“Design” a Multi-browser Tool for Designers
I ran across a suite of JavaScript based development tools for web designers called “Design“. The suite is comprised of four tools: Grid, Ruler, Unit and Crosshair. I currently use a lot of Firefox extensions that perform similar tasks but this bookmarklet has advantages because you can use it in Internet Explorer (no IE 6 support), Safari and Opera and it’s an all in one package. It’s also a JavaScript bookmarklet so it’s easy to install in any browser. Just visit the site and drag the “Design button” up to your bookmark bar and presto it’s installed.
“Grid” is probably the most robust and impressive of the bunch. Quickly create grids with any number of columns, tweak gutter space and vertical row height. “Ruler” functions the same way as it would in Photoshop or any other design app with rulers on top and left and it allows you to pull grid rules for alignment. “Measure” is my least favorite. I find the “MeasureIt” Firefox extension to be superior and easier to use for grabbing quick dimensions. The biggest thing missing from the Design suite is a color tool. Maybe it will show up in the next release. If you’re using Firefox a substitute is the ColorZilla extension which allows you to sample colors via an eyedropper.
