Develop Reference

Proper way to create Custom Bindable WPF Control

I want to ask about the right way if I want to create Bindable user control consisting of two controls. I am not sure about what I am doing - whether I do it correctly , because I run into some problems.
Here is what I am trying to do:
Lets call this control ucFlagControl . Create new , custom user control ...
Its purpose is to show Color interpretation of logic ( True/ False ) value in variable , type of Bool.
What I used to do before was that I use Rectangle, and Bind FillProperty to boolean value using Converter
What I did to make it works was , that I made a usercontrol , and put rectangle and label inside
than I added this code:
public partial class ucStatusFlag : UserControl
{
public ucStatusFlag()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
public string LabelContent
{
get { return (string)GetValue(LabelContentProperty); }
set
{
SetValue(LabelContentProperty, value);
OnPropertyChanged("LabelContent");
}
}
///in case that I use integer or array
public int BitIndex
{
get { return (int)GetValue(BitIndexProperty); }
set
{
SetValue(BitIndexProperty, value);
OnPropertyChanged("BitIndex");
}
}
public string BindingSource
{
get { return (string)GetValue(BindingSourceProperty); }
set
{
SetValue(BindingSourceProperty, value);
OnPropertyChanged("BindingSource");
}
}
public event PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;
protected void OnPropertyChanged(string name)
{
if (PropertyChanged != null)
{
PropertyChanged(this, new PropertyChangedEventArgs(name));
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Identified the Label dependency property
/// </summary>
public static readonly DependencyProperty LabelContentProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("LabelContent", typeof(string), typeof(ucStatusFlag), new PropertyMetadata("LabelContent"));
public static readonly DependencyProperty BitIndexProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("BitIndex", typeof(int), typeof(ucStatusFlag), new PropertyMetadata(0));
public static readonly DependencyProperty BindingSourceProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("(BindingSource", typeof(string), typeof(ucStatusFlag), new PropertyMetadata(""));
private void StatusFlag_Loaded(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
if (BindingSource.Length > 0)
{
Binding bind = new Binding();
string s = LabelContent;
int i = BitIndex;
bind.Converter = new StatusToColor();
bind.Path = new PropertyPath(BindingSource);
bind.ConverterParameter = BitIndex.ToString();
bind.Mode = BindingMode.OneWay;
bind.UpdateSourceTrigger = UpdateSourceTrigger.PropertyChanged;
recStatusBit.SetBinding(Rectangle.FillProperty, bind);
}
}
private class StatusToColor : IValueConverter
{
public object Convert(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture)
{
byte bDataWordIdx;
byte bDataBitIdx;
Byte.TryParse((string)parameter, out bDataBitIdx);
if (Object.ReferenceEquals(typeof(UInt16[]), value.GetType()))
{
UInt16[] uiaData = (UInt16[])value;
bDataWordIdx = (byte)uiaData[0];
if ((uiaData[bDataBitIdx / 16] >> (bDataBitIdx % 16) & 0x1) == 1)
{
return Brushes.Green;
}
else
{
return Brushes.Red;
}
}
else if (Object.ReferenceEquals(typeof(UInt16), value.GetType()))
{
UInt16 uiaData = (UInt16)value;
if (((uiaData >> bDataBitIdx) & 0x1) == 1)
{
return Brushes.Green;
}
else
{
return Brushes.Red;
}
}
return 0;
}
public object ConvertBack(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture)
{
return 0;
}
}
}
}
Than I realized that I can easily bind content and I do not have to create public static readonly DependencyProperty LabelContentProperty
but just property
public new string Content
{
get { return (string)label.Content; }
set
{
SetValue(label.Content, value);
OnPropertyChanged("Content");
}
}
this overrides the original content so I am able to Bind and/or assign the text of the label in upper level - in e.g. MainWindow.xaml where this user control is put
First question is if this is in this case OK or if there is some background I am not aware of and I should even such small controls do in different way - I would like to make dll. from it an load it to toolbox - I tested it works. And than use it in for example stack panel .
Second question is that I have problem with a rectangle "Fill" property . I am not able to bind that property like I bind content .
I know that the rectangle is derived from Shape class so I am not sure if it has something to do with this.
If I am able to do the inner binding or connection same as in
Content
I can remove the converters than and just bind it in e.g. MainWindow.xaml file (using the converter and converter parameter )
But FillProperty does not work for me so I am not sure about my point of view .
Thank you for suggestions
EDIT:
well I am sorry but I did not catch all you want to say in a comment below. Could you please explain closer ?
I know that the code above is not the right way to do it ... ?
Or can you post any article about it ?
my actual code is like this:
In a user control ... I removed all the code from code behind ...
' <Label x:Name="lStatusBit" Grid.Column="1" Padding="0" VerticalContentAlignment="Center" Margin="2,1,17,2" />
<Rectangle x:Name="recStatusBit" Margin="0,3,1,7" />'
Content property works, I cant see Rectangle , and rectangle fill property ...
Other problem is if I fill in Content property in XAML where my uc is placed , Rectangle disappears .

I know I'm a year late to the party, but I'll answer incase anyone else comes across this.
My Suggestions
You should use a TextBlock control instead of Label controls if you want to display pure text. Labels have a content element which is re-rendered/computed many more times than a TextBlock's simple Text property.
You should avoid using magic strings, e.g. "LabelContent". You should use the C# nameof() expression when referencing property names. For example:
I use lambda expressions to clean up the code a bit, but this is just preference.
public string LabelContent
{
get => (string)GetValue(LabelContentProperty);
set => SetValue(LabelContentProperty, value);
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty LabelContentProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register(
nameof(LabelContent),
typeof(string),
typeof(ucStatusFlag),
new PropertyMetadata("Default Value"));
This will prevent runtime errors due to mistyped text, will allow you to jump to the property's reference, will make refactoring easier, and will make debugging easier by giving you a compile error that's easy to find (if the property doesn't exist).
I don't think you need the rectangle. If you're just trying to change the background color of the text area you can use a DataTrigger or make a converter.
DataTrigger Example
<TextBlock>
<TextBlock.Style>
<Style TargetType="{x:Type TextBlock}">
<!-- The default value -->
<Setter Property="Background" Value="Transparent" />
<!-- Your trigger -->
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding SomeBooleanValue}" Value="True">
<Setter Property="Background" Value="Red" />
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</TextBlock.Style>
</TextBlock>
A DataTrigger is a quick and easy way to style a control by binding to a property on your ViewModel (assuming you're using the MVVM structure), but there are some cons - like reusing the same style on a different View whose ViewModel's properties are different. You'd have to rewrite the entire styling again.
Lets turn it into a reusable control where we can (1) specify a highlight background color, and (2) use a boolean to determine whether the control is highlighted.
Template Controls vs UserControls
I make my templated controls in a separate C# class file and put the control's styling in another separate resource dictionary file instead of using a UserControl.
These templated controls can consist of several other controls to make a single reusable control.
It's my understanding that UserControls are meant to use multiple templated controls (e.g. a TextBox) and link their interactions together to perform a specific way.
I don't think these controls are meant to be reusable in separate unrelated projects - they display data depending on your ViewModel which can be situational.
If you want to extend your custom control in the future via inheritance, then using a UserControl will make things difficult.
Here's what a few of my controls look like in the solution explorer:
Solution Files Snippet
The ExpansionPanel control in the snippet is an Expander with additional functionalities/properties.
The NavButton is a Button with additional functionalities/properties also.
I have a NavigationView UserControl that uses both of those controls to create something much larger than a templated control.
It sounds like you want to create a reusable templated control.
Creating a Custom Control
Here are the basic steps:
Create a "Themes" folder at the root of your project. It must be at the root of your project and spelling does matters.
Create a Generic.xaml Resource Dictionary file in the "Themes" folder. It must be directly under the "Themes" folder and spelling does matters.
This is where you store the default themes for your custom controls.
The template style for your control will automatically be added to the Generic.xaml file when you add a Custom Control template to your project.
<Style TargetType="{x:Type local:Example}">
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type local:Example}">
<Border Background="{TemplateBinding Background}"
BorderBrush="{TemplateBinding BorderBrush}"
BorderThickness="{TemplateBinding BorderThickness}">
</Border>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
Personally, I like to have separate .xaml file for each control, and then I merge it into the Generic.xaml resource dictionary. This is just for organization purposes.
<ResourceDictionary xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml">
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<!-- Control template styles -->
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Themes/ExpansionPanel.xaml" />
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Themes/NavButton.xaml" />
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Themes/TextDocument.xaml" />
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Themes/TextDocumentToolBar.xaml" />
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Themes/TextEditor.xaml" />
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Themes/HighlightTextBlock.xaml" />
<!-- etc... -->
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<!-- Other styles or whatever -->
</ResourceDictionary>
It's important to note that order does matter if you have controls that depend on other controls.
Merge the Generic.xaml file into your App.xaml file.
<Application>
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<!-- Other resource dictionaries... -->
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/Themes/Generic.xaml" />
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<!-- Other resource dictionaries... -->
</ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>
</Application>
Why not just merge the control templates in the App.xaml file directly? WPF looks directly for the Generic.xaml file for custom type themes. App.xaml is also application specific and wouldn't be able to be usable in other applications if you used the library as a control library.
Create a .cs file using the built in Custom Control template OR a standard C# class file.
Your control's .cs file would resemble something similar to...
public class HighlightTextBlock : Control
{
#region Private Properties
// The default brush color to resort back to
public Brush DefaultBackground;
#endregion
static HighlightTextBlock()
{
DefaultStyleKeyProperty.OverrideMetadata(typeof(HighlightTextBlock), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(typeof(HighlightTextBlock)));
}
// Get the default background color and set it.
public override void OnApplyTemplate()
{
base.OnApplyTemplate();
DefaultBackground = Background;
}
#region Dependency Properties
/// <summary>
/// The text to display.
/// </summary>
public static readonly DependencyProperty TextProperty = DependencyProperty.Register(
nameof(Text), typeof(string), typeof(HighlightTextBlock), new PropertyMetadata(string.Empty));
public string Text
{
get => (string)GetValue(TextProperty);
set => SetValue(TextProperty, value);
}
/// <summary>
/// Whether or not the background should be highlighted.
/// </summary>
// This uses a callback to update the background color whenever the value changes
public static readonly DependencyProperty HighlightProperty = DependencyProperty.Register(
nameof(Highlight), typeof(bool),
typeof(HighlightTextBlock), new PropertyMetadata(false, HighlightPropertyChangedCallback));
public bool Highlight
{
get => (bool)GetValue(HighlightProperty);
set => SetValue(HighlightProperty, value);
}
/// <summary>
/// The highlight background color when <see cref="Highlight"/> is true.
/// </summary>
public static readonly DependencyProperty HighlightColorProperty = DependencyProperty.Register(
nameof(HighlightColor), typeof(Brush),
typeof(HighlightTextBlock), new PropertyMetadata(null));
public Brush HighlightColor
{
get => (Brush)GetValue(HighlightColorProperty);
set => SetValue(HighlightColorProperty, value);
}
#endregion
#region Callbacks
// This is the callback that will update the background
private static void HighlightPropertyChangedCallback(DependencyObject dependencyObject, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs dependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs)
{
var target = (HighlightTextBlock)dependencyObject;
if (target.Highlight)
target.Background = target.HighlightColor;
else
target.Background = target.DefaultBackground;
}
#endregion
}
Create a ResourceDictionary.xaml file to store your control's template and style OR add it directly in Generic.xaml.
Your .xaml file would look something like...
<Style x:Key="HighlightTextBlock" TargetType="{x:Type ctrl:HighlightTextBlock}">
<!-- Default setters... -->
<!-- Define your control's design template -->
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type ctrl:HighlightTextBlock}">
<Border Background="{TemplateBinding Background}"
BorderBrush="{TemplateBinding BorderBrush}"
BorderThickness="{TemplateBinding BorderThickness}">
<!--
I only bound the Text and Background property in this example
Make sure to bind other properties too.. like Visibility, IsEnabled, etc..
-->
<TextBlock Text="{TemplateBinding Text}" />
</Border>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
<!--
Set the default style for the control
The above style has a key, so controls won't use that style
unless the style is explicitly set.
e.g.
<ctrl:HighlightTextBlock Style={StaticResource HighlightTextBlock} />
The reason I used a key above is to allow extending/reusing that default style.
If a key wasn't present then you wouldn't be able to reference it in
another style.
-->
<Style TargetType="{x:Type ctrl:HighlightTextBlock}" BasedOn="{StaticResource HighlightTextBlock}" />
Add a reference to the control's resource dictionary in Generic.xaml, like in step 2's code snippet.
Usage:
I'm binding the IsChecked property to a IsHighlighted property on my ViewModel.
You can bind it to whatever.
<StackPanel>
<ToggleButton IsChecked="{Binding IsHighlighted}" Content="{Binding IsHighlighted}"
Width="100" Height="35" Margin="5"/>
<ctrl:HighlightTextBlock Background="Transparent" HighlightColor="Red"
Text="HELLO WORLD!!!" Highlight="{Binding IsHighlighted}"
Width="100" Height="35" HorizontalAlignment="Center" />
</StackPanel>
On False Snippet
On True Snippet
Your controls may look a bit different - I'm using a custom dark theme.

Finally I found this working :
XAML
<UserControl x:Class="ucStatusFlag"
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"
d:DesignHeight="17" d:DesignWidth="100"
x:Name="StatusFlag">
<Grid>
<Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
<ColumnDefinition Width="auto"/>
<ColumnDefinition Width="*"/>
</Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
<Rectangle x:Name="recStatusBit" Grid.Column="0" Stroke="Black" Width="11" Fill="{Binding ElementName=StatusFlag, Path=RectangleColor}" Margin="0,2,0.2,3.8" />
<Label Height="17" x:Name="lStatusBit" Foreground="Black" Grid.Column="1" Padding="0" VerticalContentAlignment="Center" Margin="5,0,0,1" Content="{Binding ElementName=StatusFlag, Path=LabelContent}" />
</Grid>
C#
public partial class ucStatusFlag : UserControl
{
public ucStatusFlag()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
public string LabelContent
{
get { return (string)GetValue(LabelContentProperty); }
set
{
SetValue(LabelContentProperty, value);
}
}
public SolidColorBrush RectangleColor
{
get { return (SolidColorBrush)GetValue(RectangleColorProperty); }
set
{
SetValue(RectangleColorProperty, value);
}
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty RectangleColorProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("RectangleColor", typeof(SolidColorBrush), typeof(ucStatusFlag), new PropertyMetadata(Brushes.Gold));
public static readonly DependencyProperty LabelContentProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("LabelContent", typeof(string), typeof(ucStatusFlag), new PropertyMetadata("LabelContent"));
}
Binding in Another Project :
<ucStatusFlag HorizontalAlignment="Left" Height="18" Margin="154,224,0,0" VerticalAlignment="Top" Width="100" LabelContent="ABC" RectangleColor="{Binding RectangleColorPropertyInProject}"/>
Where RectangleColorPropertyInProject is Property In certain project view model

WPF Custom Control with child ItemsControl not showing items

I'm creating a complex custom control which uses both the Items property of the inherited control and also the SubItems of an additional embedded ItemsControl. Please find below a stripped code extract:
public class MyControl : ItemsControl
{
public static readonly DependencyProperty SubItemsProperty = DependencyProperty.Register("SubItems", typeof(ObservableCollection<object>), typeof(MyControl), new PropertyMetadata(null));
public ObservableCollection<object> SubItems
{
get { return (ObservableCollection<object>)GetValue(SubItemsProperty); }
set { SetValue(SubItemsProperty, value); }
}
public MyControl() : base()
{
SubItems = new ObservableCollection<object>();
}
static MyControl()
{
DefaultStyleKeyProperty.OverrideMetadata(typeof(MyControl), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(typeof(MyControl)));
}
}
And with the following Template (from Generic.xaml):
<Style TargetType="{x:Type my:MyControl}">
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type my:MyControl}">
<Grid>
<ItemsControl ItemsSource="{Binding SubItems, RelativeSource={RelativeSource TemplatedParent}}"/>
</Grid>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
Items will be added dynamically to the SubItems Collection.
The control works fine in the control's constructor, the SubItems are set to a non-empty collection. For example by setting SubItems = new ObeservableCollection<object>() { "" }. What could be the reason for this?

Reuseable CustomControl Templates

I have a problem with reusable controls, and I nedd your help. The problem looks like this, I have created a custom control:
public class ControlExtender : ContentControl
{
static ControlExtender()
{
DefaultStyleKeyProperty.OverrideMetadata(typeof(ControlExtender), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(typeof(ControlExtender)));
}
public override void OnApplyTemplate()
{
}
}
In addition I have a ControlTemplate
<Style TargetType="{x:Type controls:ControlExtender}">
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate>
<Grid>
<Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
<ColumnDefinition Width="Auto" />
<ColumnDefinition Width="Auto" />
</Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
...content....
</Grid>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
I created an additional class, which contains a handful of AttachedProperties. Among other things, this one:
public class Extender
{
public static readonly DependencyProperty ControlTemplateProperty = DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached(
"ControlTemplate",
typeof(ControlTemplate),
typeof(Extender),
new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(
null,
MetadataOptions,
OnControlTemplateChanged,
CoerceRadingControlTemplate));
public static ControlTemplate GetControlTemplate(UIElement element)
{
return (ControlTemplate)element.GetValue(ControlTemplateProperty);
}
public static void SetControlTemplate(UIElement element, ControlTemplate value)
{
element.SetValue(ControlTemplateProperty, value);
}
This Extender class creates a new popup. Content of the popup should be the custom control ControlExtender. In my XAML code I want to implement a statement like this:
p: Extender.ControlTemplate = "{?}"
But how can I specify the custom control ControlExtender here? Sorry if this question is too trivial, but now I'm stuck.

It is fairly simple
since you've defined the target type it also act as the key for the resource
p:Extender.ControlTemplate = "{Binding Setters[0].Value, Source={StaticResource {x:Type controls:ControlExtender}}}"
this will effectively look for the template if there is some issue like resolving at compile time you could use DynamicResource too
p:Extender.ControlTemplate = "{Binding Setters[0].Value, Source={DynamicResource {x:Type controls:ControlExtender}}}"
that's all to retrieve the defined template, the trick here is to get the first setter's value which is the control template

WPF: initial visibility and template loading

I have encountered an issue where the bindings are not properly set on one of my user controls if that control is not visible when it is initialized. I have duplicated the issue with the following dumbed-down controls:
public class Test3 : Control
{
static Test3()
{
DefaultStyleKeyProperty.OverrideMetadata(typeof(Test3), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(typeof(Test3)));
}
public string Test
{
get { return (string)GetValue(TestProperty); }
set { SetValue(TestProperty, value); }
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty TestProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("Test", typeof(string),
typeof(Test3), new UIPropertyMetadata("test3 default text"));
}
public class Test2 : Control
{
static Test2()
{
DefaultStyleKeyProperty.OverrideMetadata(typeof(Test2), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(typeof(Test2)));
}
public FrameworkElement Test3Control
{
get { return (FrameworkElement)GetValue(Test3ControlProperty); }
set { SetValue(Test3ControlProperty, value); }
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty Test3ControlProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("Test3Control", typeof(FrameworkElement),
typeof(Test2), new UIPropertyMetadata(null));
public string Test
{
get { return (string)GetValue(TestProperty); }
set { SetValue(TestProperty, value); }
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty TestProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("Test", typeof(string), typeof(Test2),
new UIPropertyMetadata("test2 default text"));
}
public partial class Test1 : UserControl
{
public Test1()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
public string Test
{
get { return (string)GetValue(TestProperty); }
set { SetValue(TestProperty, value); }
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty TestProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("Test", typeof(string),
typeof(Test1), new UIPropertyMetadata("test1 default text"));
}
XAML for usercontrol:
<UserControl x:Class="Test.Test1"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:dummy="clr-namespace:WpfTestApplication.Test"
Name="ucThis">
<UserControl.Resources>
<Style TargetType="{x:Type test:Test2}">
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type test:Test2}">
<GroupBox Header="Test2">
<StackPanel>
<TextBox IsEnabled="False" Text="{TemplateBinding Test}"/>
<GroupBox Header="Test3">
<ContentPresenter Content="{TemplateBinding Test3Control}"/>
</GroupBox>
</StackPanel>
</GroupBox>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
</UserControl.Resources>
<Grid>
<test:Test2 Test="{Binding ElementName=ucThis,Path=Test}">
<test:Test2.Test3Control>
<test:Test3 Test="{Binding ElementName=ucThis,Path=Test}">
<test:Test3.Template>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type test:Test3}">
<TextBox IsEnabled="False" Text="{TemplateBinding Test}"/>
</ControlTemplate>
</test:Test3.Template>
</test:Test3>
</test:Test2.Test3Control>
</test:Test2>
</Grid>
</UserControl>
... and XAML for main window (the guts of it, anyway):
<DockPanel>
<StackPanel>
<TextBox Name="tbInput"/>
<Expander Header="Initially Visible" IsExpanded="True">
<test:Test1 Test="{Binding ElementName=tbInput, Path=Text}" />
</Expander>
<Expander Header="Initially Collapsed" IsExpanded="False">
<test:Test1 Test="{Binding ElementName=tbInput, Path=Text}" />
</Expander>
</StackPanel>
</DockPanel>
I would expect that whatever text is entered into the textbox ("tbInput") would be displayed in the Test2 and Test3 boxes - and indeed it is for both instances of Test2 but only for the Test3 that is initially visible. The Test3 that is initially collapsed always displays the default text, even if it is visible when the text is entered.
I've tried to investigate this using Snoop, but the issue corrects itself when I evaluate the relevant parts of the tree w/ Snoop so it hasn't been much help.
What is causing this behavior? How can I correct it? Where can I read more about it?
UPDATE:
By watching the output window I discovered this error message:
System.Windows.Data Error: 4 : Cannot find source for binding with reference 'ElementName=ucThis'. BindingExpression:Path=Test; DataItem=null; target element is 'Dummy3' (Name=''); target property is 'Test' (type 'String')
By handling the loaded and initialized events on these controls I can see that this error occurs after Dummy1 and Dummy2 have loaded at startup. Dummy 3 doesn't load until it is made visible.

I believe the problem is that, since the template has not been applied for the collapsed Test3 instance, it has not been inserted into the visual tree. It is therefore not within the name scope of the outer Test1 instance when the binding is created, and thus cannot resolve the name ucThis specified for ElementName.
You can deal with this by adding Test3Control to the logical tree of Test2. Try modifying the dependency property definition as follows:
public static readonly DependencyProperty Test3ControlProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("Test3Control", typeof(FrameworkElement),
typeof(Test2),
new UIPropertyMetadata(null, OnTest3ControlPropertyChanged));
private static void OnTest3ControlPropertyChanged(
DependencyObject d,
DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
var source = (Test2)d;
var oldValue = e.OldValue as FrameworkElement;
var newValue = e.NewValue as FrameworkElement;
if (oldValue != null)
source.RemoveLogicalChild(oldValue);
if (newValue != null)
source.AddLogicalChild(newValue);
}
In most cases when you add a new UIElement-based property to a control, you will want to ensure it gets added to the logical tree. This does not happen automatically. For that matter, it does not get added to the visual tree automatically either. In this case it is only loaded into the visual tree because it is explicitly inserted into the template.
Take a look at the internals of WPF's core controls, like Decorator (from which Border derives) and its Child property to see what kind of plumbing may be required when defining new control types.
Also note how many "child control" properties are not dependency properties. It's easy to run into problems with Visual-based dependency properties, particularly when you attempt to change them via setters or animate them. I find it's best to discourage developers from misusing the properties and creating headaches for themselves by simply exposing child controls as regular CLR properties.

I am not sure about your specific problem, but I'd move the Test2's implicit style definition to the Generic.xaml module which has to be in the "Themes" folder. The framework will scan automatically that file to look for implicit styles.

How to trigger DataTemplateSelector when property changes?

I have ContentPresenter with DataTemplateSelector:
...
public override DataTemplate SelectTemplate(object item, DependencyObject container)
{
var model = item as ItemControlViewModel;
if (model.CurrentStatus == PrerequisitesStatus.Required)
{
return RequiredTemplate;
}
if (model.CurrentStatus == PrerequisitesStatus.Completed)
{
return FinishedTemplate;
}
...
return InProgressTemplate;
}
When CurrentStatus is changed, OnPropertyChanged is called.
I need somehow to trigger this DataTemplateSelector when the property is changed and change ContentPresenter DataTemplate. Any suggestions?
Threre are similar questions:
1
2, but I don't want to use any DataTriggers, because of too much states.
Tried to play with DataTriggers
<ContentPresenter
Grid.Column="1"
Height="16"
Width="16"
Margin="3">
<ContentPresenter.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding Path=CurrentStatus}" Value="0">
<Setter Property="ContentPresenter.ContentTemplate" Value="{StaticResource ResourceKey=_requiredStatusTemplate}" />
</DataTrigger>
</ContentPresenter.Triggers>
</ContentPresenter>
But got an error:
Triggers collection members must be of type EventTrigger :(

As you requested an example with datatriggers in the comments, here you are:
A FrameworkElement can only have EventTriggers, therefore you get the error Message Triggers collection members must be of type EventTrigger
And also don't use a ContentPresenter directly, it is meant to be used inside a ControlTemplate. Better use a ContentControl when you want to have dynamic content.
See What's the difference between ContentControl and ContentPresenter?
And finally here's a suggestion to your DataTrigger issue. I have put it inside a style for reusability ....
XAML :
<Window x:Class="WpfApplication88.MainWindow"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
Title="MainWindow" Height="350" Width="525">
<Window.Resources>
<DataTemplate x:Key="requiredTemplate">
<TextBlock Text="requiredTemplate"></TextBlock>
<!--your stuff here-->
</DataTemplate>
<DataTemplate x:Key="completedTemplate">
<TextBlock Text="CompletedTemplate"></TextBlock>
<!--your stuff here-->
</DataTemplate>
<Style x:Key="selectableContentStyle" TargetType="{x:Type ContentControl}">
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding Path=CurrentStatus}" Value="Required">
<Setter Property="ContentTemplate" Value="{StaticResource requiredTemplate}" />
</DataTrigger>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding Path=CurrentStatus}" Value="Completed">
<Setter Property="ContentTemplate" Value="{StaticResource completedTemplate}" />
</DataTrigger>
<!-- your other Status' here -->
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</Window.Resources>
<Grid>
<ContentControl Width="100" Height="100" Style="{StaticResource selectableContentStyle}"/>
</Grid>
</Window>

I could be wrong, but I believe the DataTemplateSelector is only used when the ItemContainerGenerator creates a container for an item added to the collection. Because a new container isn't generated when a property value changes, a new DataTemplate is never going to be applied via the selector.
As suggested in the comments, I would recommend you look at the VisualStateManager or data triggers, otherwise you're going to have to recreate the container for every item when one or more properties change value.

Just as an extra choice - if you want to stick to your templates, just use s binding with converter.

I came up with a behavior that would theoretically do this.
C#:
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows.Interactivity;
public class UpdateTemplateBehavior : Behavior<ContentPresenter>
{
public static readonly DependencyProperty ContentProperty = DependencyProperty.Register(nameof(Content), typeof(object), typeof(UpdateTemplateBehavior), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(null, OnContentChanged));
public object Content
{
get => GetValue(ContentProperty);
set => SetValue(ContentProperty, value);
}
static void OnContentChanged(DependencyObject sender, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
if (sender is UpdateTemplateBehavior behavior)
behavior.Update();
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty ValueProperty = DependencyProperty.Register(nameof(Value), typeof(object), typeof(UpdateTemplateBehavior), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(null, OnValueChanged));
public object Value
{
get => GetValue(ValueProperty);
set => SetValue(ValueProperty, value);
}
static void OnValueChanged(DependencyObject sender, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
if (sender is UpdateTemplateBehavior behavior)
behavior.Update();
}
public UpdateTemplateBehavior() : base() { }
protected override void OnAttached()
{
base.OnAttached();
Update();
}
void Update()
{
if (Content != null)
{
BindingOperations.ClearBinding(AssociatedObject, ContentPresenter.ContentProperty);
AssociatedObject.Content = null;
BindingOperations.SetBinding(AssociatedObject, ContentPresenter.ContentProperty, new Binding() { Path = nameof(Content), Source = this });
}
}
}
XAML:
<ContentPresenter ContentTemplateSelector="{StaticResource MySelector}">
<i:Interaction.Behaviors>
<Behavior:UpdateTemplateBehavior Content="{Binding SomeContent}"
Value="{Binding SomeValue}"/>
</i:Interaction.Behaviors>
</ContentPresenter>
The content is "updated" (by clearing and then resetting the binding) when the content (in this example, "SomeContent") and an arbitrary value (in this example, "SomeValue") is changed, as well as when the behavior is first attached.
An update is not made unless the content is not null (my project-specific requirement). Not updating upon attaching may avoid unintentionally updating twice at once, but if the value is initially null, an update wouldn't occur until the value changes at least once.
Note: In the above example, I am not sure if the behavior has the same data context as the ContentPresenter. I use a helper class that I did not include here for brevity. Keep that in mind when testing...