c# - resolving complex entity model to flat model view using AutoMapper -

i want create map complex entity model flattened view model

my entity model so

cbitems      has many cbitemscontent             has many cbregulators 

so viewmodels so

for cbitems:

public class itemviewmodel     {         public itemviewmodel()         {             this.cbitemscontents = new hashset<itemcontentviewmodel>();         }          public int itemid { get; set; }          ......          public virtual icollection<itemcontentviewmodel> cbitemscontents { get; set; }     } } 

for cbitemscontent:

public class itemcontentviewmodel     {          public int itemcontentid { get; set; }         public int itemid { get; set; }         ....         public itemcontentregulatorsviewmodel regulatedby { get; set; }      } } 

for cbregulators:

public class itemcontentregulatorsviewmodel     {         public int itemcontentid { get; set; }         public ienumerable<int> regulatorids { get; set; }     } } 

i had hoped easy this:

config.createmap<cbitem, itemviewmodel>();             config.createmap<cbitemscontent, itemcontentviewmodel>()                      .formember(dest => dest.regulatedby.itemcontentid,                          m => m.mapfrom(src => src.genericid))                      .formember(dest => dest.regulatedby.regulatorids,                          n => n.mapfrom(src => src.cbitemscontentregulators.select(q => q.cbregulator.regulatorid))); 

from teh following query:

itemviewmodel item =  _context.cbitems.where(u => u.itemid = id) .projectto<itemviewmodel>() .first(); 

but results in error:

expression 'dest => dest.regulatedby.itemcontentid' must resolve top-level member , not child object's properties. use custom resolver on child type or aftermap option instead. parameter name: lambdaexpression

how can achieve desired model layout?

@rabban means this:

config.createmap<cbitemscontent, itemcontentviewmodel>()       .formember(dest => dest.regulatedby, o => o.mapfrom(src => src));  config.createmap<cbitemscontent, itemcontentregulatorsviewmodel>()       .formember(dest => dest.itemcontentid, o => o.mapfrom(src => src.genericid))       .formember(dest => dest.regulatorids, o => o.mapfrom(src => src.cbitemscontentregulators.select(q => q.cbregulator.regulatorid)));