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Review
Profile: Typeset
Issue: 1.5 (April/May 2003)
Author: Brian Jones
Article Description: No description available.
Article Length (in bytes): 3,664
Starting Page Number: 10
RBD Number: 1507
Resource File(s): None
Related Web Link(s):
www.vizspring.com
Known Limitations: None
Full text of article...
One of the most commonly held misconceptions about REALbasic applications is that their interfaces are jumbled, unprofessional messes. The relatively easy learning curve involved in developing for REALbasic means that many applications out there made with REALbasic are released without the kind of polish that a more professional developer might insist upon. The problem with these generalizations is twofold. First, there are a lot of ugly applications made with "normal" development tools, too. Second, the better REALbasic applications cannot be enlisted to dispel these myths because people can rarely tell they are made with REALbasic.
Another common problem cited by developers is that they cannot use REALbasic because its drawing routines are too slow. For some game applications, this is true. The generally focused REALbasic drawing routines have not been optimized for game-type performance; however, for almost every other situation, REALbasic can get the job done.
Typeset is an excellent example of a program that overcomes both of these issues. It is a remarkably full-featured font viewing application that allows users to tweak settings to preview fonts, manage font lists, and search through installed and uninstalled fonts to find the perfect match. Typeset's interface shows the potential for creating current, attractive, and well-designed interfaces using REALbasic. As a font viewer, Typeset is called upon to do a lot of complicated drawing, and it performs this task beautifully and fluidly. In its interface and impressive text drawing, Typeset is a great ambassador for the possibilities of REALbasic development.
Using a combination of "native" features and some plugins, Vizspring has created an attractive and totally up-to-date OS X interface for Typeset. The most impressive interface element is the search box with a pop-up menu allowing for a filter search, a live filter search, or a goto for a single font. Allowing for either real-time or regular searching letsusers to tailor their work habits depending on the size of fontset they are working with. There are also nice pulldown menus for adding each font to different favorites lists that the user has created. Finally, the preferences window uses a standard preferences toolbar, making for an experience that more users can immediately understand. Aside from all of the things that are nicely OS X-specific, the general look and feel of the application is clean, crisp, and efficient.
Typeset makes for a great example to the Mac community of what REALbasic can do. It is also a great tool for REALbasic users themselves. Rarely do programming genius and artistic talent come in the same package, and Typeset can help users generate things like program logos and interface elements without wasting a lot of time plugging in font after font. For an example of how OS X interface elements can be implemented in REALbasic, check out Vizspring's Typeset. You'll probably end up keeping for your own use, too.
In Brief Product Typeset 1.5.3 Manufacturer Vizspring Software Price $15 System Requirements Mac OS 9.0.4+ or Mac OS X 10.1+ Contact Info www.vizspring.com
End of article.
Article copyrighted by REALbasic Developer magazine. All rights reserved.
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