Workspace layout (Windows Phone)

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The Blend for Visual Studio 2012 workspace for Windows Phone projects includes all of the visual interface elements of the default workspace. However, the tools that are available when you are creating a Windows Pone app are specific to Windows Phone projects.

An Animation workspace is also available when you are working on Windows Phone projects.

Design workspace

Document tabs   Shows all the Windows Phone project documents that are currently open, including windows, pages, resource dictionaries, and user controls.

Active files   Shows the current open document on the artboard and also lists all the files that are currently open in the Document tabs.

Views   Displays one of three real-time authoring environments:

  • Design view   Use Design view to author documents by using a visual representation on the artboard.

  • XAML Code view   Use Code view to author or edit your XAML code.

    Note
    The Tools panel, Objects and Timeline panel, and Properties do not work for Code view. In addition, most menu items are disabled in this view.

  • Split view   Displays both Code and Design view. You can also change the orientation of the windows using the Split View Orientation item on the View menu.

You can also modify the default display of Blend by modifying the settings in the Options dialog box.

Animation workspaces

In addition to the Design workspace, Blend includes an Animation workspace. You can easily switch between the two workspaces by pressing F6.

The Animation workspace includes all of the tools available in the Design workspace. In addition, the Objects and Timeline panel is expanded and moved under the artboard so that more of the animation timeline is displayed.

The Design workspace (left) and the Animation workspace (right)

Menus

Artboard   Displays the design view of the document you have selected.

For more information, see Artboard (Windows Phone).

Tools panel   Displays the tools available in the Tools panel will vary depending on the for the type of project that you’re working on.

For more information, see Tools panel (Windows Phone).

Projects panel and, Properties panel, and Resources panel   Display the panel that you want by clicking the corresponding tab, or by selecting the panel on the Window menu.

For more information, see the following:

Objects and Timeline panel   Displays tools for creating and modifying animation timelines.

For more information, see Objects and Timeline panel (Windows Phone).

Results panel   Displays information about errors in your application.

For more information, see Results panel (Windows Phone).