For those running NetBeans on Linux with GNOME, fractional HiDPI scaling appears to work out-of-the box starting from the most recent GNOME version (GNOME 48).
This means you can use scale factors such as 150% or 175% and still get sharp text and icons. I tested it on Ubuntu 25.04 today. It even works in multi-monitor setups where each monitor may have a different scale factor. (This is thanks to a recently introduced feature [1] in GNOME/Mutter which draws XWayland apps such as NetBeans at 2x scaling and then scales it down to the appropriate fractional scaling. This is the same method that MacOS uses for fractional scalings. It appears to be enabled by default in the latest GNOME release.) -- Eirik [1] https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/mutter/-/merge_requests/3567 From: Basil Crow <m...@basilcrow.com> Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM To: dev@netbeans.apache.org <dev@netbeans.apache.org> Subject: HiDPI fractional scaling on Linux NetBeans currently lacks support for fractional scaling on Linux. This hurts the out-of-box experience (OOBE) and first impressions, especially compared to other Java IDEs. With HiDPI displays now common and more developers using Linux, the impact of this deficiency has grown. https://github.com/apache/netbeans/pull/8589 proposes a practical fix. It has been tested by multiple users and we are not aware of regressions. The PR has been open for several months; I would like to help move it forward. A concern was raised that flatlaf.uiScale might scale some UI elements but not others. In practice: - We have not observed issues on tested systems (my own and a report on the user list). - Merging #8589 does not block a more robust solution later. - No alternative working solution has been presented. I propose that we merge and release #8589 unless there is a demonstrable regression or a specific long-term maintenance risk. If there are concerns, please share concrete reproduction steps, affected subsystems, or acceptance criteria so that I have an action item to update the PR. I am new to the NetBeans community, but if released I will do my best to address any regressions (if reported) promptly. If we cannot resolve an issue quickly, I will prepare a revert of my own changes. Please advise on the preferred path forward. I am happy to iterate based on specific feedback and clear action items. Thanks, Basil --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscr...@netbeans.apache.org For additional commands, e-mail: dev-h...@netbeans.apache.org For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit: https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
