WPF Resources in class library in .NET 5 - c#

Before, in .NET Framework, when I created a WPF class library, I had my App.xaml (set as Application definition) referencing my resource dictionaries like that:
<Application xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation">
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="ResourceDictionary1.xaml" />
<ResourceDictionary Source="ResourceDictionary2.xaml" />
<ResourceDictionary Source="ResourceDictionary3.xaml" />
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>
</Application>
However, now, with .NET 5, I get this compilation error:
Library project file cannot specify ApplicationDefinition element.
So that message means I can't have an App.xaml file in a class library anymore. But now, I don't know how to define my resources globally in a class library. Isn't there any way to do this without referencing the dictionaries in each and every XAML file in the project?
Edit: It's not about the Source syntax. The path is correct and everything compiles perfectly if I set the project to Windows Application instead of Class Library.

refering to that github issue : https://github.com/dotnet/wpf/issues/2812#issuecomment-607537794
In an SDK style WindowsDesktop project,
*.xaml are all treated as Page items by default, unless they are named App.xaml (C#) or Application.xaml (VB).
App.xaml/Application.xaml is treated as ApplicationDefinition by default.
<!--
Disables automatic globbing of App.xaml/Application.xaml into
ApplicationDefinition item
App.xaml/Application.xaml would now get treated as any other *.xaml file
(typically, a Page)
-->
<PropertyGroup>
<EnableDefaultApplicationDefinition>false</EnableDefaultApplicationDefinition>
</PropertyGroup>
Worth a try.

For me works the following: If you have library-project with resources (i.e. namespace "Project.Resources") and have presentation-project (i.e. namespace "Project.Presentation"):
<Application x:Class="Project.Presentation.App"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation">
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="/Project.Resources;Dictionary.xaml" />
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>
</Application>
Don't forget to add reference to "Project.Resources" in "Project.Presentation".

Related

UWP:- How to refer a code behind of a resource dictionary that exists in another assembly in a XAML?

Accessing from the same assembly:
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="/test/testing.xaml"/>
<templates:testing/> <!- This works -->
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
Accessing a resource from another assembly:
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="ms-appx:///Components/test/testing.xaml"/>
<templates:testing/> <!- This doesn't work-->
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
Your XAML seems fine,
Perhaps is it linked to your project settings.
When you create your assembly, for xaml resources you should use Windows Runtime Component
And in project's properties check that your namespace is "Components"

Window style not visible in designer

I created a Window style (WPF) and added it as a dll to my project
this style shows corretly when i run the program but doesn't show up in the designer.
I googled already but none of the solutions there are working
Test 1:
// Window //
Style="{DynamicResource HVE_Window}"
// Window.Resources //
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/GlobalHive.Styles;component/HiveWindow.xaml"/>
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
Result:
Error: 'Window' TargetType doesn not match type of element 'WindowInstance'
-> But it runs and display correctly there
Test 2:
// Window //
Style="{DynamicResource MyWindow}"
// Window.Resources //
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/GlobalHive.Styles;component/HiveWindow.xaml"/>
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<Style x:Key="MyWindow" TargetType="{x:Type Window}" BasedOn="{StaticResource HVE_Window}" />
Result:
No Error:
Still doesn't display in the designer, still shows up if i run the program
Test 3:
Both versions but added to application resources
How it should look:
How it looks inside the designer:
You can sometimes find that resources from a control library are not loaded at design time, despite whatever you put in app.xaml to try and load the things.
MS created a mechanism for Blend which you can use in visual studio since it's the blend designer.
This uses a "special" resource dictionary called DesignTimeResources.xaml
This will only be used at design time.
Add one to the Properties of your problem exe project.
With exactly that name.
Put all your merges into that.
eg this is one of mine from my MapEditor project that uses numerous resources from UILib. UILib is a control library with all sorts of UI stuff in it.
<ResourceDictionary xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:local="clr-namespace:MapEditor">
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/UILib;component/Resources/Geometries.xaml"/>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/UILib;component/Resources/ControlTemplates.xaml"/>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/UILib;component/Resources/FontResources.xaml"/>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/UILib;component/Resources/UILibResources.xaml"/>
<ResourceDictionary Source="/Views/Drawing/Terrain/Resources/CityResources.xaml"/>
<ResourceDictionary Source="/Resources/MapEditorResources.xaml"/>
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
Unload your csproj ( right click in solution explorer), edit it and find the node for that resource dictionary.
Change it to:
<Page Include="Properties\DesignTimeResources.xaml">
<SubType>Designer</SubType>
<Generator>MSBuild:Compile</Generator>
<ContainsDesignTimeResources>true</ContainsDesignTimeResources>
</Page>
Reload the project, close and re-open visual studio.
Your styles should now apply.

Using (merged) Resource Dictionary in C# Class Library Project

How can I use a (merged) WPF Resource Dictionary in a C# class library project?
Here is what I did:
In my C# class library project I have a file Dictionary1.xaml like that:
<ResourceDictionary xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
>
<Style x:Key="PluginFrameBorderStyle">
...
</Style>
</ResourceDictionary>
Then, I have a UserControl file UserControl1.xaml where I try to use the Dictionary like that:
<UserControl x:Class="EditorPackageA.BackboneMemberB1Editor.BackboneMemberB1Editor"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
mc:Ignorable="d"
xmlns:local="clr-namespace:EditorPackageA.EditorBase"
xmlns:prism="http://www.codeplex.com/prism" d:DesignWidth="690.4" d:DesignHeight="460.12">
<UserControl.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="/Dictionary1.xaml"/>
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
</UserControl.Resources>
...
</UserControl>
The project compiles but at runtime I get the error:
with the exception detail:
The same approach works when applied within a WPF project rather than a Class Library project.
What might be the solution here?
Important Addendum:
During design-time I see the effect of the used style that is embedded via the ResourceDictionary, hence the URI of the style and the dictionary must be correct!?
Try to use so called pack URI. I think that you have to explicitly specify where the resource dictionary is located.
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/TheNameOfClassLibrary;component/Dictionary1.xaml"/>
In the case of a WPF project your approach works because WPF engine by default looks for resource in the assembly being executed (in exe).
You should refer/link the ResourceDictionary xml file to the Source attribute with assembly and component name.
Use relative path as follows:
<ResourceDictionary Source="../Dictionary1.xaml" />
If it is not working, then try PACK URL
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Your.Base.AssemblyName;component/DictionaryFolder/Dictionary1.xaml" />
Hope it helps you
You probably need to merge your library's resource dictionary in your application resources. You need to edit your App.xaml file and add something like:
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/YourAssembly;component/Dictionary1.xaml" />
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>

How to place XAML-only resources in a DLL (Reference) file to be used by WPF applications?

My WPF applications are reaching the level of complexity at which it becomes desirable to place some of the code and other resources inside a Reference file (*.dll).
I am sure I can figure out how to do this, by following the myriad applications out there.
In this particular case, however, the files are two, XAML:
Can somebody please provide an example on how to expose or publish the XAML resources? Are *.cs files required?
TIA
The XAML file outlined by #HighCore should look like this:
<Application x:Class="Application"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml" >
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/ReferencedAssembly;component/Subfolder/ResourceFile.xaml"/>
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>
</Application>
XAML ResourceDictionaries do not generate classes. I'm not sure why you would expect such thing.
Simply move the needed ResourceDictionary definitions to a separate assembly then use the Pack URI Syntax to merge these resources to your application's Resources in app.xaml:
<Application ....>
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/ReferencedAssembly;component/Subfolder/ResourceFile.xaml"/>
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>
</Application>

Unable to load resource image from another assembly

Case
I've got two assemblies: one holding the application, one acting as library.
The library holds and image resource, say: "Images/image.png" with its build action set to resource.
Library
Next to that, the library contains a SomeStyle.xaml file:
<ResourceDictionary xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml">
<Image x:Key="someKey" Source="/LibraryAssemblyHere;component/Images/image.png" />
</ResourceDictionary>
Application
The application assembly has the App.xaml with:
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/LibraryAssemblyHere;component/Styles/SomeStyle.xaml" />
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>
Problem
When starting the application, Visual Studio 2010 gives me the following error:
Failed to create a 'ImageSource' from the text '/LibraryAssemblyHere;component/Images/image.png
With an inner exception:
Cannot locate resource 'images/image.png'.
Question
Simple: What am I doing wrong? I've searched and searched, but nothing helped.
Thanks in advance!

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