In my post "Easily create XAML objects from Clipart" I was exporting the image as a Canvas.  Which works quite well if you want to use the XAML inline.  But this can make your XAML quite busy.  A better way might be to export your images from Expression Design as a Resource Dictionary.  This way the image XAML is  in a separate file. 

 

image

 

The way you reference this separate resource dictionary is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3:

1. Add it to your solution.

2. In your Application.XAML file add a reference your resource dictionary....you can see in mine i am referencing two exported images.  Since these files are merged and Expression design names them the same thing (Metafile) you will need to rename one of them.

<Application.Resources>
        <ResourceDictionary>
            <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
                 <ResourceDictionary Source="stove1.xaml"/>
                     <ResourceDictionary Source="doctor.xaml"/>
            </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
        </ResourceDictionary>
    </Application.Resources>

You can also reference these resource dictionaries directly in your page or window

The syntax is same as you can see below 

<Page.Resources>
       <ResourceDictionary> 
            <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries> 
                 <ResourceDictionary Source="stove1.xaml">
            </ResourceDictionary> 
        </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries> 
     </ResourceDictionary> 
 </Page.Resources>

3. To display this referenced resource dictionary you use the syntax: "{StaticResource Metafile}" where Metafile is the name of the resource you exported in your dictionary.

In my case below i am using it to fill a rectangle

<Rectangle  Fill="{StaticResource Metafile}"
               Width="65"
               Height="65"
               Grid.Column="1"
               Grid.Row="1"
               HorizontalAlignment="Left"
                VerticalAlignment="Bottom" />

image