Datasheet

then single-click it to select the image rather than the panels or the button. Fortunately, this is eas-

ier than it sounds, because a large yellow border appears around what is selected to make it obvi-

ous what is selected, and double-clicking is fast. When a yellow border appears around an object,

then the object is active. To make an object inactive, just double-click somewhere else.

You can also click on the name of the object in the Objects list to select it.

Nesting makes things much simpler for the designer. You can stack objects, wrap them, place them

in sections of a grid, and then move the objects around in their layout panels as a single unit. It

makes the task of creating many parts of a user interface simpler by allowing you to compartmen-

talize objects and controls.

Adding bitmap effects

Blend offers five bitmap effects that you can apply to your controls and other vector objects. They

are Bevel, Blur, Drop Shadow, Outer Glow and Emboss. These bitmap effects are a powerful way to

add sophisticated imagery to your user interface. For instance, you can give any image the look

and feel of a button by giving it a bevel, as shown in the upper left in Figure 1.13. Then you can

use Blend’s Make Button tool to transform your image into a button. Or you can use the Outer

Glow bitmap effect to make your buttons glow when they are pressed or moused over. You can

also give your objects drop shadows to add a 3D look to your user interface, and you can add

depth to the drop shadow when a tool, for instance, is dragged. You can also use the blur bitmap

effect to add a glow to text, as shown in Figure 1.13. The blurred text is behind a text box that

contains the same text with a transparent background.

FIGURE 1.13

Bitmap effects applied to images and text.

TIP

Exploring New User Interface Techniques

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