The Complete List of XAML Tools

XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language) is one of the most exciting innovations to come out of Microsoft in years.  It finally enables you to easily bridge the gap between designers and developers.  XAML promises to save companies a lot of time, money, and frustration.  XAML is used in WPF, Windows Presentation Foundation, and WPF/E, now named Silverlight.  WPF applications run native on Windows Vista, and Silverlight applications run anywhere, after installing an insanely small browser plugin.

Below is a complete listing of XAML Tools you can use today to build interactive user interfaces and applications that run on WPF and Silverlight.

Free XAML Tools

Visio Export to XAML
An Add-in to Visio 2007 to create XAML directly.

XAML Tune – Convert SVG# to XAML
A free tool that allows you to convert SVG files to XAML files.  It automates XAML transformations in order to improve design and code integration.

Adobe Illustrator Export to XAML
A freely available plug-in that enables Adobe Illustrator to export WPF and Silverlight compatible XAML

Adobe Illustrator to XAML Export C# Script
A script for exporting Adobe Illustrator artwork in the WPF/XAML format. The script is written in C#/.Net 2.0 using the Illustrator CS2 COM Type Library. Although it is treated as a script in Illustrator, it is also a stand-alone application.

Adobe Fireworks Export to XAML
The Infragistics Fireworks to XAML Exporter is a Fireworks Extension that allows you to easily convert artwork created in Adobe Fireworks to the new XAML format introduced with Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). For those of you with libraries of artwork created in Fireworks (like the Infragistics Visual Design Group), this should be welcome news! You can now reuse prior artwork, fills, and layouts in your new WPF applications.

Adobe Photoshop Export to XAML
Simple, free, open-source tool for converting Photoshop .PSD files to XAML. Also supports limited SWF conversion to XAML.

Adobe Flash Export to XAML
A free tool that converts Adobe/Macromedia Flash files to XAML

SVG Export to XAML
Another free tool that allows you to convert SVG files to XAML files.

Clipboard and Metafile’s Export to XAML
Paste2Xaml is a WPF application that can read Windows metafile’s (wmf), Enhanced Metafile’s (emf) or get matafile objects from clipboard and can convert it into XAML. It can also export embedded images that can be used in exported XAML.

Blender Export to XAML
The XAML export script for Blender allows the popular free 3D modeller to be used to create content for WPF applications. 3D scenes created in Blender are exported to .XAML files which can be dynamically loaded or compiled into your WPF applications.

Online 3D Studio Max Export to XAML
Online 3ds to xaml converter can only convert smaller and simpler 3ds files.

3D Studio Max Export to XAML
Reader3ds is a class library than can be used to read 3D models from a 3ds file and to use them in a WPF (.Net 3.0) application. This way you can define 3D models in 3D modeling application and simply use the models in you application.

XAML PAD
XamlPad (xamlpad.exe) is a basic visual editor for Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML). XAMLPad is installed with the SDK and can be found from the start menu at All Programs/Microsoft Windows SDK/Tools/XAMLPad

XAML Tools for Purchase

Expression Blend
A user interface design tool for creating rich graphical interfaces for web and desktop applications that blend the features of these two types of applications. Expression Blend is itself written using the .NET Framework 3.0 and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF).

Expression Design
Microsoft’s commercial professional illustration vector and raster graphic design tool based on Creature House Expression, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2003. It is part of the Microsoft Expression Studio suite and is written using Windows Presentation Foundation.

Visual Studio 2008
Visual Studio is the main Integrated Development Environment (IDE) from Microsoft. It can be used to develop console and GUI applications along with Windows Forms applications, web sites, web applications, and web services in both native code as well as managed code for all platforms supported by Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, .NET Framework, .NET Compact Framework and Microsoft Silverlight.

Electric Rain ZAM 3D Version
Zam 3D is a 3D XAML Tool for XAML Application Development.  It provides developers and designers with a quick and easy solution for creating 3D interface elements for Microsoft Windows Vista based applications. It also acts as a 3ds to XAML and DXF to XAML converter.

Electric Rain Swift 3D
The premier 3D tool for rich media designers. It’s the only 3D software to directly integrate with Adobe Flash and Silverlight through the Swift 3D File Importer and SmartLayer Technology, and produces unrivalled vector rendering quality and output style options. Swift 3D’s toolset and interface allow anyone to quickly create 3D content, while providing a full set of advanced tools to grow into. And with new Papervision3D export, Swift 3D introduces a whole new realm of true 3D possibilities in Flash and Silverlight.

Aurora XAML Designer
Aurora is a XAML design product for developing user interfaces and graphics for Windows desktop and web applications. In addition to being a XAML designer, Aurora also serves as a customizable and embeddable graphics design platform with an Object Model and Plug-in architecture.

Maya Export to XAML
This plug-in allows designers to create compelling 3D user interfaces in Maya and export to XAML, the next generation application GUI markup language for windows and the web. Objects created in Maya can be used as hit targets, windows forms controls, and more. Because the objects are kept as vector data in the interface, the user can scale the entire application and keep the same look and feel.

Lightwave Export to XAML
Export your LightWave objects and scenes to XAML for use in Microsoft Expression Blend.

40+ 3D Format Import and Export to XAML
Publish to more than 40 different 2D and 3D graphic formats. Automatically
publish into 3D interactive PDF documents, XAML, Silverlight, WPF,
Adobe or HTML.

Adobe Flash Export to XAML (Converts Animations)
This program converts Flash animations to the Xaml format. It accepts files up to Flash version 8. It handles animation, sound and fonts. You drag files in, it generates the results. You can use the command line for automation. There is also a new interface that allows viewing files and all their definitions as WPF or Silverlight.

If you liked this article, please share it on DZone, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. I’d appreciate it.