RefreshingApps.com

iplotz is entering the wireframing and concepting market going head to head with an AIR application that has been around for quite a while now Balsamiq Mockups. The iplotz offering comprises of both a desktop AIR application and an online version. You can use the AIR app for free in a trial mode locally but for a fee you get a range of options for online storage of your projects.

Project and task management is built right in so no need for a separate tool. Collaboration is actively encouraged by inviting others to comment on pages and sharing editing rights.

iplotz is built specifically as a website and application wireframing tool. It includes many ready to go library items for web and iPhone. You can just start the app and get going it’s really easy to use. With the AIR application you get one project and a reminder to upgrade every five minutes. There is a great array of components and the ability to use you own graphic and imagery for your designs is welcomed. I did feel that some components could have been expanded better like form inputs and labels together.

Export is great and offers many options including PDF with multipage.

Video review

Design and usability eye

The design is very intuitive and if you have used any other wireframing tool you will be comfortably at home here. It starts on the project management screen where you being adding screens to work on. A quick intro tool tip or step by step wizard on creating your first project could be useful here.

The application is well skinned and feels sharp when used. I would have liked the option to resize the main canvas for a project or on a per page basis. The ability to add notes and number items on the page is nice, however why could they not have auto numbered them instead of having to manually edit?

I did have a few issues with the object handles not aligning correctly on first drag but deselecting then trying again soon seemed to resolve the issue.

I think a nice addition for a future release would be to create your own custom components out of other components. An example would be to reuse the same navigation across pages.

The HUD floating panel was nice although the option to dock it would work for some. Just like Flash Catalyst I still struggle to see how much more beneficial a HUD panel actually is.

Technical eye

Built using Adobe Flex 3 together with the AIR framework.

In summary

A great tool that is worthy of a try out to see if it fits your way of working. It’s a strong contender to Balsamiq Mockups and that is an AIR tool that people love. I think to get the most out of this you will have to purchase a license.