Qt-contributors-summit-2011-QML Tooling

Notes from the discussion (mostly Feedback session):

Dependency Graph of Bindings

Can one show which events / property changes trigger the change of a specific binding, which triggered the event / property change again etc?

Photoshop Export Plugin

There are problems when the source file changes over time, and the already exported .qml files & graphical assets should be updated. Designers should ideally be educated to e.g. retain layer names.

Other ideas:

• ‘Explotion Diagram’ or just grid of names that show the assets
• Logging the Actions done in Photoshop to allow mappings of assets independent from names
• View in Photoshop that shows the existing .qml file as e.g. semi-transparent overlay
• Can one somehow mark a button as a button in Photoshop already? * Is Photoshop the right tool ten? Better use Adobe Illustrator

Ideally Designers should be educated & be working closely together with the programmer, but that’s just often not the case (e.g. when they are working for another company).

Interaction Designer / Flowchart Editor

A tool that let you quickly prototype simple flows between screens etc

• Often this is done as wireframes. A component set that shows e.g. everything grayish would help here
• People use Flash, Adobe Illustrator, Powerpoint …
• Needs to be graphical such that Designers, non-technical people can use it * Simple things like ‘if you click here you go to state 2’ should be done without editing .qml (can be a specific element for this purpose)
• Things to check out : Balsamik, Adobe Illustrator

Quick Designer

What is it meant for?

• Right now not useful for Designers (too limited)
• Not enough for programmers either

Problems Quick Designer faces

• Expressiveness of QML
• Imperative code

Ideas:

• Make a new format for static stuff only (Qt Designer alike) * Could be #pragma designer
• Put dynamic stuff in second file * Merging of both files e.g. by inheritance, property aliases

Anchors

• Anchoring does not allow you to select target anchor
• Show anchors as e.g. dotted lines (Adobe Illustrator shows guides)
• Create anchors when e.g. snapping + control key