How to edit templates using Microsoft Expression Blend ?
To edit ControlTemplates using Blend do the following steps. 1. Locate the control in the visual tree. 2. Right-click on it and then select, Edit Control Parts (Template) -> Edit a Template / Edit a Copy. Blend would prompt for creating the template if it’s not already created.
How do I build an ItemsControl ControlTemplate ?
The important key point when building an ItemsControl or any of it’s derived classes (listbox, combobox, listview etc.), is to make sure to include an ‘ItemsPresenter’ object somewhere in the ControlTemplate. It’s the place holder for the panel to display the ItemsControl items. An alternative is to include a panel into the ControlTemplate with the property ‘IsItemsHost’ set to ’true’.
What is the use of a ControlTemplate ?
It allows you to specify the visual structure of a class. The main advantage is we can override the default ControlTemplate defined in the control and replace it with new ControlTemplates, to reconstruct the visual structure of the class. The following code illustrates the ControlTemplate of a button. [XAML] <Style TargetType=’Button’> <!–Set to true to not get any properties from the themes.–> <Setter Property=’OverridesDefaultStyle’ Value=’True’/> <Setter Property=’Template’> <Setter.Value> <ControlTemplate TargetType=’Button’> <Grid> <Ellipse Fill='{TemplateBinding Background}’/> <ContentPresenter HorizontalAlignment=’Center’ VerticalAlignment=’Center’/> </Grid> </ControlTemplate> </Setter.Value> </Setter> </Style>
What are the different models for Control authoring ?
1. Deriving from UserControl class. Consider this when, Your control consists of existing components. You don’t need to support complex customization. 2. Deriving from Control, You would like the appearance of the control through ControlTemplate. You would like the control to support different themes. 3. Deriving from FrameworkElement, You want to have fine-grained control over the appearance of your control beyond what is generally provided. You want to define the appearance of your control by defining your own render logic.
Where can adorners be used ?
Adding functional handles to a UIElement that enables a user to manipulate the element in some way (resize, rotate, reposition etc.). Provide visual feedback to indicate various states or in response to various events. Overlay visual decorations on a UIElement. Visually mask or override part or all of UIElement.