Microsoft's Uphill Battle

The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant released last week the first Community Technology Preview (CTP) of Microsoft Expression Interactive Designer, formerly code-named Sparkle, and the fourth CTP of Microsoft Expression Graphic Designer, code-named Acrylic.

Companies may be persuaded to switch to the Expression line because the XAML-based designs are easier to bring into Microsoft Visual Studio, partners say. “[Right now] it&'s time-consuming with handoffs between creative and development,” said Rob Howard, CEO of Telligent Systems, Dallas.

The tools are aimed at interactive Web site and graphics designers developing WinFX-based apps on Windows XP and Vista, Microsoft said. Microsoft Expression Web Designer, code-named Quartz and aimed at Web designers, is still in beta testing and the first CTP is expected to be delivered at its first show for designers, MIX 06, in Las Vegas in mid-March.

Leading Web design firm Agency.com said Microsoft will have a tough sell getting Web designers using Adobe and Macromedia Flash on Apple&'s Macintosh platform to switch to less mature tools—at least voluntarily. “Most creative designers are on the Macintosh, and I won&'t ask designers to change,” said Aman Data, vice president of technology at Agency.com, New York. “Having said that, the functionality in [Expression] Graphic Designer, like workflow, could add a lot of value in the process between designer and site builder.”

Jered Cuenco, multimedia developer at Avenue A Razorfish, New York, said, “There is a category of designers who firmly believe in the Mac platform as the design platform and would never be convinced otherwise, but there is a growing PC design community.”

The three products will be priced at more than $300 each, Microsoft said.