Blend and C#

[gigahertz205]

I dont know if this is possible, but is there a way to create GUIs for programs that i write in Visual C# Express 2008?

Say i write a program that does bank transactions. I know you can create GUIs using C# System.Forms and stuff, but i just want to know if you can create GUI in Blend and apply it to C# programs. It would be much quicker and look cooler if this is possible.

Thanks

[kirupa]

Yep - it is definitely possible, but you need to make sure you are creating a WPF application. WinForms is a different (older) UI technology, and Blend only works with the UI (loose XAML files) created in WPF.

So, you can create a new WPF project in Visual C# 2008 and open (and edit) the same project in Blend, and everything will still work. The way I have my system setup, I have the same project open in both VS and Blend, and I use VS for editing the *.cs file and I use Blend for editing the *.xaml file ;)

[alexgeek]

I get an error if I create a WPF project in VS C# 2008 and open with Blend :/

[gigahertz205]

Yep - it is definitely possible, but you need to make sure you are creating a WPF application. WinForms is a different (older) UI technology, and Blend only works with the UI (loose XAML files) created in WPF.

So, you can create a new WPF project in Visual C# 2008 and open (and edit) the same project in Blend, and everything will still work. The way I have my system setup, I have the same project open in both VS and Blend, and I use VS for editing the *.cs file and I use Blend for editing the *.xaml file ;)
When i try to open the csproj file, it says "imported project "C:\Microsoft.CSharp.targets" was not found."

I tried to open the xaml separately, but different error occurs. Any ideas?

[kirupa]

That's weird. If you do the exact opposite where you create a new project in Blend and then open that project in VS/VC#, does it work then?

[gigahertz205]

Mm hmm. Creating project in blend and i can open the .cs file. Just to make sure, I edit the App.xaml.cs no the AssemblyInfo.cs to write my program right?

[kirupa]

You edit the Window1.xaml.cs in VS :)

This tutorial should help you out: http://www.kirupa.com/net/creating_simple_wpf_gui_app_pg1.htm

[alexgeek]

So you don't open the project just the .cs?

[gigahertz205]

Yup, you just open the Windows1.xaml.cs file. I just finished that tutorial. It gives u a start.

[kirupa]

You can always right click on a .CS file in Blend and select "Edit Externally", and that will launch Visual C# automatically.