Rudi Grobler

I am on a mission to learn Expression Blend better! Here are some of the “cool” things I discovered…

1. Grid Layout modes

We all know that the Grid is a powerful layout panel. It is the default layout panel for new projects! Blend also gives the Grid a little extra recognition by allowing you to switch (By clicking on the icon in the left top corner) between Canvas & Grid layout mode! The Canvas mode is the default. This is very similar to what you are used to in WinForms… Once you are use to thinking of your UI in grid terms, switching to the Grid layout mode is very useful! Extra adorners now appear showing you if your rows and column are star sized of fixed. You can also easily “see” where your controls are anchored (Margins).

PS. You can make Grid layout mode your default by setting Tools –> Options –> Artboard –> Use Grid Layout Mode

2. The color picker

If you are from a design background, this will look as normal as anything else in your life… but if you are a developer like me, here is what you need to know!

• The eye dropper allows you to select a color from anywhere (NOT just inside blend). This is useful if you try and match a color you have seen in another application!
• By clicking on the B, G or R allows you to change the color space! The HSB color space is often used by designers because it is easy to create matching tones!
• The color picker also “remembers” what you previous and current selected color were… This allows you to quickly revert back to a previous color

3. Animation easing

Real life motion is hardly every linear and that is why animation that move at a constant speed sometimes looks weird… Read more here on how to apply easing too you animations

4. Make image 3D

I am actually cheating a little… I knew about this feature but it is still very cool!

The only “new” thing I did discover is the Camera Orbit icon… This allows you to manipulate the 3D object by using your mouse and a modifier key (SHIFT, CTRL or ALT)

Read more here

5. VSM in WPF (Using Blend)

This is still a little “secret” but here is the registry key to enable blend to open a WPF project that uses VSM (VisualStateManager)!

In the following registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Expression\Blend

Add a DWORD key names EnableVSM and set its value to 1

This is only the tip of the ice berg! Blend is extremely powerful and well worth learning…

PS. The latest version of Blend is Blend 2.0 + SP1 and not Blend 2.5!!!