How can I load external layout files using RazorEngine?

Question

I've been trying for days (really, days) to use "external" files (provided from a different server using an ashx handler) as layouts in Razor.

@{
    Layout = "http://someServer/templates.ashx?path=/my/template.cshtml";
}

This gives me an error about the path having to be a virtual one.

I've tried everything I could think of: VirtualPathProviders, custom RazorViewEngines, etc.

Nothing helps, has anyone done this or can someone give me a hint?

A VirtualPathProvider should work. The string that gets passed to the VPP will still need to look like a virtual path. — SLaks, Jul 05 '11 at 19:46
Yeah, the problem is, the VirtualPathProvider somehow overrides the default one, so the engine tries to load all views from the external location (-> with the custom VirtualPathProvider). — Dänu, Jul 05 '11 at 19:53
Make the custom VPP forward normal paths to the default one. — SLaks, Jul 05 '11 at 19:54
Ok.. how do I do this? (give it as answer, I'll accept it ;-)) — Dänu, Jul 05 '11 at 20:05

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 05 '11 at 20:10

Make a VirtualPathProvider that handles virtual paths that start with a magic token and passes all other paths to its Previous property.
For example:

public override VirtualFile GetFile(string virtualPath) {
    if (virtualPath.StartsWith("~/MySpecialTemplateServer"))
        return new MyServerVirtualFile(virtualPath);
    else
        return Previous.GetFile(virtualPath);
}

How can I load external layout files using RazorEngine?

1 Answers1