FluentColors.Maui 1.0.0.6

FluentColors.Maui

Access colors declared inside .NET MAUI Resources/Colors.xaml 🎨 from code behind, with IntelliSense support.

How It Works

1. Add the NuGet package to your MAUI project
2. Source code generator runs - a new file AppColors.cs is created
3. Use your colors with IntelliSense support from code-behind!

Runs only if Colors.xaml has changed.

Before

label.TextColor = App.Current.Resources["Accent"] as Color; // no IntelliSense, typos possible 

After

label.TextColor = AppColors.Accent; // IntelliSense support, safe and clean

// Bonus: some fluent color extensions!
var colorPrimaryLightest = AppColors.Primary.Lighten(0.3f);

Installation

Install via NuGet Package Manager:

dotnet add package FluentColors.Maui

Or add to your .csproj:

  <PackageReference Include="FluentColors.Maui" Version="1.0.0.5">
    <PrivateAssets>all</PrivateAssets>
    <IncludeAssets>runtime; build; native; contentfiles; analyzers; buildtransitive</IncludeAssets>
  </PackageReference>

Settings

You can additionally manage options by setting these tags inside your .csproj file:

Custom Colors.xaml Path Example

If your Colors.xaml is in a non-standard location, specify the path in your .csproj:

<PropertyGroup>
  
  <ColorResourcesXamlPath>Themes\AppColors.xaml</ColorResourcesXamlPath>

  
  
</PropertyGroup>

Fluent Extension Methods

The package includes some fluent extension methods for color manipulation:

Opacity & Alpha

// Set opacity as percentage (0-100)
var semiTransparent = AppColors.Primary.WithOpacity(50); // 50% opacity

// Set alpha as float (0.0-1.0)
var transparent = AppColors.Secondary.WithAlpha(0.75f); // 75% alpha

Lighten & Darken

// Create lighter version (default factor: 0.2)
var lighter = AppColors.Primary.Lighten(); // 20% lighter
var muchLighter = AppColors.Primary.Lighten(0.5f); // 50% lighter

// Create darker version (default factor: 0.2)
var darker = AppColors.Primary.Darken(); // 20% darker
var muchDarker = AppColors.Primary.Darken(0.5f); // 50% darker

Hex Conversion

// Convert color to hex string
string hex = AppColors.Primary.ToHex(); // "#3D9BD7"

// Convert with alpha channel
string hexWithAlpha = AppColors.Primary.ToHexWithAlpha(); // "#3D9BD7FF"

Create from Hex

// Create color from hex string (with or without #)
var color1 = ColorExtensions.FromHex("#3D9BD7");
var color2 = ColorExtensions.FromHex("3D9BD7");

// Supports shorthand format
var color3 = ColorExtensions.FromHex("#F00"); // Same as #FF0000

// With alpha channel (AARRGGBB format)
var color4 = ColorExtensions.FromHex("#803D9BD7"); // 50% opacity

// RGBA format (RRGGBBAA)
var color5 = ColorExtensions.FromHexRGBA("#3D9BD780"); // 50% opacity

Troubleshooting

Colors.xaml not found

Issue: Build warning "Colors.xaml not found at: ..." Solution: Ensure Colors.xaml exists at Resources\Colors.xaml or Resources\Styles\Colors.xaml. For other locations, set a custom path using ColorResourcesXamlPath setting in your .csproj file

Generated class not found

Issue: "The type or namespace name 'AppColors' could not be found" Solution:

1. Build the project (generator runs on build)
2. Check that Resources/AppColors.cs was created
3. Verify the namespace matches your RootNamespace

Generated name is different

Issue: "The name in XAML was 'SupaColor-100' and I can't find it."
Solution: Please look for 'SupaColor_100' in code-behind.

IntelliSense not showing colors

Issue: Can't see color properties in autocomplete Solution:

1. Rebuild the project
2. Restart Visual Studio / IDE
3. Check the generated file exists

Build errors after removing colors

Issue: Compilation errors for removed colors Solution: This is expected! The generator provides compile-time safety. Update your code to remove references to deleted colors.

Contributing

Issues and pull requests welcome! Visit our GitHub repository.

Enjoy strongly-typed, fluent color resources! 🎨