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Crocodoc's HTML5 page flip

web.crocodoc.com

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Re: Crocodoc's HTML5 page flip

#2

Post by dcope »

While this is (technically) interesting, I don't see it being useful at all on a computer. Page curls are good on devices that can somewhat mimic a page but it really just feels awkward with a mouse or trackpad.

Re: Crocodoc's HTML5 page flip

#3

Post by pg_bot »

I've seen this done a couple of different times, and it still makes zero sense from a usability standpoint. What is wrong with vertical scrolling? The entire gesture of clicking and dragging is awkward and makes zero sense when using a computer to read content.

Re: Crocodoc's HTML5 page flip

#5

Post by zoelle »

dcope wrote: post #2

While this is (technically) interesting, I don't see it being useful at all on a computer. Page curls are good on devices that can somewhat mimic a page but it really just feels awkward with a mouse or trackpad.

Zoelle from Crocodoc here. I completely agree with your assessment. Our goal here is to explore what's possible from a technical standpoint using SVG — we don't mean to suggest that this page flip interaction should actually be used when reading documents!

Re: Crocodoc's HTML5 page flip

#6

Post by pgrote »

I can't get the pager flip to go all the way over. I am using Windows 7/Chrome and clicking/dragging the bottom corner. I can't get the first page to go past the paperclip. I feel silly asking, but what am I doing wrong?

Re: Crocodoc's HTML5 page flip

#8

Post by overshard »

This is cool from a programming perspective but it is poor UX. I believe everyone on HN knows this but the problem area are my clients. They run across stuff like this and think it looks cool/fun. Instead of listening to reason they demand stuff like this and end up with bad websites because all I can do it advise them but then make what they want.

Please stop spreading bad UX, leave page flipping to actual pages/paper.

Re: Crocodoc's HTML5 page flip

#9

Post by randallu »

Can't wait to see CSS Shaders land, then we can do this and correctly deform the HTML to make it look like it is on the "paper" (instead of being clipped to the paper). Still, with the curves they use it looks pretty good as is.

It's nice to see the web platform is capable of effects like this and I think the "usability" complaints in other comments are lame. You could use this to hide controls underneath a UI (ala Maps on iOS), for example (though maybe if you're "zen of palm"ing it you'd rather minimize clicks and put buttons everywhere, your choice); it doesn't have to replace scrolling.

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