How to create a new Perspective using Extension Point

1. Create a new Plug-in Project.
2. Open “MANIFEST.MF” file from Plug-in project.
3. Go to the “Extension” tab in the plug-in editor.
4. Click “Add…” button. “New Extension” dialog box will be opened. Select “org.eclipse.ui.perspectives” from the list shown under “Extension Points” tab.

Add Extension Point in Plug-in project

5. Click “Finish”.
6. A new perspective extension is now created. Now provide the id*, name* and class* information accordingly.

Give id*, name* and class* information on perspective extension

7. To create a class, click on the class*:  -> A “New Java Class” dialog box will be opened. Click “Finish” to create a new java class to the give package location.

Create class for perspective

8. Save all unsaved files.
9. To run the project, R-Click on the project -> Run As -> Eclipse Application.

Run Plug-in project

10. A new instance of an Eclipse will be opened.
11. Go to Window -> Open Perspective -> Other…
12. “Open Perspective” dialog box will be opened. Select your perspective name from the list and click OK.

Open Perspective dialog box

13. One blank perspective will be opened.
14. Now close this test eclipse window and go back to the development eclipse window to modify this perspective.
15. Open this newly created java class and modify it using the following code snippet:


package samplecode.source; import org.eclipse.ui.IFolderLayout; import org.eclipse.ui.IPageLayout; import org.eclipse.ui.IPerspectiveFactory; public class PerspectiveFactory implements IPerspectiveFactory { private static final float LEFT_RATIO = 0.25F; private static final float RIGHT_RATIO = 0.75F; private static final float BOTTOM_RATIO = 0.75F; @Override public void createInitialLayout(IPageLayout layout) { String editorArea = layout.getEditorArea(); // Add View in left side area of the editor space IFolderLayout leftLayout = layout.createFolder("leftLayout", IPageLayout.LEFT, LEFT_RATIO, editorArea); leftLayout.addView(IPageLayout.ID_PROJECT_EXPLORER); leftLayout.addPlaceholder(IPageLayout.ID_BOOKMARKS); // Add View in right side area of the editor space IFolderLayout rightLayout = layout.createFolder("rightLayout", IPageLayout.RIGHT, RIGHT_RATIO, editorArea); rightLayout.addView(IPageLayout.ID_OUTLINE); rightLayout.addPlaceholder(IPageLayout.ID_TASK_LIST); // Add View in the bottom area in separate way layout.addView(IPageLayout.ID_PROP_SHEET, IPageLayout.BOTTOM, BOTTOM_RATIO, editorArea); // Add View shortcut which will appear under "Window -> Show View" Menu layout.addShowViewShortcut(IPageLayout.ID_TASK_LIST); layout.addShowViewShortcut(IPageLayout.ID_BOOKMARKS); // Add Fast View in the perspective which will appear in the bottom-left corner icon. layout.addFastView(IPageLayout.ID_PROJECT_EXPLORER); layout.addFastView(IPageLayout.ID_OUTLINE, RIGHT_RATIO); } }

16. Run the project and see the effect of the code in newly launched test eclipse workbench.

"My Perspective" workbench

NB: If you don’t see the different in your perspective, just reset it using this following command.

Window -> Reset Perspective… -> Yes

Attachment: To Download this project click here.