How to Add a New Project Type to Microsoft Blend

Use Microsoft Expression Blend to simplify Web design.

Microsoft Expression Blend is a design tool that blends the features of both Web and desktop applications. It is intended for designers who need help streamlining their work flow. You use it to create "solutions," which are end-to-end sets of projects that all go together for your design. When you are already working in a solution, you may find it helpful to open a new project type within the same solution. This helps you to maintain functionality by separating the work that you're building into different reusable projects as needed. Alternatively, you may desire to start a brand new project separate from your other solutions.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Expression Blend. Navigate to the "Project" menu. Select "Add new project" from the available options. This will allow you to open an entirely new project separate from any solutions that you've already started.

2. Navigate to the "Project" panel if you would rather open a new project in an existing solution. In the panel you will see the name of the solutions that you have already started. Right-click on the one that you want and then select "Add new project." This creates your new project in the existing solution. This is an alternative to Step 1.

3. Select a project type. This is an option available to you in the control panel once you have added a new project in either Step 1 or Step 2. Select Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Control Library. Set the user controls in this library to create the type of project that you desire to add.

Tips & Warnings

• Select WPF Application in Step 3 if you want to open the basic project type for your new project rather than setting your own user controls.

• There are several different versions of Microsoft Expression Blend. This procedure works in all versions. The terminology, however, may be slightly different among different versions. For example, newer versions just offer a "control library," not a "WPF control library."

References

• Microsoft Developer Network Library: Add a new or existing project to a solution
• Microsoft Expression: Add a new or existing project to a solution