Resource Dictionary Issues

Question

I'm having an issue creating and refrencing Resource Dictionaries.  The errors are pretty vague which make it difficult to troubleshoot.

--error

An exception of type 'Windows.UI.Xaml.Markup.XamlParseException' occurred in myApp.exe but was not handled in user code

Additional information: Failed to assign to property '%0'. [Line: 12 Position: 44]

---end

How does one go about troubleshooting these issues.  Also, are there any documents available on the 'best practices' on organizing these resources?

A side question - how do you go about getting the default control template for each control?

 

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi - I have forwarded this question to our internal resources.  I will update you when I know more or someone will answer this directly.

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Matt Small - Microsoft Escalation Engineer - Forum Moderator

Answer 2

@ACarter - can you provide more details? 

Creating RDs - we don't have an item template in the BUILD bits, but you can just add an XML file (as a .xaml file) and change the contents.  Root would be:

<ResourceDictionary xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml">

<!-- your styles and templates -->

</ResourceDictionary>

Then when you use it in your App.xaml (or other merged dictionary location), just make sure *not* to put in a leading slash in the Source (known issue).

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Tim Heuer | Program Manager, XAML | http://timheuer.com/blog | @timheuer

Answer 3

Hey Tim,

 

I have been doing like you described (using the xml itemtemplate).  I think i just found out what the problem is but i'm still unsure how to fix it.

 

In WPF i have a project set up like below:

 

WPF Solution

- Core Project

     - Resources

          - Brushes.xaml

          - Fonts.xaml

          - ButtonStyles.xaml

 

In ButtonStyles.xaml i am referencing a few resources from Fonts.xaml and Brushes.xaml.  Also, in ButtonStyles.xaml i do not have Fonts.xaml or Brushes.xaml in my MergedDictionaries.

 

In my App.xaml i have merged the dictionaries like below:

        <ResourceDictionary>
            <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
                <ResourceDictionary Source="/Resources/Brushes.xaml" />
                <ResourceDictionary Source="/Resources/Fonts.xaml" />
                <ResourceDictionary Source="/Resources/ButtonStyles.xaml" />
            </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
        </ResourceDictionary>

This allows the ButtonStyles.xaml to reference the resources from Brushes.xaml and Fonts.xaml. 

 

When i duplicate this structure in the metro project it seems like the ButtonStyles.xaml isn't able to find the resources in Brushes.xaml and Fonts.xaml.  Everything does work when i add Brushes.xaml and Fonts.xaml to the MergedDictionaries of my ButtonStyles.xaml.  My concern with this is that i would need to add the same resources to each ControlStyles.xaml (like TextBlockStyles.xaml, ComboBoxStyles.xaml, etc).  Also, wouldn't that create the same Brush resources and Font resources?

 

Also, If there is an issue loading a ResourceDictionary that's located in App.xaml then i get greeted with a generic Message box stating "Unable to Activate Windows Tailored Application".

 

If i move those resources to my MainPage's MergedDictionaries then i get a little more information:

An exception of type 'Windows.UI.Xaml.Markup.XamlParseException' occurred in myApp.exe but was not handled in user code

Additional information: Failed to assign to property '%0'. [Line: 12 Position: 44]

But the error is still vague as i don't have a property named '%0'. 

 

Hopefully, i didn't confuse the situation.  I can send a repro project (the wpf and metro) if you're interested.

Answer 4

In your app xaml change to

<ResourceDictionary>
            <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
                <ResourceDictionary Source="Resources/Brushes.xaml" />
                <ResourceDictionary Source="Resources/Fonts.xaml" />
                <ResourceDictionary Source="Resources/ButtonStyles.xaml" />
            </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
        </ResourceDictionary>

Notice the removal of the leading slash.  This was the known issue I mentioned above.

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Tim Heuer | Program Manager, XAML | http://timheuer.com/blog | @timheuer

Answer 5

Yeah, i have done that (i was trying to describe the wpf project setup).

 

I don't think you are fully understanding what I am saying.  I give - thanks anyway.

 

Answer 6

The code you pasted had leading slashes: "/Resources/Brushes.xaml" -- are you saying you REMOVED the leading slash and still seeing that?  If so, there is likely an issue in one of your styles...

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Tim Heuer | Program Manager, XAML | http://timheuer.com/blog | @timheuer

Answer 7

Did you solve your problem?  Can you send me the project if you did not solve it?

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Jeff Sanders (MSFT)

Answer 8

Hi Tim

i have generic.xaml inside themes folder in my project

now i tried to add it to resource dictionary by code as follows

 

ResourceDictionary dic1 = new ResourceDictionary

();

 

//dic1.Source = new Uri("/Test;component/Themes/generic.xaml", UriKind.Relative);

dic1.Source =

new Uri("ms-resource:Themes/generic.xaml", UriKind.Relative);

i tried the upper two lines but the 'System.UriFormatException' thrown in both

may i have error in my uri ?

 

 

Answer 9

Hi Shaker,

Check out this thread.  It uses BaseUri as part of the solution:

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winappswithcsharp/thread/93d4fd93-f9f4-4a8c-b365-8ade35315891

-Jeff

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Jeff Sanders (MSFT)

Answer 10

thanks  jpsanders

it works fine