User Interface Builder

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#1

Having a User interface Builder/designer would be very beneficial for developers who are focusing on business apps. Like me :slight_smile:

It would reduce the development time and I can imagine that it would give corona a boost compared to the competitors and help creating a bigger user base.

If Ansca can make a level editor, why not an interface editor simular to (a light version of ) Xcode Interfacebuilder?

https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/ToolsLanguages/Conceptual/Xcode4UserGuide/InterfaceBuilder/InterfaceBuilder.html

Or something like the mockup functionality of an app as appcooker (ipad). Just basic inteface design where the developer can use some basic UI elements.

What do you think? and more important…what does Ansca think about it? :wink: [import]uid: 106768 topic_id: 22904 reply_id: 322904[/import]

#2

+1 [import]uid: 5822 topic_id: 22904 reply_id: 91501[/import]

#3

WOW…we`re in the same boat literally. My main focus are business app too and Corona knows it! :slight_smile:
+1!
[import]uid: 89165 topic_id: 22904 reply_id: 91506[/import]

#4

+1
I agree totally. For our purposes we need a UI designer more than a level editor. [import]uid: 106658 topic_id: 22904 reply_id: 92984[/import]

#5

+1 yup. Agree. [import]uid: 13784 topic_id: 22904 reply_id: 93316[/import]

#6

+1 it should be an amazing competitive advantage

#7

Not to rain on your parade here, but the widgets library has no support whatsoever for a design interface. This needs to be implemented first (rewrite widgets) and then, maybe, a designer will be feasible. 

#8

Hi,  I’m the author of Level Director (currently Windows only I’m afraid) and the ability to add widgets is on my todo list.

It currently supports Text and buttons as these were quite simple but more will follow.

You can still do a mock up by adding images that look like the widget and place them on the canvas and once exported you’ll have all the x,y,w,h values.

If there is enough interest I’ll make this a higher priority, also, which widgets would you like to see implemented first?

#9

Hi, A noble cause, but I am afraid its a dead end at this stage, at least for what I would consider a usable designer - you need support from the library which properties are designable, persistance layer, ability to place controls in layout containers and specify spacing, alignment etc. and this all needs to be supported on a generic base for new widgets to be installed. Not to speak that you would need data-binding for business apps. Not take me wrongly, as your level designer looks great for games Atanas

#10

My thoughts were to simply allow a widget to be placed on a layer with minimal properties, once exported, you’ll have the object available to populate with data via your code otherwise like you say it would be too complex to support all properties and containers.

Based on requests I’ve seen from Level Director users, I think giving the ability to specify the layout would go a long way to creating apps with lots of widgets. 

#11

This thread is about business apps designer, while your requests are probably from game designers.

I really cant see how what you are thinking could be usable as a Ui designer for even the most basic business apps screens. There are some pretty good wireframe designers out there .

#12

+1 it should be an amazing competitive advantage

#13

Not to rain on your parade here, but the widgets library has no support whatsoever for a design interface. This needs to be implemented first (rewrite widgets) and then, maybe, a designer will be feasible. 

#14

Hi,  I’m the author of Level Director (currently Windows only I’m afraid) and the ability to add widgets is on my todo list.

It currently supports Text and buttons as these were quite simple but more will follow.

You can still do a mock up by adding images that look like the widget and place them on the canvas and once exported you’ll have all the x,y,w,h values.

If there is enough interest I’ll make this a higher priority, also, which widgets would you like to see implemented first?

#15

Hi, A noble cause, but I am afraid its a dead end at this stage, at least for what I would consider a usable designer - you need support from the library which properties are designable, persistance layer, ability to place controls in layout containers and specify spacing, alignment etc. and this all needs to be supported on a generic base for new widgets to be installed. Not to speak that you would need data-binding for business apps. Not take me wrongly, as your level designer looks great for games Atanas

#16

My thoughts were to simply allow a widget to be placed on a layer with minimal properties, once exported, you’ll have the object available to populate with data via your code otherwise like you say it would be too complex to support all properties and containers.

Based on requests I’ve seen from Level Director users, I think giving the ability to specify the layout would go a long way to creating apps with lots of widgets. 

#17

This thread is about business apps designer, while your requests are probably from game designers.

I really cant see how what you are thinking could be usable as a Ui designer for even the most basic business apps screens. There are some pretty good wireframe designers out there .