Wireframe Tools?
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- mg33
I'm doing some research on new tools for creating website wireframes to see if my team is interested in stepping away from Visio and using something a bit more narrowly focused on websites.
Pluses would be:
1) Reusable shapes, editable in one place and able to dynamically update across document.
2) Some kind of sitemap / wireframe integration that develops a sitemap based on pages/templates in the whole document.
3) Ability to actually show some interaction would be great if possible.Any suggestions? Anything you've used that really worked well and was efficient to use?
- Josev0
I just started working with a web based product called Mockflow. I'm pleased with it so far. It uses components, master pages, allows for interactivity.
- ukit20
- + 1 AxureNaygon
- Axure is the only Tool right now, that gives you everything you will ever need regarding Wireframing and Prototyping of any fidelity.riskunlogic
- doesnotexist0
i like omnigraffle
- autofIavour0
we've used SmartDraw for years. it does map more than website wire frames and has its been a life saver on more than one occasion.
it has a template system that you can set. it has an amazing sitemap facilitation and sitemap generation ( point it any url and it'll build the map with real-time updates; great for competitive intelligence ). also has annotation abilities.
as for showing interaction, it does connect to multiple presentation apps. (powerpoint, project, visio, plus can export in all types of formats including swf.) but the program itself is not really a presentation tool.
- bogue0
This service is absolutely amazing. Used mockingbird before and this blows it right out of the water. Enough interactivity in there to create a semi functioning wireframe that you could do user group testing with.
Highly recommended.
- mg330
Pulling this thread back up for a couple more questions.
I've been refreshing my skills with Axure using the demo the past couple of weeks. Still looking for a new job and want to make sure I'm really familiar with it. Contemplating buying it because I have some need for myself for my own projects, things I'd like to add to my portfolio so that I've demonstrated fluency in UX stuff.
Axure is $289 and just not sure I want to spend that right now. But I do need a wireframe tool with the ability to make site maps. Basic prototype capability is preferred too.
There's just so much out there. Found this list of tools:
http://mashable.com/2013/04/02/w…For any of you experienced with Axure, are there any alternatives you have used that compare? Looking for something with good libraries of mobile elements if possible, if not I know they're easy to find.
Just want to make sure I get something that might be used in the industry and wouldn't be a waste of money. Thanks.
- mg330
So after a ton of reviewing wireframe tools, and doing demos of Axure and Balsamiq, I am totally in love with http://uxpin.com.
Web based, full of modern element libraries. $14 a month, which isn't too bad. Doesn't generate site maps, but I think they can be pieced together in a blank document without too much trouble.
They also sell paper products with grid based layouts that can be written on, then take a photo of it, and import them into the program to more easily move from sketch to wireframe. Pretty nice.
- doesnotexist0
why not use illustrator? use symbol libraries. there's also some default web element palettes.
- mg330
^ I could see using Illustrator for really basic low fidelity wireframes, but I'm trying to be more current with interactivity and prototyping while I'm looking for a new job. Illustrator's just not going to cut it for higher level multi-page site work.
- prophetone0
UXpin looks dope.
- mg330
^ It's really nice, and fast as well. I tried hotgloo a few months ago and it was sort of laggy. I've really been comparing things pretty hard, and I feel like right from the first second UXPin has really good symbol libraries, AND they update it, as opposed to Axure or Balsamiq on the desktop and having to keep up with new libraries. Not the end of the world... but sometimes things are more efficient when they're just ready to go.
- studderine0
As much as people think spec documents are gone...well, they're not. This is especially true when working with larger clients that won't adapt to the agile methodology. Axure is the way to go for prototyping, but — I don't care what anyone says — their "generate spec" tool requires a lot of tinkering for GOOD documentation. I really like eightshapes method of using illy (or another vector based program) + indesign.
My advice:
Don't get too hung up on the tools, focus on interaction design principles that will inform your work.- I wrote BIG spec documents at my last job. Didn't get to get into that trying out Axure, but didn't need it at the moment either.mg33
- either.mg33
- Word. I think Axure is the best tool out there even if it is a bit odd.studderine
- robotron3k0
google docs, swappable shapes, ability to work in groups.
- mg330
I've been using Omnigraffle at my new job for the past few weeks. It does some things that are very efficient and quick to use, but basic tasks are so ridiculously difficult to do. Does anyone else here use it?
I'm talking thinks like drawing an arrow with that impossible line tool (have to double click to "end" a line).
Or rotating a shape (you can only use the Geometry inspector to select a degree of rotation. No option to flip 180 degrees, or flip vertical/horizontal.)
And there's not a font style / size / color tool easily accessible in a main window. It's in a floating palette.
Also, every shape you create is stroked, and has a drop shadow by default. Then you have to go through 2 panels to change it.I've got the newest version at home, but we're a version behind at work. The only thing I really like about it is the layering. Makes it realty nice to easily expose and hide things.
- Try Axure. Do it. Good luck on the gig.studderine
- Illy or Fireworks are OK too.studderine
- monNom0
Illustrator. Everything else I've demo'd seems super laggy in comparison.
Illustrator also has a nice workflow where you can start with low-fi grey-box wires and move all the way to high-fidelity design proofs without redoing your layout. You just update your symbol instances. and see your changes take effect.
The others may offer better 'interactive' wireframes, but a little dreamweaver/imagemaps works well there.
What am I missing from these dedicated programmes?
- karj0
I tried many of these programs out. They all pissed me off.
I use this thing called a pencil, and I use it to draw on this thing called paper. I keep doing so until all of the sketches work as they should.
Then, I clean those drawings up, using Illustrator. I create three artboards: Desktop, Tablet, Smartphone. I also use layers to separate the pages/modes.
This approach allows me to build a base template, with core treatments, and then use that to speed up the build of additional pages.
- mg330
The docs I'm working on couldn't be done in Illustrator. They're massive sets of templates / modules / wireframes with callouts, developer notes, links within to other pages, etc.
I don't mind Omnigraffle (aside from the stupid things) and it's definitely the type of program for large projects. It's cool that they'll let me use other tools for new projects - I have been using UX Pin on my own and they're cool with me using that on new smaller scale stuff. That's the fun thing about the UX team I'm on - they're totally open to new ideas and we're sort of trying to make the case for more involvement in certain projects. Should be fun.
- bjladams0
we went thru quite a few before settling on hotgloo earlier this year.
- fadein110
wow - more wireframe tools than web design tools... sign of the times.