Physics in a GUI

[Ralf Maximus]

Found an interesting article at CodeProject: An experimental user interface with real physics.

http://www.codeproje...ctrl/FunPhysics.aspx



The example is simple but compelling.  By stringing objects/icons on a clothesline thingy the user gets interesting feedback, potentially about the "weight" of the object (how large the resource) or maybe different objects have different physical attributes.  Since it's just a concept, your guess is as good as mine.

I doubt we'll have virtual clotheslines strung across our desktop anytime soon, but I'm always intrigued by new GUI paradigms. If nothing else, lift some code for particle physics to use in your own projects.

C# (.NET 3 Framework) source included.

[f0dder]

I think it's one of these "oh, that's cute, but..." gimmicks that gets old pretty quickly... unless they've found a completely unthought-of way to integrate it, where it makes sense rather than just being cute

[mouser]

Still cool to see out of the box thinking on this stuff.
And f0dder i think it's unfair to call this a "gimmick".. it's a gimick when some company tries to pawn off some silly technology as "the next big thing"..  this is a guy saying "let's explore some interesting new idea and see if there is any value in it"

[f0dder]

And f0dder i think it's unfair to call this a "gimmick".. it's a gimick when some company tries to pawn off some silly technology as "the next big thing"..  this is a guy saying "let's explore some interesting new idea and see if there is any value in it"

-mouser (December 13, 2007, 06:59 PM)

Sorry, let me clarify: I was thinking of <whatever app> having "Now with physics-based interface!" as one of it's sales lines... along the lines of iWhatever, whateveX, Now with omfgvista support!, etc.

Didn't mean to dis this particular thing or out-of-the-box thinking. (though I still doubt it's very useful for an UI ).

[Ralf Maximus]

Now with omfgvista support!

I want that on my license plate.  Alas, too many letters...

[app103]

Now with omfgvista support!

I want that on my license plate.  Alas, too many letters...

-Ralf Maximus (December 14, 2007, 09:24 AM)

bumper sticker