Microsoft Expression Design on Demand

by LoCascio, Ted

• ISBN13: 9780789738264
• ISBN10: 0789738260
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Que

Summary

Microsoft Expression Design on Demand FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER BE SHOWN HOW THAN TOLD HOW SEE HOW TO bull; Create, open, and save Expression Design documents bull; Navigate documents easily by zooming and scrolling bull; Understand how to use the Expression Design interface controls bull; Align objects by snapping to grids, guides, and points bull; Select objects, path segments, and points with the various selection making tools bull; Arrange, align, distribute, and stack objects on the artboard bull; Control object visibility and position using Layers panel controls bull; Draw shapes and paths using the various drawing tools, such as the Pen, B-spline, and Polyline tools bull; Apply object attributes such as fills, strokes, and effects bull; Incorporate bitmap images and graphics into your designs bull; Create and format editable text objects bull; 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 LoCasciois 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, Tedrs"s designs and illustrations have been featured in several national newsstand and trade magazines, books, and various advertising and marketing materials.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. xiii
Getting Started with Expression Design	p. 1
Working with Panels	p. 17
Zooming and Scrolling	p. 27
Working with Grids, Guides, and Points	p. 43
Making Selections	p. 57
Working with Objects	p. 71
Working with Layers	p. 89
Drawing Shapes and Paths	p. 111
Applying Fills, Strokes, and Effects	p. 139
Working with Bitmap Images	p. 165
Working with Text Objects	p. 173
Transforming Objects	p. 185
Exporting and Printing	p. 207
Index	p. 229
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Introduction IntroductionHow You'll Learn How This Book Works Step-by-Step Instructions Sample Files Get Updates Expression StudioWelcome to Microsoft Expression Design on Demand, a visual quick reference book that shows you how to work efficiently with Expression Design. This book provides complete coverage of basic to advanced Expression Design skills. How This Book WorksYou don't have to read this book in any particular order. We've designed the book so that you can jump in, get the information you need, and jump out. However, the book does follow a logical progression from simple tasks to more complex ones. Each task is presented on no more than two facing pages, which lets you focus on a single task without having to turn the page. To find the information that you need, just look up the task in the table of contents or index and turn to the page listed. Read the task introduction, follow the step-by-step instructions in the left column along with the screen illustrations in the right column, and you're done. Step-by-Step InstructionsThis book provides concise step-by-step instructions that show you how to accomplish a task. Each set of instructions includes illustrations that directly correspond to the easy-to-read steps. Also included in the text are timesavers, tables, and sidebars to help you work more efficiently or to teach you more in-depth information. A "Did You Know?" provides tips and techniques to help you work smarter, whereas a "See Also" leads you to other parts of the book containing related information about the task. Sample FilesThis book uses the sample files that are installed with Expression Design to give you a context in which to use each task. You can locate these files by navigating on your system to the Program Files\Microsoft Expression\Design\ Samples folder. By following along with the sample files, you won't waste time looking for or creating your own assets. Note that not every task requires a sample file, such as "Drawing with the Pen Tool." In these instances, you will perform the task from scratch. Get UpdatesLike any software, Expression Design continues to change and get better with updates and patches, so it's important to regularly check the Microsoft Expression Design site at http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/ . Expression StudioExpression Design is part of the Microsoft Expression Studio, which also includes Expression Web, Blend, and Media. Expression Web is a professional design tool used to create websites that conform to modern standards-based sites on the web. Expression Blend is a professional design tool used to create engaging, web-connected user experiences for Windows. Expression Media is a professional asset management tool used to visually catalog and organize all your digital assets for effortless retrieval and presentation. Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.