VTCL allows 3 different geometry managers, namely grid, place and pack. Don't use placer if you don't want to.
SpecTix/SpecTcl use grid only.

I have very few experience about Java's GUI designer, but all of them that I had chance to try used packer and placer as geometry managers, namely I tried Sun's Forte and Borland's JBuilder.

That said, "place" is not the only one that is actively used by GUI designers..

I have no experience what produces Prima though.

Courage, the Cowardly Dog