Development roadmap history

[x] Tech tests

First technical tests exploring different technical platforms for ease of development and basic feature support like vector graphics rendering, UI components and file system interaction.

[x] Prototype 0

Technical prototype with basic features more like the application:

• Basic UI layout
• Basic document format with saving and loading
• Basic layers and output generation
• Basic value and color parameters
• Basic export of output

[x] Prototype 1

A first more functional prototype for first round of testing and early structural feedback by selected testers:

• Layer node sequence for generation in layers
• First basic layer nodes (Fill, Stroke, Transform, Repeaters)
• Connections between parameters
• Linked instance layers
• Layer grouping and ungrouping
• Basic view drawing tools (Rectangle, Circle, Polygon, Line)
• Improved UI with collapsing panels
• Basic Undo functionality (Undo of parameter changes)
• Prototype user testing (closed/internal)

[x] Prototype 2

A second more fully featured prototype for a second more in-depth testing with focus on the more basic traditional features, such as drawing and transforming layers, modifying properties, adding layer nodes etc. The focus here being to see how the more fundamental concepts are understood by selected testers experienced with other traditional graphic design software:

Done:

• Inline warnings/help system for nodes, parameters, layers
• Basic text support (Text tool, text node, text parameters and connections)
• Image import support (Bitmap and SVG vector graphics import)
• Improved view tool manipulation (Nested transformed layers, handles for rotating and transforming)
• Randomization features
• Basic OS clipboard integration
• More layer nodes
• Prototype user testing (closed/internal)

[x] Prototype 3

A third prototype with focus on the more advanced parametric features like connections between nodes, value sets and complex relationships for testing by selected testers with more experience/interest in parametric design:

Done:

• Improved connections UI (New connection dragging and improved hierarchical socket connection menu)
• Support for socket sub-component connections (adding connection to/from x or y of size or scales for example)
• Basic document Input parameters management (adding and removing custom Inputs controls)
• Connection expressions/parameter input nodes (modifying parameter input values)
• Prototype user testing (closed/internal)

[x] Prototype 4

A forth prototype with focus on the more advanced parametric features like importing data sets and applying to elements, for testing by selected testers with more experience/interest in parametric design:

Done:

• Improved layer reordering
• Layer copy and pasting
• Layer generation indexes
• Data imports and use
• More layer nodes focused on applying effects to groups
• Basic on-boarding dialogue
• Prototype user testing (closed/internal)

[x] Prototype 5

A fifth prototype with focus on getting content into the designs, so testers can actually do something more realistic with it in testing:

Done:

• Text to outline paths conversion
• More shape tools (like arcs and stars)
• Parsing imported SVGs into elements that can be modified freely and not just used as static images
• Path drawing and editing tools (Custom path drawing and generation)
• New repeater tools
• Prototype user testing (closed/internal)