Adobe have created their AIR framework allowing developers to utilise existing resources to create desktop applications. We look at Adobe Kuler, a colour selection desktop app created with AIR for designers.
With the Adobe® AIR® runtime, you can deliver branded rich Internet applications outside the browser that give you a closer connection to your customer. Adobe AIR uses the same proven, cost-effective technologies used to build web applications, so development and deployment is rapid and low risk. You can use your existing web development resources to create engaging, branded applications that run on all major desktop operating systems. -Adobe Website
Essentially Adobe have created a way of creating tools that operate independent of browsers but use the same sort of technologies and resources developed for your website – the most typical use being the creation of Desktop Applications where the user can download the AIR® application and interact / link to data from your own website such as databases or RSS feeds. With a variety of free and very useful apps available created with this system it seems that the underated Adobe AIR® is definitely worth a look for designers, academics, photographers and business users.
Small, Compact and Interactive
Below is a brief video outlining some of the features of Adobe Kuler® – an application created with AIR® for selecting, choosing and applying colour to vectors and bitmaps either independently or as part of the creation of design work within Illustrator. The video demonstrates how Kuler can integrate into CS3 software or at its most basic level it will provide a great talking point for both clients and designers for assessing the colour palette they currently use or planning a new colour scheme.
Other AIR Applications
Adobe have provided a useful summary of the AIR® system on their website. For a summary of some of the best applications you could visit this summary of the “30 Extremely Useful Air Applications for Web Designers” – a useful resource for anyone involved in the design process which includes the Adobe Kuler application. It is also worth looking at Adobe’s own Marketplace for AIR® applications too.
Overall
Don’t be afraid to five one of these little applications a try. I recently downloaded Fractal 4D for creating interesting Adobe Illustrator vector artwork for my designs and what a little gem it has turned out to be [Use the FILE > SCRIPTS > OTHER SCRIPT command to load the JSX file exported from Fractal 4D. Remember that AIR® applications load onto your hard drive rather than operating within a browser and that you will need to have the AIR® plugin for them to work.
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