How to create a common WPF base window style?

Question

Is there any recommended way with WPF to create a common window style to be used across an application? I have several dialogs that appear in my app, and I would like them a

Answer 1

Create a Xaml Form template and add the template to the VS Installed ItemTemplates directory.

1) create a wpf xaml and xaml.cs file that has all the desired components wanted for a new form added to your application. In my case I wanted the title and toolbar buttons.

2) test the new xaml files through the current system flow.

3) copy xaml / xaml.cs to temp location and rename both the filenames to something you want to be recognized as a good template name. a) Change first line within xaml file to -- Window x:Class="$rootnamespace$.$safeitemname$"

b) Make 3 changes within xaml.cs file to ensure the new name will be copied when using the template - -- namespace $rootnamespace$ (//dynamic namespace name) -- public partial class $safeitemname$ (//dynamic class name) -- public $safeitemname$() (//dynamic constructor name)

4) Now create a vstemplate file: ie. MyTemplate.vstemplate with the following content:

  
    WpfFormTemplate.xaml
    WpfFormTemplate
    Wpf/Entities form
    CSharp
    10
    Logo.ico
  
  
    
        
            System.Windows.Forms
        
        
            Workplace.Data.EntitiesModel
        
        
            Workplace.Forms.MainFormAssemb
        
    
    WpfFormTemplate.xaml
    WpfFormTemplate.xaml.cs
  

5) Once you have all these files, zip the files and place the zip file under the ....\Documents\Visual Studio 2012\Templates\ItemTemplates\WPF directory. Now you can go into VS2012 and use the ADD\New feature to see the template, select and rename as in the normal process. The template can be used in the same way for VS2010 by placing the zip file under the 2010 Templates Wpf directory.

The Logo file should be included in the zip file as well or if you don't have a file then remove that line from the MyTemplate.vstemplate file.