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Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

paintcodeapp.com

41–50 of 82 posts

Re: Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

#41
post #7
post #3

Other than dynamically-related colors, is this much different from designing in Illustrator and exporting to PDF, which I understand is well-supported in iOS and OS X?

Think 'Save As NSView Code' for Illustrator.

Your PDF is going to be resolution independent and end up being used in much the same way as the code, so I'm to sure it's a significant difference.

I do like the automated color derivation though.

Re: Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

#42
post #9

I love the execution of this app, but I disagree with the underlying idea for most cases. Drawing your UI is never ever going to be as cheap as loading a converted PNG (which Apple's modified pngcrush converts for you). I think a lot of devs have the draw/vector vs. precomposed bitmap tradeoff the wrong way round. Drawing all of your gradated UIButtons with CoreGraphics methods is a false economy compared to just loa…

Using something like the Apple-provided CGLayer, you can draw the image once, then use it like a bitmap while it is in memory, AND they can keep it cached on the graphics card. These guys could easily produce code that does that.

Reference: https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/graph... (it works on iOS too)

Re: Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

#43
You could just create you assets in Illustrator/Vector and you would be set for any future resolution increases. However the PNGs would still increase your bundle size.

What I'm curious about, maybe someone here has the answer is if there would be a significant performance gain from using Core Graphics over just loading a PNG?

Re: Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

#45

This highlights one of the main problems with selling dev tools on the App store - it looks amazing but there's no way I'm shelling out $80 without trying it first.

Not via the App Store, but there is nothing preventing them from doing this via a direct download on their website.

Re: Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

#46

This highlights one of the main problems with selling dev tools on the App store - it looks amazing but there's no way I'm shelling out $80 without trying it first.

It's how Apple has commoditized mobile apps and is now trying the same on the desktop.

Re: Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

#47
post #46

This highlights one of the main problems with selling dev tools on the App store - it looks amazing but there's no way I'm shelling out $80 without trying it first.

It's how Apple has commoditized mobile apps and is now trying the same on the desktop.

Not sure what you are accusing Apple of ... This developer does have a choice you know. He could have made a trial available on his own site. Apple does not disallow that.

Re: Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

#48
post #9

I love the execution of this app, but I disagree with the underlying idea for most cases. Drawing your UI is never ever going to be as cheap as loading a converted PNG (which Apple's modified pngcrush converts for you). I think a lot of devs have the draw/vector vs. precomposed bitmap tradeoff the wrong way round. Drawing all of your gradated UIButtons with CoreGraphics methods is a false economy compared to just loa…

Without benchmarks, that's kind of a pointless assertion. I'd guess that both methods are close in performance most of the time but don't really know.

Anyway sometimes you need drawing code -- it's much more animatable, for example.

Re: Vector based UI design tool that generates ObjC

#50
post #43

You could just create you assets in Illustrator/Vector and you would be set for any future resolution increases. However the PNGs would still increase your bundle size. What I'm curious about, maybe someone here has the answer is if there would be a significant performance gain from using Core Graphics over just loading a PNG?

> you would be set for any future resolution increases.

Only if you're willing to release an update. There's something to be said about having it already ready for any future resolutions, now.

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