Working With Appfurnace

Appfurnace is an online browser software like HOTGLUE that can be used to create apps, without having to know a lot about programming.
To start using, you first create an account and then you are given access to the online tools, whereby you can create apps that can be viewed on iphones and android devices via the appfurnace mobile app.

The tool has its workspace designed like the screen of a smartphone. It even displays a false status bar; battery life and cell reception, on the top but this can be turned off if you don't want it. You can choose the layout you want to design your app, portrait or landscape. You can make any of these changes at any time through the "Screen Setup" button.

the appfurnace website located at www.appfurnace.com

Portrait setup

In the Layout page I started exploring the widget box. I found out it has a huge range of widgets with different functions such as imagebutton, that allows you upload an image as the cover of your cickable button, the map widget that is used to add maps, QRCodescanner that adds QR code scanning to an app, rich text fields and a lot more. Most of these widgets come with multiple presets and can be further customised by editing their properties.

On the top of the screen you have pages like Layout which takes you to the app editing screen, Files which is where you can upload images and external content for your app design, Code that lets you add scripts, Location that can be used to tag areas on a map and the Help button. Further right you have more options like Save, Preview Online; which renders a mobile simulation of your app so you can see how your design is looking on different operating systems and screen sizes, Preview on phone which provides the QR code and url so you can download your app via the AppFurnace mobile app. You also have the Publish button which I think you use to publish your app when you have finished creating.

Inside The Editor

The top navigation of the AppFurnace tool showing the various pages and functions

The widget box is packed full of useful widgets and presets

Landscape setup

sourced from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ5DmV7K6NY