To install this build of Expression Interactive Designer download it from the Microsoft Expression web site at http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/interactive_designer/id_free_trial.aspx

To help us make a better product, please send your feedback to us via our discussion forum [2] or our product feedback center on the Microsoft Expression Web site [3].

Highlights in this CTP include:

• Compatibility with latest WinFX CTP. The March 2006 CTP is fully compatible with the February 2006 CTP of Microsoft WinFX Runtime Components.

• Improved grouping for elements. Elements can now be grouped in all containers instead of just within a Canvas panel.

• Drag and drop. Elements within the structure view of the Timeline palette can now be reordered and drag and dropped into other controls and containers.

• Improved binding to objects. Properties on objects inside a DataTemplate can now be bound-to directly.

• Design-time visualization of data. Sample data is automatically generated for you if real data is not available at design time.

• Improved URI support. Relative project references for URIs are now fully supported.

• Enhanced clipboard interactivity. An element, as well as all its linked resources, are now copied when pasting that element into a different scene.

A gallery of samples and tutorials updated for this CTP [4] can be found in the Article Categories section to the right of the blog.

Very importantly, please also take a moment to read the Readme file for the March CTP [5] which contains known issues and workarounds.

[1] http://blogs.msdn.com/expression/archive/2006/02/22/537105.aspx
[2] http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.expression.interactivedesigner&cat=&lang=en&cr=US
[3] http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/default.mspx
[4] http://blogs.msdn.com/expression/articles/543834.aspx
[5] http://blogs.msdn.com/expression/articles/538345.aspx

ZAM 3D ™ from Electric Rain is a new 3D XAML Tool for Microsoft Windows Vista application development, and the March CTP is available for download [1].

ZAM 3D fits into the designer-side workflow by complementing Microsoft Expression Interactive Designer. The idea is that a designer uses ZAM 3D to easily create 3D interface elements, models, controls, styles or layouts. Then the designer exports the 3D assets to XAML markup with a single click without any need to write, or even understand, the complex markup that goes into building a WPF 3D scene. Now the 3D assets are easily added to an Expression Interactive Designer project using the Project > Add Item... command.

[1] http://erain.com/Products/ZAM3D/DefaultPDC.asp

Just a quick post to let you know 5 new training videos are now available for viewing and download at http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/demos.mspx. Simply click the Interactive Designer tab near the bottom of the page, and then click one of the video links under Training Videos.

Enjoy!