Sun Microsystems has released a preview version of JavaFX, a set of tools to create Java-based Internet applications. In addition to the JavaFX SDK, the preview package contains the NetBeans 6.1 IDE, a copy of the Project Nile graphics tool and a beta version of the latest Java Runtime Environment plug-in.

Sun's JavaFX preview features a tool codenamed Project Nile that'll install a plug-in for Photoshop and Illustrator to import media assets like PNG files or video into a NetBeans FX project file. Changes made by designers to the media files are incorporated into the FX file. Web scripters create JavaFX applications using NetBeans 6.1 through Sun's plug-in. Also included in the JavaFX preview SDK are compilers, 2D graphics and media libraries, tutorials, code and APIs.

"Java provides an ideal platform across all the screens of your life, due to its availability across over 2 billion mobile handsets, 85% of desktops, and its position as the platform for next-generation high-definition content as part of the Blu-ray (BD-j) specification," wrote Jacob Lehrbaum, a senior product like manager for the JavaFX marketing team.

The final release of JavaFX for desktop computers is due in the fall, and Sun plans to release the first version of JavaFX for mobile devices in spring 2009, the company said.