Set workspace options (Windows Store apps)
You can customize your workspace by modifying the default workspace settings available in the Options dialog box.
Modify the workspace
Modifying your workspace may impact certain objects on the design surface. For example, enabling Use quadrant based layout (under Layout) impacts objects in columns or rows when resizing the parent grid.
.png "Options dialog")
The following table lists some of the settings available in the Options dialog box:
Workspace |
Blend for Visual Studio comes with two themes for the workspace:
|
Project |
You can set the following properties for your project:
|
Code editor |
Code editors available for your project:
|
Artboard |
Use quadrant based layout (XAML only) When this option is selected, alignments will be altered or set to align the currently selected controls to the nearest edges of the parent container. However, when this option is not selected, alignments will not be changed during a move or create operation. For more information, see the section "Change the background color of the artboad" later in this article. |
Documents |
Show settings for This setting provides the ability to set a default behavior for a document view in your project. |
Language |
The setting provides the ability to change the default user interface language by selecting any supported language from a language drop-down list. |
Animation |
This setting is turned on by default and raises a warning when a dependent non-accelerated animation is enabled. |
Change the font and other code editor options
You can change the font face, font size, and other options for the text that appears in Code view. You cannot change the font color because elements, attributes, and values are color-coded for easier development.
To change the font
On the Tools menu, click Options.
In the Options dialog box, select Code editor.
Next to Show settings for, select an editor from the list:
XAML editor
HTML editor
CSS editor
JavaScript editor
Other code editors
Under Font settings, specify the Font and Size that you want.
Click OK.
To change the tab size and word wrap options
On the Tools menu, click Options.
In the Options dialog box, select Code editor.
Next to Show settings for, select XAML editor.
Under Editor settings, select the tab size and word wrap options that you want.
Click OK.
To restore the default XAML editor font and settings
On the Tools menu, click Options.
In the Options dialog box, select Code editor.
Next to Show settings for, select an editor from the list:
XAML editor
HTML editor
CSS editor
JavaScript editor
Other code editors
Click Reset to Default.
Click OK.
Change the theme of your workspace
Blend comes with two themes for the workspace: dark and light. Changing your workspace theme does not affect the appearance of your project.
Workspace themes: dark (left) and light (right)
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To change your workspace theme
On the Tools menu, click Options.
In the Options dialog box, select Workspace (on the left).
Next to Theme, select either Dark or Light. The theme changes immediately so that you can preview it.
Click OK.
Change the background color of the design surface
You can change the background color of the design surface from the default dark gray to a color of your choice.
To change the design surface background color
On the Tools menu, click Options.
In the Options dialog box, select Artboard.
Under Background, select Color, and then click the color square to open the color picker.
Select a color from the color picker, and then click outside the color picker to close it.
Click OK.
To restore the default design surface background color
On the Tools menu, click Options.
In the Options dialog box, select Artboard.
Under Background, select Default background.
Click OK.