Microsoft Expression Design on Demand

Microsoft Expression Design on Demand

Released April 2008
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780768681185

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Book description

Microsoft Expression Design on Demand

FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER BE SHOWN HOW THAN TOLD HOW

SEE HOW TO

• Create, open, and save Expression Design documents

• Navigate documents easily by zooming and scrolling

• Understand how to use the Expression Design interface controls

• Align objects by snapping to grids, guides, and points

• Select objects, path segments, and points with the various selection making tools

• Arrange, align, distribute, and stack objects on the artboard

• Control object visibility and position using Layers panel controls

• Draw shapes and paths using the various drawing tools, such as the Pen, B-spline, and Polyline tools

• Apply object attributes such as fills, strokes, and effects

• Incorporate bitmap images and graphics into your designs

• Create and format editable text objects

• Export in various formats such as XAML, GIF, JPEG, TIFF, and PDF

On the Web

This book uses real world examples to give you a context in which to use the task. This book also includes workshops to help you put together individual tasks into projects. The Expression Design example files that you need for project tasks are available at www.informit.com/title/0789738260

Ted LoCascio is a professional graphic designer who served as senior designer at KW Media and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) for several years. He has created layouts, graphics, and designs for many successful software training books, videos, websites, and magazines. Ted is the author of numerous books and has contributed articles to Photoshop User magazine, Creativepro.com, the Quark Xtra newsletter, PlanetQuark.com, and InDesign Magazine. He has also taught at the Adobe CS Conference, the InDesign Conference, the Pixel Conference, the Vector Conference, and PhotoshopWorld. A graphic designer for more than ten years, Ted’s designs and illustrations have been featured in several national newsstand and trade magazines, books, and various advertising and marketing materials.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
    1. Dedication
  2. Acknowledgements
    1. Ted LoCascio
  3. About the Author
  4. We Want To Hear From You!
  5. Introduction
    1. How This Book Works
    2. Step-by-Step Instructions
    3. Sample Files
    4. Get Updates
    5. Expression Studio
  6. 1. Getting Started with Expression Design
    1. Introduction
    2. Preparing to Install Expression Design
      1. System Requirements
      2. Install Microsoft .NET Framework First
      3. Install Expression Design Service Pack 1
    3. Installing Expression Design
      1. Install Expression Design
    4. Launching Expression Design
      1. Start Expression Design Using the Start Menu
    5. Identifying Expression Design Interface Items
    6. Opening a Document
      1. Choose the Open Command
    7. Opening Multiple Documents at Once
      1. Select Multiple Files
    8. Viewing Active Files
      1. Choose the Document Name from the Window Menu
      2. Click the Document Name in the Flip Bar
      3. Choose from the Flip Bar Active Files Menu
    9. Creating a New Document
      1. Choose the New Document Command
    10. Saving a Document
      1. Choose the Save Command
      2. Choose the Save As Command
    11. Setting Ruler Units
      1. Changing Document Ruler Unit Options
    12. Setting Ruler Origin
      1. Changing the Ruler Origin Option
    13. Changing Document Size
      1. Use the Document Size Dialog Box
    14. Changing the Artboard Size
      1. Use the Artboard Size Dialog Box
    15. Viewing Artwork in Wireframe Mode
      1. Change the Display Quality Setting
  7. 2. Working with Panels
    1. Introduction
    2. Viewing Controls in the Action Bar
      1. Select Any Item in the Document
    3. Showing and Hiding Panels
      1. Choose the Window Commands
      2. Hide All Panels
    4. Resizing the Dock
      1. Access the Resize Arrow
    5. Floating Panels
      1. Click the Float Button
    6. Docking Panels
      1. Click the Dock Button
    7. Showing and Hiding Advanced Properties
      1. Expand or Contract the Appearance Category
    8. Resetting the Active Workspace
      1. Choose the Reset Active Workspace Command
    9. Selecting Tools
      1. Click the Tool Icon
    10. Identifying Tool Shortcuts with Tooltips
      1. Refer to the Tooltip
  8. 3. Zooming and Scrolling
    1. Introduction
    2. Navigating with the Zoom Tool
      1. Click with the Zoom Tool
      2. Marquee with the Zoom Tool
    3. Navigating with the Document Page Zoom Control
      1. Choose a Zoom Preset
      2. Enter a Zoom Percentage
    4. Navigating with Keyboard Shortcuts
      1. Click with the Zoom Tool
    5. Fitting to Screen
      1. Apply the Fit to Screen Command
    6. Fitting to Canvas
      1. Apply the Fit to Canvas Command
    7. Fitting to Selected
      1. Apply the Fit to Selected Command
      2. Apply the Zoom on Selection Command
    8. Viewing Actual Size
      1. Apply the Actual Size Command
    9. Centering View
      1. Apply the Center View Command
    10. Working with Multiple Views
      1. Apply the New View Command
    11. Scrolling with Scroll Bars
      1. Click and Drag the Scroll Bars
    12. Scrolling with the Pan Tool
      1. Click and Drag with the Pan Tool
    13. Zooming with the Mouse Wheel
      1. Changing Mouse Wheel Options
    14. Scrolling with the Mouse Wheel
      1. Changing Mouse Wheel Options
    15. Rotating the Artboard
      1. Apply the Rotate Commands
  9. 4. Working with Grids, Guides, and Points
    1. Introduction
    2. Showing and Hiding the Grid
      1. Choose the Show Grid Command
    3. Changing Grid Size
      1. Changing Grid Size Options
    4. Using the Grid as a Drawing Guide
      1. Align to the Grid as You Draw
    5. Snapping to the Grid When Drawing
      1. Enable the Snap to Grid Option
    6. Snapping to the Grid When Moving Objects
      1. Enable the Snap to Grid Option
    7. Adding Ruler Guides
      1. Drag from the Rulers
    8. Showing and Hiding Guides
      1. Choose the Show Guides Command
    9. Snapping to Guides
      1. Enable the Snap to Guides Option
    10. Repositioning Guides
      1. Alt+Click and Drag
    11. Removing Guides
      1. Alt+Click and Drag to the Rulers
    12. Creating Angled Guides
      1. Add Guides and Rotate the View
    13. Making and Releasing Guides
      1. Apply the Guide Commands
    14. Snapping to Points
      1. Enable the Snap to Points Option
  10. 5. Making Selections
    1. Introduction
    2. Selecting with the Selection Tool
      1. Select Individual Objects
      2. Select Multiple Objects
    3. Selecting with the Direct Selection Tool
      1. Select Path Segments
      2. Select Individual Points
    4. Making a Marquee Selection
      1. Click and Drag over Objects with the Selection Tool
      2. Click and Drag over Points with the Direct Selection Tool
    5. Selecting with the Lasso Tool
      1. Click and Drag to Create a Free-Form Selection
    6. Selecting with the Group Select Tool
      1. Select Objects Within a Group
    7. Selecting All
      1. Apply the Select All Command
    8. Selecting By
      1. Select Multiple Objects Based on Specific Attributes
    9. Deselecting
      1. Apply the Deselect Command
      2. Click in Any Blank Area of the Document
  11. 6. Working with Objects
    1. Introduction
    2. Moving Objects with the Selection Tools
      1. Click and Drag Objects Using the Various Selection Tools
    3. Moving Objects with the Action Bar
      1. Enter New X and Y Coordinates
    4. Nudging Objects
      1. Nudge with the Arrow Keys
    5. Arranging Objects with Order Commands
      1. Bring to Front
      2. Bring Forward
      3. Send Backward
      4. Send to Back
    6. Distributing Objects
      1. Apply the Distribute Commands
    7. Stacking Objects
      1. Apply the Stack Commands
    8. Aligning Objects
      1. Apply the Align Commands
    9. Locking Objects
      1. Apply the Lock Command
    10. Unlocking All
      1. Apply the Unlock All Command
    11. Duplicating Objects with the Duplicate Command
      1. Apply the Duplicate Command
    12. Duplicating by Alt+Dragging
      1. Alt+Drag to Duplicate a Selected Object
    13. Copying and Pasting Objects
      1. Apply the Copy/Paste Commands
    14. Grouping and Ungrouping
      1. Apply the Group and Ungroup Commands
    15. Deleting Objects
      1. Apply the Delete Command
  12. 7. Working with Layers
    1. Introduction
    2. Creating New Layers
      1. Click the New Layer Icon
      2. Choose the New Layer Option
    3. Naming Layers and Layer Objects
      1. Rename a Layer
      2. Rename a Layer Object
    4. Showing/Hiding Layer Objects in the Layers Panel
      1. Show or Hide Layer Objects with the Toggle Arrow
    5. Toggling Layer Visibility
      1. Hide and Show Objects Using the Layer Visibility Toggles
    6. Selecting with Layers
      1. Select All Layer Objects
      2. Select Individual Layer Objects
    7. Arranging Objects with Layers
      1. Reposition Layer Objects in the Layers Panel
    8. Copying and Pasting into a Different Layer
      1. Apply the Copy and Paste Commands with Layers
    9. Copying and Pasting with Layers
      1. Apply the Copy and Paste with Layer Commands
    10. Locking Objects with Layers
      1. Locking Individual Layer Objects
      2. Lock All Layer Objects
    11. Duplicating with Layers
      1. Duplicate Using the Selection Square
    12. Deleting with Layers
      1. Remove Layers with the Delete Layer Icon
      2. Choose the Delete Layer Option
    13. Changing Layer Color Options
      1. Change the Layer Color Option
    14. Changing Layer Render Style
      1. Change the Layer Render Style Option
    15. Freezing a Layer
      1. Apply the Layer Frozen Option
    16. Changing Layer Thumbnail Options
      1. Change the Layers Panel Thumbnail Options
  13. 8. Drawing Shapes and Paths
    1. Introduction
    2. Understanding Path Structure
      1. Bézier Curves
      2. B-Spline Curves
      3. Path Direction
    3. Defining Bezier Curve Points
      1. Smooth Points
      2. Corner Points
      3. Unconstrained (Cusp) Points
    4. Drawing with the Pen Tool
      1. Create a Smooth Point
      2. Create a Corner Point
      3. Create a Cusp Point
      4. Create a Closed Path
    5. Editing Paths with the Direct Selection Tool
      1. Move Nodes and Path Segments
      2. Move Smooth Point and Cusp Point Control Handles
      3. Select and Delete Nodes and Paths Segments
    6. Editing Paths with the Pen Tools
      1. Add Anchor Points
      2. Delete Anchor Points
      3. Convert Anchor Points
    7. Drawing with the B-Spline Tool
      1. Create a Smooth Point
      2. Create a Corner Point
      3. Create a Closed Path
    8. Drawing with the Polyline Tool
      1. Combine Straight Lines with Circular Arcs
    9. Splitting Paths
      1. Cut the Path with the Scissors Tool
    10. Drawing with the Rectangle Tool
      1. Create a Rectangle
      2. Create Rounded Corners
    11. Drawing with the Ellipse Tool
      1. Create an Ellipse
    12. Drawing with the Polygon Tool
      1. Create a Polygon
    13. Creating a Compound Path
      1. Apply the Make Compound Path Command
    14. Releasing a Compound Path
      1. Apply the Release Compound Path Command
    15. Cloning Paths
      1. Apply the Clone Command
    16. Creating a Clipping Path
      1. Apply the Clipping Path Commands
    17. Importing Adobe Illustrator Graphics
      1. Apply the Import Command
  14. 9. Applying Fills, Strokes, and Effects
    1. Introduction
    2. Applying Stroke Width and Color Attributes
      1. Enter New Stroke Appearance Settings
    3. Changing Stroke Joints and Caps
      1. Choose Join Properties
      2. Choose Cap Properties
    4. Creating a Dashed Stroke
      1. Enable the Dashed Stroke Option
    5. Using the Brush Gallery
      1. Select a Brush from the Gallery List
    6. Creating a Custom Brushstroke
      1. Redefine a Brushstroke Using the Drawing Tools
      2. Create a New Stroke Definition
      3. Reposition the Stroke Definition Box
      4. Anchor Nodes
      5. Repeat Shapes
    7. Working with the Paintbrush Tool
      1. Create Freehand Shapes and Paths
    8. Reversing Path Direction
      1. Apply the Reverse Path Command
    9. Applying Fill Color
      1. Enter New Fill Appearance Settings
    10. Applying Image Fills
      1. Import an Image Fill
    11. Transforming Image Fills
      1. Use the Fill Transform Tool
      2. Use the Transform Controls
    12. Changing Fill and Stroke Opacity
      1. Lower the Opacity Value
    13. Applying Blend Modes
      1. Change the Object Blend Mode
    14. Applying Gradients to Strokes and Fills
      1. Create a New Gradient
    15. Transforming Gradients
      1. Use the Gradient Transform Tool
      2. Use the Transform Controls
    16. Applying Live Effects
      1. Choose an Effect
    17. Copying Attributes
      1. Copy with the Color Dropper
      2. Copy with the Attribute Dropper
  15. 10. Working with Bitmap Images
    1. Introduction
    2. Opening Bitmap Images
      1. Apply the Open Command
    3. Importing Bitmap Images
      1. Apply the Import Command
    4. Copying and Pasting Bitmap Images from Another Application
      1. Apply the Paste Command
    5. Importing with Paste Special
      1. Apply the Paste Special Command
    6. Dragging Bitmap Images onto the Artboard
      1. Select and Drag an Image File
    7. Creating Image Objects
      1. Apply the Create Image Object Command
    8. Converting Bitmap Images to Paths
      1. Apply the Auto Trace Image Command
  16. 11. Working with Text Objects
    1. Introduction
    2. Creating Text
      1. Type with the Text Tool
    3. Formatting Text Objects
      1. Enter Basic Text Properties
      2. Enter Advanced Text Properties
    4. Adding Text to Paths
      1. Type Text on a Path
      2. Attach Text to a Path
      3. Insert Area Text
      4. Attach Area Text
      5. Release Text
    5. Converting Text to Paths
      1. Apply the Convert Object to Path Command
  17. 12. Transforming Objects
    1. Introduction
    2. Scaling Objects
      1. Scale an Object Using the Selection Bounding Box Nodes
      2. Scale an Object Using the Action Bar
    3. Rotating Objects
      1. Rotate an Object Using the Selection Bounding Box Nodes
      2. Rotate an Object Using the Action Bar
      3. Rotate an Object Using the Rotate Commands
    4. Skewing Objects
      1. Skew an Object Using the Selection Bounding Box Nodes
      2. Skew an Object Using the Action Bar
    5. Flipping Objects
      1. Apply the Reflect Commands
    6. Repeating Transformations
      1. Apply the Repeat Last Transform Command
    7. Resetting Transformations
      1. Apply the Reset Transform Command
    8. Committing Transformations
      1. Apply the Reset Bounding Box Command
    9. Warping Objects
      1. Apply the Make Warp Group Command
      2. Increase or Decrease Resolution
      3. Edit the Warp Group Object
      4. Ungroup Warp Transformations
    10. Applying Path Operations
      1. Apply the Unite Command
      2. Apply the Front Minus Back Command
      3. Apply the Back Minus Front Command
      4. Apply the Intersect Command
      5. Apply the Divide Command
  18. 13. Exporting and Printing
    1. Introduction
    2. Defining Crop Marks
      1. Set Crop Marks Manually
      2. Enter Settings in the Set Crop Marks Dialog Box
      3. Set Crop Marks from Bounding Box
      4. Remove Crop Marks
    3. Using Pixel Preview
      1. Apply Pixel Preview
    4. Printing a Document
      1. Set Print Options
      2. Apply the Print Command
    5. Exporting as XAML
      1. Export Canvas
      2. Export Silverlight
      3. Export Resource Dictionary
    6. Exporting as JPEG
      1. Choose JPEG Export Options
    7. Exporting as TIFF
      1. Choose TIFF Export Options
    8. Exporting as GIF
      1. Choose GIF Export Options
    9. Exporting as PNG
      1. Choose PNG Export Options
    10. Exporting as PDF
      1. Choose PDF Export Options
    11. Exporting to Adobe Photoshop
      1. Choose PSD Export Options
    12. Exporting as BMP
      1. Choose BMP Export Options
    13. Exporting as Windows Media Photo
      1. Choose WDP Export Options

Product information

  • Title: Microsoft Expression Design on Demand
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: April 2008
  • Publisher(s): Que
  • ISBN: 9780768681185