Need some opinions for a GUI editor

[Jacob Carlborg]

On 2013-05-28 23:25, Flamaros wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I and a friend are developing a GUI library, and now our script engine
> is ready to start a prototype (but far to be finished). We think to try
> to create a GUI editor based on our library.
> In this way, we'll see which features are need.
>
> My concern is about how the editor have to works, we see two different
> ways to do it :
> 1) Classic editor external to the user applications
>   a) Good :
>      - Lightweight (easy to deploy and test)
>      - No need to modify application code
>      - Stable due to isolation of application
>      - Real-time edition but limited on one view (bad to preview menus
> transitions)
>   b) Bad :
>      - Limited, plugins needed to extend editor components and his
> knowledge of application (can't predict size of unknown application
> specific items)
>
> 2) Integrated editor (launch with the user application in a second Window)
>   a) Good :
>      - Preview is the final result with real data
>      - All application components accessible to the editor without
> complex plugin system (in this way all editors components will be well
> placed in the preview)
>      - Full real-time edition (can preview menus transitions,...)
>      - User can customize the editor
>   b) Bad :
>      - Intrusive in the application code
>      - Force the user to port application on a desktop OS (Linux, Mac or
> Windows), not friendly if he target only embedded devices (can be
> bypassed with a remote system)
>      - Less stable editor?
>
> The second solution is commonly used in the video game industry, but is
> the best choice for a larger usage?
>
> What do you think about?

I would go with the first approach because I would guess it's easier. 
The editor creates the controls. When saving it will serialize all the 
controls to some format. This format is then read by the application.

For serialization you could have a look at Orange:

https://github.com/jacob-carlborg/orange

-- 
/Jacob Carlborg