How do I make my apps look like Office 2013 and VS 2012?

Sega dude picture Sega dude · Aug 30, 2012 · Viewed 8.1k times · Source

I want to make my apps look like Office 2013 and VS 2012. The new white, streamlined look. Also with the solid color toolbar icons. Is there a way to make my apps look that them with VB 2010?

Answer

jColeson picture jColeson · Sep 11, 2012

Look into the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF).

To recreate the new tool bat in .NET 4+ you can use the Ribbon (WPF) Control. If you're targeting earlier versions you will have to create your own ribbon control or find a 3rd party solution.

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In order to help design your application, I suggest you get a copy of Microsoft Expression Blend. It will make working with WPF (XAML) much easier. The the built in editor that comes with VS 2010 isn't even close to as good. The VS 2012 designer is suppose to be better, although I haven't tried it myself.