I am looking for a program that enables me to create a mockup of a

software program I want to make so I can give it to the programmer.  I would

like to make it as close as possible to what I want it to look like,

simular to the boxes in MS Outlook, same feel, same look, etc.  I have

Photoshop, PP, DreamWeaver etc, but want something that can create the

"Microsoft Look" and feel to the individual pages, with full

functionality as far as the drop down boxes, navigation etc....  any

help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I have found a few software tools that I believe will allow you to
achieve what you have described:

1. GUI Design Studio
Author: Caretta Software
License: Single user @ $497 (discounts on multiple licenses)
URL: http://www.carettasoftware.com/gds/

"GUI Design Studio is a graphical user interface design tool for
Microsoft Windows that you can use to rapidly create demonstration
prototypes without any coding or scripting.

Draw individual screens, windows and components using standard
elements, connect them together to storyboard operational workflow
then run the simulator to test your designs."

2. SkinBuilder
Author: SkinCrafter
License: Freeware (downloadable from site)
URL: http://www.skincrafter.com/skbuilder.html
Online Manual: http://www.skincrafter.com/sbmanual/skinproc.html

"SkinBuilder application is meant for designers, GUI developers and
for everyone who want to make the unique looking appearence of their
programs using SkinCrafter control.

With the help of SkinBuilder, you may view and modify the graphical
characteristics of each control type, set the margins and borders
values and etc."

3. MockupScreens
Author: MockupScreens
License: Shareware - Free Trial ($39 to buy)
URL: http://www.mockupscreens.com/

"With little or no experience you can draw 5 screens in 10 minutes!
Each action can be invoked via keyboard. More advanced features don't
clutter the interface. In addition to common screen elements (buttons,
fields, lists, etc) there are "productivity" elements which you use to
add and arange multiple elements at once (e.g. textfield with label,
etc). Creating new screens from existing ones.

You create screens, add screen elements (buttons, text fields, grids,
etc) and populate them (specify texts or data for complex elements).
Screens are organized in scenarios. You then export a single screen or
whole scenario to images you can use. Mockups purposefully avoid the
possibility to be mistaken for the real application screens. Being
"mockups", the screen elements are much simpler than screen elements
from various GUI designers."


Hopefully these options will provide you with a good cross-section to
choose from. If you have any questions/concerns about the information
above please post a clarification and I will respond promptly.

Cheers!

answerguru-ga

SEARCH TERMS:
"GUI design"
software mockup

That was great information.  Thanks, exactly what I needed.
JT

Thanks for the great rating and tip Jeff :)

this is indeed an impressive answer.
I spent a few days searching for something like this, and found nothing on Google.
I needed to go to (god forbid) msn search, and the results there were
better, but still - the only to-the point links I could find so far
are at this great answer.
any search on google with any combination of "gui, user interface,
software, tool, ui, windows forms" generated absolutely nothing
promising.
I started thinking that nobody needs such a software, or that the gui
designers are expected to work with Visual Studio.
Thanks for the great help.