Can't you just use Ant on its own ? I don't think it ise IDE realated. For sure, Eclipse have a plugin for that, but it also have a plugin for git, which is usable WITHOUT Eclipse. Here's is what a quick search led me to: Running Apache Ant. I can be wrong, as I never used Ant before.

Again, I'm not a Java expert. I don't even have achieved my studies. But from what I saw, you can use your own tools for everything. If you're forced to use this or that, then I don't think it is worth it.

Also, If building a project and having a customized environment are pretty much the same IMO. You use a bunch of tools and you make it interact smoothly.

* You take source files and compile them into an executable file. But you can use an IDE to do that
* You take programs, and integrate them in your environment. But you can use a premade DE to do that
* You take ingredients, and you make a cake. But you can use pre-made cake and just warm it
* You take seeds, and make them grow a tree toeat fruits. But you can buy an ever-grown tree, or just the fruits.

I mean, the result is the same of course. But in one case, it's harder/longer to reach it. the real interest is the feelings you'll have when saying "I did that". You'll feel it when using your own WM, I'm sure of that ^^