[ REVIEW ] - MockupScreens - User Interface Design Tool
MockupScreens is a small windows software tool, aimed at User Interface designers, Product Architects and Managers. It is developed by Igor Jesse.
Developed with User Interface designers and Architects in mind, MockupScreens lets you create user interface mockups in black & white . It is not like visio, where you use a flow-chart approach to design the User Interface. It is similar to Visual Basic IDE and has the basic controls like Textbox, Checkbox, Radio Button, Buttons, Tree control etc. You can click a control in the left side toolbar and click on the UI space in the center. There is a little property editor in the bottom where you can change the text value or some basic properties.In the right side, you can see list of all controls you used in the user interface.
MockupScreens, is not just a UI design tool. It features a slide show option, helping you to do a walk-through, which is very much needed to evaluate a sketched UI. The slideshow is not fully loaded, but it is handy.
To test the software, I downloaded the 30 day trial and designed an user-interface. it took hardly 15 mins to place the controls, edit the properties and prepare the storyboard with two screens. Both are identical, except the screen screen shows the content of the second tab. MockupScreens allows you to copy-paste an entire screen and edit the controls. This saves a lot of time,when your walk-through includes a series of similar looking UIs. (Example : Wizards)
Binay Application Development or Web Application Development ?
MockupScreens is more binary app UI friedly. But it can be used to construct web app UIs too.
Usability, Ease of Use
Easy to handle, it takes some 10 to 20 minutes to understand how it works and how it can be used. Once you are familiar, you can straight away jump into action. Though it doesn’t provide any advanced editor options, it packs the basic features.
How much does this cost?
The software is priced at $59.00. Considering the cost and features offered, I would say MockupScreens is a value-for-money software tool.
Conclusion:
A decent tool for designing UI mockups. Not professional, but sounds good.
Website : http://www.mockupscreens.com
- Dharma