I’m on windows.
If Netbeans was a person, it’d be my hero! Been using it since 6.1, when the PHP plugin had a hard-coded light yellow background. Ugh! Nice to see what you’ve managed to rustle up with it. Looking forward to trying this out.
For some odd reason I seem to not beeing able to get this working? I download the file, and imports it as .zip. But it doesn’t work. Anyone having the same problem?
Ow, fail! I just had to change it in the Editor menu.
I don’t like NetBeans for PHP. It has some good features, but not too many of them. I would go with Zend Studio if you have the money, or with PDT if you’re an open source, free product guy. Zend Studio was the only product along the way who gave me all the features i need with constant development on new ones. That my opinion though…
PS
Looking good combined with the Inconsolata Font as well, did a little write up on that here: http://kevin.vanzonneveld.net/techblog/article/install_the_best_coding_font/
Does anyone know where I can find similiar “color themes” for Eclipse?
Here are my settings I sort of tweaked Jeffrey’s theme.
Oops pasted in the wrong thing.
http://cid-53e962c555a0fc59.skydrive.live.com/embedrow.aspx/Public/My%7C_NetBeans%7C_Settings.zip
STILL the wrong thing.. lol
Here it is:
http://szzzaa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pDwh3h-33jhqEwc_lBSbw9qpIQBO2K1v3CLu4PRxwl10v0S3GiuyWk8nJBiLt_dSu1S-Wl-vL7gmMc5NsRbFrvZDkBYpXUEJY/My_NetBeans_Settings.zip?download
awesome theme design my friend
I use APTANA, NETBEANS,DREAMWEAVER .now guys i love aptana for frontend development,especially javascript.when it comes to php ,i would say NETBEANS is more powerful,because you can just right click a function name and it takes you to the file where it was declared
so to be honest is good to be flexible with more than just one IDE
This Theme is looks good for only php and html development.
This is not at all Good for java/j2ee/j2me developer…
He did say that he converted this to PHP :p
VERY NICE Theme thankx Jeff.
But i have one problem, why is there no highlighting for the open / close bracket ? have you an idea where i can fix this ?
(For Example in the theme city lights it works)
ou sorry… it was my mistake.. it was a open/close bracket in one line so the linecolor (highlight current line).. is same as the highlight color for open/close brackets…
Sorry.
Thanks for taking the time to build this … I just switched from TextMate into NetBeans for my primary PHP IDE and it is a pleasure to use my favorite theme!
Hey, i imported the zip file and restart netbeans 6.7 but nothig changed
same here… I am using NetBeans 6.8. I have tried both method. first i try to import, nothing happen. then I try to unzip to the folder mention by RevellNL (C:\Documents and Settings\_USER_\.netbeans\6.8\ ) , nothing happen
. I so… want to use this theme. Can some one help ? 
Thanks in advance
just the same quetion I don’t know how to do it in Netbeans 6.8
Anybody has the clue?
Nice theme…I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the garish white coding screen. Dark is nice, almost contemplative. Your zip file is good help for those wanting to make their own themes (like me!) as the NetBeans doco can be a bit difficult.
Is it possible to has this converted to a Notepad++ style? It’s absolutely gorgeous.
Fantastic! I’m really liking my little NetBeans set up now
I made some changes to the JavaScript theme and have published it to my blog because, well, I guess I should…
http://www.damiandawber.co.uk/2009/09/netbeans-twilight-js-theme/
I noticed the ruby theme some time ago and was a bit gutted I found no equivalent for PHP.. alas, you’re a gem
This is sweet!!!!! Just what I was looking for.
Thanks
Excellent theme. Great job!!!
There is a way to change the tags colors for Smarty Plugin, I don’t find how.
Of course, I try changing in Options > Fonts & Colors panel but always show tags on blue and with black background is very difficult to see something.
Any Help?
thanks
what twilight is that? is it twilight saga?
Nice theme.. I like this themes
The best theme ever seen, Green Chaud from Aptana is also cool, but this is for me better
thanks
Nice job!
But are buggy for ruby in NB 6.8. Can you fix this or tell me how I can fix?
Cheers
Great for PHP development!
However, under PC/Ubuntu, changing font back for standard “monospaced” and darkening a bit the highlighted selected (current) line background works a bit better.
Thanks for the theme and regards!
anyone able go get this theme to work on NetBean 6.8?
I always do ( on a mac ) ctrl + option + cmd + 8 whenever I code. Turns your mac into negative colors. I get used to it!
Thanks for the theme!
Perfect! I just know that!
no support cyrillic
looks very cool! thanx a lot.
dude you did a good work on that! now I can code with nonstop
anyone able go get this theme to work on NetBean 6.8?
I really want to use the theme
I don’t know how to do it in Netbeans 6.8
Anybody has the clue?
I’d like it, too
Cheers!
Droope