GUI Prototyping with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM
Developing some software, project managers, software engineers and GUI developers often have to create a software model. Very often, they need to develop its graphic design to demonstrate the layout of the developed software to clients or coordinate the process of development with your QA department, and discuss its usability and convenience. Thus, the final look of the diagram in work can be defined even at the development phase. Moreover, you can also define to what extent it will be convenient to the final user. But how to create such program elements as dialogs, menus, buttons at the development phase, when there is no runnable application? You can use some development system with the resource-editor or start creating an application prototype, or just create a text project with a set of necessary dialogs. In case you require a data type to get a clearer idea of interface, you will have to advance far enough in creation of an application prototype in order to get a sound look of interface. All this takes plenty of time . Another crucial point here is that such an approach does not allow attracting unskilled designers and managers to interface development. A quite unlike situation occurs if try drawing interface in some graphic package. Whichever you choose a package of vector or raster graphics, development of interface becomes a designer's task, let alone acceptable speed. Moreover , interface elements will be static a priori . And it will take you a lot of extra time to draw the same dialog, with an opened combo box, for instance. Although, of course, you can draw a program in any state and with any data. Diagramming tool ConceptDraw from CS Odessa Corporation offers the third approach. This program is for 2-D vector drawing, but for more acceleration of prototyping of graphic interface, it offers a set of libraries with ready-to-use GUI elements.
. To create some interface object in ConceptDraw, you need to open ConceptDraw STORE and, considering the needed OS, choose the necessary template in which element libraries will appear. For instance, Windows User Interface (together with it MS Office elements will appear) or Mac OS X User Interface. Then in the Libraries panel the libraries with GUI elements, which can be added to your document, will appear. Using Drag&Drop or double-clicking on the needed element you will add it to your document and will be further able to edit it. First, add an empty dialog to the document. Similarly, you can add any necessary components for creation of interface. After you have added them, the only thing left is to properly arrange them and edit corresponding to your needs. For instance, if you add the button for closing the dialog, take it by the green square on the right
You can also arrange objects by selecting them with pressing Shift, and having chosen on of the variants of arrangement on the toolbar Align. Or you can distribute objects by using buttons on the same toolbar.
Thus, without too much effort, you will get a dialog of the similar type in a couple of minutes. And you do not have to use programming for this. Besides, ConceptDraw is the only cross-platform program that allows to create interface for you upcoming software not only for Windows, but also for Mac OS (X). That is why it is the best choice for companies and developers who work on markets of Win and Mac applications. |

Example 1. GUI Interface - Mac and Ribbon
TEN RELATED HOW TO's:
Process Flowchart →
When trying to figure out the nature of the problems occurring within a project, there are many ways to develop such understanding. One of the most common ways to document processes for further improvement is to draw a process flowchart, which depicts the activities of the process arranged in sequential order — this is business process management. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is business process mapping software with impressive range of productivity features for business process management and classic project management. This business process management software is helpful for many purposes from different payment processes, or manufacturing processes to chemical processes. Business process mapping flowcharts helps clarify the actual workflow of different people engaged in the same process. This samples were made with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM — business process mapping software for flowcharting and used as classic visio alternative because its briefly named "visio for mac" and for windows, this sort of software named the business process management tools. This flowchart diagram shows a process flow of project management. The diagram that is presented here depicts the project life cycle that is basic for the most of project management methods. Breaking a project into phases allows to track it in the proper manner. Through separation on phases, the total workflow of a project is divided into some foreseeable components, thus making it easier to follow the project status. A project life cycle commonly includes: initiation, definition, design, development and implementation phases. Distinguished method to show parallel and interdependent processes, as well as project life cycle relationships. A flowchart diagram is often used as visual guide to project. For instance, it used by marketing project management software for visualizing stages of marketing activities or as project management workflow tools. Created with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM — business process mapping software which is flowcharting visio alternative or shortly its visio for mac, this sort of software platform often named the business process management tools.
Network Diagram Software →
Communication via Internet nowadays is almost irreplaceable part of lifestyle. It’s needless to say that providing that communication is not a piece of cake, and network diagram software is useful for representing all the interconnections between network devices. These diagrams are also helpful for educational purposes. This drawing depicts the network topology of the sample web studio. This is a physical type of network diagram. It is depicting the network, end-user equipment and connections between them. The given network has combined the both star and mesh network topology features. This diagram is a tool of network administrator. it delivers the actual information on location of servers, hubs, switches, routers, and other telecommunication equipment. The collection of network related symbols provided with ConceptDraw Network Diagrams solution represents the entire network components. All Symbols are standard. Therefore, network specialists can effortlessly decrypt this diagram.
Network Glossary Definition →
When talking about engineering, one should define all the terms used, so anybody could understand the topic. Typical network glossary contains definitions of numerous network appliances, types of networks and cable systems. The understanding of basic is crucial for server management, network administration and investigating problems. The network glossary defines terms related to networking and communications. The most of glossary items has their visual representation in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM libraries of the Computer Network Diagrams solution. This illustration presents a local area network (LAN) diagram. It designed to show the way the interaction of network devices in a local network. The diagram uses a library containing symbols of network equipment, connections and the end-point devices such as network printer, hubs, server, modem and finally computers (PC, mac, laptop). This diagram depicts a physical LAN topology.
How To Do A Mind Map In PowerPoint →
ConceptDraw MINDMAP - an excellent tool for exporting mind maps to PowerPoint to visualize and presenting your project. You can simply generate, change, update your mindmap and then make a presentation in PowerPoint.
What Is User Interface? →
What is user interface (UI)? User interface of any information device includes everything designed you can interact - the screen you are looking, the icons you are clicking. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM extended with iPhone User Interface Solution is the best diagramming and vector drawing software for designing clear, pleasant and convenient user interfaces. Convenience is the most important moment for users.
Graphical User Interface →
ConceptDraw DIAGRAM provides iPhone User Interface Solution from the Software Development Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park for quick and easy drawing professional looking graphical user interfaces. Even if you are not an artist, you will be able easily draw any iPhone graphical user interface using the ready-to-use predesigned vector objects from the offered libraries of iPhone User Interface Solution for ConceptDraw Solution Park.
UI Patterns →
The most convenient, useful and right way for software engineers, UI designers, UI developers is to use UI patterns in the process of developing any application for computer devices. The User Interface (UI) patterns are standardized solutions for common design problems.
Scrum →
What is Scrum? Scrum is the famous agile software development methodology which depicts an iterative and incremental approach for the work on the complex projects. Use ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software extended with SCRUM Workflow solution to draw various types of professional-looking Scrum Charts, Scrum Workflow Diagrams, Scrum Mind Maps, Scrum boards and attractive Scrum Infographics.
Network Topology Mapper →
Network Topology in communication networks, a topology is a usually schematic description of the arrangement of a network, including its nodes and connecting lines. There are two ways of defining network geometry: the physical topology and the logical topology. Network Topology Mapper offers extensive drawing tools professional-looking network diagrams quickly and easily allowing you to clearly represent and communicate network architecture, topology, and design to engineers, stakeholders and end-users.