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Ask DN: Is there a Windows alternative to Framer Studio?

8 years ago from , Design @ Nested.com

I have been interested in getting more into interaction design for a while and being on a windows machine I can't try out programs like Framer, does anyone have any suggestions of what I can use instead?

10 comments

  • Daniël van der Winden, 8 years ago

    You can download the source of Framer and use it with your own software. It's a bit more work to set it up. Download the zip from Github: https://github.com/koenbok/Framer

    3 points
  • kushagra gour, over 7 years ago

    Give this web app a try: http://prototyp.in/

    1 point
  • Coleman TharpColeman Tharp, 8 years ago (edited 8 years ago )

    Have you tried this? https://github.com/koenbok/Framer

    It works the same way as Framer Studio, but you have to use your own text editor and view your prototypes in browser.

    1 point
    • Sean GeraghtySean Geraghty, 8 years ago

      Thanks for the suggestion, probably a bit too much code for me at the moment however, I'm still just about starting out :)

      0 points
      • barry saundersbarry saunders, 8 years ago (edited 8 years ago )

        For basic interactions, InvisionApp is pretty good.

        Edit to add: Axure and Justinmind are both cross-platform, and have free trials / student versions. They're more for wireframing and prototyping, but you can import finished designs into them and create high-fidelity prototypes that way.

        0 points
        • Thibault MaekelberghThibault Maekelbergh, 8 years ago

          Hmm I'd say Invision is very limited in comparison to Framer or Pixate. Great for mockups, interaction design not so much.

          1 point
          • barry saundersbarry saunders, 8 years ago

            yeah, depends what level of interaction you're looking at and what you're using the prototype for really. I use Invision for user testing, as you can create sticky headers, links, transitions and the like - but you can't really create loading animations or micro-interactions.

            If you're just trying to show how transitions and interactions work, you're probably better off using After Effects. If you're trying to create an interactive high-fidelity prototype, there's a bunch of tools that work ok but you've either got to double-handle assets (design in photoshop, rebuild in Axure / Justinmind) or wire it up with code (Javascript, various Node.js kits) or something in the middle (Edge Reflow).

            Depending on how much code you're comfortable with, there's a bunch of Quartz Composer-esque tools that will allow you to prototype more complex interactions like VVVV, Max/MSP or TouchDesigner - but at that point, you might as well be prototyping in code directly.

            1 point
      • Jon GoldJon Gold, 8 years ago

        It's really no more code than using Framer Studio. You just don't get the live reload stuff & coffeescript etc (which you can add yourself) - but to get started, it's exactly the same as Framer Studio.

        0 points
  • Fredo Tan, almost 3 years ago

    A great Framer alternative is ProtoPie. You can achieve a similar fidelity and interactivity with way less time and effort due to its conceptual model.

    Runs on Windows and macOS.

    https://protopie.io

    0 points