In the field of developing mobile apps, designing a user interface that is easy to use and intuitive is crucial. Not only should navigating between screens or pages be practical, but it should also look good. A multitude of plugins and packages are available for Flutter, a well-liked open-source UI software development toolkit, to improve user experience. One such package that stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness is the "smooth_page_indicator."

What is Smooth Page Indicator?

Smooth Page Indicator is a Flutter package designed to provide developers with an easy and customizable way to implement page indicators in their applications. Page indicators are visual cues that help users understand their current position within a set of pages or screens. Whether you are building an onboarding process, image carousel, or any multi-page application, the smooth_page_indicator can add a touch of elegance to your UI.

Key Features

1. Smooth Transitions:

One of the standout features of the smooth_page_indicator is its name itself – the smooth transitions between pages. As users swipe through the pages, the indicator smoothly adjusts, giving a seamless and visually pleasing experience.

2. Customization:

Developers have the freedom to customize the appearance of the page indicator to match the overall theme of their application. This includes choosing different shapes, colors, sizes, and animations. The level of customization ensures that the smooth_page_indicator can be seamlessly integrated into a wide range of app designs.

3. Compatibility:

The package is highly compatible with various page view implementations in Flutter. Whether you are using the PageView widget or any other similar widget, integrating smooth_page_indicator is a straightforward process.

4. Support for Different Shapes:

Smooth_page_indicator supports a variety of shapes for indicators, including circles, rectangles, squares, and more. This flexibility allows developers to choose the indicator shape that best suits the overall design of their app.

5. Alignment Options:

Another notable feature is the ability to align the page indicator as needed. Whether you want it centered, aligned to the start, or aligned to the end of the screen, smooth_page_indicator provides options for fine-tuning the indicator's position.

How to Use Smooth Page Indicator

Implementing the smooth_page_indicator in your Flutter application is a straightforward process. Here's a simple guide to get you started:

Step 1: Add the Dependency

In your pubspec.yaml file, add the smooth_page_indicator dependency:

dependencies:
  smooth_page_indicator: ^0.0.4

Step 2: Install the Dependency

Run the following command in your terminal to fetch and install the package:

flutter pub get

Step 3: Import the Package

Import the smooth_page_indicator package in your Dart code:

import 'package:smooth_page_indicator/smooth_page_indicator.dart';

Step 4: Implement Smooth Page Indicator

Wrap your PageView widget with the SmoothPageIndicator widget:

SmoothPageIndicator(
  controller: controller, // PageController
  count: 5, // Total number of pages
  effect: WormEffect(), // Choose the indicator effect
),

Example Code

Here's a basic example of how to use the smooth_page_indicator with a PageView:

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:smooth_page_indicator/smooth_page_indicator.dart';

void main() => runApp(MyApp());

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  final controller = PageController(viewportFraction: 0.8);

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: Scaffold(
        body: PageView(
          controller: controller,
          children: [
            Container(color: Colors.blue),
            Container(color: Colors.red),
            Container(color: Colors.green),
            Container(color: Colors.yellow),
            Container(color: Colors.orange),
          ],
        ),
        bottomNavigationBar: Padding(
          padding: const EdgeInsets.all(8.0),
          child: SmoothPageIndicator(
            controller: controller,
            count: 5,
            effect: WormEffect(),
          ),
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}

In order to sum up, the Flutter Smooth Page Indicator is an excellent resource for developers who want to improve the user experience of their applications' navigation. It is the preferred option for adding page indicators to different Flutter projects because of its compatibility, smooth transitions, and customization options. Adding smooth_page_indicator is an easy and efficient method to improve the visual appeal of your mobile applications, regardless of your level of experience as a Flutter developer.