While the usability of GUI design methods has been studied in general, the usability of layout specification methods is largely unexplored.In this paper we provide an empirical comparison of two popular GUI layout models, grid-bag layout and constraint-based layout. While the grid-bag layout is a powerful layout model, the constraint-based layout is able to generate even more general and flexible layout configurations. We performed a controlled experiment with postgraduate students of Computer Science and Software Engineering, measuring efficiency, accuracy and preference for typical layout specification and editing tasks.The results show significant differences between both layout models: the initial specification of GUIs is faster with a grid-bag layout whereas editing of existing complex layouts is faster and more accurate with a constraint-based layout. The study shows that constraint-based layout, although it may seem more complicated at first glance, can compete with and in some cases even outperform more conventional techniques in terms of their usability.
Abstract. Layout managers are used to control the placement of widgets in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Constraint-based layout managers are more powerful than other ones. However, they are also more complex and their layouts are prone to problems that usually require direct editing of constraints. Today, designers commonly use GUI builders to specify GUIs. The complexities of traditional approaches to constraint-based layouts pose challenges for GUI builders.We evaluate a novel GUI builder, the Auckland Layout Editor (ALE), which addresses these challenges by enabling GUI designers to specify constraintbased layouts via direct manipulation using simple, mouse-based operations. These operations hide the complexity of the constraint-based layout model, while giving designers access to its benefits.In a user evaluation we compared ALE with two other mainstream layout builders, a grid-based and a constraint-based one. The time taken to create realistic sample layouts with our builder was significantly shorter, and most participants preferred ALE's approach. The evaluation demonstrates that good usability for authoring constraint-based layouts is possible.
Abstract. Creating multiple layout alternatives for graphical user interfaces to accommodate different screen orientations for mobile devices is labor intensive. Here, we investigate how such layout alternatives can be generated automatically from an initial layout. Providing good layout alternatives can inspire developers in their design work and support them to create adaptive layouts. We performed an analysis of layout alternatives in existing apps and identified common realworld layout transformation patterns. Based on these patterns we developed a prototype that generates landscape and portrait layout alternatives for an initial layout. In general, there is a very large number of possibilities of how widgets can be rearranged. For this reason we developed a classification method to identify and evaluate "good" layout alternatives automatically. From this set of "good" layout alternatives, designers can choose suitable layouts for their applications. In a questionnaire study we verified that our method generates layout alternatives that appear well structured and are easy to use.
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