Any stupid SketchFlow tricks?
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Anyone tried SketchFlow in Expression Blend 3[^]? I was using Balsamiq[^] to do mockups for users but it has some serious drawbacks: the links between mocks are clearly an afterthought, because all of the mocks are in separate XML files that all have to reside in the same folder for the project to work. And SketchFlow has at least 2 features I really like: animated transitions between screens, and the ability for anyone viewing the project (users/stakeholders) to send you feedback. In typical Microsoft style there is a learning curve, whereas with Balsamiq you can sit down and start making a mockup in a few minutes. But as an MS dev I'm used to that, and think the extra features make it worth it.
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Anyone tried SketchFlow in Expression Blend 3[^]? I was using Balsamiq[^] to do mockups for users but it has some serious drawbacks: the links between mocks are clearly an afterthought, because all of the mocks are in separate XML files that all have to reside in the same folder for the project to work. And SketchFlow has at least 2 features I really like: animated transitions between screens, and the ability for anyone viewing the project (users/stakeholders) to send you feedback. In typical Microsoft style there is a learning curve, whereas with Balsamiq you can sit down and start making a mockup in a few minutes. But as an MS dev I'm used to that, and think the extra features make it worth it.
Yes, I have used and enjoy SketchFlow, I was actually in the design phase of my own prototype of the same type of application for XAML when Microsoft released SketchFlow. Good thing I didn't get too far, it was only a DSL at that point, but I had the exact same concept, it was going to be featured in my series on Graphics. I have not used it extensivly, but it is a powerful tool, as for tricks; donno? What are you trying to do? :doh:
"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." -- Albert Einstein "It didn't matter to us whether people believed in us. We believed in ourselves. We had the courage to follow our own path." ~~Nvidia's Jen-Hsun Huang
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Anyone tried SketchFlow in Expression Blend 3[^]? I was using Balsamiq[^] to do mockups for users but it has some serious drawbacks: the links between mocks are clearly an afterthought, because all of the mocks are in separate XML files that all have to reside in the same folder for the project to work. And SketchFlow has at least 2 features I really like: animated transitions between screens, and the ability for anyone viewing the project (users/stakeholders) to send you feedback. In typical Microsoft style there is a learning curve, whereas with Balsamiq you can sit down and start making a mockup in a few minutes. But as an MS dev I'm used to that, and think the extra features make it worth it.
Yup I actually really like it! The quick prototype / navigation options are a dream to create and the sketch wiggly styles make such a difference to the end-user - they really do focus on the concept/layout rather than look and feel. I now use it all the time to evaluate new concepts to our stakeholders and vip customers. The feedback mechanism is really handy but I hope they improve it. Its hard to spot the export feedback option and some customers struggle to save a file then email it - its just too complex for them. I'd prefer a simple 'email feedback' button to do it directly within the player. Additionally its a bit too easy to close the browser and loose your feedback entirely! Another problem we have is showing received feedback to other stakeholders. Fine we can view it in blend but our stakeholders cant be expected to do that! It would be nice if the sketchflow player could load and view other peoples feedback (I have seen a hack to do this - but not tried it myself). As for tips/tricks, not really. But I have found an undocumented feature that lets you brand the player with your own logo: http://expressioniq.com/?p=814[^] Next I want a sketch style for the ribbon control I embed into some of our designs!
-- The Obliterator