I am using v13.2.2 and want define mappings for an import process that is going to run in the background.

So I want to define a mapping FROM a simple object TO an Umbraco IContent item that I can then save to my database.

Having spent a long time investigating the Anaximapper project I determined that I cannot use it. It only provides an easy way to map the wrong way, that is, from IPublishedContent to a simple object, such as a custom view model.

So I have gone back to looking at the UmbracoMapper service that comes standard with v13 now. That looks like I can define any mapping directions. Have been playing around with test code like this:

// my extension method for the context to pass in a parentId
public static void SetId(this MapperContext context, int id)
{
    context.Items["Id"] = id;
}

// then this is my map definition with a target construction method and map function
public void DefineMaps(IUmbracoMapper mapper)
{
    mapper.Define<BrandDto, BrandItem>((source) => 
        _contentService.Create(source.Title, (int)context.Items.GetValue("Id"), BrandItem.ModelTypeAlias),
        Map);
}

private void Map(BrandDto source, BrandItem target, MapperContext context)
{
    target.BrandId = source.Id;
    target.BrandTitle = source.Title;
}

I know this isn't right as it doesn't even compile but you might get the gist of what I need.

My problems are that I don't know how to write an Action<> or a Func<> for the construction method, nor do I know how to invoke my custom MapperContext.SetId(21) function to tell the content service what the parentId needs to be, that is referenced in the construction method

If someone could point me to some example code, I would be most grateful.