Hey all, I've been wanting to build a multi-platform GUI application, and I like the Qt Designer's interface. I started learning Qt again, but I'm not enjoying the IDE. It turns all of my tabs into spaces, and I'm having indentation issues. Linking to libraries, and the way we structure our code are also annoying. I'm using CodeBlocks as my main C++ IDE, and it's pretty decent. I'd like to develop everything in CodeBlocks, and use Qt Interface Designer to develop my UI. Does anyone know of a way to use Qt Designer's UI files with CodeBlocks?

I wouldn't mind using another cross-platform UI system such as wxWidgets, but the UI looks old, and I haven't found a designer application for that. GTK+ also has its quirks too.

It turns all of my tabs into spaces, and I'm having indentation issues.

The default setting is admittedly annoying but you can just configure that in your coding style settings. You might want to check that anyway, there are a lot of options to pick from.

Linking to libraries, and the way we structure our code are also annoying.

Not sure what you mean by that. My own projects are usually generated from CMake configurations in QtCreator but there is nothing I would consider non-standard code structure there. Maybe there are default templates QtCreator offers you?
I cannot really say anything about linking. Since I use CMake I don't have to deal with linker settings of IDEs by hand anymore...

I'm using CodeBlocks as my main C++ IDE, and it's pretty decent.

I used to think that as well, but then Code::Blocks started annoying me with a few problems. Among other things, it did not deal well with multiple compilers and didn't integrate well with CMake.
My initial impression of QtCreator had been a bit disgruntled as well, but when you spend some time with it and take your time looking through the settings it becomes a very nice IDE.

Does anyone know of a way to use Qt Designer's UI files with CodeBlocks?

First Google result for 'qt ui file compiler 5.2'

My first post got wiped out, so I'll re-write a brief abridged one haha:

I agree with Qt Creator: I wasn't having a good time with the way it handles tabs, but I its UI and designer integration. I've tried spent more time than I'd like to admit changing the tabs to actual tabs under Tools->Preferences->Editor->Behavior, and still no luck. When I tab, it creates 4 whitespaces, and will clear all 4 of them if I backspace in the correct spot. However, they're all treated as spaces when navigating through them.

Code::Blocks has some nasty auto-complete issues that actually cause compilation and run-time errors if I'm not paying enough attention, which is annoying.

I've tried spent more time than I'd like to admit changing the tabs to actual tabs under Tools->Preferences->Editor->Behavior, and still no luck. When I tab, it creates 4 whitespaces, and will clear all 4 of them if I backspace in the correct spot. However, they're all treated as spaces when navigating through them.

There is the problem then. That behavior is for plain text files. If you want to change the tabbing policy of C++ sources, go to Tools->Options->C++. In there, create a new style by copying one of the predefined ones. Select it and click Edit, the tab policy should be right in front of you.

I finally got it, and you were right: the answer was in the C++ section under Tools->Preferences. I had to export the code policy (outputs an XML file), then set SpacesForTabs to 'false'. Solved the problem. I think Qt Creator is pretty cool now. Thanks!