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"Flux 3 has recently been released in the Mac App store as a\u00A0productivity\u00A0tool that offers an advanced HTML5 web design application capable of creating stunning sites from\u00A0scratch.\r\n\r\nThe Escapers, the creators of Flux, state that its product isn't a template based solution but a creative design environment. For many web designers, the Holy Grail of design applications is a CSS based visual editor that cranks out clean, compliant, semantic code effortlessly and while you are at it, easily throw in some jQuery without, you know, writing a bunch of code.\r\n\r\nProminently\u00A0displayed\u00A0on the home page is the bold statement &amp;quot;\u201CFlux really is the Dreamweaver killer\u201D , which is a statement that will anger my Adobe-loving friends and invoke laughter from hand coders. \u00A0Either way, that is quite an ambitious statement and something that will be frankly hard to live up to without some harsh criticism from either camps. Should Adobe be shaking in their boots?\r\n\r\nSo what's the big deal?\r\n\r\nA visual CSS- centric tool has been an elusive dream for web designers with the potential solution being delivered \u00A0by a unicorn on a rainbow slide.  If Flux delivers, it may in fact give Dreamweaver users something to think about.\r\n\r\nFirst impressions\r\n\r\nRight off the bat, you are presented with a welcome screen that allows you to choose between a new project (empty web site), a new project with template, or an existing project. \u00A0Here is where Flux really starts to shine. When you get into the template area, Flux presents you with some interesting templates, but the really cool part is that when you select the template, it builds the site structure with same sample pages, an &amp;quot;images&amp;quot; folder, and a main.css file. Sweet!\r\n\r\nIf you have used WYSIWIG tools you will be struck by the layout of Flux as it is really nothing like you have seen. \u00A0The page is presented in a visual manner with great emphasis being placed on the DIV elements, both on the page itself and in the navigation on the left hand pane.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nImmediately you'll find yourself moving around elements with ease and the hierarchal relationships are very easy to follow.  For me, this is where it started going south.  There is a learning curve to using Flux big time.  One of the big downsides coming up with an interface that is neither a text editor, nor a traditional WYSIWIG editor, you are really not sure what to do. To add frustration, there really needs to be more video walk throughs on the web site to step noobs through the UI.  After a little playing around, you start to get the hang of it but I am far too impatient.\r\n\r\nDisappointment found itself on my screen pretty quickly. One of the templates for a new project was for creating a WordPress theme.  Anyone familiar with the WordPress loop will understand all the files necessary to create even the most basic theme.  Flux creates a few files in HTML format, but nothing with the ease of use you will find in a solution like Headway Themes.\r\n\r\nOverall:\r\nYou really have to dive in and spend time playing with all the features of Flux and find out it really is quite a powrerful tool with a lot of unique features.\r\n\r\nWhat's good about Flux:\r\n\r\n\tGreat approach to building HTML5 pages visually\r\n\tInnovative UI\r\n\tStrong focus on CSS elements\r\n\tVisual Designers will appreciate seeing the visual hierarchy in the preview\r\n\tPretty easy to implement interactive elements such as jQuery\r\n\tLess expensive than Dreamweaver\r\n\r\nHere is what is not so great:\r\n\r\n\tLearning curve\r\n\tReally needs more video tutorials\r\n\tThe WordPress theme option really is not a theme builder\r\n\tCrashed several times\r\n\tMac only\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nFlux is a contender for those looking to build web pages visually, but I don't think they will have Adobe shaking in their boots, let alone have the loyal legions of Dreamweaver users jump ship.  The hand coders might want to experiment with Flux and those that have not purchased Dreamweaver might want to download the trial and see if it fits the bill.\r\n\r\nWhat I am interested in is what Dreamweaver community thinks of the product.  I really challenge the Dreamweaver users to download the trial and comment below with their experiences. I am talking to you, my Adobe fanboys and fangirls... you know who you are!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://thenextweb.com/apps/2011/03/29/is-flux-3-a-dreamweaver-killer/>