Mysterious ArgumentNullException with WindowsFormsHost

I was getting a ArgumentNullException while trying to use the WinForns WebBrowser control in a WPF project.

<TabItem Header='Browser Control' x:Name='browseTab' >
  <WindowsFormsHost >
    <winForms:WebBrowser x:Name='postBrowser'></winForms:WebBrowser>
  </WindowsFormsHost>
</TabItem>

The first time I viewed the Tab with the WebBrowser control it worked.  If I switched to another tab and then back to ‘browseTab’ it threw the ArgumentNullException.

The solution, set an explicit width and height for the WindowsFormHost element.  The default value for width and height is 0 and seems to be the cause of the exception.

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Quick Tip: Expression Blend – Constraining the BrushTransform Tool

Once you have a brush painted into a region you can use the Brush Transform tool (B) to visually alter the angle and other transform settings.  Simply grab the head, tail or body of the brush transform arrow and move to see the gradient change.  Rotating is easy too.  Move the mouse near the head/tail of the arrow, when you see the rotation icon appear hold the mouse button down and spin the arrow.

Hold the Shift key down while spinning and the rotation angle is constrained to 15 degree increments.

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Quick Tip: Expression Blend – Hide all toolbars

For as quick way to hide all toolbars; press Tab or F4.  Use the same key to show the toolbars again.

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Quick Tip: Expression Blend – Scroll the Artboard

You probably know that you can scroll the Blend Artboard (work area) vertically by rolling the mouse wheel up and down.   In fact that shortcut works for most Windows applications.

Did you know that you scroll horizontally by holding down the Shift-key while scrolling the mouse wheel?

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