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Quartz Composer vs Form vs Pixate

9 years ago from , Creative Director at Ratio, Seattle

Hey guys! We are writing up a blog post about the differences between Quartz Composer, Form, and Pixate for web app interaction prototyping. Would love any input on things you like/dislike about Form (or the other programs if you've tried them):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1itZXiMI381t8yigIwm4lOejF26a1tXgsxM6kTOmhgw8/edit#gid=0

24 comments

  • Vitor FernandesVitor Fernandes, 9 years ago

    Framer.

    9 points
    • Ed ChaoEd Chao, 9 years ago

      +1

      Quartz composer and form have the same issue for me. More complex prototypes usually look like spaghetti and meatballs. And it is rare to be able to pass it off to a developer or designer and have them understand it easily.

      That said, it is an interesting system, and for some people it really works.

      2 points
    • Bart Claeys, 9 years ago (edited 9 years ago )

      Any good YouTube/Vimeo videos on Framer? I'm confused as to what Framer exactly is and how it relates to Framer.js. Is Framer desktop software?

      Also seems like Framer = coding, can you confirm?

      0 points
  • Robin RaszkaRobin Raszka, 9 years ago

    Keynote and Xcode FTW

    7 points
    • Bjarke DaugaardBjarke Daugaard, 9 years ago

      Anyone has a guide for that? Or do you just mean sketching in Keynote and then coding everything from scratch?

      2 points
  • Guy CohenGuy Cohen, 9 years ago

    I'm using pixate for the past 2 weeks now and it's pretty rad,i can see the results straight on my iphone/android and i can come up with interesting and complex ideas pretty fast and test it on real users pretty fast. Very interesting! Got a spare invite if one of you wants,just ping me.

    2 points
  • Kasper Andersen Kasper Andersen , 9 years ago

    I tried to put both QC and Pixate into my workflow (not at the same time).

    I'm pretty sure that Pixate is going to be the winner. I find it way easier to use and when you get the hang of what you can do with condition, then you can do great stuff.

    Pixate is also way better for user-testing, it is just easier for people to understand your prototype when they try it on a real device.

    If you want to see what you are doing on your computer, just use Reflector to airplay your device.

    2 points
  • Scott HurffScott Hurff, 9 years ago

    Thanks a lot for linking to my QC video course (http://scotthurff.com/qc)!

    Here are some other pluses for QC:

    • Free
    • TONS of free patches of every variety, going back years, because it's...
    • Used by everyone from UI designers to screensaver creators to sound professionals. They'll connect up QC with Pro Tools and other sound equipment to coordinate stuff on screen.
    • Origami 1.3 solves a lot of common usability problems
    • Avocado by IDEO also adds some pretty impressive stuff
    • Compositions can be exported to Quicktime

    Also note that Xcode isn't required; QC is free with the Graphics Tools: https://developer.apple.com/downloads/index.action

    2 points
  • Alex PaxtonAlex Paxton, 9 years ago

    I haven't used QC or Form, but I've heard the patch-based UI is a bit of a learning curve. Just started using Pixate and it's decent right now, but I plan on staying with Pixate since there are a lot of updates in the pipeline. Also, Pixate's screen mirroring features are pretty rad

    2 points
  • Kevin HaggertyKevin Haggerty, 9 years ago

    This is amazing - thanks for linking to the actual doc with the notes which is almost more valuable and interesting than a blog post!

    1 point
  • Sera JacksonSera Jackson, 9 years ago (edited 9 years ago )

    QC rocks.

    1 point
  • Justin SalsbureyJustin Salsburey, 9 years ago

    Left a bunch of pros and cons on Form and Pixate! Be sure to show us the post once its up!

    1 point
  • Robert PaigeRobert Paige, 9 years ago

    After Effects trumps all.

    1 point
  • Tony WallströmTony Wallström, 9 years ago

    I'd say Framer.

    It has a pretty short learning curve, integrates nicely with Sketch and Photoshop and I am able to try out animations and interactions out really quickly.

    I have noticed Form and it looks interesting too. I must admit that the mirroring feature is awesome. It really feels like an actual app while designing, but I get seriously confused by the spaghetti patching.

    0 points
  • Khurram Butt, 9 years ago

    I really like Pixate and have already done some projects in it.Although it is still in beta but it going great.

    0 points