How do I copy a WPF resource in xaml?

Question

I want to assign a resource I already have a second name, similar to using the BasedOn property of Styles. Specifically I have a brush that I use for a group of elements called ForegroundColor and I would like to use it in a control template (a ComboBox) calling it MouseOverBackgroundBrush. I would like to do something like this:

<ResourceCopy x:key="MouseOverBackgroundBrush" Value="{StaticResource ForegroundColor}" />

Is there a way to do this or is there a better way to go about this in Xaml?

Answer 1

This is a feature that doesn't have very good support in XAML. I believe that you'll either need to repeat yourself (and change both locations anytime you need to change the brush) or if you don't mind a bit of code behind, you can accomplish the duplication like this:

Resources["MouseOverBackgroundBrush"] = Resources["ForegroundColor"];

Answer 2

I don't know about how to copy a resource in xaml (can it even be done?) like you are asking ... but here is one way to accomplish what you are trying to do:

<Color x:Key="firstColor">#FFD97A7A</Color>
<Color x:Key="secondColor">#FFF4BFBF</Color>
<LinearGradientBrush x:Key="firstGradientBrush" EndPoint="0.5,1" StartPoint="0.5,0">
 <GradientStop Color="{DynamicResource firstColor}" Offset="0"/>
 <GradientStop Color="{DynamicResource secondColor}" Offset="1"/>
</LinearGradientBrush>
<LinearGradientBrush x:Key="secondGradientBrush" EndPoint="0.5,1" StartPoint="0.5,0">
 <GradientStop Color="{DynamicResource firstColor}" Offset="0"/>
 <GradientStop Color="{DynamicResource secondColor}" Offset="1"/>
</LinearGradientBrush>

Basically, create two different brushes based on some common colors.