I want to port a tool developed in ArcObjects for ArcMaps into ArcGIS Pro using the ArcGIS Pro SDK.
The tool's UI was created using WinForms but to recreate the UI in ArcGIS Pro is looks like I would need to use WPF.
I have seen generalized .NET posts online saying that is possible to embed WinForms inside WPF. What I want to know is if it is possible to do so in ArcGIS Pro.
I have not found yet any references or samples of anyone having done it before.
It is technically possible and doable, but building the new ArcGIS Pro .NET Add-in on WPF is the way to go for ArcGIS Pro customizations.
If you are set on embedding WinForms in WPF, you'll use the WindowsFormsHost control.
Below are links to articles and walkthroughs that describe developing for ArcGIS Pro using WPF and MVVM, as well as what you need to do if you are planning to embed WinForms inside of WPF controls.
ProConcepts Migrating to ArcGIS Pro https://github.com/Esri/arcgis-pro-sdk/wiki/ProConcepts-Migrating-to-ArcGIS-Pro
ArcGIS Pro SDK for .NET: Intro and Pro Add-in Programming Pattern http://proceedings.esri.com/library/userconf/devsummit-euro17/papers/devsummit-euro_38.pdf
ArcGIS Pro SDK for .NET: UI Design and MVVM http://proceedings.esri.com/library/userconf/proc16/tech-workshops/tw_1853-255.pdf
WPF and Windows Forms Interoperation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/wpf/advanced/wpf-and-windows-forms-interoperation
Walkthrough: Hosting a Windows Forms Control in WPF by Using XAML https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/wpf/advanced/walkthrough-hosting-a-windows-forms-control-in-wpf-by-using-xaml
Walkthrough: Hosting a Windows Forms Composite Control in WPF https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/wpf/advanced/walkthrough-hosting-a-windows-forms-composite-control-in-wpf
WinForms and WPF: An Integrated Approach https://www.slideshare.net/talentica/winforms-and-wpf-an-integrated-approach
How do I host a Windows Forms control in a WPF application ? https://www.syncfusion.com/faq/929/how-do-i-host-a-windows-forms-control-in-a-wpf-application
While I'd encourage you to port your code to use WPF, I don't see why you couldn't just host your WinForms control inside a WPF view. To ArcGIS Pro it's then still just a WPF control - it doesn't really care what's deeper down the UI Hierarchy (because there's no way it can care)
I was looking at the same process for translation from ArcObjects to Pro SDK. I found the learning curve for WPF too steep for the time I had.
A few tests with ordinary Winforms revealed it worked ok. There was no need to embed the forms in a WPF view.
The translation was completed with WinForms and it works fine. When I have more time I'll update the forms to WPF.
I was in the same situation as John M, and "just" used winforms instead of WPF forms for my user interaction. I didn't host the forms with wpf, just made sure I had references to System.Windows.forms, designing and using these as in ArcObjects. However there are a couple of things to note: Now you will have 3 sets of Messagbox.Show: System.Windows.Forms System.Windows ArcGIS.Desktop.Framework.Dialogs
Only the last works when used from the module_1. The others cause a "dispatcher processing has been suspened error" which freezes ArcGIS Pro. Instatiating forms from other parts of the project like a command button works fine.
In my internet searches there have been comments that mixing references can lead to trouble. The above may be a sign of that. Also I have not tested Windows.Forms against the asynchronous programming inherent in Pro. I create form use it and close it .... very linear
var f = new MyWinForm(); f.Show();. Dockable windows may be harder though. It looks like you'd need WindowsFormsHost to do that: docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/…