Chapter 16, "Animation and Media," describes the animation facilities contained in WPF that allow most of the visual aspects of a user interface to be animated. This is helpful to let the user know the application is still active, as well as providing for transitions from one view to another.

Chapter 17, "3D Graphics," can be hosted in the user interface, as well as projecting 2D and user interfaces on to 3D surfaces. This chapter does not look at how to create 3D graphics, but rather how WPF does 3D graphics.

Chapter 18, "Custom Controls," shows you that even though one of the benefits of WPF is that you do not have to write custom controls as often, when you do need to you still can. This chapter will show you how to write custom controls and other common element types.

While Programming WPF does not go in to deep detail on all topics, it does get deep enough on most of the topics to give you everything you need to know to get up to speed and working with WPF. The authors provide a good blend of clear and concise writing, concrete examples, and helpful code to make a good learning experience.

Programming WPF is a book that serves two masters. First, it provides an excellent introductory text for those who are new to WPF. Sure, you have to have experience programming, but this book will get you up to speed in a logical manner without much pain and with reference to the past. Second, it provides a good reference book that covers the topics of WPF. When you are up to your knickers in molasses, it will provide a great reference book to refresh your memory, so it retains its usefulness long after.

While WPF is going to take Windows programmers to territories yet undiscovered, Programming WPF is here to make sure you get started down that road with an owner's manual and a set of maps. If you want to learn WPF, then Programming WPF is a great place to start.