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During a presentation at WEBAustin 99 I became curious about the possibilities of using dynamic HTML to create some fun (but hopefully useful too) tools here on the site. My first experiment is ready to be unveiled (no drum rolls, it's still rather crude and limited).
My first Interactive Business Card Designer (IBCD) enables you to experiment with different business card layouts using some pre-designed objects (business name, logos, phone number, decorative elements.) Simply drag and drop objects onto either a horizontal or vertical card template. Move them around as much as you wish.
This is not for designing real business cards -- you're limited to the fake names and the few design elements I've supplied. However, the IBCD allows you a chance to "play around" with arranging various elements attractively in a 2.5 x 3 inch space.
If you're curious about DHTML, here's your chance to see one possible application. To learn more, visit our About.com HTML GuideSite for explanations, tutorials, and links.
DHTML & IBCD Limitations
Dynamic HTML and the Interactive Business Card Designer require the newer version 4 & 5 browsers (older ones might work). I've only tested it with Internet Explorer 5 and Netscape 4.04 but it should work with a few others as well. Currently it looks best at high resolution/large screen. You must have javascript enabled in your browser. My apologies to those of you who may be unable to play with the IBCD.
A few operational points about the IBCD:
- You may need to open your browser up full screen and/or scroll horizontally/vertically to see all the objects.
- Objects cannot be resized or recolored.
- Objects can be layered but you can't change the "which is on top" attributes.
- Objects may jump a little when you click on the them to drag.
- Scroll down to find horizontal and vertical "rulers" (tick marks at .25 inch intervals) that you can drag around (not the rulers at the top of the screen).
- Scroll down to find horizontal and vertical "frames" that you can lay on top of your design to hide elements you may have bleed of the edges -- just to give a better idea of what the design would look like.
Screen shot shows two possible layout of cards
A few design points about the IBCD:
- There is a small variety of alignments and sizes of text. It might not be the best choices but it's a start. All text is in sans serif.
- There are two sizes of logos. Try both or none at all.
- Mix and match the lines and squares for different designs/patterns.
- Try with and without address blocks.
- You can print the page if you want but I suggest pushing all the unused elements into a group at the bottom to keep it from printing too wide or using lots of extra paper.
Try out the Interactive Business Card Designer
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