Customize an Expression Encoder template for Silverlight

Microsoft Expression Encoder uses templates to create video experiences by encoding video and displaying it in a media player. The player can be skinned by using a template. Expression Encoder templates are a collection of HTML and XAML that together define the video player user interface (UI) and interactivity.

Expression Encoder includes a Microsoft Silverlight template that you can use to present your videos. However, you are not restricted to using the default template. Because of the extensibility of Expression Encoder, you can create your own Silverlight video player using such tools as Blend for Visual Studio 2012, and then make the player available for Expression Encoder to use as a custom template.

To modify a Silverlight template for use in Expression Encoder

1. If you cannot see the Output panel in Expression Encoder, click Output on the Window menu.

2. In the Output panel, under Job Output, select one of the Silverlight templates from the drop-down list next to Template. An image appears next to Preview to show you what the media player template will resemble.

3. On the Output options menu, point to Edit copy of template in, and then click Expression Blend.

   Note

   If you already modified the template that your Expression Encoder project is using, you can select Edit in Expression Blend from the drop-down menu to make further changes to the template.

4. In Blend, in the Objects and Timeline panel, expand the LayoutRoot node. The functionality of the player is contained in a user control named myPlayer. To modify the appearance of the player, right-click myPlayer, point to Edit Template, and then click Edit a Copy.

5. Once you are working on the template of the user control, you can begin to change the visual design by adding, modifying, or deleting objects. You can also skin controls by editing the template of the control.

   For more information, see the following topics:

   • Drawing shapes and paths

   • Drawing objects

   • Moving and transforming objects

   • Modify the appearance of a system control in different states

   • Modify the transition time between state changes

   • Change states in response to user interaction

6. Make your changes in Blend and then save your files (click Save on the File menu). When you return to Expression Encoder, the Preview window will display the edited template. You can then use the template for future encoding.

Now that you have created your template, you can do the following:

• Use the modified template to encode video in an Expression Encoder project. For more information, see the topics in the "Encode your video for Microsoft Silverlight and the web" section of the Expression Encoder User Guide (F1).

• Deploy your encoded video and Silverlight player to a website. After encoding your video in Expression Encoder using the modified Silverlight template, you can deploy the output to a website.

  For more information, see Styling tips for common Silverlight controls.