Microsoft Expression Blend 2 is the professional interactive design
tool. Create compelling user experiences and applications for Windows using
either the .NET Framework 3.0, .NET framework 3.5, or for the web with
Silverlight.
Modern Interface
Concentrate on the process of
design instead of digging through menus. Expression Blend's interface maximizes
the space for your work and includes features such as a dynamically filterable
Properties panel to help you find what you're looking for
instantly.
WYSIWYG Design Surface
Composite your vector and
bitmap artwork, video, audio, rich text, controls, and containers, and create
custom vector elements using sophisticated layout and snapping tools with
real-time feedback. Make immediate creative decisions based on live
previews.
Over 30 Controls and Containers
Add standard controls
such as buttons, scroll bars, list boxes, menus, radio buttons, and more. Expand
your interface by including advanced controls and layout functions, such as
ready-made gridsplitters, ink canvases, treeviews, expanders, rich text boxes,
and more.
Professional Timeline
Animate individual properties
of objects along one or more timelines by setting property keyframes, using
onscreen motion path editing for precise trajectory control.
Styling
& Customization
Add animation, graphics, 3D, and video as design
elements to any control, including interactive, state-based effects. Define your
own reusable custom styles or apply standard Windows themes.
True
3D
Import geometry from leading 3D authoring tools, or create models
directly in Expression Blend. Then easily manipulate and animate in true 3D,
using camera position, surface materials, z-space animation, and surface texture
mapping.
Databinding
Bind your interface elements to each
other, to user input, or to data from Web services and .NET objects, so that
your interface updates dynamically and your application comes to life even
before writing code.
XAML
Directly edit XAML code in either
code or split view complete with colored syntax highlighting. All changes on the
design surface are directly reflected in the code view and vice versa so you
maintain total control of the details of your design.
Visual Studio
Integration
Seamlessly share projects, Silverlight, WPF, as well as
in-progress XAML designs with Visual Studio. This enables designers and
developers to quickly build and test iterative revisions of the application's
functionality and design, as well as allowing enhanced development capabilities
- without impacting your design freedom.