Need some opinions for a GUI editor

[Paulo Pinto]

On Wednesday, 29 May 2013 at 12:41:44 UTC, Flamaros wrote:
> On Wednesday, 29 May 2013 at 11:36:54 UTC, Paulo Pinto wrote:
>> On Wednesday, 29 May 2013 at 09:40:33 UTC, Flamaros wrote:
>>> On Wednesday, 29 May 2013 at 08:49:24 UTC, Paulo Pinto wrote:
>>>> On Tuesday, 28 May 2013 at 21:25:05 UTC, 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 always hold Delphi and C++ Builder as examples of a what a 
>>>> good UI editor should offer.
>>>>
>>>> Currently Blend + VS are also another good examples for 
>>>> proper tooling for making good UIs.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Paulo
>>>
>>> It seems Blend can directly run on top of the application. 
>>> Are you using this feature?
>>
>> What you mean by "run on top" ?
>>
>> I use it to have a look if everything looks like and for some 
>> stuff I need to execute the application but it requires 
>> runtime information.
>>
>> Blend can work with VS solutions and also invoke MSBuild, but 
>> if you are doing custom controls and stuff it is better to do 
>> certain parts from VS side, hence using both.
>>
>> --
>> Paulo
>
> Do blend works with C++?

Yes, in Windows 8 Apps when doing XAML with C++/CX.

After 16 years, Microsoft finally catches up with Borland's C++ 
Builder.

> I don't know how it "run on top" but on the documentation page 
> tell that it can be aware of states that are normally only on 
> run-time. Maybe with a static introspection or like we propose 
> with the intrusive way.

Yes, that is possible, but not for everything. Like in most UI 
toolkits, your components need to be aware of a design mode.

--
Paulo