Instead of writing individual blog posts for each WPF tool or control that I become aware of, I thought I'd create a single page that I can keep up-to-date. Over time, I hope that this becomes a useful reference for WPF developers and designers. This page is not intended to link to all WPF applications; I will only include software that can be used to help build applications for the Windows Presentation Foundation. These lists are in no particular order.
February 10, 2009: I haven't updated this page in awhile, so I no longer consider it a comprehensive reference for tools and controls. Mike Taulty has assembled a very useful WPF/Silverlight Control Browser that is much more up-to-date.
Thanks!
Formerly known as Expression Interactive Designer (and "Sparkle"), this application allows you to build next-generation user experiences that take advantage of WPF. Expression Interactive Designer supports vectors, pixel images, 3D content, video and audio, high quality text, and animation.
Expression Design is primarily an application that is used to author graphic content using both bitmaps and vectors. Its powerful XAML export capabilities make it a natural fit for creating assets that can be incorporated into other XAML tools like Expression Blend.
Visual Studio 2008 includes Intellisense, project templates, and a visual designer that provides developers with support for building WPF applications. If you remember the Visual Studio 2005 extensions (or the codename "Cider"), this is what you're looking for.
Aurora is a visual designer that produces XAML documents for WPF development. It's more than a drawing or painting program and can be used as a standalone application, a plug-in for software applications, or used seamlessly inside of Visual Studio.
ZAM 3D provides developers and designers with a quick and easy solution for creating 3D interface elements for WPF-based applications. It also works as a 3ds-to-XAML and dxf-to-XAML converter.
A plug-that allows designers to create 3D user interfaces in Maya and export them to XAML. Currently supports the export of models and textures. Future capabilities will include the export of animation, cameras, and lighting.
A script that exports model and texture data from Blender (an open source 3D graphics tool) to XAML files that can be dynamically loaded or compiled into a WPF application.
Upload a 3ds file and get a converted XAML file in return.
Adobe Fireworks to WPF/XAML Exporter
A free extension that installs a custom panel within Fireworks. It copies XAML directly to the clipboard for anything that is selected on the stage.
A freely-available plug-in that adds XAML as an export format from within Adobe Illustrator.
LightWave to XAML Converter
Upload a 200K-or-less LightWave 3D file (.lwo) and get back XAML that retains geometry, textures, and animation.
A C# script that uses the Illustrator CS2 COM Type Library to export artwork in WPF/XAML format. Details here.
Converts Adobe/Macromedia Flash/SWF files to XAML. Current version supports shape conversion only (no animation or ActionScript).
Imports from over 40 3D file formats, allows modifications, and exports to XAML (among many other formats).
Convert SWF (Flash) animation to the XAML format, for use in Vista, WPF, and Silverlight. Includes support for sound, animation, and fonts. ActionScript conversion coming in the near future.
Swift 3D is a 3D authoring environment that exports frame-by-frame animation in XAML format for use with both Silverlight and WPF.
Convert and import SVG vector drawings for use with WPF.
Read Windows Metafiles (WMF), Enhanced Metafiles (EMF), and get Metafile objects from the clipboard, and convert them to XAML.
A plug-in for Visio 2007 to export to XAML.
I am aware of many third-party controls that are being developed, and some of them are available for download.
Infragistics has released a WPF control suite that includes: xamDataGrid, xamCarouselPanel, xamCarouselListBox, xamDataCarousel, xamDataPresenter, xamEditors, some StylePacks, and a xamples Browser.
Software FX has overhauled their Chart FX product to take full advantage of the 2D, 3D, animation, and data binding capabilities of WPF. Contact wpf@softwarefx.com for more information or download the NDA and apply for the beta program on their site.
Actipro Wizard is a WPF-based .NET control that conforms to the Wizard97 specification.
A free, fully-featured, professional data grid control for WPF. Check out the Xceed DataGrid for WPF LiveExplorer for an online demo.
A Guidelines-compliant implementation of the Office 2007 Ribbon control for WPF. Similar to their DotNetBar control for Windows Forms.
Actipro Ribbon is a WPF-based .NET control that conforms to the Office 2007 UI specifications.
Their essentials mix includes: Zoombox, ElementSnapshot, Carousel3D, ChromelessWindow, DragAndDrop, Pie, OSChecker, TimelinePanel, EvalBinding and SimpleBinding, NumericRangeToObjectConverter.
Here's another WPF-based control that implements the Office 2007 UI Ribbon user interface.
Generates high quality vector-based barcodes for WPF and is fully integrated with Visual Studio 2008 including the Express Editions.
Hello Mike,
I am using flash (SWF) file on my web page.
but it is taking a lot of time to load on the page.
is this tool (Converting SWF to XAML) is helpfull for me?
Can i use the converted XAML file on web and get the same effect like SWF?
Please help!
my mail id is:
sanjeebshaw@gmail.com
thank u
It would be an honor to be added to your list of notable WPF Controls. IdentityMine is about creating WPF Tools and Components for both Designers and Developers alike. Our first entry into the market comes with an abundance of field testing since they were created while in the trenches with large enterprise customers building real world WPF Applications. The first pack (what we call a mix) is the essentials mix.
http://www.componentone.com/products.aspx?TabTypeID=1&ItemType=1&PanelIndex=1&ItemID=55639&SubCategoryTypeID=0&TabMapID=338&TabID=463
component one's wpf product beta.
scheduling and a grid... *yawN*
Great list you have made. I think you have all the neccessary links here in this page. Nothing more to add. Stay tuned.
Hi All,
I am searching for a free converter (NITF to XAML). If you know please email at nyinyithann@gmail.com.
There is also a very good 3rd party control company named Syncfusion. I've used their controls previously and was very satisfied with their libraries.
How about a XAML to SVG converter? I have seen a lot of converters from some graphics format to XAML but I need to go the other way. Do you know of any tool that converts XAML graphics to SVG?
Thanks.
Is therea a .NET 2.0 Windows Forms to WPF converter or migration tool?