Artboard

The artboard is your work surface, where you can visually design a document in your application by drawing objects and modifying them.

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Visual design surface   Set artboard options, such as changing the background color, in the Options dialog box.

For more information, see Change the background color of the artboard.

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XAML editor   Edit your XAML code in the XAML editor.

For information about XAML, see Working with XAML and Change the font and other XAML editor options.

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Artboard controls   Use these controls to zoom the artboard, turn on the rendering of effects, set snapping options, and turn on file annotations.

For more information, see Zoom or pan the artboard, Turn snapping on or off, Show or hide an effect, and Annotate a document.

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Document tabs   When you have more than one document open on the artboard, switch between them by clicking the corresponding tab.

For more information, see Change the active document.

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View buttons   Use these buttons to switch between Design, XAML, and Split views.

For more information, see View your design or the XAML that defines your design.

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Some .xaml documents, such as resource dictionary files, cannot be viewed in Design view. You can, however, modify resources visually by clicking Edit resource next to an item in the Resources panel.

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Object handles   When you select an object on the artboard, use the blue handles to make it easier to modify the object by using your mouse.

For more information, see Moving and transforming objects.

You can make more room for the artboard by moving or hiding workspace panels. For more information, see Making more room to work.

You can also open and modify code files on the artboard in a text editor that includes find-and-replace functionality and IntelliSense. For more information, see Modify a code-behind file.