Pro Expression Blend 4

by Andrew Troelsen

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    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.

392 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2011

Reviews

[Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving me a huge of tricks of WPF application design ideas.

[Michael Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most useful message was: When you start a new project with just an idea - don't start by designing the database, dragging in controls from the toolbox, then searching the web for a skin that you like. Rather, spend a bit of time designing a prototype, with all of the animation and visual states, in Blend. That way the app will wind up looking 'designed' rather than 'clunky.'

[Timur Garifzyanov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read to wpf/silverlight/wp7/w developers. Low barriers to entry, easy to reading and understand.