faq

known issues

• 1. The videos and/or guide ask me to look for a file or folder that doesn't exist in the assets. What could be wrong?

  In some cases you might find a file in a slightly different path from the one the presenter used in the video. If a quick search in the module folders doesn't return the file you are looking for then check out the below FAQ 'zip extraction Long Path' issue. If you continue to experience difficulties finding a file let us know in the Expression Blend forum labeling your question with TOOLBOX - QUESTION.
• 2. When extracting the content of the zip files for a lesson I am receiving a "Long Path" error message. What should I do?

  When first unzipping the asset files for this module be on the lookout for any errors that may appear during the extracting process. There is a known long path error that can occur if the final path length is longer than 255 characters. If this occurs on your system, extract your files to a shorter path such as your system's C: drive. If you continue to experience difficulties extracting the content of module zip file please let us know in the Expression Blend forum labeling your question with TOOLBOX - QUESTION.
• 3. I have been following the videos while having Expression Blend open with the module assets. Everytime the presenter goes to another lesson he/she starts with a project that looks different to the one we finished together in the previous lesson, did I miss something?

  In some cases, extra objects, code or artwork have been added by us to the solution files associated with each lesson (01, 02, etc.). Therefore, it is highly recommended that at the start of each new lesson you also open the related solution file.

.toolbox

• 1. What is .toolbox and why was it created?

  .toolbox is an online learning environment, comprised of tutorials and full courses, created to enable designers and developers to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to get started in the dynamically-rich world of creating Silverlight applications using Expression Studio.
• 2. What are the learning tracks for .toolbox?

  .toolbox is comprised of two learning paths: tutorials and courses. The tutorials path provides short presentations of practical techniques, tips, and tricks to guide designers and developer in learning and mastering Silverlight and Expression Studio. The courses path offers two robust tracks - Design Scenarios and Design Principles, multiple levels, and a hands-on approach. In Design Scenarios, you will learn the fundamentals of Silverlight and Expression Studio starting with basic techniques and will build your skills to create more advanced applications. In Design Principles, you will learn design basics with a presentation of key concepts that will help you design and create better web applications. Want to earn some Extra Credits? Work through the Windows Phone course and learn how to create Windows Phone applications using Silverlight and Expression Blend. The Extra Credit can be earned at any point during the two learning paths, no pre-requisites.
• 3. Who is .toolbox for?

  .toolbox is for designers and developers who are interested in learning how to create Silverlight experiences using Expression Studio and also how to apply fundamental design principles to their applications in a fun sandbox environment.
• 4. I am a complete beginner. Is the .toolbox the best option for me to get started?

  .toolbox is a great way to immerse yourself in real world Expression Blend and Silverlight scenarios as a way to learn the technologies. If you are a beginner then in parallel or even before going through the modules in .toolbox, we recommend you also visit the Expression Community. This site contains valuable resources for beginners and will answer basic questions about Expression and Silverlight that might not be covered here in .toolbox.
• 5. I am an advanced Silverlight developer or designer. Is it worth it for me to go through the .toolbox?

  Yes it is! If you consider yourself an advanced user then .toolbox can provide design tips and tricks, as well as validate your knowledge using training based on agency created applications. In .toolbox you will earn and collect badges as you grow in knowledge and skill. You can let the world know by publishing to Twitter and Facebook. You might find some of the early modules easy so you are allowed to take the evaluations without going through all the training content. Being an advanced user will help you get to the Design All-Star level quicker. This badge is awarded when you complete both the Scenarios track and the Principle track. Up for the challenge?
• 6. Where do I start with .toolbox?

  Review the .toolbox curriculum for both tutorials and courses in the School section to understand the different learning topics offered. For shorter bite-sized sessions, start with the tutorial content and simply select the areas of interest. For an immersive curriculum, select courses and either the Design Scenario or Design Principles path to get started. Follow along as you complete lessons and unlock successive levels to create amazing Silverlight experiences. Pass milestone evaluations along the way to your graduation “final” where successful completion earns you the coveted title of Design All-Star.
• 7. What types of courses are available in. toolbox?

  .toolbox tutorials is comprised of content covering a wide array of topics – each one requiring roughly only 30 minutes to complete – to help you master Silverlight and Expression Blend. .toolbox courses has two study tracks: Design Principles and Design Scenarios. Design Principles will teach you about “design” in general – choosing the right colors, the right fonts, design process, and much more. Design Scenarios will teach you how to use Expression Blend and Silverlight in real world scenarios.
• 8. I love my .toolbox avatar and would like to use it as my Twitter, Facebook or Messenger avatar. Is this allowed?

  Yes! Avatars love to be showcased on other sites. When designing your avatar you will see a “Download Avatar” button. This will save your avatar as a PNG image. You can then take this image and use it in Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, and/or in other social media applications. When you hear your friends ask about your cool avatar share the joy and send them to .toolbox.
• 9. Is there a way to add new avatar shirts, accessories, eyes or mouths?

  We currently do not support adding custom parts to your Avatar in the .toolbox website. However, the .toolbox Avatar Creator is a training module of its own – Design Scenarios module 8! After you go through this module you will be able to create your very own Avatar Creator and add accessories or clothing options. You can even take your Avatar Creator and publish it on your website!
• 10. How do I share my .toolbox achievements? Do you support publishing badge awards and status to Facebook or Twitter?

  Yes, after you achieve a new badge go to your Account page and choose to publish your most recent .toolbox status to Facebook or Twitter. We encourage you to brag about your achievements and show others how you are quickly becoming a .toolbox star!
• 11. I would like to find and meet other people who have also enrolled in. toolbox. Is this possible?

  By visiting the People | Students section in .toolbox you can search for other students by ranking, total points, and country. If a student decides to share her/his Facebook or Twitter account then you will see her/his respective username. For privacy reasons, only students who have specifically opted to expose their Facebook and Twitter usernames will be visible. You cannot contact students who have decided not to share their Facebook or Twitter usernames.
• 12. How will my Twitter and/or Facebook usernames be exposed to the rest of the students or the general public, if at all?

  Your usernames will be available only if you choose this option when signing up for .toolbox. You can change the setting at any time by visiting your Account page.
• 13. I found an error in one of the training materials or a bug in one of the samples. How do I report this?

  Thank you for helping us improve our materials. Please drop us a note in the Expression Blend forum with details of the issue(s) you found. Please include the Module name and if possible, the specific location in the Guide or Videos where you found the issue or bug. Also, label your post with “TOOLBOX” in the subject. Example: TOOLBOX: Issue in the Calculator module.
• 14. I am stuck in one of the training modules. Where can I get help?

  You can post questions or comments in the Expression Blend forum. Please label the title of your post with “TOOLBOX.” Example: TOOLBOX: How can I apply an easing function in the Games module?
• 15. Is there a way to watch the videos without being connected to the internet?

  Yes! All videos are available for download. On the module page or the Courses page click the Download button and select: Videos, Guide, Assets. This will download a ZIP file with the full content for the module. If you are using a Mac, you can watch the videos with a 3rd party utility such as Flip4Mac.
• 16. I am not interested in creating a profile for .toolbox right now, but I am interested in downloading some of the training content. Is this possible?

  Yes. All content is available to watch or download even if you have not created a profile and registered for .toolbox. Keep in mind that only enrolled students will be able to keep track of their progress, share their status, and collect badges.
• 17. What is the cost to enroll in .toolbox?

  Participating and learning Silverlight and Expression in .toolbox is FREE!

technology

• 1. I want to join .toolbox but I don’t have Silverlight or Expression. What should I do?

  Visit the Resources | Install section in the .toolbox. You will find easy and detailed instructions to download Silverlight and a free 60-day trial of Expression Studio.
• 2. I want to join .toolbox and I have a Mac. How can I get started?

  While Silverlight generated content can be seen on both Windows and Mac computers, Expression Blend works only on Windows. If you have a Mac, you can use Bootcamp, Parallels, or another virtual environment to run Windows and Expression Blend. Once you have one of these solutions, visit the Resources | Install section in the .toolbox. You will find easy and detailed instructions to get started.
• 3. What is Microsoft^® Silverlight^™?

  Microsoft Silverlight is a powerful development platform for creating engaging, interactive user experiences for Web, desktop, and mobile applications when online or offline.
  
  Use Silverlight to deliver interactive experiences, streaming media, and applications to viewers across the Web – regardless of their computer type, operating system, or browser. You can quickly create and deliver Rich Internet Applications, high quality video with Smooth Streaming, or use Deep Zoom to make the most of high-quality images. Silverlight lets you leverage 3D graphics and even create applications or widgets that run outside the browser on your viewer’s desktop for both Windows and Mac OS computers.
  
  You can learn more about Silverlight by visiting: http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/ and http://silverlight.net/.
• 4. What is Microsoft^® Expression^® Studio?

  Microsoft Expression Studio is a family of tools for professional designers and developers building web and Windows client applications and rich media content.
  
  Whether it’s prototyping, design, implementation, or video encoding, Expression helps you build and maintain websites using standards-based XHTML, CSS and for creating next-generation user experiences that can be deployed using Silverlight. Expression Studio fuses design with development, allowing easy hand-off for projects between designers and .NET developers. Expression Studio includes Expression Blend, Expression Web, Expression Design, and Expression Encoder.
  
  You can learn more about Expression by visiting: http://www.microsoft.com/expression/ and http://expression.microsoft.com.
• 5. What products are included in the Microsoft Expression Studio?

  Expression Studio is comprised of: Expression Web, Expression Blend, SketchFlow, Expression Design, and Expression Encoder.
  
  Expression^® Web enables you to produce high-quality, standards-based Websites with built-in support for today’s Web standards, sophisticated CSS design capabilities, and visual diagnostic tools.
  
  Expression Blend^™ enables you to mix design elements such as video, vector art, high-quality text, animation, pixel images, and 3D content with a full toolbox of advanced controls and containers to create engaging, cinematic user interfaces.
  
  SketchFlow, part of Expression Blend, lets you quickly map the flow of an application user interface, the layout of individual screens, and even define how an application will transition from one state to another. Use the interactive review capabilities to easily share prototypes with stakeholders and collect feedback.
  
  Expression^® Design allows you to leverage existing artwork, or quickly build sophisticated vector assets with intuitive and flexible drawing tools.
  
  Expression^® Encoder, with its approachable user interface, enables designers, editors, and producers to generate gorgeous VC-1 or H.264 encoded content wrapped in a Silverlight.
  
  You can learn more about Expression by visiting: http://www.microsoft.com/expression/ and http://expression.microsoft.com.
• 6. Where can I get Expression products or Silverlight?

  You can download a trial of Expression Studio free for 60 days by clicking here. The full range of Microsoft Expression products and upgrades can also be purchased from resellers and online resellers, or from Microsoft’s online store for immediate download. For a comprehensive list of purchasing and upgrade options, visit the “How To Buy” page.
  
  You can install the free Silverlight plug-in by clicking here. The plug-in enables you to view Silverlight applications. To begin creating Silverlight applications, you can install the Silverlight software development kit (SDK) by clicking here. Note that the SDK is included with Expression Blend so if you have downloaded the product, you do not have to separately download the Silverlight SDK.
• 7. Where can I find out more about Microsoft Expression Studio?

  To find out more about Microsoft Expression Studio, please visit the Expression website. You’ll find links to try and/or purchase Expression Studio. You can also visit the Expression Community site to access the community forum and for additional training resources.
• 8. Where can I find out more about Microsoft Silverlight?

  For more information about Silverlight, please visit the official website. You can also visit the Silverlight Community site to access the community forum and for additional training resources.
• 9. Where can I download Windows Phone tools?

  Whether you've never used Microsoft development tools or are a power user who has already installed them, our smart installer downloads and installs only the components you need to complete your development environment. You’ll have everything you need to get started right away, like project templates to make your own apps or games by using Silverlight and XNA Framework. Also included is Microsoft Expression Blend for Windows Phone, which you can use to create applications without ever writing a single line of code. Click here to download the free Windows Phone toolkit.
• 10. Where can I find out more about Windows Phone?

  App Hub, the one-stop shop Windows Phone designer and developer portal, offers a single location where you can download the free Windows Phone toolkit, find training, design templates, register for Marketplace, and submit applications and games. New to Windows Phone design and development? Check out MSDN’s Windows Phone development hub for beginners and start from the beginning.