The latest release of OpenSilver 3.0, a free, open-source UI framework for creating modern .NET web applications using C# and XAML, features a new AI-driven UI designer.

OpenSilver 3.0, essentially a reimplementation of Microsoft Silverlight that operates on modern browsers through WebAssembly, now includes AI integration. This functionality allows users to generate complex UIs and make adjustments via natural language commands. Developers can simply describe the changes they want, and the XAML will be updated automatically.

Userware, the provider of this open-source tool, also offers optional professional support and has demonstrated some natural language prompts that result in instant code changes:

• “Create a landing page for a product named AdventureWorks CRM”
• “Add a navigation menu at the top, change the style to use pastel colors, make the text black”

Besides natural language input, developers can upload an image or mockup for the AI to generate an approximate UI.

“Users can switch between AI-driven changes, the drag-and-drop designer, and manual XAML coding, offering a perfect blend of automated generation and detailed customization,” Userware stated in a press release.

Additionally, Userware has introduced UseCasesFor.ai, showcasing over 250 examples of AI applications across different industries.

Another new feature is XAML.io, which is the first online XAML designer allowing developers to start building applications directly in their web browsers without any installation. Projects can then be transitioned to Visual Studio for further development and deployment. The XAML.io site itself was built using OpenSilver.

“It enables .NET developers to start creating applications right in their web browsers, removing the need for local installations,” the company explained. “Developers can initiate their projects online and then move to Visual Studio for additional development or deployment.”

The project’s future roadmap includes:

• .NET MAUI Hybrid Support: Allowing developers to deploy native applications across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
• Blazor Components in XAML: Seamless integration of Blazor and JavaScript components within C# and XAML code.
• XAML 3D (Preview available at XRSharp.io): Adding interactive 3D elements to OpenSilver apps, combining 2D and 3D XAML, and sharing ViewModels. This feature leverages WPF app creation skills to build impressive 3D websites compatible with all browsers and WebXR-powered Mixed Reality experiences for devices like Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro, all using .NET, C#, and XAML.