Fear of UI - UPDATED
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So the time has come to implement the UI for my ad-blocker application. Never been particularly good with UIs. I'm searching for ways to make it look modern, like the Windows Settings app or GitHub Desktop. Unfortunately, my UI design skills are limited to line-of-business apps. So I got a question: Has anyone here any experience with WinUI 3? Is it worth the learning curve, or will it be abandoned soon? I read conflicting information from Mr. Google. UPDATE: So I created my first WinUI project, and it looks intriguing. I'll be working with it over the weekend. Only thing is that WinUI applications are distributed as MSIX packages, and I'm hoping that I'm not restricted to creating crippled applications like on the Universal Windows Platform. I need it to be a full desktop application.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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So the time has come to implement the UI for my ad-blocker application. Never been particularly good with UIs. I'm searching for ways to make it look modern, like the Windows Settings app or GitHub Desktop. Unfortunately, my UI design skills are limited to line-of-business apps. So I got a question: Has anyone here any experience with WinUI 3? Is it worth the learning curve, or will it be abandoned soon? I read conflicting information from Mr. Google. UPDATE: So I created my first WinUI project, and it looks intriguing. I'll be working with it over the weekend. Only thing is that WinUI applications are distributed as MSIX packages, and I'm hoping that I'm not restricted to creating crippled applications like on the Universal Windows Platform. I need it to be a full desktop application.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
So the time has come to implement the UI for my ad-blocker application.
Noice, the fun stuff.
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
Never been particularly good with UIs.
It's a completely different skill set. And, one that requires you thinking a lot less like an engineer and more like regular person. Unless it's an engineering app, I guess. But, the GIMP is a perfect example of engineers not consulting normal humans.
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
I'm searching for ways to make it look modern, like the Windows Settings app or GitHub Desktop. Unfortunately, my UI design skills are limited to line-of-business apps.
Don't sell yourself short, LOB app users are still users. That being said...
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
Is it worth the learning curve, or will it be abandoned soon? I read conflicting information from Mr. Google.
I wish I could help with that specific tech... me not know. But, if this is an app you care about and from a general UI perspective to get ideas for a look, this steadfast rule applies. Always, always, always just hire a professional. Can't begin to tell you how many times my jaw just dropped about how easily and effortlessly they'll cook up something that's like 20 times better than my crap that took forever. :laugh: I'm sure the reverse is also true; we make programs few can. But, it's what we do. Pretty is what they do. Teamwork. Either way, if you hire someone or go solo, you should be checking out sites that offer [Software UI templates](https://dribbble.com/tags/software-ui). I haven't bought a software UI one, but for the web at least, most templates are like $50 USD. But, even if you don't buy a template it help give you ideas as a point of reference for the artist you hire.
Jeremy Falcon
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So the time has come to implement the UI for my ad-blocker application. Never been particularly good with UIs. I'm searching for ways to make it look modern, like the Windows Settings app or GitHub Desktop. Unfortunately, my UI design skills are limited to line-of-business apps. So I got a question: Has anyone here any experience with WinUI 3? Is it worth the learning curve, or will it be abandoned soon? I read conflicting information from Mr. Google. UPDATE: So I created my first WinUI project, and it looks intriguing. I'll be working with it over the weekend. Only thing is that WinUI applications are distributed as MSIX packages, and I'm hoping that I'm not restricted to creating crippled applications like on the Universal Windows Platform. I need it to be a full desktop application.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
Also, know the vibe of your app. You want something simple and kinda cutesy like [this](https://cdn.dribbble.com/userupload/4239645/file/original-f8ced59ceae62450a196b313378d469b.jpg?resize=2400x1799)? Or, do you want something serious and intimidating that pwns n00bs for having the audacity to open it? :laugh: :laugh:
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
So I created my first WinUI project
Noice. If it were CSS/web I could say a lot more, but I'm a n00b here. Hope you have a blast exploring it though.
Jeremy Falcon
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Also, know the vibe of your app. You want something simple and kinda cutesy like [this](https://cdn.dribbble.com/userupload/4239645/file/original-f8ced59ceae62450a196b313378d469b.jpg?resize=2400x1799)? Or, do you want something serious and intimidating that pwns n00bs for having the audacity to open it? :laugh: :laugh:
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
So I created my first WinUI project
Noice. If it were CSS/web I could say a lot more, but I'm a n00b here. Hope you have a blast exploring it though.
Jeremy Falcon
Wow, the app you linked to looks awesome. My dream is to be able to create apps that look like that! (That screenshot is from Mac, right?) I've got some work to do to convert my classes from my Windows Forms client app to ones that will work in WinUI, but already I can see that the Named Pipe classes I need to communicate between the ad-blocker service and the client are supported. I was really worried that they wouldn't be! I've become set in my ways over the past few years, and it's exciting to start learning a new framework, especially one that can create awesome UIs.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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Wow, the app you linked to looks awesome. My dream is to be able to create apps that look like that! (That screenshot is from Mac, right?) I've got some work to do to convert my classes from my Windows Forms client app to ones that will work in WinUI, but already I can see that the Named Pipe classes I need to communicate between the ad-blocker service and the client are supported. I was really worried that they wouldn't be! I've become set in my ways over the past few years, and it's exciting to start learning a new framework, especially one that can create awesome UIs.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
My dream is to be able to create apps that look like that!
Yeah man, there's a whole other side to software dev... the human side. IMO the quickest way to get you closer to that dream is ya know... hiring peeps. :-O Or go find a graphic artist buddy and con him/her with a cup of coffee. :laugh:
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
(That screenshot is from Mac, right?)
Maybe, it's just a random one I pulled off the Internet. :laugh: Looks like it though.
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
I've become set in my ways over the past few years, and it's exciting to start learning a new framework, especially one that can create awesome UIs.
Nice. Totally get it. It's the same way I'm feeling about Zig. There's no reason tech can't be fun like it was when we were kids slamming down the [jolt cola](https://www.prosportstickers.com/wp-content/uploads/nc/e/jolt\_cola\_can\_\_46493.jpg) .
Jeremy Falcon
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So the time has come to implement the UI for my ad-blocker application. Never been particularly good with UIs. I'm searching for ways to make it look modern, like the Windows Settings app or GitHub Desktop. Unfortunately, my UI design skills are limited to line-of-business apps. So I got a question: Has anyone here any experience with WinUI 3? Is it worth the learning curve, or will it be abandoned soon? I read conflicting information from Mr. Google. UPDATE: So I created my first WinUI project, and it looks intriguing. I'll be working with it over the weekend. Only thing is that WinUI applications are distributed as MSIX packages, and I'm hoping that I'm not restricted to creating crippled applications like on the Universal Windows Platform. I need it to be a full desktop application.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
Also need to consider dark mode option, as discussed in a recent thread.
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Wow, the app you linked to looks awesome. My dream is to be able to create apps that look like that! (That screenshot is from Mac, right?) I've got some work to do to convert my classes from my Windows Forms client app to ones that will work in WinUI, but already I can see that the Named Pipe classes I need to communicate between the ad-blocker service and the client are supported. I was really worried that they wouldn't be! I've become set in my ways over the past few years, and it's exciting to start learning a new framework, especially one that can create awesome UIs.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
Richard Andrew x64 wrote:
(That screenshot is from Mac, right?)
I'm not a Mac user, but a couple of things give it away: - The red/yellow/green buttons in the top-right corner - The rounded corners - The skeuomorphism used, like that big knob control, and the shadow that is cast underneath it (which a coworker of mine would insist makes things look like they're dirty)
