Is it possible to host WPF Core (.NET 5.0) content in an MFC application?

Question

Is it possible to host WPF Core (.NET 5.0) content in an MFC application? I see tutorials on how to host WPF content in Win32 (such as https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/desktop/wpf/advanced/walkthrough-hosting-wpf-content-in-win32?view=netframeworkdesktop-4.8) but everything I find is related to the .NET Framework and/or WinForms. I have tried and failed on my own to do this, but I am looking for confirmation that it is not possible, as opposed to me having made mistakes in my attempts.

If I have made mistakes or am being too limited in my thinking, does anyone have any advice to accomplish the task of hosting WPF Core (.NET 5.0) content in an MFC application? Can I host a .NET 5.0 user control in some kind .NET Framework wrapper in some way and then display that in MFC?

Any input is appreciated.

Answer 1

I use ElementHost to embed WPF controls in C++/Win 32 or MFC

Test with a rotated WPF Button =>

Set :
Common Language Runtime Support (/clr)
Debug Information Format : C7 compatible (/Z7)
Enable C++ Exceptions : No
Basic Runtime Checks : Default

In pch.h :

#using <PresentationFramework.dll>  
#using <PresentationCore.dll>  
#using <WindowsBase.dll>  
  
#using <System.Windows.Forms.dll>  
#using <WindowsFormsIntegration.dll>  
#using <System.dll>  
  
#using <System.Drawing.dll>  

Test code for the rotated Button :

	System::Windows::Controls::Canvas^ canvas = gcnew System::Windows::Controls::Canvas();  
	System::Windows::Controls::Button^ btn1 = gcnew System::Windows::Controls::Button();  
	btn1->Content = "Test Button";  
	btn1->SetValue(System::Windows::Controls::Canvas::LeftProperty, 50.0);  
	btn1->Width = 200;  
	btn1->Height = 40;  
	canvas->Children->Add(btn1);  
  
	System::Windows::Media::RotateTransform^ rotateTransform1 = gcnew System::Windows::Media::RotateTransform(45);  
	btn1->RenderTransform = rotateTransform1;  
  
	System::Windows::Forms::Integration::ElementHost^ eh = gcnew System::Windows::Forms::Integration::ElementHost();  
	eh->Child = canvas;  
	eh->Location = System::Drawing::Point(100, 100);  
	eh->Size = System::Drawing::Size(300, 300);  
	eh->BackgroundImage = gcnew System::Drawing::Bitmap("e:\\blue-floral-background-flower-vector-3286564.jpg");  
  
	HWND hWndWrapper = (HWND)eh->Handle.ToPointer();  
	::SetParent(hWndWrapper, m_hWnd);  

Answer 2

Hi, @Stacy O’Malley

You can also refer to the thread: How do I host WPF content in MFC Applications

Best regards,

Minxin Yu

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