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BaseKit is a web app that generates websites from Photoshop PSD files
There are some nascent attempts, like the cheap-and-cheerful approach of Google Sites, but nothing that comes close to the simple, graceful beauty of BaseKit. For a start, you can import Photoshop PSD files! I can't begin to describe the pains I've been through, as a web designer, trying to implement PSDs in valid HTML and CSS -- but now BaseKit can do it for me, and the code it generates works in all modern browsers. It takes a little getting used to -- you need to name one of your layers 'Header', for example -- but overall, the process is very quick and very smooth. Check out the video on their homepage, if you want to see the PSD import in action.
Even if you don't want to import PSDs, there's lots of other shiny bits to lure you in. The interface is beautiful, like a marriage of everything good about Web 2.0. There is dragging and dropping, resizing, AJAX and widgets up the yin yang -- forms, date pickers, star ratings, imported Flickr and Twitter feeds -- it's all there. If you want to see what's possible, check out their showcase. You'll also notice there's no Flash (but they're working on including it... damn).
If I haven't won you over yet, I've saved the best, beardy-pleasing morsel for last: it generates W3C-compliant code!
Right now you have to sign up for a beta key -- and there are certainly some beta bugs that need ironing out -- but I will try to get some keys to hand out in the next few days over on our Facebook page!
Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsJoshua RappFeb 9th 2010 4:09PM
It really is a good service. And quite idiot proof, thank god.
youngorthoFeb 9th 2010 4:08PM
This looks pretty nifty, but if I am understanding the FAQ correctly it looks like you have to host your site on BaseKit's servers. If that is true it severely limits its appeal.
Sebastian AnthonyFeb 9th 2010 4:46PM
Ya, for now you have to point a CNAME entry to your BaseKit website.
I think they're working on more extensive stuff tho'.
WinterTigerFeb 9th 2010 4:23PM
Nice to see a web app that does something like this, haven't had time to check it out much, but it sounds a bit like a plugin I've had for PS called SiteGrinder, only in online form. Not knocking the service, just saying that the PSD to website idea isn't entirely new. I'll be trying for a beta key just to experiment with it.
Sebastian AnthonyFeb 10th 2010 10:38AM
Yep, I can't see any reason why you couldn't just grab the CSS and HTML and make a run for it.
Their FAQ says they're working on other hosting/domain ideas.
TeamBaseKitFeb 11th 2010 5:46AM
Thanks for all the positive comments! As for self hosting ideas - it's something we're thinking about. We really want to get the core product nailed down before moving on.
Looking forward to more feedback when you've used BaseKit!