Introduction

Interface Builder is a visual design tool you use to create the user interfaces of your iOS and Mac OS X applications. Using the graphical environment of Interface Builder, you assemble windows, views, controls, menus, and other elements from a library of configurable objects. You arrange these items, set their attributes, establish connections between them, and then save them in a special type of resource file, called a nib file. (The term “nib” is historical and is an acronym for “NextSTEP Interface Builder.“) A nib file stores your objects, including their configuration and layout information, in a format that at runtime can be used to recreate the actual objects.

Who Should Read This Document?

This document discusses the features of Interface Builder 3.2 and also describes the nib file design process. User interface designers should read this document to learn how to use Interface Builder to create the desired look of their application. Programmers should also read this document to understand what program-level information needs to be created in Xcode.

Organization of This Document

This document contains the following chapters:

• Interface Builder Quick Start gives you a quick tour of Interface Builder, including a hands-on tutorial.

• Interface Builder Basic Concepts provides an overview of Interface Builder and the role of nib files in your applications.

• Xcode Integration provides an overview of how nib files integrate with your Xcode projects.

• Nib File Management shows you how to create and save nib files and how to work with them in your projects.

• Nib Objects describes the types of objects you can add to nib files and when you might want to do so.

• Interface Layout describes techniques for organizing window and view hierarchies and for adjusting the layout of individual objects.

• Object Attributes describes the techniques for configuring the objects in your nib file with custom attributes.

• Connections and Bindings describes the role of connections in nib files and how to configure outlets, actions, and bindings.

• Testing and Validation describes the tools available for testing your nib file contents and ensuring your nib file works properly with your Xcode project.

• Localization describes the tools and processes for localizing the contents of a nib file.

• Interface Builder Customization describes the ways in which you can change the Interface Builder environment to suit your personal tastes.

• Interface Builder Gesture Guide summarizes the keyboard and mouse actions you can use to make connections, execute commands, and so on.

The Glossary at the end contains a list of Interface Builder terms and their definitions.