Setting a background image on a WPF image control?

Question

I'm trying to have a background image on an image control in WPF, such as if I load a transparent PNG, I would still be able to see the background. Is it possible, or did Microsoft totally drop this feature with WPF and I have to rely on StackPanels/Grids/Whatever to achieve this ?

Solution 1

Image has no property to allow for that, just put the Image in a Border and set the Border.Background to an ImageBrush.

Solution 2

No you need to images. Set the Window background to the image and set the root element background to an image

<Window.Background>
    <ImageBrush ImageSource="BackgroundImage.png"/>
</Window.Background>

<Grid.Background>
    <ImageBrush ImageSource="ForegroundImage.png"/>    
</Grid.Background>

Solution 3

As shown in tested code here set the Window background to an image brush. Notice AllowsTransparency="True" And WindowStyle="None" to drop the border.

<Window x:Class="khaosInstallerWPF.MainWindow"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    Height="616" Width="773" 
    ResizeMode="NoResize" Icon="images/khaos_Installer_UI.png" 
    AllowsTransparency="True" WindowStyle="None">
    <Window.Background>
        <ImageBrush ImageSource="images\khaos_Installer_UI.png"/>
    </Window.Background>
    <Grid Margin="0,0,0,0"></Grid>
</Window>

Bonus: If you are using a shaped for be sure to make your form draggable

namespace khaosInstallerWPF
{
    public partial class MainWindow : Window
    {
        public MainWindow()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            MouseDown += delegate { DragMove(); };
        }
    }
}