A Guide to Windows Embedded Silverlight Tools Windows Embedded Compact (formerly Windows CE) introduced Windows Embedded Silverlight Tools (WEST) to revolutionize user interface (UI) development for specialized devices. By separating design from core application logic, these tools allow developers and designers to collaborate smoothly. Here is everything you need to know about the tools, workflow, and benefits of using Silverlight for Windows Embedded. Core Architecture and Components
Silverlight for Windows Embedded uses a native C++ rendering engine rather than a managed .NET runtime. This optimizes performance on hardware-constrained embedded devices.
XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language): The declarative XML-based language used to define visual elements, animations, and layouts.
Expression Blend: The primary visual design software where designers create vector graphics, UI layouts, and interactive animations.
Platform Builder: A plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio used by embedded developers to configure the operating system image and compile source code.
Windows Embedded Silverlight Tools (WEST): A specific plugin for Expression Blend that bridges the gap between the designer’s visual output and the developer’s C++ code. The Development Workflow
The primary advantage of WEST is the clean separation of concerns. The development pipeline follows a structured three-step process. 1. UI Design in Expression Blend
Designers create the visual layout using Expression Blend. They define buttons, sliders, text boxes, and storyboards for animations. Because the target is an embedded device, designers must remain mindful of screen resolution, color depth, and processing limitations. 2. Project Conversion via WEST
Once the UI design is complete, the designer or developer uses the WEST plugin within Expression Blend. The tool automatically parses the XAML files and generates corresponding C++ code stubs, header files, and project infrastructure. This utility eliminates the need to manually recreate visual layouts inside source code. 3. Logic Implementation in Visual Studio
The developer opens the generated project in Visual Studio with Platform Builder. They write the application logic in native C++, binding hardware events, peripheral inputs, and backend data streams to the UI controls generated by WEST. Key Performance Benefits
Using Windows Embedded Silverlight Tools offers several distinct advantages for industrial, medical, and automotive device development:
Hardware Acceleration: The rendering engine utilizes the device’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) via OpenGL ES or Direct3D Mobile, ensuring fluid 30 FPS or 60 FPS animations.
Parallel Workflows: Designers can update the visual appearance in Expression Blend without breaking the core C++ application logic in Visual Studio.
Native Execution speed: Operating directly in C++ avoids the garbage collection pauses and memory overhead typically associated with managed (.NET) runtimes.
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