Areas of the workspace (Windows Store apps)

The default workspace in Blend provides a visual interface that enables you to design Windows Store apps built using HTML or XAML: the design surface, panels, workspace configurations, authoring views, and menus. The tools available in the interface change depending on the type of project that you are working on.

The Blend workspace is customizable and uniquely scalable. You can change panel orientation, dock or float panels, resize the panels by dragging the edges, zoom the design surface, and switch the snapping of objects on the design surface.

The default workspace

Blend workspace diagram

B1_1

Menus    Create new projects and manage settings.

B1_2

Tools panel   Create and modify objects in your application.

B1_3

Assets panel   Displays all of the elements and media resources that are available to the project.

B1_4

Design surface (artboard)   The design surface is where you will perform most of the visual layout tasks. Notice that the application area is framed by a virtual tablet device that accurately represents the display of the device parameters that you specify in the Platform panel.

B1_5

Additional panels   The specific panels that are available change depending on the type of project you are working on.

Customize your workspace

You can easily customize the workspace to more comfortably fit your workstyle.

For more information on workspace options, see the following topics: