Free Ly: Expression Design, XAML and Expression Blend, why bother?

Why bother with Expression Design and convert a perfectly good image from PNG to XAML and then have to make into a usercontrol in Expression Blend?  Why I ask you?  Isn’t this just an added step?

Umm, good question oh writer of this blog.  

Answer:

This is useful for using the artwork in:

• Animations
• Convert the artwork into user interface (UI) elements such as a background image
• Use the image as a UserControl
• The Image as a UserControl will minimize the pixel effect
• Useful if the image is a Office clipart with the file extension of wmf (Windows MetaFile)

How to export from Expression design and how to import the exported image in to Expression Blend

• http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc294508(v=expression.40).aspx

What is a Windows MetaFile?

http://microsoft.wikia.com/wiki/Windows_Metafile