A Release Candidate for Microsoft Expression Blend is now available. This version is the latest release of Expression Blend which is Microsoft's new design tool that can create applications that take advantage of the .NET Framework 3.0 and the WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation). Blend uses XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language) which can deliver impressive looking applications for PCs with the .NET Framework 3.0 installed. To run the .NET Framework 3.0 and these applications, the PC must be running Vista or WinXP with SP2.
The Expression Blend RC comes with several Sample applications that show off the capabilities of the design tool. One of these sample applications is "Grand Piano" which is a nice looking and sounding virtual piano. It has the capability of recording your tune and saving it to a file which can be opened and played back later. Unfortunately, the piano only has 12 functional keys, but the application is still impressive with it's graphics and sound.
Other noteworthy samples that come with Expression Blend are "Animation Studio" which is a program which can amimate your drawings and "Color Swatch" which is an interactive application which allows a user to decorate a room by choosing the color of an item and immediately seeing the results.
The final release of Expression Blend is still expected in the second quarter of this year. The Expression Blend RC is available from Microsoft here.
Animation Studio
Grand Piano
Color Swatch
