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How to display a blinking overlay at runtime and turn it off again that is controlled by view model properties?

How to display a blinking notification message over parts of the main window of an application, while keeping the controls below of the overlay reachable (clickable) if the overlay is turned off?
The easy part is to create the overlay and build a storyboard for the animation:
<Window.Resources>
<Style x:Key="ds_NotificationStyle" TargetType="DockPanel">
<Setter Property="Opacity" Value="0" />
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding EnableNotification}" Value="True">
<DataTrigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard Name="ds_BeginCallNotification">
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity" From="0" To="1" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity" From="1" To="0.4" Duration="0:0:0.4" AutoReverse="True" RepeatBehavior="Forever" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</DataTrigger.EnterActions>
<DataTrigger.ExitActions>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="ds_BeginCallNotification" />
</DataTrigger.ExitActions>
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</Window.Resources>
Further below in the XAML, the overlay elements (there is a grid populated with other elements and the following DockPanel is placed above of them):
<DockPanel Grid.RowSpan="2" Name="ds_NotificationPanel" Style="{StaticResource ds_NotificationStyle}" Panel.ZIndex="200" Background="AntiqueWhite" Height="100" VerticalAlignment="top">
<Viewbox>
<TextBlock Text="{Binding IncomingCallNotification}" Margin="5" Foreground="Brown" FontWeight="Bold" />
</Viewbox>
</DockPanel>
But there is a problem now with the overlay, blocking all the controls underneath of it.
To solve this, the DockPanel's visibility has to be set to Collapsed. But how to adjust this visibility before and after the animation?

Toggle the visibility at the beginning, using an animation that targets runtime zero of the storyboard:
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames BeginTime="00:00:00" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
But at the same location, I had no idea how to reset the visibility back to Collapsed.
Using another Storyboard that is run at the ExitActions trigger solved this issue:
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames BeginTime="00:00:00" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}" />
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
Here is the complete solution (the DockPanel elements arent' changed):
<Window.Resources>
<Style x:Key="ds_NotificationStyle" TargetType="DockPanel">
<Setter Property="Opacity" Value="0" />
<Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Collapsed" />
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding EnableNotification}" Value="True">
<DataTrigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard Name="ds_BeginCallNotification">
<Storyboard>
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames BeginTime="00:00:00" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Visible}"/>
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity" From="0" To="1" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity" From="1" To="0.4" Duration="0:0:0.4" AutoReverse="True" RepeatBehavior="Forever" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</DataTrigger.EnterActions>
<DataTrigger.ExitActions>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="ds_BeginCallNotification" />
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity" From="1" To="0" Duration="00:00:00.2" />
<ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames BeginTime="00:00:00" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Visibility">
<DiscreteObjectKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00" Value="{x:Static Visibility.Collapsed}" />
</ObjectAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</DataTrigger.ExitActions>
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</Window.Resources>
This may be easy and obvious for many of you, but it took me some times to figure it out. As I would have been grateful for such an answer, I have posted my solution here.

WPF: Animation not work In time of change IsEnabled to {False or True}

The default "Grid" is displayed.
In step one and "Hide_MouseUp", animation works.
And then in no way responds to IsEnabled.
Please Please help me to solve this problem.
I am waiting for your warm response :)
style:
<Style x:Key="ShowHideVisibilityStyle" TargetType="{x:Type Grid}">
<Setter Property="Opacity" Value="1"></Setter>
<Setter Property="Margin" Value="0,50,0,0"></Setter>
<Setter Property="IsEnabled" Value="True" />
<Style.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="IsEnabled" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity"
From="0" To="1" Duration="0:0:0.5" />
<ThicknessAnimation
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Margin"
From="-600,50,0,0"
To="0,50,0,0"
Duration="0:0:0.1"
/>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
</Trigger>
<Trigger Property="IsEnabled" Value="False">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity"
From="1" To="0" Duration="0:0:0.5" />
<ThicknessAnimation
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Margin"
BeginTime="0:0:0.5"
To="-600,50,0,0"
Duration="0:0:0" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
</Trigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
XAML:
<Grid x:Name="SettingPage" Width="290" Style="{DynamicResource ShowHideVisibilityStyle}">
<!-- code -->
</Grid>
Code Test For Change status IsEnabled to {False or True}
private void Hide_MouseUp(object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e){
SettingPage.IsEnabled = false;
}
private void Show_MouseUp(object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e){
SettingPage.IsEnabled = true;
}

Hi, I find the solution :)
for using two triggers on one property "Trigger.EnterActions" and "Trigger.ExitActions" should be used instead of using two separate Triggers
excuse me for my bad english :D
Code:
<Style.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="IsEnabled" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<!-- Animation -->
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<!-- Animation -->
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
</Style.Triggers>

It's a simple fix. Just move the "Enabling" Animation into an ExitTrigger:
<Style.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="IsEnabled" Value="False">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity"
From="1" To="0" Duration="0:0:0.5" />
<ThicknessAnimation
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Margin"
BeginTime="0:0:0.5"
To="-600,50,0,0"
Duration="0:0:0" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Opacity"
From="0" To="1" Duration="0:0:0.5" />
<ThicknessAnimation
Storyboard.TargetProperty="Margin"
From="-600,50,0,0"
To="0,50,0,0"
Duration="0:0:0.1"
/>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
</Style.Triggers>

Animatint BlurEffect in a style works but animating DropShadowEffect causes error?

I am trying to animate a DropShadowEffect I have applied to one grid and a BlurEffect that I have applied to another grid.
The blur animation seems to work fine and this is the code.
<Style x:Key="BluredGridStyle" TargetType="{x:Type Grid}">
<Style.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="extentions:GridExtention.IsBlured" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Effect).Radius" From="0" To="10" Duration="0:0:0.2"/>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Effect).Radius" From="10" To="0" Duration="0:0:0.2"/>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
<Grid Background="{DynamicResource BrHostBackground}">
<Grid extentions:GridExtention.IsBlured="{Binding BackgroundIsBlured}" Style="{StaticResource BluredGridStyle}">
<Grid.Effect>
<BlurEffect x:Name="BlurEffect" Radius="0"/>
</Grid.Effect>
</Grid>
</Grid>
But when I try with the drop shadow I get errors. Here is my initial code.
<Style x:Key="DropShaodowGridStyle" TargetType="{x:Type Grid}">
<Style.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="Visibility" Value="Visible">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Effect).BlurRadius" From="0" To="80" Duration="0:0:0.2"/>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Effect).BlurRadius" From="80" To="0" Duration="0:0:0.2"/>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
<Grid Visibility="{Binding HardwareLoadingVisibility}">
<Grid x:Name="grid" HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center" Background="White" Width="550" Height="250" Style="{DynamicResource DropShaodowGridStyle}">
<Grid.Effect>
<DropShadowEffect ShadowDepth="0" Opacity="0.8"/>
</Grid.Effect>
</Grid>
</Grid>
This generates the following error
InvalidOperationException: Cannot resolve all property references in the property path '(Effect).BlurRadius'. Verify that applicable objects support the properties.
If I change the property to (Effect).Radius I get the same error.
I also tried changing the property to (UIElement.Effect).(DropShadowEffect.BlurRadius) which generated this error
InvalidOperationException: 'Effect' property does not point to a DependencyObject in path '(0).(1)'.

Looks like I found the answer.
I had to assign a default value to the property in the style.
<Style x:Key="DropShaodowBorderStyle" TargetType="{x:Type Border}">
<Setter Property="Effect">
<Setter.Value>
<DropShadowEffect ShadowDepth="0" BlurRadius="0"></DropShadowEffect>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
<Style.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="Visibility" Value="Visible">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Effect).BlurRadius" From="0" To="80" Duration="0:0:2"/>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<DoubleAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="(UIElement.Effect).BlurRadius" From="80" To="0" Duration="0:0:2"/>
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>

Image not showing on Silveright control

I have a Custom style to my Button in my Silverlight app.
Im using a Static style and a Control Template. In the VisualStudio designer I can see the image on the button however when I run the application the Image is not showing.
Here is the XAML for the Style
<Style x:Key="PlayButtonStyle" TargetType="Button">
<Setter Property="Foreground" Value="DarkGreen" />
<Setter Property="Template" Value="{StaticResource PlayButtonControlTemplate}"/>
</Style>
Here is the XAML for the ControlTemplate
<ControlTemplate x:Key="PlayButtonControlTemplate" TargetType="Button">
<Border x:Name="Border">
<Border.Background>
<SolidColorBrush Color="{StaticResource ControlNormalColor}" />
</Border.Background>
<VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="CommonStates">
<VisualStateGroup.Transitions>
<VisualTransition GeneratedDuration="0:0:0.5" />
<VisualTransition GeneratedDuration="0" To="Pressed" />
</VisualStateGroup.Transitions>
<VisualState x:Name="Normal"/>
<VisualState x:Name="MouseOver">
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Panel.Background).(SolidColorBrush.Color)"
Storyboard.TargetName="Border">
<EasingColorKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource ControlMouseOverColor}" />
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="Pressed">
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Panel.Background).(SolidColorBrush.Color)"
Storyboard.TargetName="Border">
<EasingColorKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource ControlPressedColor}" />
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="Disabled">
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Panel.Background).(SolidColorBrush.Color)"
Storyboard.TargetName="Border">
<EasingColorKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource DisabledControlColor}" />
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetProperty="(TextBlock.Foreground).(SolidColorBrush.Color)"
Storyboard.TargetName="Border">
<EasingColorKeyFrame KeyTime="0" Value="{StaticResource DisabledForegroundColor}" />
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
</VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<Grid Width="55" Height="25">
<Image x:Name="DefaultImage" Source="Images/VideoPlayer/play_button.png" Opacity="1" />
<Image x:Name="HoverImage" Source="Images/VideoPlayer/play_button_hover.png" Opacity="0" />
</Grid>
</Border>
</ControlTemplate>
This is how I have assigned it
<Button x:Name="playPauseButton" Content="Play" Style="{StaticResource PlayButtonStyle}" Click="playPauseButton_Click" />

Set the image Build Action as Resource and change your code to:
<Image x:Name="DefaultImage" Source="pack://application:,,,/[Your namespace];component/Images/VideoPlayer/play_button.png" Opacity="1" />
Do not forget to change to your namespace.
It should be enough.
EDIT:
After taking a closer look I think you just need to do it this way:
<Image x:Name="DefaultImage" Source="/[Your namespace];component/Images/VideoPlayer/play_button.png" Opacity="1" />

Button Template - IsMouseOver stops working after IsPressed is executed

I have a strange problem and I hope you can help me.
I created a style for a button and added some triggers to the template.
One for IsMouseOver and one for IsPressed.
Both triggers have an EnterAction and an ExitAction animating the background-color of the template.
When I just hover over the button I can see the color changing, but after I clicked on the button the hover trigger stops working.
Here's a example code:
<Button Margin="142,130,214,138" Content="Hi Mum!">
<Button.Resources>
<Color x:Key="backgroundColor" A="255" R="52" G="152" B="219" />
<Color x:Key="hoverBackgroundColor" A="255" R="62" G="182" B="255" />
<Color x:Key="pressedBackgroundColor" A="255" R="42" G="122" B="175" />
</Button.Resources>
<Button.Style>
<Style TargetType="{x:Type Button}">
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type Button}">
<Border BorderBrush="{TemplateBinding BorderBrush}"
BorderThickness="{TemplateBinding BorderThickness}"
CornerRadius="6">
<Border.Background>
<SolidColorBrush x:Name="backgroundBrush" Color="{StaticResource backgroundColor}" />
</Border.Background>
<ContentPresenter ContentTemplate="{TemplateBinding ContentTemplate}"
Content="{TemplateBinding Content}"
ContentStringFormat="{TemplateBinding ContentStringFormat}"
Focusable="False"
HorizontalAlignment="{TemplateBinding HorizontalContentAlignment}"
Margin="{TemplateBinding Padding}"
RecognizesAccessKey="True"
SnapsToDevicePixels="{TemplateBinding SnapsToDevicePixels}"
VerticalAlignment="{TemplateBinding VerticalContentAlignment}" />
</Border>
<ControlTemplate.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="IsMouseOver" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="backgroundBrush" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Color" To="{StaticResource hoverBackgroundColor}" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="backgroundBrush" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Color" To="{StaticResource backgroundColor}" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
<Trigger Property="IsPressed" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="backgroundBrush" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Color" To="{StaticResource pressedBackgroundColor}" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="backgroundBrush" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Color" To="{StaticResource backgroundColor}" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
</ControlTemplate.Triggers>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
</Button.Style>
</Button>

Looks like last trigger wins (try changing the order of your triggers, IsPressed first and IsMouseOver second and you'll see).
You really should use the VisualStateManager for this kind of stuff.
See the default's button template at the msdn for how to use the VSM.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc278069(v=vs.95).aspx
Edit for Sheridan : it works like a charm :
<Window.Resources>
<Color x:Key="OverColor">Blue</Color>
<Color x:Key="PressedColor">Green</Color>
</Window.Resources>
<Grid>
<Button Content="Hi sheridan!" HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center">
<Button.Style>
<Style TargetType="{x:Type Button}">
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type Button}">
<Border Background="LightBlue">
<VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<VisualStateGroup x:Name="CommonStates">
<VisualStateGroup.Transitions>
<VisualTransition GeneratedDuration="0:0:0.2"/>
</VisualStateGroup.Transitions>
<VisualState x:Name="Normal"/>
<VisualState x:Name="Pressed">
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Background).(SolidColorBrush.Color)"
To="{StaticResource PressedColor}"/>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
<VisualState x:Name="MouseOver">
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Background).(SolidColorBrush.Color)"
To="{StaticResource OverColor}"/>
</Storyboard>
</VisualState>
</VisualStateGroup>
</VisualStateManager.VisualStateGroups>
<ContentPresenter Content="{TemplateBinding Content}"/>
</Border>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
</Button.Style>
</Button>
</Grid>

There are three parts to this solution:
Name your IsMouseOver BeginStoryBoard objects.
Use those names in two StopStoryBoard objects in the IsPressed Trigger.EnterActions.
Reverse the order of your Trigger objects:
You should end up with something like this:
<Trigger Property="IsPressed" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="MouseOverStoryBoard" />
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="MouseOverStoryBoard2" />
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="backgroundBrush" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Color" To="{StaticResource pressedBackgroundColor}" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard>
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="backgroundBrush" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Color" To="{StaticResource backgroundColor}" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
<Trigger Property="IsMouseOver" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard Name="MouseOverStoryBoard">
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="backgroundBrush" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Color" To="{StaticResource hoverBackgroundColor}" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<BeginStoryboard Name="MouseOverStoryBoard2">
<Storyboard>
<ColorAnimation Storyboard.TargetName="backgroundBrush" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Color" To="{StaticResource backgroundColor}" Duration="0:0:0.2" />
</Storyboard>
</BeginStoryboard>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
Actually, I think that you might be able to do without the second StopStoryboard, but having them both won't hurt.