Expression Blend: Template loops (no problems in Cider, though)
In one of my side-projects, I wanted to create a kind of lightweight treeview, as simple as possible: An item can contain a list of items; each item is simple represented by a string. In OO design, it’s rather easy: You crate a DataItem class, which contains a Description and a collection of DataItems (children).
Wanting to take advantage of ControlTemplates and DataTemplates, I thought I would create the following structure in WPF:
- Window
– Grid
– Control
– Template “MyControlTemplate” (ControlTemplate)
– TextBlock “Description”
– ItemsControl
– ItemTemplate “MyDataTemplate” (DataTemplate)
– Control
– ControlTemplate “MyControlTemplate”
Note that there is no infinite recursion: I have a finite number of items; if the collection of children is empty, no DataTemplate should be instantiated.
In order to make the design easier, and as I use to do nowadays in WPF, I use the Model-ViewModel-View pattern which I described (with other names, but still) here. I then found out that strangely enough, Expression Blend is unable to display the structure, even though Cider (in Orcas September CTP) doesn’t have any problems with it.
I submitted this case to the Blend team. I met them last time I was in Redmond, and they’re great guys, who do listen to their customers!
A test project where this problem can be visualized is available on my site.

