How can I use NLog's RichTextBox Target in WPF application?

Question

How can I use RichTextBox Target in WPF application? I don\'t want to have a separate window with log, I want all log messages to be outputted in richTextBox located in WPF

Answer 1

A workaround in the mean time is to use the 3 classes available here, then follow this procedure:

1. Import the 3 files into your project

2. If not already the case, use Project > Add Reference to add references to the WPF assemblies: WindowsBase, PresentationCore, PresentationFramework.

3. In WpfRichTextBoxTarget.cs, replace lines 188-203 with:

       //this.TargetRichTextBox.Invoke(new DelSendTheMessageToRichTextBox(this.SendTheMessageToRichTextBox), new object[] { logMessage, matchingRule });
       if (System.Windows.Application.Current.Dispatcher.CheckAccess() == false) {
           System.Windows.Application.Current.Dispatcher.Invoke(new Action(() => {
               SendTheMessageToRichTextBox(logMessage, matchingRule);
           }));
       }
       else {
           SendTheMessageToRichTextBox(logMessage, matchingRule);
       }
   }
   
   private static Color GetColorFromString(string color, Brush defaultColor) {
       if (defaultColor == null) return Color.FromRgb(255, 255, 255); // This will set default background colour to white.
       if (color == "Empty") {
           return (Color)colorConverter.ConvertFrom(defaultColor);
       }
   
       return (Color)colorConverter.ConvertFromString(color);
   }
   

4. In your code, configure the new target like this below example:

I hope it helps, but it definitely does not seem to be a comprehensive implementation...

public void loading() {
    var target = new WpfRichTextBoxTarget();
    target.Name = "console";
    target.Layout = "${longdate:useUTC=true}|${level:uppercase=true}|${logger}::${message}";
    target.ControlName = "rtbConsole"; // Name of the richtextbox control already on your window
    target.FormName = "MonitorWindow"; // Name of your window where there is the richtextbox, but it seems it will not really be taken into account, the application mainwindow will be used instead.
    target.AutoScroll = true;
    target.MaxLines = 100000;
    target.UseDefaultRowColoringRules = true;
    AsyncTargetWrapper asyncWrapper = new AsyncTargetWrapper();
    asyncWrapper.Name = "console";
    asyncWrapper.WrappedTarget = target;
    SimpleConfigurator.ConfigureForTargetLogging(asyncWrapper, LogLevel.Trace);
}