XAML and Expression Blend Fundamentals (3 days)
XAML is the Extensible Application Markup Language, an XML grammar for creating Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Silverlight, and Windows mobile user interfaces. You can create XAML UIs using Visual Studio, Expression Blend, or a combination of both. This course will get you up to speed quickly with XAML and Expression Blend. You’ll learn about the subtle nuances of XAML grammar, and see how to create great XAML UIs using the Microsoft Expression Studio family of tools.
What you will learn:
- Understanding XAML syntax.
- Working with meda.
- Using resources, styles, and triggers.
- Creating user interface effects.
- Defining control templates.
- Data binding.
- Defining attached behaviours.
- Prototyping Applications using SketchFlow.
Prerequisites:
- Familiarity with XML and UI development
Course outline:
Getting Started with XAML Development
- Introduction to XAML
- Creating a WPF application
- Creating a Silverlight application
- Creating a mobile application
- Getting to know the Visual Studio and Expression Blend IDEs
Creating a XAML-Based User Interface
- Overview of controls available
- Adding simple controls to a page
- Using grids and other rich controls
Defining Vector Graphics
- Overview of vector graphics
- Creating vector graphics using Expression Design
- Importing vector graphics into Expression Blend
Understanding the Development Process
- Hosting pages
- App.xaml
- Debugging
- URL management
Working with Media
- Overview of audio and video support
- Working with media files with XAML
Resources, Styles, and Triggers
- Logical resources
- Defining styles
- Style inheritance
- Using triggers
Control Templates and Behaviors
- Overview of control templates
- Defining control templates for controls
- Overview of behaviors
- Defining and using behaviors
Animations, Transformations, and Visual States
- Overview of animations, transformations, and visual states
- Creating animations, transformations, and visual states in Expression Blend
Data Binding
- Concepts and terminology
- Binding a data source to a control
- Binding to a collection
- Defining data templates
Prototyping Applications using SketchFlow
- Overview of SketchFlow
- Using SketchFlow to create a prototype application
- Reviewing customer feedback
Andy Olsen - author of the course
Andy is a freelance consultant and instructor based in the UK, working mostly in the City of London and Oxford. Andy has been working with .NET since the Beta 1 days and has extensive experience in many facets of .NET development including WCF, WPF, WF, ASP.NET MVC Web development, and mobile applications. Andy has designed and written many Microsoft Official Curriculum courses in the last decade, and has been engaged as author and technical reviewer with Apress on some of their biggest selling books.
