XAML Power Toys 2008 Current Version 5.0.0.4, Last Update 13 February 2010
XAML Power Toys 2010 Current Version 6.1.0.0, Last Update 7 July 2010
XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Studio 2010
Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- Requirements
- Additions and fixes in this release
- Feature Set
- Screen Shots
- Videos
- Overview
- Creating Business Forms, ListViews and DataGrids
- Installation
- Downloads
- Cool Usage Tip
Introduction
XAML Power Toys is a Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Add-In or a Visual Studio 2010 Add-In that empowers WPF & Silverlight developers while working in the XAML editor. Its Line of Business form generation tools, Grid tools, DataForm, DataGrid and ListView generation really shorten the XAML form layout time.
XAML Power Toys commands are accessed using the XAML editor context menu and code editor context menu.
XAML Power Toys 2008 generates .NET 3.5 SP1 WPF compliant XAML and Silverlight 3 compliant XAML.
XAML Power Toys 2010 generates .NET 4.0 WPF compliant XAML and Silverlight 4 compliant XAML.
Requirements
- Visual Studio 2008 with SP1 or Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate version or later
- For Silverlight Development, install the latest Silverlight 3 as detailed on http://www.silverlight.net/getstarted/ (If you’re not doing Silverlight development this is not required.)
- For Silverlight DataForm development, must install the Silverlight Toolkit.
- x32 or x64 operating system
- Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Server 2003 or Server 2008
Additions and fixes in VS 2010 7 July 2010 release
- Added support for Silverlight 4
- Corrected ViewModel creator spit
- If you remove the CommandParameter type in the Command Creation Window, the spit will no longer add the CommandParameter type to the RelayCommand or DelegateCommand, to the methods or lambda’s.
- If you specify a CommandParameter type in the Command Creation Window, the spit will add the CommandParameter type to the RelayCommand<T> or DelegateCommand<T>, to the methods and lambda’s.
- Fixed the property discovery of model objects to add all public properties of all base types.
XAML Power Toys Full Feature Set
- Create ViewModel Class - from a VB.NET or C# code window, easily create a ViewModel stub that includes commands and exposed data class. Optionally you can elect to re-implement all Model properties on the ViewModel.
- Create Silverlight DataForm For Selected Class - quickly create a DataForm complete with bindings that are easily associated with properties on the source class
- Create WPF or Silverlight DataGrid For Selected Class - quickly create a DataGrid complete with bindings that are easily associated with properties on the source class
- Create WPF ListView For Selected Class – quickly create a ListView complete with bindings that are easily associated with properties on the source class
- Create Business Form For Selected Class – quickly create a form complete with bindings that are easily associated with properties on the source class
- Create Business Form – quickly create a form without selecting an entity class. Great for creating unbound forms or just laying out a Grid.
- Show Fields List For Selected Class – display a list of class fields similar to Microsoft Access. Allows dragging of fields to create controls
- Extract Properties To Style – allows selecting a control, choosing desired properties and have those selected properties extracted to a newly created style
- Group Into – allows selecting one or more controls and group them inside a new parent control. Many options provided
- Change Grid To Flow Layout – allows selecting of one of more control and will remove all MinWidth, MinHeight, Margin properties and will set all row and column definitions to Auto.
- Chainsaw Minimize Cider Designer XAML – allows selecting of one or more controls and will remove all MinWidth, MinHeight, x:Name, Name, Margin properties and will set all row and column definitions to Auto.
- Remove Margins – allows selecting one or more controls and removes the Margin property from them
- Edit Grid Column and Rows – allows selecting a grid and then add or remove rows and columns
- Set Defaults For Created Controls – allows customizing the initial properties that are set when the software creates a new control
- About Box – see the version of XAML Power Toys installed on your system. The current version of XAML Power Toys is always displayed at the top of this page below the title.
Screen Shots
XAML Editor Content Menu
VB.NET and C# Code Window Content Menu
Select Class Using Class Picker
The "Create Form, ListView or DataGrid From Selected Class" and "Fields List From Selected Class" XAML Editor commands both open this class picker form. This form displays the current project and all referenced projects and referenced assemblies except Microsoft assemblies. After selecting the class you press the "Next…" button and you’ll be taken to the appropriate form.
The TreeView is grouped by assembly, namespace and then the classes are sorted by name.
Create Business Form, DataGrid, ListView or DataForm For A Class
This form is drag and drop enabled. Also features a contracted view of fields.
Allows setting required properties. Data binding validation and other properties are determined from your default control settings.
StringFormat Selector
Makes selecting a StringFormat very easy. Displays the format string and example side by side.
Create Business Form
This was a version one feature. Allows creating a form when not class is available. Great for roughing out Grids and populating with controls.
Fields List
Similar to the Microsoft Access Fields List, this allows dragging a field to the XAML Editor and the field and/or label control will be created for you, with all data bindings set for the property. This floats on top of Visual Studio and you can collapse it. The fields list is a great tool when you need to add a new field to an existing layout.
ViewModel Creator
The ViewModel creator tool makes building a ViewModel class a snap. This feature is sensitive to C# and VB.NET and will create the correct code for you.
The yellow highlight indicates the new feature added in v5.0.0.1. You can now select or type in the name of the method that will be called when raising a PropertyChanged event.
This name value is also used if you selected the Implement INotifyPropertyChanged option.
This name feature enables you to use any name in your ViewModel base classes and have the generated code us it.
Control Defaults
XAML Power Toys allows developers to determine how controls are created by the software. The developer can describe how each platforms controls are rendered. Developers can determine which data binding validation properties are set automatically and exactly which properties are set when the control is created. In the below example, I have set the WPF TextBox to have the HorizontalAlignment and VerticalAlignment properties set.
Note: The below ForceReRead converter is not required for .NET 4.0. I have removed the ForceReRead converter from the Visual Studio 2010 version.
ForceReRead Converter – VB.NET & C# converters included in source and binary downloads. Converter is also included in the OceanFramework.WPF namespace.
The ForceReRead converter is discussed in this MSDN Form Post. This converter is necessary for TextBox bindings where the Source property "could" be changing the property in the Setter. Example, the user enters "wa" in the TextBox. The Source property State Setter is called and "wa" passed. The State Setter then sets the Value to WA. Without this converter, the data binding pipeline will not re-read the property and display the new "WA" value in the TextBox. With the converter, "WA" is displayed in the TextBox.
The ForceReRead converter is not added if the TextBox.Text binding has the StringFormat property is set because it is not needed. If you edit the generated TextBox.Text binding and need to add another converter to your code instead of the ForceReRead converter your converter will force the value to be re-read by the data binding pipeline.
The ForecedReRead converter is not required for .NET 4.0. You can read about the new .NET 4.0 feature here: http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/wpf-4-0-data-binding-change-great-feature/
TargetNullValue is supported in WPF and Silverlight 4.
TargetNullValue – when TextBox.Text property is data bound to a Nullable Source, setting the TargetNullValue=” will allow the Source property to be set to Nothing (null) without generating a binding exception. Without this property a converter would be required to set the value to Nothing (null). This enables an empty string in a TextBox to correctly set the Source to Nothing (null).
The below image shows the setup for the Silverlight DataGrid control.
The imported name space is "sdk" and the Control Type is entered as "sdk:DataGrid"
Videos
I’m begging every developer in the strongest possible terms, please view the below videos. They will get you up and running and productive in a very short time.
Videos are now hosted on Vimeo. You can read about the cool feature provided by Vimeo here.
Overview
If you’re reading this and have not watched the above videos, please do so now (thank you!) . I won’t be repeating the content of the videos below. They are short and to the point. You’ll be up and running, saving lots of time in just a few minutes.
I’m supplying the source code for those who have authored Visual Studio Add-In’s or who want to look under the covers. Visual Studio Add-In’s are not the difficult to write, but there is a new programming API to learn.
The XAML Power Toys UI is WPF which made the coding very easy. There is one hurtle I had to get past. The XAML Power Toys Add-In does not program against any object model, it is really just manipulating text. There is no object model available in Visual Studio Add-In’s to program against which is why the Add-In has the developer selecting text in the XAML editor. The add-in then processes that selected text. The Grid Row and Column Editor does some pretty slick stuff, all without any real object model to program against. This was my first crack and working with the XMLDocument so any feedback on better techniques will be well received.
Creating Business Forms, ListViews, DataForms and DataGrids
I want to emphasize a requirement when creating forms, ListViews, DataForms or DataGrids for a class. You must ensure that the solution has been built. If you make any changes to the source class that you want to make a form for, you must rebuild the project so that the add-in can property reflect the properties of the source class.
Visual Studio 2008 Installation
Ensure that you have installed Visual Studio 2008 SP1.
For Silverlight Development, install the latest Silverlight 3 as detailed on http://www.silverlight.net/getstarted/ (If you’re not doing Silverlight development this is not required.)
For Silverlight DataForm development, must install the Silverlight Toolkit.
Run the downloaded Setup.exe.
XAML Power Toys 2008 will be available in Visual Studio 2008.
Visual Studio 2010 Installation
Ensure that you have installed Visual Studio 2010 RTM or later version.
For Silverlight Development, install the latest Silverlight 4 as detailed on http://www.silverlight.net/getstarted/ (If you’re not doing Silverlight development this is not required.)
For Silverlight DataForm development, must install the Silverlight Toolkit.
Run the downloaded Setup.exe.
XAML Power Toys 2010 will be available in Visual Studio 2010.
First Time Use
The first time you use XAML Power Toys please edit and save your Control Default Settings.
If you do not do this, and you access a feature that needs them, default settings will be created, saved and a dialog box will display, informing you of the action just taken. By editing and saving your Control Default Settings before using XAML Power Toys, you’ll not only avoid this intrusive dialog box, but you’ll know and can control how controls are created by XAML Power Toys.
Control Default Settings are now being saved in the
VS 2008: C:\Users\<YOUR USER NAME>\AppData\Roaming\Little Richie Software\XAML Power Toys
VS 2010: C:\Users\<YOUR USER NAME>\AppData\Roaming\Little Richie Software\XAML Power Toys 2010.
These are system folders for saving program data files like the settings file.
Downloads
Remember – Please build your projects before attempting to create forms, ViewModels or using the Field List.
Please set your Control Defaults after installing, new options have been added.
Download now comes from my Windows Live Sky Drive pages. The two below links will take you to a page where you can download the installer and/or the source.
Download XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2008 v5.0.0.4
Download XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2010 v6.1.0.0
Cool Usage Tips
I have written a blog post on how to select large amounts of XAML when performing a Group Into. The blog post is Cool Usage Tip For XAML Power Toys. Check it out and easily select large amounts of XAML when Grouping or working with Grids.
Here is a follow up blog post that provides another solution to selecting large portions of XAML: Super Tip For XAML Power Toys
Future of XAML Power Toys
Please post your comments, complaints and suggestions on this blog post.
License Agreement
XAML Power Toys uses the Mono.Cecil library for reflection. Mono.Cecil uses the MIT X11 License. XAML Power Toys is adopting the same license as Mono.Cecil.
License Agreement
Copyright (c) 2009 Little Richie Software
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
Have a great day.
Just a grain of sand on the worlds beaches.
Code Project VB.NET Article Award Dec 2008
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
Karl incredible work as usual! Would have been nice to see you again in person. Keep up the good work. TC
Tom,
So very nice to here from you.
I’ll try and let you know when I’m back in the tri-state area.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Best to you always,
Karl
Karl,
Can you explain how to use the values set for display and description data annotations as values for label and description in a dataform?
So not setting these explicit as but getting them from annotations like
[DisplayName("Name")]
[Description("Desc")]
public string Name { get; set; }
Thanks,
Ronald
Hi Ronald,
Have not used Data Annotations.
Silverlight and ASP.NET Dynamic Data and ASP.NET MVC know how to consume these and present messages and provide an API for determining if the object is valie. There are many examples on the Internet on using these.
WPF does not have any out of the box code to consume these.
You mentioned DataForm. This Silverlight control uses these out of the box and there are many examples on the web explaining the API and use.
Cheers,
Karl
Karl,
I just installed XPT for v 6.1 (2010), on W7 OS. When I select a class to create a ViewModel for, I get the error “The project associated with the selected file is either not vb, cs or is blacklisted”. What’s going on with that? Are there any known incompatibilities? ( I have a lot of stuff loaded on the machine, such as Telerik Suite for SL, WPF and ASP.Net). I have not watched the videos recently, and can’t do so at work, but I will be watching them tonight. In the meantime, any help you can provide on this would be appreciated- this is a clear dead end.
Thanks
What is the full name of the project the class is in?
What is the full name of the class you want to create a viewmodel for?
Karl
Karl,
I hope you are still reading these notes. I’ll try to see if I can contact you more directly, but in case I cannot, I hoped to speak with you about an update I am working on to translate your Power Tools to C#, and get them working in 2012. I have just about finished the coding, and thought I might upload it to the VS Gallery, but wanted to make sure I wasn’t encroaching your turf by doing that. I think your license grants this privilege, but I don’t consider that judgement to be decisive, so I hoped to get your “okay.”
I have done a good bit of refactoring of some of the logic, partly because of what’s necessary in moving from VB to C#, but also merge some of the similar methods and so on, and to break apart some of the longer methods. Otherwise the your logic is still there. I might make some modifications to some of the work flows that the tool currently uses, and add some other tools that might fit the tools, but that would be for another day.
I have rewritten this in C# to use T4 templates that can also be loaded at run-time using MEF. I have not published this yet.
I have no problem with you creating your own version and posting it, except you can’t call it XAML Power Toys or any derived name that contains the words of this name.
Let me know when you publish it, would be interested in seeing it.
Best,
Karl
Thanks for the quick reply, and for your approval to post a new version. I had planned to rename it, but the name I considered would be a derivative, so I’ll come up with something else.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing your next version though.
Gil
Karl you asked me to let you know once I published my release. For now it is only source, but I’ve uploaded my source to CodePlex at the following site: http://xamlhelpmeet.codeplex.com/
I am having a little difficulty getting it to load up as a VS Extension, so it’s not quite ready to be used, but it’s close.
Karl:
Will Toys for 2010 work ok on a box with just VS 2010 and Silverlight “5″ (SDK and all) installed?
Thanks
Ken
Yes.
Seriously…you rock.
Thanks Dude!!! Much appreciated!
XAML Power Toys…
Thank you for submitting this cool story – Trackback from DotNetShoutout…
Is it just me that can’t find the Installation and Setup video?
Install video is not longer required. Just follow the Install directions on this page. Very easy now.
Cheers,
Karl
I also corrected the instructions and removed the wording for the install video. Thank you for pointing this out.
Cheers,
Karl
A few points in the documentation:
Under “New Installation” you say “XAML Power Toys will not be available in Visual Studio 2008.” Did you mean “will now be available” instead of “not”?
In “New Features and Changes” you say, “•o Removed XAML Power Toys Solution Explorer context menus. All features are not accessed from either a code window or the XAML Editor. ” I don’t understand – is this the same error, where “not” should be “now”? If this is not the case, could you rephrase to make it clearer?
Also, one minor grammatical point: you say, “It’s commands are accessed using the XAML editor context menu “. You meant the possessive “its” (like “his”, without an apostrophe), rather than the contraction “it’s”.
I’m getting ready to watch the videos and do the download and install so I can try it out. Thanks for your hard work to make development easier for us!
Corrected the documentation. Thank you for reporting these mistakes.
Cheers,
Karl
[...] Introduction [...]
Argh, I hate it when downloads are on skydrive. It is blocked by lots of corporate firewalls as a “personal storage” site.
Colin,
I’ve added a direct download on this page.
Karl
Sorry KArl but I can’t seem to see the direct download link. It is still around? Like Colin, my corporate firewall blocks SkyDrive.
I quit posting files in multiple places. My best suggestion is to get it from home and bring it in.
Sorry I don’t have a better answer today. This is the only downside of WordPress, but they do everything else so well.
Cheers,
Karl
This is great Karl. Looking forward to the ViewModel generator.
Re the install, mine failed the first time round (or at least the second level context menu wasn’t populating). The default install path appears to be /Program Files/…. If you change it to /Program Data/ it all works fine.
Thanks again.
John
John,
This is very strange. The install path should be \Program Files\… This is where XAML Power Toys has always been installed.
I’m emailing you offline.
Karl
[...] XAML PowerToys geht in die 5. Runde. Interessant sind dabei die neuen Formularmanager die einem eine Menge Arbeit bei gestalten von Businessformularen ersparen. [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys « Karl On WPF – .Net XAML Power Toys is a Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Add-In that empowers WPF & Silverlight developers while working in the XAML editor. Its Line of Business form generation tools, Grid tools, DataForm, DataGrid and ListView generation really shorten the XAML page layout time. (tags: dev dotnet silverlight xaml) [...]
Hello Karl
Did you ever consider creating an “extract interface from Class” feature to create an interface for an existing class? it would save a lot of time deleting the code inside individual methods. Just a thought.
Thanks
Dave K
Dave,
Can you provide some more information?
If you can give me a simple scenario and exactly what you need that would be a big help.
To clearly understand, I would need to know what is the starting and ending points and what options are required.
Cheers,
Karl
Hello Karl
My scenario was as follows: I created a Data Access module for a windows mobile project. It has methods like: ListCitiesForState(strStateAbbrev), ListStreetsForCity(strState,strCity) but there are a lot of them (about 15000 lines of code. Now, when I want to abstract away this list of methods to an interface, I must manually remove the body of the method, i.e.
turn:
Public Class DataAccess
Public Function ListCitiesForState(ByVal strStateAbbrev As String, ByVal blnFavoritesOnly As Boolean) As List(Of LkpCitiesRecord)
Dim CityList As New List(Of LkpCitiesRecord)
Try
Dim strSQL As String
If blnFavoritesOnly Then
…
else…
end if
If DataAccess.LoadMR(strSQL, DataAccess.LocationDBConnectionString) Then
While MyReader.Read…
to just
Public Interface IDataAccess
Function GetCitiesForState(ByVal strStateAbbrev As String, ByVal blnFavoritesOnly As Boolean) As List(Of LkpCitiesRecord)
Function ListStreetsForCity(strState as string, strCity as string)
End Interface
DataAccess was originally a module. When I had to create an interface I just copied the class text and deleted/edited methods and properties by hand.
I thought it would have been handy if I had a feature where I could grab the text of the class/module and strip out the body of methods and properties. Doing it by hand was not hard just a little tedious. Maybe its not a big enough issue to bother with. I just thought it could help developers to take some “hard wired” code and make it more flexible by creating an interface from an existing class,
The feature wouldn’t change any of the code in the rest of the app that accesses DataAccess, but just strip the bodies of the methods out so the remaining code could be used in an interface. it seemed like a similar operation to some features of XAML Power Toys. It seems like you have plenty to do so don’t worry about it if you don’t have time or think its not worth the trouble.
The last thing
Is Ocean V2 delayed/cancelled. Maybe 23 1/2 hour work days too much? I saw the responses were gone. Please let me know. If so maybe you could give me your thoughts on using a separate Navigation Class to manage ViewModels and Views in MVVM. I’m a little unsure of the best way to navigate between UI Screens in MVVM.
Oh and should we call you RED now? Probably not a lot of Microsoft employees with your hair color now. Thanks again for XAML Power Toys.
Cheers,
Dave K
Dave,
Got it. Did you know that C# has this built in? I’m not sure if VB will get this in the next version of Visual Studio 2010 or not.
JetBrians Resharper has the extact feature you need. If you purchase the personal edition for VB.NET it’s only $49.00.
http://www.jetbrains.com/resharper/features/index.html
It has so many refactoriings, maybe this would be the best course of action.
Ocean v2. I’m really hoping to publish Ocean v2 and the BBQ Shack this weekend. The software is done, the documentation takes SO much time.
RED – LOL!
Cheers,
Karl
Thanks Karl
Thanks for the info.
I’ll take a look at Resharper. I’ve been meaning to anyway.
I’m glad to hear Ocean V2 is coming.
If I can help at all let me know.
I can’t wait to see Ocean. Your thought processes and explanations of why you choose certain methodologies just make sense to me. Well thought out architecture, good explanation of how it works, videos and all in VB.NET. What more could you ask for?
Thanks
Dave K
[...] your VS with the above patches, you may also want to empower yourself with Xaml Power Toys (http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys/) and the following [...]
[...] Tired of typing in XAML to generate your data bound grid in Silverlight? Then check out XAML power toys. [...]
FYI,
I was upgrading from v4 and have followed the above uninstall/install instructions, however I had to manually add the path to xamltoys in VS options. I’m running 32 bit Vista Ultimate. Other than that, Great Job Karl!
Rich
Will email you off line.
[...] on WPF released the 5.0 version of the XAML Power Toys a little over a week ago. Down load here. Share and [...]
I’m getting a 500 error on all the new videos.
Sorry you had a problem.
I just tried them and they are all working. 500 is a server error that I have no control over.
Cheers,
Karl
Hi
I’ve installed version and it’a a GREAT tool.
I found that default settings for border are not working.
Am I doing something wrong ?
Thank’s
There are two Borders in the options section. One for Silverlight and one for WPF.
Can you verify that you changed the Border settings for the platform you are using?
If this does not solve your issue, can you provide more detail. What feature of XAML Power Toys did you expect to get a customized Border but did not?
Thanks,
Karl
Hi
I’ve modified both but I use WFP one.
Whith a new window and an empty grid I select the whole grid and select any type of Border it put’s a border but without any settings.
Thank’s
I can send you a video with this issue but I don’t know your email. Mine is ssandu@msn.com.
The Group Into feature does not use the settings when creating a control.
The settings feature is used when creating forms, data grids, data forms or when creating controls from the fields list.
Group Into creates many different controls and I didn’t want to confuse users by only having the Border use the settings and I really didn’t want to add all those controls into the settings just for Group Into.
If you have some suggestions, please send them. I’ve recieved a few last week and I’ll publish an update soon.
Cheers,
Karl
Hi Karl,
We met at the Silverlight Firestarter. I’m the other code gen guy. Send me an email and we can talk.
- Ryan
Will email offline.
[...] XAML Power Toys « Karl On WPF – .Net XAML Power Toys is a Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Add-In that empowers WPF & Silverlight developers while working in the XAML editor. Its Line of Business form generation tools, Grid tools, DataForm, DataGrid and ListView generation really shorten the XAML page layout time. [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys – zajímavé pomůcky pro XAML ve VS2008 (Karl on WPF) [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
Several of the Videos are not working, they return a blank page.
[...] La página oficial de descargas es http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys/ [...]
Hello!
I’m experiencing problems with ViewModel Generator. So, nevertheless, I’e recompiled my solution your tool not all of my classes and I have no Idea why -((
excuse me, I’ve got It! They was defined as private classes -)
It would be great to see collaboration between XAML Power Toys and #develop (short for SharpDevelop – http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/).
#develop (short for SharpDevelop) is a free IDE for C#, VB.NET and Boo projects on Microsoft’s .NET platform.
Unless they support AddIn’s it would be difficult.
This is really cool – thanks. I’m having one problem though. It all installed. I ensured my solution was built. I set up the control defaults. I decided to create a silverlight dataform as a test and it all worked fine. But I cannot get more than 1 column to work. When I enter, say, 2 into the column groups field, it does not create a second column surface. I only see 1. Changing it to anything does not work. 2,3,4,5 etc… It works fine with 1 in that I can drag and drop class properties onto the (1) surface, etc things, etc and produce the form.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks, Steve
By the way. I’m using SL3 and VS 2008 SP1. I have the latest beta of WCF Ria services. Everything seems to be up to date…
Ok. I’ve worked it out. I was entering a number into the column groups field and hitting tab. I looked at the source and it seems it wants to have pressed. Once I hit all works as advertised.
Steve,
Glad you got it sorted out.
Cheers,
Karl
[...] This is just to good to be true. Check this awesome tool out by watching this video and then downloading the tool from here. [...]
[...] XAML Power ToysAdd-in do VS 2008 SP1 que facilita o desenvolvimento de aplicações que utilizam o XAML como WPF e o Silverlight. (Compatível com Silverlight 2 RTM e .NET 3.5) [...]
[...] in WPF or Silverlight, or even thinking about doing it, here's a MUST HAVE download: Karl's XAML Power Toys are an incredible set of useful tools. My favorite? The tool that extracts the style from an [...]
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[...] XAML Power ToysAdd-in do VS 2008 SP1 que facilita o desenvolvimento de aplicações que utilizam o XAML como WPF e o Silverlight. (Compatível com Silverlight 2 RTM e .NET 3.5) [...]
Any update on a 2010 version of the power toys? Thanks!
I released XAML Power Toys for VS 2010, and XAML Power Toys for Cider in VS 2010 back in October. These are two different products.
Go to the Categories list on the right, and select XAML Power Toys. You’ll see all the entires I made for VS 2010.
Cheers,
Karl
Thanks, I got it now. I was just using the link in the header, and that page just says you’re working on it. I’ll be trying it out with SL4, and will try to leave feedback later on.
I have not updated XAML Power Toys to work with the new SL4 Databinding properties.
I’ll update it when the Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate is released next month.
Cheers,
Karl
I have intstalled XAML Power Toys 5 and followwed the steps you described.
However, i can’t seem to get the “Create View Model” and “Create Form, Dsatagrid or Listview from Class” working. I alsways get a strange errormessage:
Can’t create secondary AppDomain Remote worker class.
CreateInstance and Unwrap Methods returned nothing.
I have installed the german version of VS2008 SP1.
Am I missing something?
Sorry you are having this problem.
Would it be possible to upload your project so that I can test it too?
Can you post it somewhere so I can download it?
If your project is under 3 MB when compressed in a zip file, you can email it to me. If this is possible, let me know and I’ll send you a direct emai so you can email it to me directly.
Cheers,
Karl
Video tutorials appear to be broken. I’m getting HTTP 500 errors.
Yes they are. Silverlight Streaming has been shutdown.
I’ll be releasing a new version of XAML Power Toys later this month and will move the videos to another provider.
Sorry.
Karl
[...] XAML Power Toys – By Karl Shifflett. From the site: “XAML Power Toys is a Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Add-In that empowers WPF & Silverlight developers while working in the XAML editor. Its Line of Business form generation tools, Grid tools, DataForm, DataGrid and ListView generation really shorten the XAML page layout time.” [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
What does the word “spit” means here in sentences:
> Corrected the Chainsaw to correctly work with XAML spit by the Data Sources Window.
> For now, you can use this release, but the XAML that is spit does not take advantage of any new Silverlight 4 data binding features.
I’m not well at English and this word has a lot of different meanings, could you explain which of them it takes here please?
Sorry for the slang.
In this context, spit means the XAML that is created or added to your XAML file.
Cheers,
Karl
Thanks
It’s really useful tool!
Glad you like XAML Power Toys
Cheers,
Karl
Could you please make the videos to be available to download. I have a very slow Internet connection and I usually download a video during the nights (while I’m not using the Internet). I tried to log in to the vimeo.com but “Download this video” link took me to the Error Page with message: Permission denied, You cannot download videos.
Thanks.
The only way to download a video, is to join Vimeo.
This blog posts explains how to download the videos:
http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/karl-now-using-vimeo-for-videos/
Cheers,
Karl
[...] 工具七：XAML Power Toys [...]
Very nice !
Thank you for this tools. I am talking about it on my blog : http://blog.lexique-du-net.com/index.php?post/2010/02/27/MVVM-Creating-ViewModel-%3A-use-a-tool-(solution-2-of-n)
MVVM – Creating ViewModel : use XAML Power Toys (solution 2 of n)….
Here is the next episode of our serie MVVM – Creating ViewModel. The first post is available here : MVVM – Creating ViewModel : wrap your business object (solution 1 of n). Today we are going to discover a tool which can help us to create the…
Hi Karl:
I’m using 5.0.0.1 on VS2008 and am hooked (so to speak). Can I just install the latest, or do I have to uninstall first?
Keep up the awesome work!
Ken
Kennyui,
You should be able to install the new version over top. If you have a problem, please let me know. At that point, simply uninstall the previous version and then install the new one.
Cheers,
Karl
[...] and MVP. Also had the chance to spend time with a couple guys in the Cider team: Karl Shifflet (of Xaml Power Toys fame) and Nokola (you MUST check out his Silverlight work, truly [...]
[...] new versions of XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate and later can be downloaded here on [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys Released for WPF and Silverlight: Karl Shifflett has released an awesome update to his XAML Power Toys download. This is a must-have download if you are doing WPF or Silverlight development, and provides a bunch of great wizards and tools that help automating application development. Very, very cool stuff. [...]
Karl, I found a small gotcha in the viewmodel generator. I didnt see this mentioned anywhere…Maybe i was just being dumb…you can see a detail of the problem here along with the answer which is that the sub properties need to have their OnPropertyChanged notifications under the primary objects setter….
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2913424/databinding-to-individual-properties-of-the-main-dataobject
condensed version here:
http://wpfinvb.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/databinding-gotcha/
Like i said I could have missed your instructions somewhere…
Thank you for the feedback.
I”m putting out a new version soon and will look into this.
Cheers,
Karl
Hi,
nice work, but cannot have the default setting if I add a control. I see the other posts about this problem and the video. I’m working on VS2008 SP1.
Again nice work.
I have omitted to check notify by mail.
Sorry
Not sure I understand what problem you are having.
Can you provide more details.
Cheers,
Karl
Hi,
I have set the default values for controls. But when I add a control, the default settings are not in the XAML code. What have I to do to get the default values for a control when it is added. For a Border, for example, I cannot see the “ConerRadius” attribute. Have I to add a line in the header of the XAML file. Last thing, I have the french version of VS2008.
Thank you for your halp.
Best regards.
When you say you “add a control” how are you adding the control, what exact steps are you following?
The Control Defaults feature of XAML Power Toys are only used by the Form generation tools of XAML Power Toys.
Does this help?
Karl
Hi,
Thank you for the response,
I have made a mistake. I don’t understand that this default settings are just used by the Power Toys. I think that default settings are also used by normal adding of a control to the form. I have not found this indication in the help of default settings that there are just used for the created Power Toys controls.
In all case , very helpfull tools for developper.
Best regards
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
Hi,
This looks just like what I need, but I am getting a blank page when I try to download the file…
xyzzer,
The download is on my SkyDrive. Some people at work can’t access a SkyDrive.
I’m posting a new version later today, I’ll make it available from WordPress.com.
Give me a few hours,
Cheers,
Karl
Thanks, sounds great. I tried getting there from another computer and see a blank page too…
I just tried it an its working. Umm…
Anyway, I’ll post the new version later on.
Cheers,
Karl
Karl, Fantastic work. When I grow up I want to be able to code like you!!
I am trying to download v6 from skydrive and it gives a lovely 509: exceeded bandwidth error… any possibility of it being posted on WP?
Thanks again for a great product…
BTW, I reckon you should have a ‘donate’ button for those of us who would like to show our appreciation and give you a little green encouragement…
ZeustT
I’ll be posting a new version this afternoon and will upload to WordPress.com
Thanks for the kudo’s.
Cheers,
Karl
SWEET!!!!!! I am sitting here with the ‘F5′ key wearing out…
Give the F5 key a rest. Check back in 2 hours or so.
Cheers,
Karl
*sigh*….. if i have to wait…. Coffee….
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
Hi Karl:
Did you mean to label the VS2008 link as 5.0.0.5? We have 5.0.0.4 is posted on SkyDrive. In any event – hands down best add-on. Thank you from myself and the community.
Ken
Ken,
Nice catch, fixed. Thank you for the heads up!
Cheers,
Karl
And it did download with no problems now…
awesome!
[...] раширение можно здесь.digg_url = [...]
[...] Pour simplifier la programmation Xaml, les Power Toys, version éditeur Xaml, sont ainsi une solution très pratique. On les trouve ici : Power Toys (Xaml editor). [...]
[...] 4. Новые возможности и исправления. Плагин доступен здесь. AKPC_IDS += "719,";Popularity: [...]
Hello,
It seems it’s just me, but in one of my big project that compiles and run perfectly, I right click in some xaml and the only feature working is create business form. All the other crashes. Nothing happens. VS ultimate freezes for a minute then crashes and restarts… It’s a silverlight RIA services project, using teleriks control suite.
What can I do to help you sort out the problem?
Jonx,
We need to determine if the problem is caused by RIA Services or Telerik controls.
Can you take the Telerik controls out of the picture and see if you still have a problem? I’ve not had any problems with RIA Services.
I don’t have any 3rd party controls so I can test against them.
Sorry you are having a problem.
Karl
Hum, that is strange. Because you asked kindly I made some tests. On my initial project it crashed after nearly 2minutes of waiting (I tried several time in different places of the project before reporting the problem to you).
Then I started a new RIA services, added a DB, EF on top of it and the domain service as well… Added all the telerik assemblies. Tried your addin and … it worked… Took about 1:20mn… then I went back on my first project to make sure it was 2mn and then it worked… I imagine there is some a timeout somewhere that thinks VS is frozen and kills it after a given time… And this time because my smaller project, your plugin made it to browse all the assemblies and thus on the biggest project it got faster this time and got under the frozen crash limit? Only a wild guess…
Then, it’s working now, which is very cool… I’ll come back to you in case I have the problem again and more info to track it down…
ps: thanks for the screen center
Jonx,
If you don’t use the Telerik controls and do not reference any of the Telerik assemblies, this should run super fast. Are you getting good response without the Telerik controls? Once I know this information, I can update the tool to run much better in your scenario.
Thanks,
Karl
Jonx again (mixed my login sorry)
I confirm, without anything it only takes a snap for the popup to show up…
And a long time for very big projects with lots of non GAC references…
Can you post a screen shot of your references?
It sounds like I should add some options for developers to have a custom black list to avoid reflecting types they don’t need to. This would not be difficult to do.
Cheers,
Karl
Yes, something like a screen listing all the referenced assemblies where I could uncheck the references you should not follow. Also where new references are excluded by default except for projects included in the current solution that would be included by default… Let me know in case you need some tests for a custom build…
Also, would you please make the popup windows appear on the same monitor then my VS instance is? Thanks
Jonx,
I currently have the Window Location set to appear Center Parent, but it does not work correctly.
I’ll add this work item to the next version.
Karl
[...] Conheça as XAML Power Toys para VS 2010 e Silverlight 4 : http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys/ #Silverlight [...]
Can’t reorder my 39 columns. They don’t fit in a window…
It would be nice to see column/row indexes and have it all scrollable.
I guess my 6 rows by 39 columns layout is less than perfect, but I would really prefer to just do a small fix than have to rewrite stuff, especially when I am planning to add at least 15 more columns.
xyzzer,
Don’t understand the scenario.
Can you please post a screen shot, this would really help.
Thanks and have a great day,
Karl
I have a grid with a lot of hard-coded columns – actually 61 now. When I select it and do “Edit Grid Columns and Rows” – the window that pops up only shows 18 columns that I can reorder because it does not scroll its content. My grid uses a scrollviewer so I can scroll it. Perhaps the “Grid Row-Column Editor” could do the same thing.
I’ll give this a look this week and see where it leads. Does not look like a difficult change.
Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers,
Karl
[...] Power tools voor XAML editing als Add-In voor Visual Studio 2008 SP1 en 2010. Voor WPF en Silverlight applicaties: http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys [...]
Karl,
I’m having similar problems with XAML Power toys that another poster has identified. I using VS2010 Ultimate and in a WPF project I have referenced Developer Express libraries. When I try to invoke the XPT to build a dataform I get the busy indicator cursor in VS and it never returns (at least not within 5 min.). I have to shut down VS with Task Manager. I have tried XPT with another WPF project which does not reference any DevExpress libraries and XPT retruns fairly quickly. I know that you proposed a feature to check assemblies that should not be scanned but I have not seen any updates. Also, I thought you intended XPT to work and generate XAML for 3rd party controls. Please advise…
I’ve just moved and am catching up with setting up my home. I’ll look into this soon.
Cheers,
Karl
[...] http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys/ [...]
Hi
Can someone please explain to me why the text box isn’t stretching to fill up the whole control?
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5087/screenshot20100920at124.png
I’d appreciate it, thanks. Are there any forums for these controls?
Actually
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/3355/screenshot20100920at142.png
The controls aren’t lining up either, the checkbox appears immediately after the label when it should really be left aligned with the textbox above. Does anyone know why this might be? It’s driving me crazy, especially as I have lots of UserControl descendants in which it is working just fine :S
PS: The screenshot is from a File-New project.
Why are you posting this question on the XAML Power Toys page?
XAML Power Toys does not create these types of controls?
Not sure this is the correct place.
Karl
I think you got these controls from: http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/wpf-silverlight-lob-form-layout-searching-for-a-better-solution/
The controls are all layed out according to a style sheet. Please check out the above post and demo.
Karl
Hi Karl,
I get an “Object reference not set to an instance of an object” with the business form editor (on VS 2010).
Steps to reproduce:
1. Add a new window to the project
2. Rightclick the XAML and select “Create Business form”
3. Select Grid element 0,0. Change to Label, give it a name.
4. Select Grid element 0,1. Change to Textbox, give it a path.
5. Press Create
It works fine if i leave out step 4
Sorry you had a problem.
I’ll look into this and will be releasing an up in Nov.
Cheers,
Karl
Hi Karl
I have the same problem in VS2010 Win7 64. I couldnt find the update you indicated for November, can you link to it?
To replicate:
- Create WPF project
- Between the default Grid tags, RightClick -> XAML Power Toys -> Create Business Form
- Select TextBlock for all column 1, Select TextBox for all column 2
- Press Create
- Error message Object reference not set to an instance of an object
- The Create Business Form is still open in the background and if I go back to it and push CREATE again (once or twice) visual studio crashes and the project is lost
- I dont know if it makes any difference but I have CodeRush installed
I’m keen to use this if you have a fix. Thanks a lot for this toolset Karl
I should also mention this was a VB project.
I’ve been swamped at work, working weekends and have been sick for two weeks.
I’m behind in my person projects.
I will do my very best to put out a new release of XAML Power Toys in Feb.
If you use an empty XAML form, can you still duplicate the problem or does it only happy in the above scenario?
Cheers,
Karl
Thanks for the fast response Karl
Yes I created a new VB WPF project in VS2010 in Win7 64 and deleted everything in the XAML document, then on the blank form:
- RightClick -> XAML Power Toys -> Create Business Form
- Select TextBlock for all column 1, Select TextBox for all column 2
- Press Create
- Error message Object reference not set to an instance of an object
I confirmed this behavior on a separate laptop (also Win7 64, VS2010, VB) on which CodeRush is not installed, so that is not at fault. I am happy to retest with the new version if you like.
I await the Feb release with bated breath. I’m sure I speak for everybody when I say I appreciate the personal effort you put into this toolkit.
[Feature request]
Any plans to add a “sort attributes” command?
(ala xaml organiser (http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/ac373a5d-e497-4e07-9186-12166e83a024/xaml-organizer.aspx) did)
That look doable.
I’ll get this in XAML Power Toys in Nov.
Thank you for the suggestion.
Cheers,
Karl
Thanks!!!
If possible, add option to perform argument sort on document formatting/saving. Or, at least, allow to bind the action to keyboard command.
You can easily add a keyboard mapping to any XAML Power Toys command using the Tools, Options, Keyboard dialog.
I’ll look at implementing this option in November.
Cheers,
Karl
I actually have a small bug report for you so that maybe it can make it it by november. I am using the FluentValidation framework in my project. I have to unload it to use the viewmodelfromclass because I get the following error.
Unable To Create Secondary AppDomain RemoteWorker
—————————
Item has already been added. Key in dictionary: ‘c:\vs2010 projects\projects\khagf\wavelenklsdfkgthis.khf\l;asfh.kjhsfha.viewmodels\bin\debug\fluentvalidation.dll’ Key being added: ‘c:\vs2010 projects\projects\khasfhak\klahsfkjh.refelha\wavelengthis.kahsfk.viewmodels\bin\debug\fluentvalidation.dll’
Eric,
Thanks for reporting this. I’ve not used the FluentValidation framework.
Can you get a detailed stacktrace?
Karl
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
Hello Karl,
It is a wonderful job. Thank you. I just have one question.
I need to build something similar to power toys for my non-technical users. The user should be able to open the Silverlight-XAML file in Silverlight designer (cider designer) in visual studio and then click on a button or image (I built an adorner to the “user control”) will show the “select data source/class” window, and then user will create his form. I need to populate the XAML back to the XAML file automatically instead of asking the user to execute the paste operation. Any inputs to achieve this will greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hari
Hari,
From the Cider Designer, the only way to persist XAML is to use the Cider Designer Extensibility Model. I’ve written some blog posts here: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/wpfsldesigner/archive/tags/extensibility/
You can also get help from the Cider/Blend Team by posting on their forums.
I did XAML Power Toys the way I did because it was just easier in the long term. Didn’t want lots of support issues.
Does this help,
Cheers,
Karl
Hell Karl,
I’m looking for a feature that would let you select a container and turn it to a new user control. The user control would then replace the selected container… This would come very handy while refactoring the UI in my application.
Thank you very much for the feature suggestion. Expression Blend already has this feature so I probably won’t try and duplicate the code. However, I will have a look and see if I can do it.
Thanks again, cheers,
Karl
I didn’t know. Good news, thank your for the tips
But yes, having it in VS would be even better…
[...] The Essential WPF/Silverlight/XNA Developer and Designer Toolbox – Pete Brown's 10rem.net XAML Power Toys « Karl On WPF – .Net VSM 2010 Readers Choice Awards — Visual Studio Magazine Download LINQPad This entry was [...]
Love these tools!
However, the one I would like to use the most: Create ViewModel from Class, is hanging (hourglass). I never get the pop-up screen dialogue and the cpu just goes straight to 100%.
I believe the problem may be related to the fact that the project is a PRISM composite solution. If I try to create this viewmodel in a stand-alone project it works fine. The composite application solution consists of 4 projects as follows:
Solution:
– CAL
– Microsoft Practices.Composite.dll
– [many more like that...]
– EFTracing (Entity Framework tracing)
– EntLib
– Microsoft Practises.EnterpriseLibrary.Common.dll
– [More like that...]
– CIS (this is our main project entry point)
– Infrastructure
– Security Module (out security module project)
– Vahana (one of the application projects)
– InfoModel.edmx
– ViewInfoModel.cs [here is where I am trying to build the viewmodel]
The only oddity about the environment is that it is not connected to the internet (high security area). But since your tools work fine on a single project I doubt that has any relevance to this problem.
Jim,
Thank you for this feedback. I have a fix, I just need more time to test it. It will be out in Dec.
Best,
Karl
[...] 工具七：XAML Power Toys [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys « Karl On WPF – .Net This entry was posted in WPF. Bookmark the permalink. ← Threading and Synchronization The Wayward WebLog : LINQ IQToolkit on CodePlex → LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]
[...] formularzy edycyjnych metodą WYSIWYG i wiele, wiele innych, o których można przeczytać na stronie projektu. Instalator można pobrać ze SkyDrive’a twórcy. Jest to klasyczny instalator [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys te permitirá crear el ViewModel de una clase y crear los “Forms” de mantenimiento….como siempre..entre muchas otras funcionalidades. [...]
Hello Karl,
What about a feature that would let me select things in my XAML and extract it to a user control.
Create the user control and insert it instead of my selection.
This would let me refactor my XAML very easily…
Thank you for you toys
John.
Hi Karl, still hoping you are able to fix that issue with Create View Model from Class not working under a PRISM project.
And a big thank-you for posting the source code. That will be a big learning tool for me.
I’m not having any issues creating view models in my Prism applications.
I will be working on XAML Power Toys soon, just so busy now.
Karl
If you are not having issues perhaps there is something unique about my project structure that hangs XAML PowerToys. Can you see anything obvious from the project modules I posted on Nov 12 – are you using all those PRISM modules? I am happy to try a work-around if you don’t have time to work on PowerToys.
I think this issue is related to another known issue with this build. I think I have a fix but just lack the time at the moment to complete it and test it. Let me see how the next two weeks go and maybe I can devote proper time and get this fix out.
Sorry for the delay,
Karl
Hi,
Just had to reformat my machine, had XAML Power Toys installed before.
Have re-installed visual studio 2010.
Getting following error on install or power toys
Error 1001, Could not find a part of path ‘C:\ProgramData\ApplicationData\Microsoft\MSEnvShared\Addins’.
If tried running the setup as adminstrator.
Op System Windows7 64 bit
Any ideas?
Not sure what is going on, since this folder is created by
Have you run Visual Studio at least once before trying to install XAML Power Toys?
Open windows explorer. Paste this in the address bar. Does this folder exist? Notice the space between Application and Data.
C:\ProgramData\Application Data\microsoft\MSEnvShared\Addins
Karl
Karl,
Thanks for the reply:
The address doesn’t exist.
I’m running visual studio ultimate and I have run it and compiled project etc…
C:\ProgramData\ Is there
But there is no \application data\ there.
I even tried creating the full path manually and it doesn’t and the installer still doesn’t find the path.
Here is the message from the log file (when I run msiexec with logging).
The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2835. The arguments are: ErrorIcon, ErrorDialog,
Error 1001. Error 1001. Could not find a part of the path ‘C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\MSEnvShared\Addins’.
MSI (s) (F8!84) [00:45:13:211]:
DEBUG: Error 2769: Custom Action _CFD4385A_C70B_46CE_9257_957A2E318EB4.install did not close 1 MSIHANDLEs.
The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2769. The arguments are: _CFD4385A_C70B_46CE_9257_957A2E318EB4.install, 1,
CustomAction _CFD4385A_C70B_46CE_9257_957A2E318EB4.install returned actual error code 1603 (note this may not be 100% accurate if translation happened inside sandbox)
I’ve just repasted from error log, with the path on new line so you can see the [space].
The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2835. The arguments are: ErrorIcon, ErrorDialog,
Error 1001. Error 1001. Could not find a part of the path
‘C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\MSEnvShared\Addins’.
MSI (s) (F8!84) [00:45:13:211]:
DEBUG: Error 2769: Custom Action _CFD4385A_C70B_46CE_9257_957A2E318EB4.install did not close 1 MSIHANDLEs.
The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2769. The arguments are: _CFD4385A_C70B_46CE_9257_957A2E318EB4.install, 1,
CustomAction _CFD4385A_C70B_46CE_9257_957A2E318EB4.install returned actual error code 1603 (note this may not be 100% accurate if translation happened inside sandbox)
I’m not sure what is going on.
Is the account you are using an administrator on the computer?
Karl
Karl, I’m admin on the PC.
I could let you login to it if you want via logmein or something?
Alternatively if that doesn’t suit, I can upload a video showing the folders, and the install failure, if that sounds easier?
Anyway I’d love to get these tools back working, as the thoughts of editing grid rows and columns manually now is not good.
I’m at a loss for what to do. No one has had this issue.
What are the permissions for the Addins folder?
On my machine, the administrator has full access.
Karl
Karl this are Junction Points in windows 7, and apparently access is denied by default.
This is what I found online:
Application Data is not an actual folder, it is a Junction which is only there for backward compatibility. A Junction is a shortcut that redirects files and programs to a different location.
This particular Junction points to the C:Users\username\AppData\Roaming folder.
Karl,
Any ideas, I’m finding the messing around with XAML really tough without your XAML Power Toys?
The install failure is probably something to do with windows 7 junctions.
If its better to contact via email I’m on deferm@hotmail.com
Let me see if I can carve out 1/2 a day this weekend and ship a new version of XAML Power Toys. I’ll move the settings file location under My Documents. Problem solved.
Sorry you are having this problem.
Karl
Karl, that is brilliant, I owe you a pint!
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
<>
Does this mean it won’t work with C# Express?
Express SKUs’ can’t be extended by developers.
“Express SKUs’ can’t be extended by developers.”
Oh, well – I’ll use it at work, although I had to jump through a bit of a hoop to do so: the download page is dubbed “off limits” by my corporate filter, I don’t know why. So, I downloaded it on my home machine (where C# Express lives) and will install it at work (where Visual Studio 2010 lives).
Where there’s a will there’s a beneficiary.
Hi Mr.Karl,
I tried to use XAML Power Toys for my project but when i create the Business Form i got this problem :
—————————
Create Business Form
—————————
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
—————————
OK
—————————
I just create the Grid with 2 cols & 6 rows with label and textbox.
I think it’s a serious error – it make my vs shut down
Not sure why you are seeing this. Sorry you are having a problem.
I”m no longer working on this version of the code. I’ve converted the project to C# and have greatly simplified core componets that solve the problem you are seeing.
Should be another couple of weeks.
Karl
I get this err msg:
‘UniClientViewModel’: member names cannot be the same as their enclosing type C:\_UniClientNextGen\UniClient\ViewModel\UniClientViewModel.cs
…in this code automagically supplied by XPT:
public UniClientViewModel UniClientViewModel
{
get { return _uniClientViewModel; }
set
{
_uniClientViewModel = value;
RaisePropertyChanged("UniClientViewModel");
}
}
If I comment all that out, the build succeeds, but that’s obviously not the preferred method (no pun intended)
I don’t understand.
It looks like you selected the UniClientViewModel class in XPT as your model for you view model. You can’t select your view model as your model. Select an entity object as your model.
Karl
What I want?
I want to associate a ViewModel with the XAML and be able to HOP back and forth between the Property and its listing in the XAML.
I have a TON of files with similar names – sometimes I even end up in the wrong VM or View! lol
So – Say I got “InvoiceView.xaml/.cs” as my view. And InvoiceViewModel.cs as the VM. Now, I have an object called Billing in XaMl …
From the xaml – like Studios “code behind” jump – I want to be able to Hyperlink to the VM Code defined for billing….and Vice Versa. That would save me a TON of time
JUST THAT
Have you considered nesting your VM under you V in the Solution Explorer?
Check this out: http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/9d6ef0ce-2bef-4a82-9a84-7718caa5bb45
Karl
I use a very specific architecture – my VM is not within the same assembly as the view.
Visual Studio already has a good way to locate other files by pressing CTRL+, (control comma)
However, I do like your suggestion of VS providing a way to associate a view with a view model, not sure if this feature is being worked on or not.
You “could” write you own macro or add-in that did this for you. The implementation would be very customer specific. I solved it by nesting files. You could solve it by naming convention, or other metadata you already have.
Best,
Karl
I noted when using ‘Edit Grid Columns and Rows’ with 15 or 20 items that the edit box that comes up does not have a scroll bar – it shoots past the bottom of my screen and I’m unable to reach the “ok” button at all.
Thank you for reporting this. I’ll get this sorted out.
Cheers,
Karl
[...] 2011/06/02 12:21:28:http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys/ カテゴリー: Uncategorized 投稿者: jupiter333 — コメントする 6月 2, 2011 [...]
[...] http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys/#ScreenShots [...]
[...] presentation I was mentioning the use of Karl Shifflett’s XAML Power Toys. You can get that at http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys/. If you are building business forms, it really is a time [...]
Hi Karl
I have downloded source code of Xaml Power Toyes2010.I run that source code in VS2010 win7 64bit but that is not given output.After run I have create one WPF project and right click on Xaml File but that is not show Xaml Power Toyes tab.
Please Let me know what is a problem with my runnable code.
Regards,
Masum
Masum,
If you download and install XAML Power Toys does it work properly?
Writing your own Visual Studio 2010 Add-In, while not difficult does require some training as there are differences between writing your own add-in and running one.
Did you read the “Read Me Now.txt” file in the solution folder? This provides the information necessary to run the application from within Visual Studio.
Karl
Hi Karl
I have install Xaml Power Toys that works fine.
I have reade “Read Me Now .txt” file also but I didn’t get that point.
“\Visual studio 2010\addins” type of folder is not in my computer.
Then please tell me how to create Add-in in Visual studio 2010.
I hve used tat Read Me Now.txt file and create my own folder Addins in this Path “C:\Users\masum\Addins\” and put that testing.Addin file in this folder but is not working.
Please if you can give me any suggection then please give me.
MAsum
Masum,
I strongly recommend that you start with a very simple VS Add-In. Learn how to write one, test one, deploy, etc.
Then tackle XAML Power Toys. This is a very complex addin and I just don’t have the cycles to teach writing addins.
You can add the \Addins folder, then follow the instructions. Also, the \Addins folder gets created the first time you create a new addin in VS.
BTW: I’m 70% complete writing a new version. The new version is written different and is much faster.
Karl
Karl
I read the “Read Me Now.txt” file and set all path but still Xaml Power Toys is not working.It did’t give output.
But I did’t get meaning of the following line
“When you are running the LIVE version from the Little Richie Software direcotry, either remove or rename the “XAMLPowerToys2010 – For Testing.AddIn” file to avoid confusion.”
I don’t want to install Xaml Power Toys.I just want to run that source code.
Masum
Masum,
You wrote: But I did’t get meaning of the following line
“When you are running the LIVE version from the Little Richie Software direcotry, either remove or rename the “XAMLPowerToys2010 – For Testing.AddIn” file to avoid confusion.”
Repeating: I strongly recommend that you start with a very simple VS Add-In. Learn how to write one, test one, deploy, etc.
There are a lot of moving parts with these add-ins that you must learn and understand. XAML Power Toys is a very complex addin and I just don’t have the time to teach writing addins.
All that said, you should not have trouble running the applicaiton in Visual Studio.
Karl
[...] like the ViewModel creator which automates the VM creation … You can download it from here Share this [...]
[...] http://karlshifflett.wordpress.com/xaml-power-toys/ [...]
This is a truly great piece of work. Thanks very much.
Karl, why is it not available via NuGet?
Zoli,
Thanks for your kind words. I’m currently working on the next version, MUCH better.
The new version will be available on the Visual Studio as well as my gallery.
NuGet is solution based delivery, while Visual Studio Gallery or my blog delivers an .exe that is installed.
Cheers,
Karl
Hi Karl,
Can you give an example using a combo box and fill them with data from remote database such as SQL.
Thanks.
Great tool !
Robert
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys provides a code generation workflow for MVVM pattern. It will generate the viewmodel and also the view by reading a class automatically. [...]
Let me thank you as well, Karl. These “Power Toys” are great.
[...] 工具七：XAML Power Toys [...]
Hello all,
I am trying to download the XAML Power Toys but when I click the link I am taken to a SkyDive site that says “This item might not exist or is no longer available”. It appears that the tools were available as recently as February 27, 2012… does anyone know if they will be available again or if I’m just doing something wrong when I try to download them?
Thanks,
Chris.
I’m able to download the files. Can you try again.
Best,
Karl
I was able to download it eventually… weird.
Same problem with the message on Skydrive. (:
James,
Try logging in from home. I’ve had reports from developers that they can’t get to the skydrive from work.
Let me know.
Karl
Karl,
Tonight I was able to download it, thanks (same computer, btw).
Jim
Jim,
Thanks for the update. I’m concerned that so many developers are having a problem. Wonder if its a browser issue?
I’ll try and find another location for my .zip files.
Best,
Karl
Hello,
I’m trying to download the XML power toys for vs 2010 but the page redirected to skydive where the file is no longer exist, any body have this file to send it to me?
Thanks
Hammam
Hammam,
Many visitors have had trouble accessing the SkyDrive. Not sure what is up. I can get there right now, not sure why some folks can’t.
If possible, try accessing the SkyDrive from home or another system.
I’ll try and find a better file hosting solution. I’m rewriting XAML Power Toys, you’ll love the new version.
Apologies for the SkyDrive
Karl
Hammam,
Are you using IE? If not, can you try using IE. This is just a wild guess.
Karl
Hamman,
Can you please navigate to here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=51de981e071f222b
Then drill into the XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2010 folder.
Over the next few weeks I’m releasing a NEW version, complete rewrite of XAML Power Toys.
It uses T4 templates so it will support any XAML technology, just by editing the template for your platform if you don’t like what I provide.
Best to you,
Karl
Hello,
The file is no longer exist on Skydrive.
Great work Karl !
Thanks
Thierry
Thierry,
Many visitors have had trouble accessing the SkyDrive. Not sure what is up. I can get there right now, not sure why some folks can’t.
If possible, try accessing the SkyDrive from home or another system.
I’ll try and find a better file hosting solution. I’m rewriting XAML Power Toys, you’ll love the new version.
Apologies for the SkyDrive
Karl
Thierry,
Are you using IE? If not, can you try using IE. This is just a wild guess.
Karl
HI,
The file is no longer exist on Skydrive. I checked it with IE and other Browsers.
Please update the link
Maybe Dropbox will work to many people 
Best regards,
ko
Ko,
I just went there, it’s there. Can you try from your home tonight? No telling what is up with SkyDrive as Microsoft is making many changes to get it working with Win8.
The files are in my public folder with over 100,000 downloads.
Let me know,
Karl
Moo,
Can you please navigate to here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=51de981e071f222b
Then drill into the XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2010 folder.
Over the next few weeks I’m releasing a NEW version, complete rewrite of XAML Power Toys.
It uses T4 templates so it will support any XAML technology, just by editing the template for your platform if you don’t like what I provide.
Best to you,
Karl
Karl,
I try IE 9, Firefox 11, chrome 17 with no succes.
Same at home with no special firewall configuration
I am looking forward to testing the new version !
Thierry
Thierry,
Apologies for the trouble. I’ll start looking for another public file share next week.
Cheers,
Karl
Thierry,
Can you please navigate to here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=51de981e071f222b
Then drill into the XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2010 folder.
Over the next few weeks I’m releasing a NEW version, complete rewrite of XAML Power Toys.
It uses T4 templates so it will support any XAML technology, just by editing the template for your platform if you don’t like what I provide.
Best to you,
Karl
This
Download XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2010 v6.1.0.0
is not available…
Sara,
The SkyDrive has been giving others trouble too.
I’m in the process of trying to find an alternate location to host the files.
Sorry for the trouble.
Karl
Sara,
Can you please navigate to here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=51de981e071f222b
Then drill into the XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2010 folder.
Over the next few weeks I’m releasing a NEW version, complete rewrite of XAML Power Toys.
It uses T4 templates so it will support any XAML technology, just by editing the template for your platform if you don’t like what I provide.
Best to you,
Karl
Hi Karl
I am unable to download any of the files from your SkyDrive. Any luck with finding an alternative hosting solution?
David
David not yet. I’m heads down getting ready for the Boise Code Camp this Sat.
Apologies,
Soon,
Karl
David,
Can you please navigate to here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=51de981e071f222b
Then drill into the XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2010 folder.
Over the next few weeks I’m releasing a NEW version, complete rewrite of XAML Power Toys.
It uses T4 templates so it will support any XAML technology, just by editing the template for your platform if you don’t like what I provide.
Best to you,
Karl
Hi Karl!
1) I am unable to download any of the files from your SkyDrive. Are the download files at another location?
2) Are you planning to update the Power Toys for Silverlight 5?
Eric
Eric,
Can you please navigate to here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=51de981e071f222b
Then drill into the XAML Power Toys for Visual Studio 2010 folder.
Over the next few weeks I’m releasing a NEW version, complete rewrite of XAML Power Toys.
It uses T4 templates so it will support any XAML technology, just by editing the template for your platform if you don’t like what I provide.
Best to you,
Karl
Will there be “XAML Power Toys” for VS 2012?
I’m not using VS 2012, have not even installed it.
I’m working on a major update to VS 2010 version, if it works (which it should) on VS 2012 I’ll publishing it. No time frame at this point.
Best,
Karl
What do you mean you’re not working 24x(6.5) on the next crazy kool set of WPF/Silverlight/Blend tools?! It’s still hard to stop seeing you as our representative at MS, and back with “us”. I’m sure your followers would say that any further tools, enhancements etc. are greatly appreciated, and not taken for granted by any of us.
Great weekend
Ken
Brad Christovich (@bchristovich)
I tried to install your XAML Power Toys but kept getting the folowing message:
Error 1001. Could not find a part of the path ‘C:\ProgramData\ApplicationData\MSEnvShared\ddins’.
I am using Visual Studio 2010
Version 10.0.40219.SP1
I have also installed Silverlight 3-5 SDK’s and the Silverlight 5 Tool kit(Dec 2011)
I have watched your videos and looked at your examples and would really like to use your tools. Any ideas as to what is wrong.
Hi Brad,
I’ve never heard of this before.
1. Are you running the install as an administrator?
2. What O/S are you using?
3. 64 or 32 bit?
Karl
I am running the setup.exe as Administrator, I am using Windows 7 Ultimate and it is 64 bit version.
Karl,
In an attempt to isolate the problem I tried to install different addin. I loaded the Power Tools from Microsoft. They installed perfectly as an extension. I am now trying to discern the difference between an extension and a addin. Just a update for how I am trying to find the install problem.
Hi Karl!
About the viewmodel creator and INotifyOfPropertyChange:
Im using the caliburn micro mvvm framework which has built in (Lambda) INotifyOfPropertyChange support.
The syntax is:
NotifyOfPropertyChange(() => Id);
instead of
NotifyPropertyChanged(“Id”);
Is there any chance to implement this in power toys as selectable INPC Method?
Want try it my self with the source, but cant open the project in my version of VS 2010 (Projecttype not supported)
Greets,
Michael
Michael,
Sorry for the delay in replying.
This would be very easy to do but I’m so short on time.
Not sure why you can’t open the project as long as you don’t have the express version of VS.
This winter, I will be updating XAML Power Toys and making it MUCH faster. I’ll include your feature in that release.
Best,
Karl
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
Karl,
your tool is excellent, one small thing I saw is a typo on your Help screen.
Regards.
Oscar
Please tell me a version of this is in development for VS2012.
David,
Have not started yet, will look into this later this year.
Best to you,
Karl
[...] I have been working on a project to update Karl Shifflett’s XAML Power Toys for use in Visual Studio 2012. Shifflett’s last update to the tools was in 2010 and only [...]
[...] XAML Power Toys [...]
Hello Karl,
I’m waiting eagerly for the t4-upate with VS2012 Support. Is there a schedule?
Only the Best to you,
Otto
Otto,
Sorry I’ve been doing so many other things. I have two websites I’m working on and will do this next.
Best to you, sorry for the delay,
Karl