.net - Blur the background of the WPF container

Question

Ultimately, what I want to achieve is a replication to some extend, of an Aero glass functionality of a WPF content control.

If I apply the BlurEffect to a StackPanel that contains a TextBlock, I will have the TextBlock's text blurred.

Consider an examples:

No blur

and with <BlurEffect Radius="5" KernelType="Gaussian"/>

But is there a WPF way to blur the background behind the panel, and not it's contents?

The background of the StackPanel is a desktop, and the window that hosts it is set to AllowTransparency="True" to allow the custom-shaped look.

Answer 1

no, it is not possible. The Effect is applied to the element and all its children but you can easily place the TextBlock outside the container, rather than inside it.

Normally you would use a grid like so:

<Grid>
  <Border>
     <Border.Effect>
      <BlurEffect Radius="5" KernelType="Gaussian"/>
     </Border.Effect/>
  </Border>
  <TextBlock .../>
</Grid>

In your example that will make no difference though. What, exactly, are you trying to blur?