C4: An opensource creative coding framework for iOS (opens in new tab)

(c4ios.com)

73 pointsbuza10y ago27 comments

27 comments

Hey all, I'm the creator of C4. Last week we released a new version of C4 (it's entirely Swift).

Questions / comments / feedback of any kind would be great, and will only help us make the project stronger.

I've scanned the site and am a bit confused: I guess I was expecting something like Processing[1] or the like, but from the example it looks more like a framework with conveniences, dare I say similar to MPWDrawingContext[2][3] though with a slightly different domain.

However, except for a few examples (which look like convenience methods), I don't see anything that tells me what specifically this is for or how my code would benefit.

[1] https://processing.org

[2] https://github.com/mpw/MPWDrawingContext

[3] http://blog.metaobject.com/2012/06/pleasant-objective-c-draw...

postfl10y ago

Hey mpweiher, thanks for the feedback. C4 is definitely similar in nature to Processing, animation / interaction / creative coding. I used to be big into Processing, and drew a lot of inspiration from that project as well as OpenFrameworks.

The cosmos tutorial (www.c4ios.com/cosmos) is an end-to-end tutorial for building an app with C4. We are converting a lot of examples from V1 and are currently building new examples / tutorials, all of which will help with understanding what C4 can do and how it can be used.

We are always looking for improved ways to explain C4 and its benefits. We definitely welcome feedback from the community on how to improve our messaging.

As for MPWDrawingContext, it looks like a nice wrapper around CGContextRef. C4 sets itself apart because it handles interactivity (gestures, etc.) and audio / video. You can draw / animate, and build fully interactive interfaces.

1 more reply

e28eta10y ago

I've long thought that UIKit (and supporting frameworks) need a simplified API. I also believe that the best "bang-for-buck" for developers is learning the platform APIs, not third party wrappers, since that's the most transferable skill. How do you balance those competing interests?

postfl10y ago

This is a great point. One of our main goals with the project is to keep the api as similar to its underlying language as possible. We did this for the ObjC version, and now for Swift as well, meaning that for anyone learning C4 they’re actually learning Swift. However, there are certain points where simplifying will make changes to the language, and in those cases we’ve taken care to make sure that those changes are both modern and also reduce a lot of overhead for the developer.

Our goal is to have C4 make life easier for people: 1) those who are interested in learning UIKit can start with C4 and dig into its open-source base to gain more transferable skills, 2) those who are not interested in learning UIKit or transferable skills but just want to put something together fast, 3) people who already know UIKit / Core Animation but don’t want to deal with some of the complexity.

1 more reply

bencollier4910y ago

Are you planning on selling this in the UK? I think you're violating a trademark owned by Channel 4.

https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/4/EU009749805

postfl10y ago

C4 is a community-driven open-source project, that has been made through the work of volunteers. We aren't selling the core api in any market. It also has an MIT license so it is free to use for anyone, including in commercial works.

1 more reply

vive-la-liberte10y ago

IANAL, TINLA. AFAIK, trademarks only apply within their market segment so it shouldn't be a problem.

1 more reply

huhtenberg10y ago

> Faster and better.

Got the the site - got a frozen page with the above tagline against gray background for few seconds, then a very choppy video started to play. Couldn't make it past the second pageful, because the page had a massive lag scrolling and it was ultimately unusable.

Perhaps have a lighter version with just the content and no bells or whistles?

ASalazarMX10y ago

This put me off too, although only Firefox has responsiveness issues.

brianzelip10y ago

The fade between the 3 background vids in the jumbotron of that landing page works really well in Chrome. I've not seen it done like that before, nice work.

ASalazarMX10y ago

And awfully in Firefox, full UI lag.

I know Firefox's implementation makes this its fault, but come on, it doesn't hurt to test the home page in it.

postfl10y ago

Thanks for the heads up. Will get on fixing that.

personjerry10y ago

postfl10y ago

Typo. Fixed.

HaloZero10y ago

I'm not sure I get the joke involving:

let bananaName = “Jimmy”.banana

danappelxx10y ago

It's from the official swift tutorial when they talk about extensions.

mikebelanger10y ago

Looks pretty neat. I'm not interested in iOS per say, but I have a Macbook, iMac and I'm looking at making animation, interactive stuff on those devices.

After looking at your c4's different github repos, it appears you've started some c4 stuff for OS X as well. I'd be interested in this framework if some resources went into the OS X side as well.

postfl10y ago

Good digging. We started working on the OSX branch recently. We have a slack channel you can join to ask questions / keep in touch about our progress on that branch.

Everyone is welcome to join: https://join-c4.herokuapp.com

mikebelanger10y ago

Cool! I'll definitely jump on the channel if I have any questions.

rdancer10y ago

Main copy font should be darker/heavier. I bet Museo Sans of that weight and copy is readable on a Macbook Pro. On this notebook its readability leaves something to be desired.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

27 comments

postfl10y ago

Hey all, I'm the creator of C4. Last week we released a new version of C4 (it's entirely Swift).

Questions / comments / feedback of any kind would be great, and will only help us make the project stronger.

mpweiher10y ago

However, except for a few examples (which look like convenience methods), I don't see anything that tells me what specifically this is for or how my code would benefit.

[1] https://processing.org

[2] https://github.com/mpw/MPWDrawingContext

[3] http://blog.metaobject.com/2012/06/pleasant-objective-c-draw...

postfl10y ago

We are always looking for improved ways to explain C4 and its benefits. We definitely welcome feedback from the community on how to improve our messaging.

1 more reply

e28eta10y ago

postfl10y ago

1 more reply

bencollier4910y ago

Are you planning on selling this in the UK? I think you're violating a trademark owned by Channel 4.

https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/4/EU009749805

postfl10y ago

1 more reply

vive-la-liberte10y ago

IANAL, TINLA. AFAIK, trademarks only apply within their market segment so it shouldn't be a problem.

1 more reply

huhtenberg10y ago

> Faster and better.

Perhaps have a lighter version with just the content and no bells or whistles?

ASalazarMX10y ago

This put me off too, although only Firefox has responsiveness issues.

brianzelip10y ago

The fade between the 3 background vids in the jumbotron of that landing page works really well in Chrome. I've not seen it done like that before, nice work.

ASalazarMX10y ago

And awfully in Firefox, full UI lag.

I know Firefox's implementation makes this its fault, but come on, it doesn't hurt to test the home page in it.

postfl10y ago

Thanks for the heads up. Will get on fixing that.

personjerry10y ago

postfl10y ago

Typo. Fixed.

HaloZero10y ago

I'm not sure I get the joke involving:

let bananaName = “Jimmy”.banana

danappelxx10y ago

It's from the official swift tutorial when they talk about extensions.

mikebelanger10y ago

Looks pretty neat. I'm not interested in iOS per say, but I have a Macbook, iMac and I'm looking at making animation, interactive stuff on those devices.

After looking at your c4's different github repos, it appears you've started some c4 stuff for OS X as well. I'd be interested in this framework if some resources went into the OS X side as well.

postfl10y ago

Good digging. We started working on the OSX branch recently. We have a slack channel you can join to ask questions / keep in touch about our progress on that branch.

Everyone is welcome to join: https://join-c4.herokuapp.com

mikebelanger10y ago

Cool! I'll definitely jump on the channel if I have any questions.

rdancer10y ago

Main copy font should be darker/heavier. I bet Museo Sans of that weight and copy is readable on a Macbook Pro. On this notebook its readability leaves something to be desired.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse