Place buttons on map as markers

Question

Hello,

I am working on a project that uses the ESRI .Net SDK in WPF. On the map view, I need to place buttons that act as place markers and are interactable. I tried using WPF buttons and mapping them to locations on the map, but performance quickly degrades once a large number of buttons are placed. I need all the functionality of a button - clickable, dynamic sizing based on label, easily styled, etc.

I'm just wondering what others have done in terms of similar solutions.

Thanks,

Mike

pnarkhede · Answer

You can absolutely template custom markers using PictureMarkerSymbol with a custom DataTemplate. For consistent styling, define the template once in XAML and bind your marker data (label, color, size, etc.) through view models. This ensures all markers keep the same behavior and appearance while still being lightweight and high performing.

Mike_4435 · Answer

Thanks for the response.

I had looked into the Graphics/Symbology route briefly. You mention templates - is there a way to template custom markers? I found maintaining consistency in behaviour and look/feel a little difficult.

Thanks.

pnarkhede · Answer

Hi Mike,

This is a common challenge that using a large number of WPF buttons on a map can cause performance issues because each button is a heavy UI element. Instead, I would advise to use graphics layers (like `GraphicsOverlay`) to display markers and handle clicks with event handlers. You can then show a styled popup or callout when a marker is clicked, mimicking button functionality. For dynamic labels and styling, use custom marker symbols or templates. This way, you keep the map fast and interactive without the overhead of WPF controls for every marker.
I hope this helps!