How to convert a UX prototype to a Solidjs component with animation: using Replay AI!

TL;DR: Replay AI lets you convert UX prototype videos into fully functional SolidJS components with animations, significantly speeding up development compared to manual coding or screenshot-based tools.

Stop Coding From Scratch: Replay AI and SolidJS#

Building UIs is time-consuming. Converting UX prototypes, often delivered as videos, into actual working code is a pain point for developers. Manually recreating intricate animations and interactions is tedious and error-prone. Screenshot-to-code tools offer a partial solution, but lack understanding of user intent and behavior. Replay changes that.

Replay analyzes video to reconstruct UI components, understanding not just the visual layout, but also the behavior encoded in the video. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" results in higher-fidelity code that accurately reflects the intended user experience. Let's dive into how you can leverage Replay to convert a UX prototype video into a fully functional SolidJS component, complete with animations.

The Problem with Traditional Approaches#

Traditional methods for converting UX prototypes to code are inefficient:

• •Manual Coding: Time-consuming, error-prone, and requires deep knowledge of UI frameworks and animation libraries.
• •Screenshot-to-Code: Generates static layouts that often lack dynamic behavior and require significant manual tweaking.
• •Hand-off Miscommunication: Designs often get lost in translation.

Replay solves these problems by directly interpreting the prototype's behavior from video.

Replay: Video-to-Code with Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay analyzes video, not static images, to understand the underlying user intent. This allows it to generate code that accurately reflects the intended behavior of the UI, including animations and interactions. Replay's key features include:

• •Multi-page Generation: Handles complex prototypes spanning multiple screens.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly connects your UI to a backend database.
• •Style Injection: Applies consistent styling based on the prototype's visual design.
• •Product Flow Maps: Generates visual representations of user flows, aiding in understanding and debugging.

Here's how Replay stacks up against other code generation tools:

Step-by-Step: Converting a UX Prototype to a SolidJS Component with Animation#

Let's walk through the process of converting a UX prototype video into a SolidJS component with animation using Replay. Assume you have a video showcasing a simple animated loading spinner.

Step 1: Upload Your UX Prototype Video to Replay

The first step is to upload your UX prototype video to the Replay platform. Replay supports various video formats (MP4, MOV, etc.).

Step 2: Replay Analyzes the Video and Generates Code

Once the video is uploaded, Replay analyzes the visual elements, interactions, and animations within the video. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the complexity and length of the video. Replay uses Gemini models to understand the visual content and reconstruct the UI.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated SolidJS Code

After analysis, Replay generates SolidJS code representing the UI component and its animations. Review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments.

typescript
// Example generated SolidJS code for a loading spinner component

import { createSignal, onMount } from 'solid-js';
import styles from './LoadingSpinner.module.css'; // Assuming CSS Modules

const LoadingSpinner = () => {
  const [rotation, setRotation] = createSignal(0);

  onMount(() => {
    let animationFrameId: number;

    const animate = () => {
      setRotation(prevRotation => prevRotation + 2); // Adjust speed as needed
      animationFrameId = requestAnimationFrame(animate);
    };

    animate();

    return () => cancelAnimationFrame(animationFrameId); // Cleanup on unmount
  });

  return (
    <div class={styles.spinnerContainer}>
      <svg class={styles.spinner} viewBox="0 0 50 50">
        <circle
          class={styles.path}
          cx="25"
          cy="25"
          r="20"
          fill="none"
          strokeWidth="5"
          strokeLinecap="round"
          style={{ transform: `rotate(${rotation()}deg)` }}
        />
      </svg>
    </div>
  );
};

export default LoadingSpinner;

css
/* Example LoadingSpinner.module.css */

.spinnerContainer {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  height: 100vh; /* Adjust as needed */
}

.spinner {
  width: 50px;
  height: 50px;
  animation: rotate 2s linear infinite;
}

.path {
  stroke: #3498db; /* Example color */
}

@keyframes rotate {
  100% {
    transform: rotate(360deg);
  }
}

📝 Note: The generated code may vary depending on the complexity of the animation and the specific elements in the video. Replay attempts to create the most accurate representation possible, but manual adjustments may be needed.

Step 4: Integrate the SolidJS Component into Your Project

Copy the generated SolidJS code into your project and integrate it into your application. You may need to adjust styling and positioning to match your existing design.

Step 5: Fine-Tune Animations and Interactions

While Replay aims to accurately capture animations, you might want to fine-tune them for optimal performance or visual appeal. Use SolidJS's reactivity and animation libraries to achieve the desired effect.

💡 Pro Tip: Use SolidJS's

text

createMemo

to optimize animation performance by caching computed values. This can prevent unnecessary re-renders and improve the overall smoothness of the animation.

Understanding the Generated Code#

The generated SolidJS code leverages the framework's reactivity system to create the animation. The

hook is used to manage the rotation state, and the hook is used to start and stop the animation loop. ensures smooth and efficient animation rendering.

The CSS (or CSS Modules in this example) styles the spinner and defines the

animation. Replay attempts to extract relevant styles from the video to generate appropriate CSS.

Benefits of Using Replay for SolidJS Development#

• •Increased Speed: Significantly reduces the time required to convert UX prototypes to working code.
• •Improved Accuracy: Captures subtle animations and interactions that are often missed by manual coding.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Provides a common language between designers and developers, reducing miscommunication.
• •Reduced Errors: Minimizes the risk of introducing errors during manual coding.

Beyond Loading Spinners: More Complex UIs#

Replay isn't limited to simple animations. It can handle more complex UIs with multiple components, interactions, and data dependencies. By leveraging Replay's multi-page generation and Supabase integration features, you can quickly build entire applications from UX prototype videos.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly accelerates development, it's essential to review and refine the generated code to ensure it meets your specific requirements and coding standards.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited usage. Paid plans are available for higher usage and access to advanced features. Check the Replay pricing page for the latest details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to accelerate UI development, they take different approaches. v0.dev uses AI to generate UI components based on textual descriptions, while Replay uses video analysis to reconstruct UI components based on visual behavior. Replay excels at capturing intricate animations and interactions directly from UX prototypes.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Replay currently supports a growing number of frameworks, including React, Vue.js, and SolidJS. Support for additional frameworks is planned for future releases.

Can Replay handle complex animations?#

Yes, Replay can handle complex animations by analyzing the video and generating code that accurately reflects the intended behavior. However, some manual adjustments may be needed to fine-tune the animations for optimal performance.

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Ready to try behavior-driven code generation? Get started with Replay - transform any video into working code in seconds.