Hi All,

 

I've been asked to look at developing a site to allow customers to custom design vinyl stickers online. It would only be basic stuff, say a few items of text and images (uploaded by the customer) which they can arrange as desired on a canvas (that they have chosen a size for). At the end I'd end up with a 'proof' of what they want plus any uploaded files so that it can be the replicated on the CAD software (it's too complicated to be able to import a single file straight into the software as everything has to be in vector not raster)

 

Confused yet? Have a look here for an example... http://www.onlinesigns4u.net/banneradmin/bannerBuilder.swf

 

This system is being used by a few companies on either side of the atlantic but I cannot find a source for it to look at the software. Alternatively does anyone know of any sever side, client side or flash-based system that would work in this context? Again, I must stress that we're talking basic design here... anything complicated would not be designed through this system.

 

I did consider the use of CSS with some basic form elements and an image upload to create this, but was concerned that the CSS could be subject to browser variations (ie. what a customer sees and what the vinyl company sees aren't exactly the same). It has also been requested that only a list of pre-approved fonts would be available for use in the design.

 

I'd be grateful for anyone's help on this one - it looks like there are some systems similar to this already in existence.

 

Preferred solution would use ASP, alternatively PHP is an option but would be on a windows server rather than linux.

 

 

Many thanks for any help in advance!

it seam you need a full flash application doing that. have you expirience on flash?

this is not a 2min work. it may take days to build such an application. I don't think anybody here will do it for you (not for free at least).

 

in your swf you need : a set of clips, a way to upload files**, a text creator (with specific fonts). this is very complex.

 

** the uploader may work like this: the flash will look for an xml file generated by a script (php or asp - I only know php), containing a list of the files from a specific folder. the flash will create an element (dragable) for each file.

Then the flash may open a popup window with an uploader. Once the user have uploaded a specific file in the specific folder, then he will refresh the "Images" section in the flash (this mean that the flash re-call the script that read the folder content again).

 

the text element it's easy to buid I think. when the user clic to finish, then the flash will save the image and a list of the files used.this is hard if you don't know actionscript. then the user continue in a form page where it fill the rest of his details.

 

this is a cmplex system that can be build only in flash: if you try to have simple html form where the user selects components, then the user will be bored 'cause can't see a real final image.

 

hope this can help.

 

PS: contact me in PM if you are interested on hiring me for this project.

Aslabs is correct, you probably won't find any off the shelf software that will meet your exact requirements, or if you do it won't be cheap!

 

The best option is to have a custom solution built.

I made a banner/menu designer very similar (but better if i do say so myself) with PHP and Ajax not long ago. You'll never get off the shelf software for this. Plus something like this takes a lot of time to develop! Give me a shout if you need and I'll try and dig out the banner selector software!