Beginner’s Guide to Using QT Designer in PYQT

PyQt is a set of Python bindings for the Qt application framework and runs on all platforms supported by Qt, including Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, and Android. Qt Designer is a tool used to design graphical user interfaces (GUI) for PyQt applications. In this tutorial, we will go through the basics of PyQt and Qt Designer, focusing on how to create a simple GUI using Qt Designer.

Step 1: Installing PyQt and Qt Designer

Before we can start creating GUIs using Qt Designer, we need to install PyQt. PyQt can be installed using pip, the Python package installer. Simply open a terminal or command prompt and type the following command:

pip install pyqt5

Once PyQt is installed, we can start using Qt Designer. Qt Designer is included with the PyQt installation, so there is no need to install it separately.

Step 2: Opening Qt Designer

To open Qt Designer, simply type designer in the terminal or command prompt. This will launch the Qt Designer application.

Step 3: Creating a new form

In Qt Designer, you can create a new form by selecting File -> New Form, or by pressing Ctrl + N. You will be presented with a blank canvas where you can design your GUI.

Step 4: Adding widgets

Widgets are the building blocks of a GUI. You can add widgets to your form by selecting them from the widget box on the left-hand side of the screen and dragging them onto the form. Some common widgets include buttons, labels, text boxes, and checkboxes.

Step 5: Configuring widgets

Once you have added widgets to your form, you can configure them by right-clicking on them and selecting the appropriate properties. For example, you can change the text of a label, or the default state of a checkbox.

Step 6: Saving the form

To save your form, select File -> Save or press Ctrl + S. PyQt forms are saved in .ui format, which is an XML-based format that stores the layout and properties of the widgets in the form.

Step 7: Converting the form to Python code

Once you have designed your GUI using Qt Designer, you can convert the .ui file to Python code using the pyuic5 command-line tool. To do this, open a terminal or command prompt and type the following command:

pyuic5 -x your_form.ui -o your_form.py

This will generate a Python file containing the code for your GUI. You can then import this file into your main Python script and use it to create and display the GUI.

Step 8: Running the PyQt application

To run your PyQt application, simply execute your main Python script. This will launch the application and display the GUI that you designed using Qt Designer.

In conclusion, Qt Designer is a powerful tool that allows you to create visually appealing GUIs for your PyQt applications. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you should be able to create your own GUIs using Qt Designer and PyQt. Happy coding!