Mark alas for my inability to post clearly!
My working Polish version IS also built in NetBeans, set up via the method described in the manual (same as the one you posted).
I build it by right clicking the build.xml in the FILE tab and Run Target, but this means no step through debug for that build.
So I can also build a version by going to the PROJECTS tab and building the project, a "traditional" NetBeans build, which outputs a non-Polished GUI version but I can step through debug.
I guess it's large java files for me
....
Just taking the Preprocessor thing on a different slant which might provide a solution regarding something Martin said.
NetBeans does implement preprocessing through it's own supplied preprocessor, it has minimal functionality but does have code fragment stuff and you can still step through debug? So it must rebuild the java file before sending it to virtual machine!
This leads me to the question, can I replace/or run concurrently with the NetBeans Preprocessor my own which will bring greater preprocessing functionality?
Phil.