psd2css automatic conversion design => code!

decibel.places's picture

He has: 1,494 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

I ran across this site, psd2css Online, that purports to automate generating valid xhtml/css from psd

haven't tried it, if it works, what a time saver!

[EDIT]

Unlimited subscription (with 8MB limit for psd file) is $19.95/mo

New subscribers have a two week free trial period

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

I'd really like to see the results of that. Can't imagine it could generate a properly coded layout automatically. Valid, sure, but that's not the same as being well made.

He has: 131 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

I did a very simple psd (only 2 layers) with one layer centered on the other.

You can't upload a psd over 4mb as a standard user, however if you become a member you can get up to 8mb upload.

It converted my simple image well, it adds javascripts to the zip file as well (I think to preload the images?)

The finished design is all images, no text at all. Other than that it is an interesting tool none the less, though I wouldn't suggest using it for production as the page will take forever to load. (my small page took about 40sec on dsl)

decibel.places's picture

He has: 1,494 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

@cmoyer

can you post/attach some output code?

my Indian partner will be evaluating it tomorrow, I'll let you know the results.

This came up on a LinkedIn group discussion "What do CSS designers and designers need in order to design your drupal sites?"

He has: 131 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

Here is the code that my simple image came out to be, I added a few more layers to test the tool. I don't think you could do a fluid layout with this tool too easily though.

(url must use within 24hours of this post!)
Url to page is http://psd2cssonline.com/uploads/948748119/index.html

The original image (png because psd can't be uploaded) I reduced the size as well to about 50%

ThinkLinux

And the code is attached below, however there are a lot of files (images and such) so I have included the html and the css files only, if you want the js files or images ask and I will attach them later, to another post.

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

So, what they're doing is taking the layers, making them into separate images, and creating absolutely positioned divs with them. Not really a proper CSS layout in any way.

Somewhat interesting experiment but in no way a substitute for human-written code.

JeevesBond's picture

He has: 3,956 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

I think the idea is a user will create their design using this service, then enter text afterwards. It can work in practice (see the psd2css site's code, for example), but will create something write-only. Write-only code being code which, when written once, can never be read again by anyone.

I agree with the general sentiment here: what that site chucks out is rubbish. It might be alright for amateurs, but I hope no professionals try using it.

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