Microsoft Expression Blend Training: Building Applications with Microsoft Expression Blend

Expression Blend Training Outline

• Exploring New User Interface Techniques
• Building Rich Interactivity with Vector Graphics, Animation, 3D, Video, and Audio
• Designing your application with vector graphics
• Designing with type
• Incorporating animation into your design
• Including 3D models and animation
• Playing video
• Using audio
• Adding images
• Creating Innovative and Elegant User Interfaces
• Choosing and customizing controls
• Choosing layout panels
• Nesting panels and controls for a hierarchical design
• Adding bitmap effects
• Using styles and templates
• Linking to data
• Increasing Productivity by Increasing Collaboration
• Exploring Examples of Innovative User Interfaces
• Big windows
• Rooms
• Minimized interfaces
• Drag-and-drop desktop tools
• Visibility on demand
• Mouse-overs
• Memory dots
• Transparencies and shadows
• Metawindows, drawers, and scrapbooks
• Even more ideas
• Working with the Workspace
• Creating and Testing a Project
• Viewing the code files
• Resizing your window or page
• Building and testing your application
• Customizing the Blend Workspace
• Using the Artboard
• Adding vector objects
• Drawing simple paths
• Adding controls
• Adding layout panels to the artboard
• Using object handles
• Selecting objects with the Selection tool
• Selecting objects with the Direct Selection tool
• Positioning your object in the artboard
• Adding text
• Formatting text using the Text palette
• Zooming the artboard
• Snapping objects to snap lines and grid lines
• Using layers
• Adding 3D objects
• Auto sizing
• Your Panels and Palettes at a Glance
• Using the Properties panel
• The Results panel
• The Interaction panel
• The Project panel
• The Resources panel
• Working with the Toolbox
• Using the Asset Library
• Designing a Next-Generation Interface
• Conceptualizing the User Experience
• Using Metaphors
• Moving from Thumbnail Sketches to Mockups
• Starting with thumbnail sketches
• Creating the user interface
• Inserting controls
• Adding Animation and Video
• Data binding controls
• Planning your navigation system
• Assigning Hyperlinks
• Adding frames into windows to navigate between pages
• Converting to Full Functionality
• Adding and Editing XAML Code
• Adding code to the code-behind files
• Deploying Your Application Securely
• Considering Deployment Options
• Quick and Easy Deployment of Your Standalone Applications
• Deploying with ClickOnce
• Deploying with XBAPs or Other Methods
• Using ClickOnce
• Striving for a true ClickOnce experience
• Trusted publishers
• Publishing your project using ClickOnce
• Opening your project in Visual Studio
• Using the Security tab
• Signing your application manifest and deployment manifest
• Choosing the options for updates
• Using the Publish Wizard
• Creating an XBAP
• Creating the XBAP in Visual Studio
• Working with an XBAP in Blend
• Transforming a Standalone Application into an XBAP
• Adding an XBAP or Loose XAML to Your Web Site
• Calling a XAML Browser Application from a Web page
• Using Iframes
• Creating and deploying loose XAML files
• Drawing Shapes and Manipulating Paths
• Drawing and Combining Shapes
• Drawing circles, squares, and rounding corners of rectangles
• Combining shapes with other shapes or paths
• Drawing Paths
• Creating and adjusting curves using the Alt key
• Creating and adjusting curves using control handles
• Adding nodes, deleting nodes, or closing a path using the Pen tool
• Converting shapes into paths
• Editing Nodes with the Direct Selection Tool
• Transforming Objects Using Render Transform and Layout Transform
• Auto Sizing
• Embellishing Strokes
• Assigning Stroke End Caps
• Assigning Stroke Line Joins
• Creating Complex Line Drawings
• Creating vector art by tracing your photos and line drawings
• Drawing vector art from real life
• Manipulating Color, Fills, Gradients, and Transparency
• Using Color Spaces
• Creating and Using Color Resources and Brush Resources
• Applying system color resources
• Creating and using local color resources
• Applying a system brush resource
• Creating and applying a local brush resource
• Editing color or brush resources
• Creating and Applying Gradients
• Adjusting gradients with the Brush Transform tool
• Repeating and reflecting the gradient
• Transferring Colors, Gradients and More
• Using the Eyedropper
• Using the Paint Bucket
• Using Images
• Adding and linking images
• Assigning the Stretch Property
• Adjusting the initial size and resizing using the Layout palette
• Deleting or removing images from your project
• Using Image, Drawing, and Visual Brushes
• Creating and using an image brush
• Creating and using a drawing brush
• Creating and using a visual brush
• Editing your Drawing, Image or Visual brush resource
• Using the Tile Brush
• Working with Bitmap Effects
• Creating bitmap effects
• Using BevelBitmapEffect
• Using BlurBitmapEffect
• Using DropShadowBitmapEffect
• Using EmbossBitmapEffect
• Using OuterGlowBitmapEffect
• Combining Bitmap Effects
• Changing Transparency
• Working with opacity masks
• Setting the Opacity of an object
• Creating beams of light
• Creating spotlights
• Making your vector art glow
• Making shadows
• Creating Styles and Using Resources
• Creating, Applying, and Editing a Style
• Creating a new style
• Applying a style as a resource
• Editing a style
• Deleting a style
• Using Resources
• Advantages of using resources
• Importing and using an external resource dictionary
• Copying and pasting resources
• Linking to resource dictionaries
• Importing vector objects from Expression Design a resources
• Using Expression Design
• Getting started with Expression Design
• Using the tools
• Applying colors and gradients
• Choosing the stroke
• Combining objects
• Using blend modes
• Applying filters and effects
• Using Expression Media to Enhance your Images
• Improving your images with Expression Media filters
• Exporting images from Expression Media
• Using Principles of Graphic Design to Create Next-Generation Interfaces
• Increasing Usability Through the Aesthetic Usability Effect
• Applying Universal Principles of Design
• Making form follow function, and more
• Optimizing figure/ground relationships
• Taking advantage of the picture superiority effect
• Evoking archetypes
• Using the rule of thirds
• Deploying color
• Creating meaning by grouping
• Conclusion