Inherited UserControl can not find XAML defined elements

Question

Hello,
As the title suggests, I have a UserControl, called "DashboardControl", that is used across all of our games in a project that is shared among the games. In each of our projects we have a uniquely defined Dashboard.XAMLs that is specific to that
project.
This works fine for all of our projects but now I need to add some additional functionality unique to one project so I created a new UserControl called "GameSpecificDashboardControl" that inherits from the Dashboard. I changed the XAML so that
it references the GameSpecificDashboardControl as it's view model. Unfortunately, whenever I call a Storyboard from the GameSpecificDashboardControl, I get the following error:
"WinDisplay" name can not be found in name scope of GameSpecificDashboardControl
In short, my GameSpecific is calling a Storyboard (which can be found) but the storyboard is trying to change an element that can not be found. What doesnt make sense is that not only is WinDisplay clearly defined in the XAML, but Snoop also shows the WinDisplay
exists, as well as looping through the visual tree shows that WinDisplay exists.
I'd appreciate any help anyone can give on this issue, I'm lost on ideas at this point.
NOTE: If I move the 'sbBigWinIntro' & 'sbBigWinEnd' code to the 'PART_SBWinTickerIntro' & 'PART_SBWinTickerEnd' storyboards, I get no error. Unfortunately I need these animations to execute under certain conditions so keeping them
in the PART_ storyboards doesnt work for me.
NOTE2: The PART_ storyboards mentioned above are called in the base DashboardControl which I can not include in this post.
Below are the XAML and code-behind files:
XAML
<ResourceDictionary
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:sys="clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib"
xmlns:views="clr-namespace:Frozen7ViewModule.Views"
xmlns:vwc="clr-namespace:ViewCommon;assembly=ViewCommon"
xmlns:vwcd="clr-namespace:ViewCommon.Dashboard;assembly=ViewCommon"
xmlns:vwcc="clr-namespace:ViewCommon.Converters;assembly=ViewCommon"
xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
xmlns:diagnostics="clr-namespace:System.Diagnostics;assembly=WindowsBase"
xmlns:i="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/2010/interactivity"
xmlns:ei="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/2010/interactions"
xmlns:CustomControlLib="clr-namespace:CustomControlLib;assembly=CustomControlLib"
mc:Ignorable="d">
<Style TargetType="{x:Type views:GameSpecificDashboardControl}">
<Setter Property="BoundCustomerBalance" Value="{Binding CustomerBalance}"/>
<Setter Property="BoundWinAmount" Value="{Binding WinAmount}"/>
<Setter Property="BoundBetAmount" Value="{Binding BetAmount}"/>
<Setter Property="RaiseSoundCommand" Value="{Binding GVMSound.GameSoundCommand}"/>
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate>
<ControlTemplate.Resources>
<Storyboard x:Key="sbBigWinIntro" FillBehavior="HoldEnd" BeginTime="0:0:0.0">
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Canvas.Left)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinDisplay">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:1.0" Value="200"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Canvas.Top)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinDisplay">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:1.0" Value="-300"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.RenderTransform).(TransformGroup.Children)[0].(ScaleTransform.ScaleX)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinDisplay">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:1.0" Value="3"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.RenderTransform).(TransformGroup.Children)[0].(ScaleTransform.ScaleY)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinDisplay">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:1.0" Value="3"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Opacity)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinBox_SolidBack">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.5" Value="1"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="sbBigWinEnd" FillBehavior="HoldEnd">
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Canvas.Left)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinDisplay">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.5" Value="633"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Canvas.Top)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinDisplay">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.5" Value="348"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.RenderTransform).(TransformGroup.Children)[0].(ScaleTransform.ScaleX)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinDisplay">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.5" Value="1"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.RenderTransform).(TransformGroup.Children)[0].(ScaleTransform.ScaleY)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinDisplay">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.5" Value="1"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Opacity)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinBox_SolidBack">
<EasingDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.5" Value="0"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="PART_SBWinTickerIntro" FillBehavior="HoldEnd" BeginTime="0:0:0.0">
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="PART_SBWinTickerEnd" FillBehavior="HoldEnd">
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="PART_SBInfoTextIntro" FillBehavior="Stop">
</Storyboard>
</ControlTemplate.Resources>
<Canvas x:Name="GameStateTarget" Width="1680" Height="200">
<Canvas.Resources>
<Style TargetType="{x:Type TextBlock}">
<Setter Property="FontFamily" Value="/Frozen7ViewModule;component/Fonts/#Celtic Gaelige"/>
<Setter Property="HorizontalAlignment" Value="Center"/>
<Setter Property="Foreground" Value="White"/>
<Setter Property="FontSize" Value="60"/>
</Style>
<BooleanToVisibilityConverter x:Key="BooleanToVisibilityConverter" />
</Canvas.Resources>
<VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="ShowValueStateGroup">
<VisualState x:Name="ShowMoneyState">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinAmountCredits">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="CustomerBalanceCredits">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="BetAmountCredits">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="TBInfoText">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinAmountMoney">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="CustomerBalanceMoney">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="BetAmountMoney">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="TBInfoTextMoney">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="ShowCreditsState">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinAmountCredits">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="CustomerBalanceCredits">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="BetAmountCredits">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="TBInfoText">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="WinAmountMoney">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="CustomerBalanceMoney">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="BetAmountMoney">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="TBInfoTextMoney">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="VolumeStateGroup">
<VisualState x:Name="VolumeMaxState">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(ContentControl.Content)" Storyboard.TargetName="VolumePercentTarget">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="100"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="VolumeMediumState">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(ContentControl.Content)" Storyboard.TargetName="VolumePercentTarget">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="66"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="VolMed">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="VolMax">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="VolumeLowState">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(ContentControl.Content)" Storyboard.TargetName="VolumePercentTarget">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="33"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="VolLow">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="VolMax">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Hidden}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="GameDenominationStateGroup">
<VisualState x:Name="State_gfs7h25_cfg">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="OneDollarGameIcon">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="FiveDollarGameIcon">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="State_gfs7h100_cfg">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="TwentyFiveCentGameIcon">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="FiveDollarGameIcon">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="State_gfs7h500_cfg">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="TwentyFiveCentGameIcon">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="OneDollarGameIcon">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
<!--View Race States-->
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="RaceVideoOptionAvailableStateGroup">
<VisualState x:Name="RaceVideoOptionAvailableFalse">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="ViewRaceCanvas">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Visibility)" Storyboard.TargetName="MakePicksCanvas">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Canvas.Left)" Storyboard.TargetName="InfoCanvas">
<DiscreteDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.0" Value="1480"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Canvas.Top)" Storyboard.TargetName="InfoCanvas">
<DiscreteDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.0" Value="417"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Canvas.Top)" Storyboard.TargetName="VolCanvas">
<DiscreteDoubleKeyFrame KeyTime="0:0:0.0" Value="415"/>
</DoubleAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="RaceViewOptionAvailableTrue">
<Storyboard>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="RaceVideoSelectedStateGroup">
<VisualState x:Name="RaceVideoSelectedFalse">
<Storyboard>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="RaceVideoSelectedTrue">
<Storyboard>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="BalanceIsPartialCreditStateGroup">
<VisualState x:Name="BalanceIsPartialCreditFalse">
<Storyboard>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="BalanceIsPartialCreditTrue">
<Storyboard>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="ValidationStates">
<VisualState x:Name="Valid"/>
<VisualState x:Name="InvalidFocused"/>
<VisualState x:Name="InvalidUnfocused"/>
</VisualStateGroup>
</VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<i:Interaction.Behaviors>
<vwc:VisualStateSyncStateToBoundValue BoundStateValue="{Binding RaceVideoOptionAvailable}" StateNamePrefix="RaceVideoOptionAvailable" VerifyTemplateChildName="ViewRaceCanvas"/>
<vwc:VisualStateSyncStateToBoundValue BoundStateValue="{Binding RaceVideoSelected}" StateNamePrefix="RaceVideoSelected" VerifyTemplateChildName="ViewRaceOn"/>
<vwc:VisualStateSyncStateToBoundValue BoundStateValue="{Binding BalanceIsPartialCredit}" StateNamePrefix="BalanceIsPartialCredit" VerifyTemplateChildName="CustomerBalanceCredits"/>
</i:Interaction.Behaviors>
<!--
VolumeState storyboards update VolumePercentTarget,
causing PropertyChangedTrigger to invoke SetVolumePercent() command on view model
-->
<!--
VolumeState storyboards update VolumePercentTarget,
causing PropertyChangedTrigger to invoke SetVolumePercent() command on view model
-->
<ContentControl x:Name="VolumePercentTarget" Content="0" Visibility="Hidden" >
<i:Interaction.Triggers>
<ei:PropertyChangedTrigger Binding="{Binding Content, ElementName=VolumePercentTarget}">
<i:InvokeCommandAction Command="{Binding SetVolumePercent, Mode=OneTime}" CommandParameter="{Binding Content, ElementName=VolumePercentTarget}" />
</ei:PropertyChangedTrigger>
</i:Interaction.Triggers>
</ContentControl>
<Image x:Name="TwentyFiveCentGameIcon" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Denom_25.png" Canvas.Top="372" />
<Image x:Name="OneDollarGameIcon" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Denom_100.png" Canvas.Top="372" />
<Image x:Name="FiveDollarGameIcon" RenderTransformOrigin="0.5,0.5" Canvas.Left="-130" Canvas.Top="372"
Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Denom_500.png" >
<Image.RenderTransform>
<TransformGroup>
<ScaleTransform ScaleX="0.7" ScaleY="0.9" />
</TransformGroup>
</Image.RenderTransform>
</Image>
<Canvas x:Name="ViewRaceCanvas" Canvas.Left="1380" Canvas.Top="417" >
<Image x:Name="ViewRaceOff" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/ViewNextRace.png" />
<Image x:Name="ViewRaceOn" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/ViewNextRace.png" />
<Rectangle x:Name="HitBox_ViewRace" Width="{Binding ActualWidth, ElementName=ViewRaceOff}" Height="{Binding ActualHeight, ElementName=ViewRaceOff}" Fill="Green" Opacity="0" >
<Rectangle.Resources>
<sys:Boolean x:Key="BoolTrue">True</sys:Boolean>
</Rectangle.Resources>
<i:Interaction.Triggers>
<i:EventTrigger EventName="MouseLeftButtonDown">
<i:InvokeCommandAction Command="{Binding SetRaceVideoSelectedCommand, Mode=OneTime}" CommandParameter="{StaticResource BoolTrue}"/>
</i:EventTrigger>
</i:Interaction.Triggers>
</Rectangle>
</Canvas>
<Canvas x:Name="MakePicksCanvas" Canvas.Left="1490" Canvas.Top="321" >
<Image x:Name="HandiPicks" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/YourPicks.png" />
<TextBlock x:Name="First" Text="{Binding PlayerPicks[0], FallbackValue=-, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=N0}" Canvas.Left="120" Canvas.Top="75" Width="24" Height="24" FontSize="24" TextAlignment="Center" Foreground="White" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" FontFamily="/Frozen7ViewModule;component/Fonts/#Celtic Gaelige"/>
<TextBlock x:Name="Second" Text="{Binding PlayerPicks[1], FallbackValue=-, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=N0}" Canvas.Left="120" Canvas.Top="125" Width="24" Height="24" FontSize="24" TextAlignment="Center" Foreground="White" VerticalAlignment="Stretch"/>
<TextBlock x:Name="Third" Text="{Binding PlayerPicks[2], FallbackValue=-, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=N0}" Canvas.Left="120" Canvas.Top="175" Width="24" Height="24" FontSize="24" TextAlignment="Center" Foreground="White" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch"/>
</Canvas>
<!-- Info Canvas -->
<Canvas x:Name="InfoCanvas" Canvas.Left="241" Canvas.Top="369" >
<Image x:Name="InfoIcon" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Info_UI.png" />
<Rectangle x:Name="InfoHitBox" Width="{Binding ElementName=InfoIcon, Path=ActualWidth}" Height="{Binding ElementName=InfoIcon, Path=ActualHeight}" Fill="Purple" Opacity="0" >
<i:Interaction.Triggers>
<i:EventTrigger EventName="MouseLeftButtonDown">
<i:InvokeCommandAction Command="{Binding ShowInfoCommand, Mode=OneTime}"/>
</i:EventTrigger>
</i:Interaction.Triggers>
</Rectangle>
</Canvas>
<!-- Volume Canvas -->
<Canvas x:Name="VolCanvas" Canvas.Left="241" Canvas.Top="465" >
<Image x:Name="VolMax" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Volume_High.png"/>
<Image x:Name="VolMed" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Volume_Med.png" Visibility="Collapsed" />
<Image x:Name="VolLow" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Volume_Low.png" Visibility="Collapsed" />
<Rectangle Width="{Binding ActualWidth, ElementName=VolMax}" Height="{Binding ActualHeight, ElementName=VolMax}" Fill="Orange" Opacity="0" >
<i:Interaction.Behaviors>
<vwc:VisualStateCycleStateOnEvent EventName="MouseDown" EventOwnerType="{x:Type UIElement}" VisualStateGroupName="VolumeStateGroup"/>
</i:Interaction.Behaviors>
</Rectangle>
</Canvas>
<!-- Balance Display -->
<Canvas x:Name="BalanceDisplay" Canvas.Left="357" Canvas.Top="409" DataContext="{Binding Mode=OneTime, RelativeSource={RelativeSource TemplatedParent}}" >
<Image x:Name="Balance_UI" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Cash_UI.png" />
<!-- Dynamic Balance Text -->
<Grid x:Name="BalanaceGrid" Canvas.Left="15" Canvas.Top="15" >
<Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
<ColumnDefinition Width="0.748*"/>
<ColumnDefinition Width="0.087*"/>
<ColumnDefinition Width="0.165*"/>
</Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
<!-- Grid must be positioned within this canvas so its in the correct place of the background image -->
<Grid x:Name="CustomerBalanceCredits" Grid.ColumnSpan="3" Width="230" Height="90" >
<Viewbox Stretch="Uniform" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" VerticalAlignment="Stretch" Width="Auto" Height="Auto">
<TextBlock x:Name="CustomerBalanceNormalCredits" Text="{Binding CustomerBalance.AltAmount, FallbackValue=87\,123\,456, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=N0}" />
</Viewbox>
<Viewbox Stretch="Uniform" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" VerticalAlignment="Stretch" Width="Auto" Height="Auto" >
<TextBlock x:Name="CustomerBalancePartialCredits" Text="{Binding CustomerBalance.Amount, Converter={vwcc:IntToMoneyConverter}, FallbackValue=$871\,234.56, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=C}" Visibility="Hidden"/>
</Viewbox>
</Grid>
<Viewbox Stretch="Uniform" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" VerticalAlignment="Stretch" Grid.ColumnSpan="3" Margin="0" Width="230" Height="90" >
<TextBlock x:Name="CustomerBalanceMoney" Text="{Binding CustomerBalance.Amount, Converter={vwcc:IntToMoneyConverter}, FallbackValue=$871\,234.56, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=C}" Visibility="Hidden"/>
</Viewbox>
</Grid>
</Canvas>
<!-- Win Display -->
<Canvas x:Name="WinDisplay" Canvas.Left="633" Canvas.Top="348" RenderTransformOrigin="0.5,0.5" DataContext="{Binding Mode=OneTime, RelativeSource={RelativeSource TemplatedParent}}" >
<Rectangle x:Name="WinBox_SolidBack" Canvas.Left="5" Canvas.Top="5" Width="441" Height="129" Fill="LightBlue" Opacity="0" />
<Image x:Name="Win_Box" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Win_UI.png" >
<Image.RenderTransform>
<TransformGroup>
<ScaleTransform ScaleX="0.33" ScaleY="0.3" />
</TransformGroup>
</Image.RenderTransform>
</Image>
<!-- Dynamic Win Text -->
<!-- Grid must be positioned within this canvas so its in the correct place of the background image -->
<Grid x:Name="WinGrid" Canvas.Left="15" Canvas.Top="25" Visibility="{Binding ShowWinText, Converter={vwcc:BoolToHiddenConverter} }" >
<Viewbox Stretch="Uniform" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" VerticalAlignment="Center" Width="430" Height="120" >
<TextBlock x:Name="WinAmountCredits" Text="{Binding WinAmount.AltAmount, FallbackValue=123\,456, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=N0}" FontSize="96"/>
</Viewbox>
<Viewbox Stretch="Uniform" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" VerticalAlignment="Center" Width="430" Height="120" >
<TextBlock x:Name="WinAmountMoney" Text="{Binding WinAmount.Amount, Converter={vwcc:IntToMoneyConverter}, FallbackValue=$871\,234.56, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=C}" Visibility="Hidden" FontSize="128"/>
</Viewbox>
</Grid>
<Canvas.RenderTransform>
<TransformGroup>
<ScaleTransform ScaleX="1" ScaleY="1" />
</TransformGroup>
</Canvas.RenderTransform>
</Canvas>
<!-- Bet Display -->
<Canvas x:Name="BetDisplay" Canvas.Left="1109" Canvas.Top="409">
<Image x:Name="Bet_UI" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Dashboard/Bet_UI.png" />
<!-- Dynamic Bet Text -->
<!-- Grid must be positioned within this canvas so its in the correct place of the background image -->
<Grid x:Name="BetGrid" Canvas.Left="15" Canvas.Top="15" >
<Viewbox Stretch="Uniform" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" VerticalAlignment="Center" Width="230" Height="90" >
<TextBlock x:Name="BetAmountMoney" Visibility="Hidden" Text="{Binding BetAmount, Converter={vwcc:IntToMoneyConverter}, FallbackValue=$871\,234.56, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=C}"/>
</Viewbox>
<Viewbox Stretch="Uniform" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" VerticalAlignment="Center" Width="230" Height="90" >
<TextBlock x:Name="BetAmountCredits" Text="{Binding NumberBets, FallbackValue=$871\,234.56, Mode=OneWay, StringFormat=N0}"/>
</Viewbox>
</Grid>
</Canvas>
<Canvas x:Name="InfoTextCanvas" Canvas.Left="0" Canvas.Top="-473" DataContext="{Binding Mode=OneTime, RelativeSource={RelativeSource TemplatedParent}}" >
<Image x:Name="PromptBar" Source="pack://siteoforigin:,,,/Frozen7ViewModule/Content/Bottom Screen/Background/PromptBar.png" />
<Grid Width="1680" Height="62.5" Canvas.Top="8">
<Grid.Resources>
<Style BasedOn="{StaticResource {x:Type TextBlock}}" TargetType="{x:Type TextBlock}">
<Setter Property="FontSize" Value="45"/>
<Setter Property="Effect">
<Setter.Value>
<DropShadowEffect/>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
<Setter Property="HorizontalAlignment" Value="Center" />
</Style>
</Grid.Resources>
<!-- Info Prompts???? -->
<TextBlock x:Name="TBInfoText" Text="{Binding InfoText, Mode=OneWay}" />
<TextBlock x:Name="TBInfoTextMoney" Text="{Binding InfoTextMoney, Mode=OneWay}" />
<TextBlock x:Name="PART_TBBonusInfo" Visibility="Collapsed"/>
</Grid>
</Canvas>
<Rectangle x:Name="DisplayBoxesHitBox" Width="1020" Height="200" Fill="Red" Opacity="0" Canvas.Left="350" Canvas.Top="340" Panel.ZIndex="900" >
<i:Interaction.Behaviors>
<vwc:VisualStateCycleStateOnEvent EventName="MouseDown" EventOwnerType="{x:Type UIElement}" VisualStateGroupName="ShowValueStateGroup"/>
</i:Interaction.Behaviors>
</Rectangle>
</Canvas>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
</ResourceDictionary>
GameSpecificDashboardControl  CODE BEHIND
using Common;
using ViewCommon;
using ViewCommon.Dashboard;
using Common.Events.Messages;
using System;
using System.Windows.Media.Animation;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Media;
namespace Frozen7ViewModule.Views
public class GameSpecificDashboardControl : DashboardControl
private bool wasBigWin;
private Storyboard sbBigWinIntro;
private Storyboard sbBigWinEnd;
private string _infoTextMoney;
public string InfoTextMoney
get { return _infoTextMoney; }
private set
_infoTextMoney = value;
RaisePropertyChanged(() => InfoTextMoney);
private bool _showWinText;
public bool ShowWinText
get { return _showWinText; }
set
_showWinText = value;
RaisePropertyChanged(() => ShowWinText);
private MultiPaylineControl multiPaylineControl;
private int creditDivisor;
public void Initialize(MultiPaylineControl multiPaylineControl)
this.multiPaylineControl = multiPaylineControl;
creditDivisor = GameParameters.Fetch.GameBetUnitCost;
public override void OnApplyTemplate()
base.OnApplyTemplate();
sbBigWinIntro = this.LoadResourceStoryboard("sbBigWinIntro");
sbBigWinEnd = this.LoadResourceStoryboard("sbBigWinEnd");
public override void ClearPaylineInfo()
base.ClearPaylineInfo();
InfoTextMoney = "";
public override void SetPaylineInfo(string info)
base.SetPaylineInfo(info);
InfoTextMoney = info;
public override void OnPaylineLoop(MessageResultWin.Payline payline, int callCount)
if (multiPaylineControl.IsJackpotWin() && payline.Tier == 0)
// With current protocol, the Jackpot win amount is not easily determined for all case, do not try to show it
InfoTextMoney = string.Format("Payline {0} Pays Jackpot", payline.PaylineIndex + 1);
InfoText = InfoTextMoney;
else
int creditsBet = BoundBetAmount / creditDivisor;
var creditString = (creditsBet > 2 && payline.Tier < 3) ? string.Format("X {0}", creditsBet - 1) : "";
var multiplierString = payline.Multiplier > 1 ? string.Format("X {0}", payline.Multiplier) : "";
string strTier = "(*Payline Tier Missing*)";
if (payline.Tier >= 3) strTier = "1st Coin:";
else if (payline.Tier < 3 && payline.Tier >= 0)
//explicitly check for 2nd and 3rd coin for easier debugging if a bug ever occurs
if (creditsBet == 2) strTier = "2nd Coin:";
else if (creditsBet == 3) strTier = "3rd Coin:";
InfoTextMoney = string.Format("Payline {0} Pays {1} {2:C}", payline.PaylineIndex + 1, strTier, (((double)payline.AmountWon) / 100) * payline.Multiplier);
InfoText = string.Format("Payline {0} Pays {1} {2:N0}", payline.PaylineIndex + 1, strTier, (payline.AmountWon / creditDivisor) * payline.Multiplier);
public void StartWinTicker(int bonusWinAmount, Action onBonusTickFinished, Action onWinTickFinished, int adjustAmount,bool isBigWin, bool fast = false)
base.StartWinTicker(bonusWinAmount, onBonusTickFinished, onWinTickFinished, adjustAmount, fast);
ShowWinText = true;
if (isBigWin) sbBigWinIntro.Begin(this);
wasBigWin = isBigWin;
public override void OnWinTickFinished()
base.OnWinTickFinished();
if (wasBigWin) sbBigWinEnd.Begin();

Answer 1

I agree with Barry - inheriting xaml is a problem.
I think there is technically a way to sort of inherit xaml you put in app.xaml.  But I think that's a bad plan and I think the technique may well rely on a bug. Maybe it doesn't even work now - it's been a while since I read about it.
I'm also not so clear on what you're trying to do here.
I must admit I haven't spent very long trying to work out what that all that markup and code does though. 
The three approaches I would consider are:
1)
Inherit just the code and substitute views completely.
This is Barry's suggestion.
2)
Make a templated contentcontrol which you can put your variable stuff inside.
Kind of like this:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/28597.wpf-keeping-your-mvvm-views-dry.aspx
3)
Compose the xaml from flat templates.
https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/Dynamic-XAML-View-Composer-8d9fa5d6
https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/Dynamic-XAML-Composed-View-e087f3c1
Which to use depends on purpose.
Hope that helps.
Recent Technet articles: Property List Editing;
Dynamic XAML