Apple picker If you work as a web designer or like to create websites, it is important for you to see how the resulting website will look and also how it will work. The Axure RP program will help you with both.
Professional or amateur?
I decided to write this article, but it was clear to me that since I am not a professional in the field of web creation and design, I cannot describe the program as perfectly as the reader would require. Nevertheless, it will hopefully please all those interested in creating a website.
Layout vs. Design
Axure RP in version 6 is a powerful tool for creating functional website prototypes. This is a really sophisticated program. Its appearance resembles a typical Mac program. It really only takes a few minutes to understand how it works and what options it offers. There are two options for prototyping. 1. create a page layout, or 2. create a complex design. Both parts can be connected using hyperlinks and sitemap layering into a functional prototype. This prototype can be exported for printing, or directly to the browser, or as HTML for uploading with a subsequent presentation to, for example, a customer.
1. layout – creating a layout with blank images and randomly generated texts is really simple. If you have the inspiration, it's a matter of a few tens of minutes or a few hours. Thanks to the dot surface (dots on the background) and the magnetic guide lines, the placement of the individual components is a breeze. All you need is a mouse and a good idea. A flawless option is to turn a design into a hand-painted concept with one drag of the mouse in the bottom menu. A concept prepared in this way is a real stylish matter during the initial meeting with the client.
2. design – creating a page design is the same as in the previous case, only you can place the finished graphics. If you have a ready layout, the blind images act as a mask. Thus, by simply dragging and dropping from Media Library, or iPhoto, you place the selected image in a pre-defined, precisely sized location. The program will also offer you automatic compression so that the resulting prototype is not extremely data-intensive for larger projects. A really practical option for the prototype is to set the master parameter for objects that are repeated on each page (header, footer and other page elements). Thanks to this function, you don't have to copy objects from the original page and place them exactly.
Advantages that justify your purchase
If you intend to present a design or prototype to a client, the function of adding notes to each object on the page will come in handy, especially adding notes to the entire page, not only from you, but also the client's notes. All labels, notes, budget information and more that can be easily set and written in the right menu. You can export this entire (in the case of larger projects quite extensive) bundle of information to a Word file. You have the materials for the presentation to the client ready within ten minutes, perfectly, completely and flawlessly.
Why yes?
The program is full of repetitive and advanced functions, thanks to a well-designed user interface, it will make it easier for you. If you would like to penetrate more into the program and discover all its countless possibilities, you can use the comprehensive documentation or video instructions on the manufacturer's website.
Why not?
The only disadvantage I came across is the placement of buttons and other elements, for example in the menu. If my menu is 25 points high, I haven't been able to place the button in the right size and center of the menu yet.
Final short summary
Considering the options, the price of just under $600 for a single license is friendly - if you create dozens of projects per month. If you're into creating websites as a hobby, you'll flip the coin in your pocket twice before buying this program.
Author: Jakub Čech, www.podnikoveporadenstvi.cz
Axure itself is a really powerful tool. It should not be missing in a company that deals with the creation of websites. As for other functions not mentioned, new in version 6 you can easily insert 960 grids of 12 and 16 columns into the design, which is also great for graphic designers who then process the design.
Axure also includes handling of variables that can be passed between pages, so you can make "dynamic" menus etc. to use when you're sending a prototype website to a client. Additionally, Axure, if you have a subscription, allows you to upload 10 prototypes to their website http://share.axure.com/, which you can individually secure with a password.
The problem with the 25px menu height button alignment can only be solved manually, either by centering it using the up and down arrows on the active element. Then the element is moved by 1px. Or directly by entering the coordinates next to the toolbar at the top in the x: ay: axis.