For a lot of our Drupal development projects, developing web site wireframes and information architecture is the first step in the process. A lot of web developers use Microsoft Visio or OmniGraffle as their wireframes tool.
At Appnovation, we have been using a tool called Axure RP for creating wireframes. Axure is a tool that is specifically designed for creating web site wireframes. As a result, all of the tool bar elements are strictly catered towards the web design world. We really enjoy working with the Axure for a number reasons:
1) Drag and Drop Elements
Using Axure, a web designer can easily add form elements and place holders to the page. Since all of the tool bar elements are designed for creating web site wireframes, there is no need to search for the right icon. This is the case for Visio since there are so many different elements available on the tool bar.
2) Export Wireframes as HTML
The wireframes created in Axure can be exported as HTML pages. This makes it possible for clients to easily review the wireframes using a web browser. There is no need to download any PDF file. Also, the form elements can be simulated in the web browser such that when you click on a link in the wireframes, it will actually lead you to the appropriate page.
Overall, we find Axure to be a really user-friendly and effective wireframing tool.
Comments
Axure system requirements:
# Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server or Vista
# Microsoft Office Word 2000, XP, 2003, 2007
Yes. Our MAC designers have to run Parallel with Windows for Axure to work.
Arnold
Hi,
we have developed a solution to add functionnality to Axure like add comments to pages and administrate the prototype online with registered users: ax-admin
http://www.axure-users.net/ax-admin
By the way, for your information, axure will be available on Mac later
http://www.axureformac.com/
Hopefully being Mono it will run on Linux environments too. Currently I do all my wireframing on Linux with Inkscape, which is OK when you know how to use it, but something like Axure would be great for better collaboration.
Thanks for the tip!
As my organization is going to begin a large redesign, I've been searching for good wireframing tools. In the past I've done them in photoshop, but man is that a huge pain, slow, and doesn't have the cool "export" features Axure does.
Visio really is a monstrous beast, and we're a windows shop so no Omnigraffle (lame, right?), but Axure looks very promising!
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