oUF (Otravi Unit Frames) is a unit frame ‘framework’ that acts somewhat like an invisible Pitbull for addon authors to use to create layouts for. oUF’s code/design is very efficient and module friendly which allows development of specific frames (Target, Player, Raid) to be included in a layout. This allows choice on the users part to use many different frames from many layouts if wanted.

All you need to know is that the word is choice, and that’s the biggest thing oUF brings to the table. While different layouts can be created to fit the wildest imaginations, so can universal features for all layouts. Plugins introduce functionality across any layout you wish, and allow you to bring your needs to any look you want for your unit frames. I’d be willing to say these layouts are just themes but that wouldn’t do them justice, each is seperately developed and includes a lot of care from their authors. So let’s look at some of these interesting parts of oUF shall we?

Layouts:

Technically a developer doesn’t need to include any frames they don’t want to, but you can generally expect most to be covered. It’s popular to separate the raid frames into another addon just for ease of downloading and updating and so you can mix and match frames.

oUF_P3lim

Being one fo the first active layouts to come to oUF this layout has always been solid, and a great representation of oUF. The green bar below the player frame is an example of the oUF_Experience plugin you can grab if you want to display experience. Frames are also highlighted with the debuff highlight plugin. Frames are nicely centered with the focus and target of target frames above the player and target frames respectively. The recent addition of transparent portraits is a nice touch to liven things up.

oUF_Freeb

Focus frame on the left and Target of Target being in the middle really helps readability when raiding, you can see the castbars are also nicely integrated with the layout. The healthbars also fade into red as they lower, becoming more noticable in hectic situations.

oUF_Freebgrid

A matching ‘Grid-like’ raid layout can be grabbed to go along with oUF_Freeb. Included are some of the strong features such as debuff or targeting highlights, buff and debuff indicators. You can see a green indicator box on my target, which is the shield and an orange one for forbearance. Also take note of the Prayer of Mending indicator which is the target graphic in the bottom right of my target.

oUF_squared

Everyone loves boxes! Background coloring matches class, and target is on bottom left as you can see. This is the target and ToT frames shown.

oUF_obbleGrid

Designed to match its parent layout (oUF_squared) this brings a similar grid layout to those wanting it.

oUF_dLx

Icons not included, the frames are great for rogues and even the combo point indicators have custom textures to match the layout. Ticks on the HP/Power bars help those familiar with energy or wanting control of their channeled spells such as Mind Flay.

oUF_Caellian

Outstanding look at what oUF can do, which is anything. Portraits in the middle with castbars on top of those, debuff highlighting which this author has customized. Aggro coloring and everything. Layout of actual frames is similar to P3lim. Raid frames are included.

oUF_Nivaya

Not only looks very sleek with it’s debuff highlights but also includes an actual options dialog, a first for layouts. The options can be seen on its download page, here is an image showing what can be done with the options:

oUF_Jabar

Arena simplicity comes to mind here, this layout is punchy and easy to read in a hurry.

oUF_Hypocrisy

Looking best for healers, this layout  moves the players frame on the left of the already offset target frame, raid frames are below and within fast access. This helps you focus on your target and raid quite well.

oUF_marked

Castbars are displayed together in the middle along with health percents and deficit, portrait layout with party frames below, raid frames below:

oUF_D3Orbs

Diablo III styled, this layout includes animated orb glow and even the main bar textures as to help complete the look, there’s also other frames included:

These are located in the center of the screen just under your char, and include your target frame (middle) its target (left) and the castbar of your target (top). With the main bars down at the bottom as orbs it frees up this ‘normal’ area very well.

These extra sleek raid frames are included as a second folder, so you can use them easily with other main layouts if you want. But who wouldn’t want to use the orbs!

oUF_Slim

Thin and simple, this layout is inspired by some of the first minimalist layouts for oUF and includes some great looking textures for bars, borders and buffs. The small frames are Target of Target and Focus frames.

Plugins:

These function in the same fashion as layouts do, and can be used with almost any layout for whatever effect you want. Layout authors can also choose to display each plugin differently to match their own layout, a good example is shown in the images above with oUF_Experience on P3lim and Freeb layouts. Here are some recommended plugins most people should find useful.

• oUF_RuneBar – for the deathknight’s rune display.
• oUF_HealComm – visual representation of incoming heals with LibHealComm.
• oUF_Swing  - displays Auto Shot, Attack, Shoot and is great for hunters or melee.
• oUF_Experience – shows the players experience and a tooltip with more details.
• oUF_DebuffHighlight – colours frames  purple for curse, green for poison, etc.
• oUF_CombatFeedback – displays  hit/heal amounts along with miss/dodge.

HealComm showing a heal on oUF_Freebgrid frames.

RuneBar in action on oUF_P3lim.

oUF_Experience bar, mouse-over information shown.

The Big Picture:

Instructions:

First simply download oUF like any other addon:

oUF from WoWInterface

Then WoWInterface has categories specifically for both oUF: Layouts (here) and oUF: Plugins (here).