One of my favorite prototyping tools is Microsoft's Expression Blend – SketchFlow. SketchFlow is a feature of the Expression Blend program and it lets you create fast and interactive mockups. These mockups can be low or high-fidelity. Plus, mockups can be sent out and viewed by anyone with a web browser that has the Silverlight plug-in installed or through a Microsoft Word file. These tips will help you make your own interactive mockups in no time.
When you create a new SketchFlow project, pick the Silverlight section and choose the Silverlight SketchFlow Application. To use their pre-made sketch style icons, go to the Assets panel, choose SketchFlow, Styles and then Sketch Styles. With a Wacom tablet, you can draw out your ideas with the Pencil tool as seen in this demo by Matt Morphett:
<iframe id="viddler-64c1e8bf" src="http://www.viddler.com/embed/64c1e8bf/?f=1&offset=1,897.842&autoplay=0&disablebranding=0" frameborder="0" width="545" height="451"></iframe>
The Pencil tool is located under the Pen tool. Then in the Properties panel you can select the No Brush icon under the Brushes section to get drawings with "no fill".
Another tip Matt shows us is Navigate To. When your project is published on a browser, this feature acts like a button click on an object; making your mockup interactive and flow like a regular webpage. To use this, right-click on an object, then select Navigate To and lastly select which screen that object will go to. Pressing F5 will build and run your project, so you may preview your work (note: your default browser will open and the Silverlight plug-in must be installed).
There are so many more features in SketchFlow like its Behaviors and Animation options for example. To learn more you can check out Microsoft's free SketchFlow Video Training.
If you're interested in trying SketchFlow, you can buy it from Microsoft or students can try to get it for free at DreamSpark.com.
Share your thoughts with us and do not forget to subscribe our RSS so you do not miss our valuable articles. See you later!
When you create a new SketchFlow project, pick the Silverlight section and choose the Silverlight SketchFlow Application. To use their pre-made sketch style icons, go to the Assets panel, choose SketchFlow, Styles and then Sketch Styles. With a Wacom tablet, you can draw out your ideas with the Pencil tool as seen in this demo by Matt Morphett:
<iframe id="viddler-64c1e8bf" src="http://www.viddler.com/embed/64c1e8bf/?f=1&offset=1,897.842&autoplay=0&disablebranding=0" frameborder="0" width="545" height="451"></iframe>
The Pencil tool is located under the Pen tool. Then in the Properties panel you can select the No Brush icon under the Brushes section to get drawings with "no fill".
Another tip Matt shows us is Navigate To. When your project is published on a browser, this feature acts like a button click on an object; making your mockup interactive and flow like a regular webpage. To use this, right-click on an object, then select Navigate To and lastly select which screen that object will go to. Pressing F5 will build and run your project, so you may preview your work (note: your default browser will open and the Silverlight plug-in must be installed).
There are so many more features in SketchFlow like its Behaviors and Animation options for example. To learn more you can check out Microsoft's free SketchFlow Video Training.
If you're interested in trying SketchFlow, you can buy it from Microsoft or students can try to get it for free at DreamSpark.com.
Share your thoughts with us and do not forget to subscribe our RSS so you do not miss our valuable articles. See you later!
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