Last modified on 9 April 2021, at 12:00

XAML

Revision as of 12:00, 9 April 2021 by LGE (Talk | contribs) (Advanced)

The WinX User Interface can be vastly customized using XAML. Starting with Version 3.2, this customizing experience can be largely controlled with the new Developer Mode.

Templates

The UI is controlled by several predefined XAML templates which are loaded into the App at startup. There is a set of default template deployed with the App at installation, however, each of them can be overridden by placing the respective file in the folder [AppInstallPath]\LocalState\XAML For further information see UBIK Templates.

General

Controls the overall styling and behavior of the App, like standard Brushes (Colors) and Fonts.

AuthenticationPage

AuthenticationPage
  • UBIKSplashArea.xaml
  • UBIKPageNavigation.xaml -> Deprecated and changed to UBIKHomePageButtons.xaml
  • UBIKProfileItem.xaml


Content Pages

  • UBIKObjectIcon.xaml
  • UBIKObjectIconSmall.xaml


RootPage

RootPage
  • UBIKMainLeftArea.xaml
  • UBIKMainItem.xaml
  • UBIKMainItemSmall.xaml


ChildPage

ChildPage
  • UBIKChildItem.xaml
  • UBIKChildItemSmall.xaml
  • UBIKChildArea.xaml
  • UBIKChildAreaSmall.xaml
  • UBIKChildAction.xaml
  • UBIKPriorityPropertyItem.xaml


DetailsPage

  • UBIKDocumentItem.xaml
  • UBIKDocumentItemSmall.xaml


Specific UBIK® Controls

Basic

CoolGridSplitter (UBIK.WinX.Controls)

Allows to make rows or columns of a grid user-resizable

Example:

<uc:CoolGridSplitter
   x:Name="ChildAreaGridSplitter"
   Height="10"
   HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Bottom"
   Background="Transparent"
   Foreground="White"
   ResizeBehavior="CurrentAndNext" ResizeDirection2="Rows"/>

UBIKImageEditor

UWP

It's essentially the SfImageEditor from Syncfusion. Theoretically, customizability mentioned in their official documentations should be supported in UBIK® out of the box. One example is to customize the visibility of the toolbar of such an image editor. The following example hides the toolbar.

xmlns:ctrls="using:UBIK.WinX.UI.Controls"
<ctrls:UBIKImageEditor ...
   xmlns:sfImageEditor="using:Syncfusion.UI.Xaml.ImageEditor">
    <sfImageEditor:SfImageEditor.ToolbarSettings>
        <sfImageEditor:ToolbarSettings IsToolbarVisiblity="False"/>
    </sfImageEditor:SfImageEditor.ToolbarSettings>
</ctrls:UBIKImageEditor>

Xamarin

It's essentially the SfImageEditor from Syncfusion. Theoretically, customizability mentioned in their official documentations should be supported in UBIK® out of the box. One example is to customize the visibility of the toolbar of such an image editor. The following example hides the toolbar.

xmlns:ctrls="clr-namespace:UBIK.CPL.Controls;assembly=UBIK.CPL"
<ctrls:UBIKImageEditor ...
   xmlns:sfImageEditor="clr-namespace:Syncfusion.SfImageEditor.XForms;assembly=Syncfusion.SfImageEditor.XForms">
    <sfImageEditor:SfImageEditor.ToolbarSettings>
        <sfImageEditor:ToolbarSettings IsVisible="false" />
    </sfImageEditor:SfImageEditor.ToolbarSettings>
</ctrls:UBIKImageEditor>

The MergeAnnotationsOnSave property allows to configure whether annotations should be shared through the UBIK® property from the respective Annotation classification (false, default), or if they should be merged directly into the original file (true):

<ctrls:UBIKImageEditor MergeAnnotationsOnSave="true" <!--true to merge automatically, false to use the classification-->
   ...
</ctrls:UBIKImageEditor>

Advanced

EvalExpression

Allows to evaluate a C# expression in XAML, using any amount of EvalExpressionParameters

Converters

These are classes in our code used to convert one form of data into another (For example: string to color, bool to string, color to string…). We are using it often on Data Bindings, so we can simply ‘change’ the data that got provided by the model. Mostly, in our environment, we use the Converters for the Visibility Property, Background Property or the Source Property (converting Byte to an Image).

Initialization of a converter in a XAML file:

 <converters:ItemCountLesserThanToVisibilityConverter
x:Key="ItemCountLesserThanToColConverter"
EqualOrBiggerThan="Visible"
LesserThan="Collapsed" />
<!-- This Converter example specifically counts the items that will go into a container (ListView etc..) and gets a parameter passed when it should be a certain visibility. Next example shows you how to configure your converter.-->


Using the ItemCountLesserThanToVisiblity in a visibility attribute:

 <Visibility="{Binding Source={StaticResource RootListFilter}, Path=Count, Converter={StaticResource ItemCountLesserThanToColConverter }, ConverterParameter=13, FallbackValue=Collapsed}"/>
<!--In this case is the parameter 13, so when it gets passed the Count gets checked e.g. how many items there are and when it’s under 13 it will collapse. -->


Example of an EqualToVisConverter being used in order to set the visibility of a grid:

 <Grid Visibility="{Binding Values [MP_SCOPECHANGE], Converter={StaticResource EqualToVisConverter}, ConverterParameter=30}">
</Grid>
<!--The grid will be ONLY visible if the value of this MetaProperty equals the value of the converter parameter. -->


Example of a StringFormatConverter, which converts a value into a string and also accepts a parameter, in this case the GlobalDateTimeFormat, which ‘tells’ the converter how to format the string:

 <TextBlock Grid.Row="1" Text="{Binding Values [MP_LATE_START_MATAP], Converter={StaticResource StringFormatConverter}, ConverterParameter={StaticResource GlobalDateTimeFormat} }"/>

List of all converters

For a complete and up-to-date list of all converters, please refer to the developer mode.


Advanced

Returns a formatted string where placeholders will be filled with values supplied to its parameter properties (Param0, Param1, Param2).

Example:

    <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
        <StackPanel.Resources>
            <!--  Instantiate the converter and bind the the Param0 to a SearchBox on this page  -->
            <converters:StringFormatConverter x:Key="URIConverter" Param0="{Binding ElementName=SkypeQuery, Path=QueryText}" />
        </StackPanel.Resources>
        <!--  Create a SearchBox that calls the typed Name via Skype on enter  -->
        <SearchBox
           x:Name="SkypeQuery"
           Width="240" Height="40"
           FontSize="18"
           PlaceholderText="Call Skype">
            <Interactivity:Interaction.Behaviors>
                <Core:EventTriggerBehavior EventName="QuerySubmitted">
                    <Core:InvokeCommandAction
                         Command="{Binding NavigateToURICommand}"
                         CommandParameter="{Binding ElementName=SkypeQuery, Path=QueryText, Converter={StaticResource URIConverter},
                         ConverterParameter=skype\:\{0\}\?call }" />

                </Core:EventTriggerBehavior>
            </Interactivity:Interaction.Behaviors>
        </SearchBox>
    </StackPanel>


Evaluates a C# expression with 3 optional variables (Param0, Param1, Param2) and returns the result. The object fed into the converter can be referenced in the expression as Context.

Example:

    <Grid>
        <Grid.Resources>
            <!--  Instantiate the converter and bind the Context to the current DataContext, the Param0 to a UI element of this page  -->
            <converters:EvalExpressionConverter x:Key="CodeConverter" Context="{Binding}" Param0="{Binding ElementName=ChildListView, Path=Name}" />
        </Grid.Resources>
        <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
            <!--  Create a TextBox where we can enter a C# expression  -->
            <TextBox
               x:Name="CodeQuery"
               MinWidth="240" Height="40"
               FontSize="18"
               PlaceholderText="Expression">
            </TextBox>
            <!--  Create a TextBlock where we display the result of the compiled expression -->
            <TextBlock Text="{Binding ElementName=CodeQuery, Path=Text, Converter={StaticResource CodeConverter}}" />
        </StackPanel>
    </Grid>


Outdated and replaced by the ListCollectionView.


Converts a template selector to use templates with a certain suffix (e.g. "_Grid" to use "UBIKChildItem_Grid.xaml" instead of "UBIKChildItem.xaml"). The small template file name will be combined as <TemplateName><Suffix>Small.xaml (e.g. "UBIKChildItem_GridSmall.xaml").

Example:

    <Grid>
        <Grid.Resources>
            <!--  Instantiate the template selectors and bind them to the instance of the coverter  -->
            <tpl:ChildItemTemplateSelector x:Key="ChildItemTemplateSelector" />
            <tpl:ChildItemTemplateSmallSelector x:Key="ChildItemTemplateSmallSelector" />
            <converters:ChildItemTemplateSelectorSuffixConverter x:Key="ChildItemTemplateSelectorSuffixConv" TemplateSelector="{Binding Source={StaticResource ChildItemTemplateSelector}}" TemplateSmallSelector="{Binding Source={StaticResource ChildItemTemplateSmallSelector}}"/>
        </Grid.Resources>
        <!-- The itemselector template binds to the suffix that should be used (in this case a binding to a stored profile parameter is used to switch the item template suffix between "_Grid" and "_List" -->

        <StackPanel>
            <CheckBox Grid.Column="0">
                <Interactivity:Interaction.Behaviors>
                    <Core:EventTriggerBehavior EventName="Checked">
                        <!-- Store the Profile Variable "ChildItemsViewMode" to Grid or List - depending on the check state of the check box -->
                        <Core:InvokeCommandAction Command="{Binding StoreProfileParameterCommand}" CommandParameter="ChildItemsViewMode=_Grid"/>
                    </Core:EventTriggerBehavior>
                    <Core:EventTriggerBehavior EventName="Unchecked">
                        <Core:InvokeCommandAction Command="{Binding StoreProfileParameterCommand}" CommandParameter="ChildItemsViewMode=_List"/>
                    </Core:EventTriggerBehavior>
                </Interactivity:Interaction.Behaviors>
            </CheckBox>
            <ListView
                   x:Name="ChildListView"
                   HorizontalContentAlignment="Stretch"
                   ItemTemplateSelector="{Binding Path=StoredProfileParameters[ChildItemsViewMode], Converter={StaticResource ChildItemTemplateSelectorSuffixConv}, ConverterParameter=Normal, FallbackValue=List}"
                   ItemsPanel="{StaticResource ChildPageItemsPanelTemplate}"
                   ItemsSource="{Binding Children.Items}"
                   ScrollViewer.VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" SelectionMode="None">
                <ListView.ItemContainerStyle>
                    <Style TargetType="ListViewItem">
                        <Setter Property="HorizontalContentAlignment" Value="Stretch" />
                        <Setter Property="Padding" Value="0" />
                        <Setter Property="Margin" Value="0,0,16,0" />
                    </Style>
                </ListView.ItemContainerStyle>
                <ListView.ItemContainerTransitions>
                    <TransitionCollection>
                        <EntranceThemeTransition FromHorizontalOffset="400" />
                    </TransitionCollection>
                </ListView.ItemContainerTransitions>
            </ListView>
        </StackPanel>
    </Grid>

Properties

IC Hint square.pngThe previously listed available properties for binding is removed from here. Since it's more accurate and up-to-date to use the Developer Mode to inspect them in your version of the clients.

Commands

IC Hint square.pngThe previously listed available commands for binding is removed from here. Since it's more accurate and up-to-date to use the Developer Mode to inspect them in your version of the clients.

Examples for commands with complex parameters

CaptureMediaCommand

UWP

<Button
   ...
   xmlns:controls="using:UBIK.WinX.Controls"
   Command="{Binding CaptureMediaCommand}">
    <Button.CommandParameter>
        <controls:KeyValueList>
            <controls:KeyValueParameter Key="MediaCaptureMode" Value="Video" />
            <controls:KeyValueParameter Key="ChildMetaDefUid" Value="6170a068-2314-4444-ad62-0da99769a048" />
        </controls:KeyValueList>
    </Button.CommandParameter>
</Button>

Xamarin

<Button
   ...
   xmlns:classes="clr-namespace:UBIK.CPL.Classes;assembly=UBIK.CPL"
   Command="{Binding CaptureMediaCommand}">
    <Button.CommandParameter>
        <classes:KeyValueList>
            <classes:KeyValueParameter Key="MediaCaptureMode" Value="Video" />
            <classes:KeyValueParameter Key="ChildMetaDefUid" Value="6170a068-2314-4444-ad62-0da99769a048" />
        </classes:KeyValueList>
    </Button.CommandParameter>
</Button>
IC Hint square.pngThe KeyValueList parameter is supported only . In previous versions, simple string parameters were supported.
IC Attention.pngWhether the creation succeeds also depends on the server configuration. For example, if "*.mp4" is not included as a selective list item in the file type meta property, video document creation will not be possible.
  • MediaCaptureMode: Photo, Video, Audio. Defaults to Photo if unspecified;
  • ChildMetaDefUid: The Guid of the child meta definition to be used for creating the captured media document. If unspecified, the client will simply pick the first child meta definition that is of media type and is allowed under the current context/parent object.

Differences between Xamarin and UWP

As you maybe already noticed we have two different clients, one is WinX UWP and the other one Xamarin, which is used to develop clients for three different platforms namely iOS, Android and new UWP (-> it doesn’t really differentiate from the previously mentioned UWP except it’s developed in a different framework which is Xamarin in this case). The customizing stays the same in case of the syntax, but there are some differences in the naming of controls and attributes. Unfortunately, there is no decent documentation of these differences, but the Microsoft documentation and in general the internet can support you when searching e.g. for a control in Xamarin that you used in UWP. More specific documentations about Xamarin Customizing can be found under Xamarin XAML.

Namespace changes

Starting from the UBIK UWP client, we have restructured & renamed some of our outdated or inaccurate namespaces. This means modifications are necessary for any previous XAML customizing code that refers to these changed namespaces. The complete list of such changes is documented below.

V.2.6 V.3.0
Name-
space
prefix
UBIK.Win8 UBIK.WinX
UBIK.WinX.UI UBIK.UI
UBIK.WinX.Utility UBIK.Utility
UBIK.WinX.Library UBIK.Library
UBIK.WinX.DataProvider UBIK.DataProvider
UBIK.WinX.SyncHandler UBIK.SyncHandler
UBIK.WinX.DatabaseConnector UBIK.DatabaseConnector
UBIK.WinX.ContentDatabase UBIK.ContentDatabase
UBIK.WinX.MRO UBIK.MRO
UBIK.WinX.Coding UBIK.Coding
UBIK.WinX.DataService UBIK.DataService
UBIK.WinX.Redlining UBIK.Redlining
UBIK.WinX.Positioning UBIK.Positioning

Take the namespace UBIK.Win8 for example, it is now changed to UBIK.WinX. A few affected XAML namespace references are e.g.

  • using:UBIK.Win8.Views -> using:UBIK.WinX.Views
  • using:UBIK.Win8.GART.Controls -> using:UBIK.WinX.GART.Controls

Important notes on the namespace UBIK.WinX.UI:

  • One exception is the namespace UBIK.WinX.UI.CollectionView. It is not changed since the content is indeed WinX specific.
  • For namespaces that are changed from UBIK.Win8.UI such as UBIK.Win8.UI.Controls, do not further remove the WinX segment even though the results are something like UBIK.WinX.UI.Controls.

Further information regarding XAML