Secrets of UI Design?

Getting Started Newbie Questions
1

Hi all!

Iam try to move from titanium to corona for different reasons. But aim stuck at the beginning :slight_smile:

My App has some native locking UI elements like grouped-tables, nav-bars and tab-bars. Iam currently try to get these grouped tables, like in Xcode but i have no clue how to do this.
I read many blogs (that one with the Ipad and blueprint app) but i wondering how you guys make your UI, if you want to look like nearly native on iPhone.

Do you really use images for that instead of real controls?

I hope someone can show me the right direction :wink:

Thanks a lot!

Bye,
tobias
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2

It depends on the app you’re making, is it a game or is it a utility app?
If I make a game I would use my own UI but if I make a utility app I think I would try to make it look as the built-in apps in iOS, like contacts or calendar. [import]uid: 24111 topic_id: 22074 reply_id: 87732[/import]

3

Corona SDK has a set of widgets that look almost exactly like the native controls, so you can create good looking business apps – just in a different way than with something like Titanium.

Here’s an article that gives a tip for creating business apps with Corona SDK – it’s not about the widgets, but a more general way to get started.

http://gamedevnation.com/game-tools/corona-sdk-for-business-apps-a-secret-weapon/

Jay
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4

Hi and thanks for your responses.

Its a business app, kind of shop frontend. It mainly display search results from json datasources into tableviews.

i try the widget api, but i can’t get this kind of grouped tables to work. I attached a screenshot showing what kind of table i would like have :wink:

I also read through this “Nap Keeper” article, that why aim wondering if you all do this in that way if you develop business apps:

  • Use 3rd.Party Tools like Blueprint or Photoshop to design layout elements
  • Export theses into image files
  • Import this into corona as UI objects
    Is that the way ??


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5

Hmm…no replys for far. So this could means you all writing games only and corona is good for games but not for apps which looks and feels like native apps?

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6

One of the apps that I’m building at the moment is a utility app. I make most of the (if not all) UI using Photoshop. Corona isn’t just great for making games but other apps too. :wink: [import]uid: 24111 topic_id: 22074 reply_id: 90748[/import]

7

Create a mask with rounded corners in photoshop and use it with the tableview? [import]uid: 13560 topic_id: 22074 reply_id: 90764[/import]

8

For “most” things Corona SDK will give you a huge boost in productivity. But there are “some” things that Corona just doesn’t do, so you need to figure out work-arounds. Or if there are no good work-arounds, switch to a different framework.

For most apps I find Corona SDK the best answer. For some apps it doesn’t even come close.

At this point.

I have an app for sale that needs an update and I’m stalling because every version of Corona SDK comes a little bit closer to allowing me to port the app to Corona for all future updates. I just don’t have the patience for Obj-C programming these days.

I wish I had a good solution for you but I’ve only done two non-game apps with Corona SDK and haven’t needed to do what you’re talking about.

Jay
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