How to specify one input model for MVC3 and the other output (result) model?

Question

What should I do, when I need one ViewModel class to be passed to the asp-page (containing various data to display) and another Model class I need to be submitted (through the form tag) back to the server?

Answer 1

Nest the "Other View Model" inside the main View Model. Then bind the controls of the form to the sub-model's properties.

Action Method Signature:

[HttpPost]
public ActionResult Foo(SubModel model) { /* ... */ }

Answer 2

You can use a Custom Model Binder to bind the Input Model based on the form generated by output model. Check this link for more information:

http://buildstarted.com/2010/09/12/custom-model-binders-in-mvc-3-with-imodelbinder/

ASP.NET MVC 3 Model Binding Resources

Answer 3

If the properties of the two view models are more or less same then the default model binder will take care else you have to go for a custom model binder.

The other options if you have to create the html fields with the names of the ViewModel properties that you are going to bind on post.