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iPixer is a great Adobe AIR application that I have been looking forward to reviewing. The idea is simple but the list of uses is endless. The conecpt is that you can add interactive features like popups and hotspots containing extra information to static images. These images are then exported as a SWF file so that you can easily ad them to your website.

iPixer is a tool for making interactive flash content from images. It is useful for creating image annotations, product walkthroughs and slick presentation of pictures with effects

There is a real market for this product and I wish I had thought of it myself! iPixer is not free and currently costs $39 with free updates which is not going to break the bank.

You can import images in common formats like PNG, GIF and JPEG then apply interactive features whilst controlling things like show and hide transitions, colours, fonts and text.

Its steps involve importing an image, placing markers/hotspots over the image and then adding content to signify them. Finally when the project is complete, it can be exported to a Adobe Flash SWF file along with its assets for offline/online viewing.

With one click you can preview your work within iPixer ( you can also get this far without paying for the app to try it out ) the a single click to export. iPixer project files are saved with an .iPixer file extension so you can easily restart the app and load in the file.

iPixer video review

Developer tutorial video

Design eye

The general design of the Adobe AIR application interface on iPixer is one heavily inspired by the Adobe suite of products, that gives you a hint as to the end user of iPixer a design studio or agency.

The usability is fairly good although it did not remember the application size when reopened and the zooming can be a bit clunky when you have a number of interactive items placed on the image.

The icons are nice and informative although you will be mousing over them to read the tool tips to get more info. I would rename the save as SWF button or inform the user that while they are saving a SWF file it happens to be inside a ZIP. Minor point but you have to be aware of small details especially when you want people to spend money on your AIR app.

The creation of the iPixer file extension of projects is a great usability enhancer for reopening the app.

Technical eye

Built using Adobe Flex and the AIR framework.

In summary

This application solves a specific problem that many designers and agencies will hit. The creation of beautiful interactive product images quickly then give iPixer a shot.

Estate agents is one market that came to mind when reviewing this app so that you could add more details to property images and floor plans.

If you have done something cool with iPixer then post a link in the comments below or via Twitter.