Self-Study Tutorials

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In this session you will experience the professional vector based graphic support of Expression Design. At the end you will use your creativity and design style to create an entire Video Player user interface. (3 hours)

• Intro to the tool
• Vector Drawing tools
• Vector Transformation & Effects
• Exporting to XAML
• End-to-End Design Activity (Video Player)

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In this session we will quickly review different professional design tools we use every day and we will provide you with some tips and tricks so you can prepare rich media content for Expression Blend. (1 hour, 30 minutes)

Tips and Tricks to prepare 3D, Graphics, Video and Audio content for WPF using popular design tools.

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In this session you will learn the basics of Expression Blend in a fun end-to-end scenario where you will create a Video Player prototype. Through-out the session we will also provide some mini-labs that will help you learn more about WPF topics. (4 hours)

• Intro to Expression Blend
• Managing your Project
• Defining Dynamic Layout
• Customizing Controls
• Defining Triggers
• Implementing Animation
• Incorporating Media Element
• Setting Up Data Binding
• Defining a Custom Window

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In this session you will go through a different approach to collaborate with developers to create a Windows experience. In this case you will be provided with a poorly designed WPF project built in Visual Studio. The project works perfectly and is robust and reliable, but you need to make it look much more attractive and compelling. (4 hours)

• Opening Visual Studio projects in Blend
• Defining Window and Control Layout
• Incorporating Graphical Assets from Expression Design
• Applying Resources
• Creating a Repeat Animation
• Designing a Custom Looking ListBox
• Defining a Custom Window

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In this session you will go through another possible WPF collaboration scenario. In this case a designer has prepared some assets and resources for you. You will work on a UI for Fabrikam by following best practices in re-using some of these resources and creating many of your own. (4 hours)

• Min and Max Settings in Layout
• Applying Existing Resources
• Editing the Template of a Button
• Simple Rollover
• Animated Rollover
• Animated Rollout
• Inserting Content into Buttons
• Databinding
• Binding to External XML Data
• Customizing ListBox Template
• Incorporating Developer Created Value Converters
• Use Data Context to Create Details View
• Databinding to Object Properties
• 3D, Animation and Triggers

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Download the files for this module

In this session you will be introduced to the complete offer from Microsoft to create compelling User Experiences for Windows and the Web. (30 minutes)

• Principles of UX
• Microsoft UX Platform
• Designer & Developer Collaboration
• Overview of Microsoft Expression