What is Microsoft Hybrid? (all you must know)
If you are an independent or professional developer and want to make your project more attractive, you may be looking for a few different programs to help you.
If so, you should definitely consider Microsoft Blend. However, if you know very little about the software, fear not because this article will help you understand everything you need to know and whether it is right for your needs.
What is Microsoft Hybrid?
Microsoft Blend is graphic design software for creating applications and animations. The software has a variety of interactive features such as special brushes and templates. With this app you will be able to make storyboards and completely improve your digital drawing skills.
If you’re interested in learning everything you need to know about Microsoft Blend, such as what you can use it with and its release history, you’ll want to keep reading!
How to use Microsoft Blend?
Microsoft Blend comes with many tools to help you meet your design needs.
The first important tool to mention is the Tool Palette, which is very handy when designing programs.
This feature has a user-friendly interface designed to help you create and modify objects. Just select a tool and use your mouse to draw directly on your artboard.
In fact, you can right-click the tool to select different shapes, such as ellipses or lines.
For example, selection tools will allow you to select certain objects and path segments, while brushes can help you add gradient effects or modify the brush you’re using.
With this tool, you can unleash your creativity. In fact, it will let you completely change the look of an object and make a special set of brushes to enhance your creations.
Currently, you can choose to design your own tile brushes starting with image brushes or drawing brushes to create engaging original drawings.
In addition to the great brush tool, even if you are not a professional illustrator, you can use this program to create templates or styles and apply them to your projects.
Another great feature of the software is the object tool, which allows you to create layout panels and controls.
You will be able to draw various shapes to make your content more attractive.
In order to create and plan the behavior of the new UI, you will need two main windows in MS Blend. These are called Asset, Object and Timeline windows.
Let’s start by discussing the Assets window, which you will be very familiar with as long as you know how to use Visual Studio.
Using the regular controls, you’ll be able to find everything you need for an artboard in this particular window.
This includes most tools, except styles and media to behaviors and effects.
The next window is the Objects and Timeline window.
Once you’ve added all the elements and effects you want, you can use this window to organize and program behaviors.
The interface is very similar to a video editing tool, where you can adjust what happens inside the timeline.
Also, this special feature allows you to manage and delete storyboards.
In fact, you can view the timeline by selecting the timeline composition area on the right side of the screen.
However, if you don’t have the proper skills for the program, you won’t find yourself very successful with it.
Remember, if you don’t have the skills to make a project look attractive, you can always try to make it look simple.
Either way, independent and professional developers consider MS Blend a must-have.
What is the release history of Microsoft Bend?
Microsoft Blend, although it’s not always named the same thing, has been released in many different versions.
In the chart below, you’ll see the different release dates for each version of the program and some of the highlights that come with them.
release | release date | emphasize |
2 | 2008-04-28 | Supports the development of Microsoft Silver light, providing animated vector graphics, interactivity and video playback capabilities. |
3 | 2009-07-22 | Major improvement. |
4 | 2010-06-07 | Added improvements and additions: shape library, improved Photoshop file support, added pixel shader effects, transitions, pattern support, additional behaviors, conditional behaviors, and more |
2012 | 2012-08-15 | Name changed to “Blend for Visual Studio 2012”
Published with Windows 8 and Visual Studio 2012 |
2013 | 2013-10-17 | Published with Visual Studio 2013 |
2015 | 2015-07-20 | Published with Visual Studio 2015 |
2017 | 2017-03-07 | Published with Visual Studio 2017 |
2019 | 2019-04-02 | Released with Visual Studio 2019 |
Who can use Microsoft Blend?
Anyone who includes Microsoft Blend in their Microsoft subscription can use the program.
However, it is recommended that if you are not a professional, you should take some precautions.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, sometimes your work doesn’t always work the way you originally hoped it would.
So when you don’t know exactly how the software works, you’ll want to make your projects easier.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on Microsoft Money, Microsoft Cortana, and Microsoft Intune.
in conclusion
Microsoft Blend is a graphic design program primarily designed to help you create applications and animations in a more professional and engaging way.
Using this program, you will be able to create great looking projects and improve your drawing design skills.