Synopses & Reviews
Pro Expression Blend 4 is for .NET developers and graphical artists who want to learn the ins and outs of the Expression Blend integrated development environment. You may know already that this tool can be used to build Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Silverlight, and Windows Phone 7 applications; however, this book will take you well beyond the basics and provide you with a detailed examination of key Blend topics, including workspace customization, graphics, layout, styles, themes, data binding, and the use of SketchFlow, giving you an excellent understanding of the Blend product and what it can do for you. Over the course of these eight chapters, you will learn numerous techniques to simplify the authoring of XAML using Blend. These include: Transforming a vector graphic into a custom control template with a few clicks of the mouse Generating complex animations using an integrated timeline editor Visually designing interactive data templates Creating prototypes (via SketchFlow) that can be transformed into production-level code
Throughout Pro Expression Blend 4, you?ll work with both Blend and .NET code to finalize fully-functional projects that will provide both valuable insights and a sound foundation for your future WPF and Silverlight projects. Each chapter will give you ample opportunity to build .NET software using Blend. However, this is not a programming book, per se. While some examples will require a manageable amount of C# code, this book is squarely focused on helping you gain mastery over the numerous tools, editors, designers, and wizards of the Microsoft Expression Blend IDE. What you?ll learn Transforming a vector graphic into a custom control template with a few clicks of the mouse Generating complex animations using an integrated timeline editor Visually designing interactive data templates Creating prototypes (via SketchFlow) that can be transformed into production-level code Who this book is for
Pro Expression Blend 4 is for .NET developers, and graphical artists, who want to learn the ins-and-outs of Expression Blend. Table of Contents Learning the Core Blend IDE Vector Graphics and Object Resources The Animation Editor Controls, Layouts, and Behaviors Styles, Templates, and UserControls Blend Data Binding Techniques Designing for Windows Phone 7 Prototyping with SketchFlow
Synopsis
Pro Expression Blend 4 is for .NET developers wanting to learn how to use Expression Blend when creating their WPF and Silverlight applications. The book focuses on the Blend IDE and is comprised of two parts.
The first part of the book provides a detailed examination of the key Blend topics, including workspace customization, graphics, layout, styles, themes, data binding, and the use of SketchFlow. At the end of this part you will have an excellent understanding of the Blend product and what it can do for you.
The second part of this book makes it unique. It contains a series of walkthrough 'lab' sessions to build four fully working applications. This part of the book is more detailed and modeled on the tutorial support that you might receive in a good training class or hands-on lab. You'll work with both Blend and .NET code to finalize fully working projects that will provide both valuable insights and a foundation of working code for your future WPF and Silverlight projects.
What you'll learn Go on a complete tour of the Blend IDE and understand its potential. Learn how Blend can be used to simplify your WPF and Silverlight workflows making you both faster and more productive. Understand how to rapidly prototype your ideas using the powerful SketchFlow tools Build a fully working video game as a proof-of-concept for your new-found skills Who this book is for
This book is for developers who find themselves needing to work with Blend. As you'd expect from a Microsoft technology, the underlying code is C# but the focus is squarely on the Blend IDE, making the book suitable for for both .NET developers and experienced programmers from other technology areas moving to Blend for the first time.
Synopsis
- Learning the Core Blend IDE
- Vector Graphics and Object Resources
- The Animation Editor
- Controls, Layouts, and Behaviors
- Styles, Templates, and UserControls
- Blend Data Binding Techniques
- Designing for Windows Phone 7
- Prototyping with SketchFlow