Sketch2Code Transforms Handwritten Notes into Working Code within Seconds – and it’s Open Source!

Sketch2Code is a revolutionary tool developed by Microsoft that converts hand-drawn sketches into functional code in a matter of seconds. It uses advanced AI algorithms to interpret the user’s hand-drawn designs and transforms them into HTML markup and corresponding stylesheets. The best part? Sketch2Code is open source, meaning developers can explore and contribute to its codebase. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the workings of Sketch2Code and explore how it can make web development faster and more efficient.

Overview of Sketch2Code

• Sketch2Code is a web-based offering that uses machine learning to turn handwritten designs into working HTML code
• The application uses various machine learning elements, including computer vision
• It’s open source! The code and documentation is available on Microsoft’s GitHub repository

Workflow of Sketch2Code

The below image, taken from Microsoft’s official blog post announcing this offering, shows the application workflow:

As someone who is interested in data science, you’ll be wondering how machine learning works in this particular application. Wonder no more, because below I’ve listed the elements that went into designing Sketch2Code:

• Microsoft Custom Vision Model: This model, as one might expect, has been trained using images of different handwritten notes. These notes contain information about HTML elements like buttons, text boxes, and images
• Microsoft’s Computer Vision Service: This is used to identify the written text
• Blob Storage: A critical point to note – all the steps that are taken in the HTML generation process are stored, including the image you uploaded and the prediction results
• Azure Function: The backend which coordinates the HTML generation process
• Azure Website: This is basically where the user gets to see the final HTML output

You can access all the code and documentation for Sketch2Code on GitHub. This repository contains very detailed steps on each element we saw above, and is more than enough to (at the very least) get your feet wet.

Features of Sketch2Code

1. Converts hand-drawn sketches to HTML markup and corresponding stylesheets.
2. Uses advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to interpret the user’s hand-drawn designs accurately.
3. Can handle various user interface components, including buttons, checkboxes, and text fields.
4. Offers various export options, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
5. Provides an interactive editor to fine-tune the converted code and make changes to the design.
6. Can recognize text and convert it to code, making it easy to add labels and captions to the design.
7. Supports multiple sketching guidelines, including Azure Ink Sketch, which provides a simplified interface for drawing sketches.
8. Offers a free trial version that allows users to convert up to three sketches to HTML.
9. Can be integrated with other Microsoft tools like Azure Cognitive Services and PowerApps for enhanced functionality.
10. Is open source, allowing developers to explore and contribute to its codebase.

How to Use Sketch2Code?

It’s important to note that Sketch2Code may require some manual editing after conversion to ensure the code is accurate and functional. You can use the interactive editor provided by Sketch2Code to make any necessary changes. Additionally, Sketch2Code works best when you follow specific sketching guidelines, such as using a specific pen and paper or drawing specific shapes for user interface components like buttons and checkboxes.

1. Draw a user interface design on a piece of paper or a whiteboard.
2. Take a photo of the design using your smartphone or tablet.
3. Go to the Sketch2Code website and sign in with your Microsoft account.
4. Create a new project and upload the photo of the design.
5. Preview the design and adjust any errors or discrepancies.
6. Choose the export option that best suits your needs, such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.
7. Download and use the generated code to create a functional user interface based on your design.

Benefits of Sketch2Code

1. Faster design-to-development workflow: Sketch2Code allows designers to quickly convert their hand-drawn designs into functional code, saving time and effort in the design-to-development workflow.
2. Improved accuracy and efficiency: With advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, Sketch2Code accurately interprets user designs, eliminating the need for manual coding and improving efficiency.
3. Improved collaboration: Sketch2Code can help improve collaboration between designers and developers by providing a common language and visual representation of the design.
4. Greater flexibility: Sketch2Code provides various export options, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, allowing developers to choose the format that best suits their needs.
5. Better code quality: The generated code is based on the original hand-drawn design, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving code quality.
6. Easy to use: Sketch2Code has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use, even for those with limited coding experience.
7. Free trial version: Sketch2Code offers a free trial version that allows users to convert up to three sketches to HTML, making it easy to try out the tool before committing to a paid plan.

Sketch2Code vs. Other Code Generators

Sketch2Code has several unique features that set it apart from other code generators, making it a valuable tool for designers and developers looking to streamline their workflow and create high-quality code efficiently.

Limitations

1. Limited to specific design formats: Sketch2Code requires a specific design format, which includes using a specific pen and paper or drawing specific shapes for user interface components. If designers don’t follow these guidelines, Sketch2Code may not work effectively.
2. Reliance on manual editing: While Sketch2Code can accurately convert hand-drawn designs to code, it may require some manual editing after conversion to ensure the code is accurate and functional. This can be time-consuming and may reduce the tool’s efficiency.
3. Limited export options: While Sketch2Code offers several export options, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, it may not provide export options that some developers require.
4. Limited recognition of handwriting: While Sketch2Code can recognize text, it may not be able to recognize all handwriting styles accurately, making it challenging to incorporate handwritten notes into the design.
5. Limited customization: Sketch2Code provides limited customization options, making it challenging to fine-tune the generated code beyond what the interactive editor provides.

Use Cases of Sketch2Code

1. Rapid prototyping: Sketch2Code has been used in rapid prototyping for various industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail. Designers can quickly sketch out user interface designs, and Sketch2Code can convert them to functional code, allowing stakeholders to test and validate designs rapidly.
2. Education: Sketch2Code has been used in the education industry to teach coding to students who are not familiar with coding languages. Students can learn how to draw user interface designs and convert them to code using Sketch2Code, making it easier to understand the concept of coding.
3. Hackathons: Sketch2Code has been used in hackathons to create functional prototypes quickly. Participants can sketch out their ideas, and Sketch2Code can convert them to code, allowing them to focus on the core features of the prototype.
4. Accessibility: Sketch2Code has been used to make user interface designs accessible to people with disabilities. By using specific sketching guidelines, designers can create accessible designs that Sketch2Code can convert to functional code, making it easier for people with disabilities to use digital products and services.
5. Startups: Sketch2Code has been used by startups to create functional prototypes and MVPs quickly. By using Sketch2Code, startups can save time and money in the design-to-development workflow, allowing them to focus on building and scaling their products.

Summing Up

Sketch2Code is a groundbreaking tool that uses artificial intelligence to convert hand-drawn sketches into functional code quickly and accurately. While it has some limitations, its benefits include improved speed, accuracy, and collaboration in the design-to-development workflow. To keep up with the latest trends and technologies in web development, consider enrolling in our Black Belt Program. This program is designed for professionals who want to master the skills required to become full-stack data scientists and stay ahead of the curve. With hands-on projects, mentorship, and real-world experience, the Black Belt Program can help you take your career to the next level. Enroll now to become a full-stack developer.

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Pranav Dar 06 Apr 2023

Senior Editor at Analytics Vidhya. Data visualization practitioner who loves reading and delving deeper into the data science and machine learning arts. Always looking for new ways to improve processes using ML and AI.