CODEWITHSUNDEEP
flashactionscript-3adobe
Daniel M.
Daniel M.

Reputation: 669

Is Flash programming good for GUI prototyping?

I used to think that Flash was a program for designers or just for web purposes, but now i am working in rapid prototyping for GUI and i am trying to learn some flash just to evaluate as solution for this kind of projects. I found very useful some graphical capabilities, like combine graphics and video together, modify pixels, good interaction with user input...

what do you think? is flash good solution? or is limited because his web/designer origin?

br.

Upvotes: 3

Views: 2728

Answers (4)

Nuthinking
Nuthinking

Reputation: 1321

It depends the level of details your prototypes should represent. I mean, if you are prototyping very high fidelity GUI which, for instance, then will have to be built eventually in C++, Flash (without Flex SDK) could be a good solution (lot of freedom for customization and faster/easier then C++ to write). If your prototypes can be pretty rough, a solution like Flex or, even better, Flash Catalyst can be better.

Upvotes: 0

Randolpho
Randolpho

Reputation: 56391

No. In fact, Flash is one of the worst platforms for GUI out there. You are not looking at rapid prototyping at all using Flash.

If you want to do rapid prototypes of GUIs with an Adobe product, use Flex instead.

If you want to do better GUI prototyping, use Silverlight and Expression Blend.

Upvotes: -1

Richard B
Richard B

Reputation: 1581

If you have the ability to use Expression Studio from Microsoft (I believe it's part of the Blend product), there's a prototyping tool for Silverlight/WPF that could get you going pretty well.

Upvotes: 0

Todd Moses
Todd Moses

Reputation: 11029

Flash is not limited for GUI possibilities because you can create custom controls with vector graphics.

You have a blank slate with Flash to create as complex a GUI as you desire. But if you are prototyping for Windows use Visual Studio to drag and drop or numerous open source tools for UNIX and MAC GUI drag and drop or just use an image creation tool.

In short, Flash could be a good tool to prototype if you are creating highly customized interfaces. Otherwise, no. There are easier UI development tools out there for standardized stuff.

Upvotes: 2

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