This week Microsoft released the January 2011 preview of Expression Design 5. The preview can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/gPxBMr.

The January 2011 preview contains only two new features:

• EPS import
• Multiple selection in the Layers panel

EPS Import

I’ve found this image in my Image Library.

It’s in .EPS format and I would like to use it in one of my designs. With the new Expression Design preview I can import it directly without having to convert it to another format first.

To do this, go to the “File” menu and select “Import Encapsulated Postscript File…”.

An open-file dialog appears where you can select the .EPS file you would like to open. After hitting “open” a progress bar shows at the bottom right of Expression Design for a moment.

And done. The .EPS file is opened in your .design file.

Multiple selection in layers panel

In the current version of Design, Expression Design 4, it is possible to select multiple layers by holding the Shift key. When doing this you can add layers to the selection.

In the new Expression Design January Preview this process has changed and works in the same way you might be used to in other programs like Windows Explorer for example.

By selecting a layer and pressing the Shift key while selecting another layer you can select a range of layers.

By selecting layers while holding the Control key you can add individual layers to the selection.

Conclusion

Only two features are added in the preview. I hope the Expression Design team will add a lot more features, so the final version of Expression Design 5 can match up to Adobe Illustrator. At least I am glad that Expression Design is still alive.