KGy SOFT Image Debugger Visualizers
VS 2022: See the 64-bit installer (for version 17.9 Preview 1 or higher only; offers modern, non-dialog embeddable visualizers)
VS 2013-2019: See the 32-bit installer (classic visualizers)
VS 2008-2022: See manual installation (classic visualizers)
This package provides debugger visualizers for several GDI+, WPF, SkiaSharp and KGy SOFT image types like Bitmap, BitmapSource, SKBitmap, Metafile, ImageSource, SKImage, Icon, Graphics, SKSurface, BitmapData, SKPixmap, ColorPalette, BitmapPalette and more. Possible derived types such as DrawingImage, BitmapFrame, WriteableBitmap, etc. are also supported). For GDI+ types it also supports multi-page, multi-resolution and animated images as well as saving them in various formats.
When a type is debugged in Visual Studio and there is a debugger visualizer installed for that type, then a magnifier icon appears that you can click to open the visualizer. Either click the magnifier icon or choose a debugger visualizer from the drop-down list (if more visualizers are applicable).
When debugging WPF images from the latest Visual Studio versions you need to change the default WPF Tree Visualizer to KGy SOFT ImageSource Debugger Visualizer from the drop-down menu:
If an image or icon instance is debugged in a non read-only context, then it can be modified, replaced or cleared (supported for GDI+ types only).
Several modifications are allowed on non-read-only images such as rotating, resizing, changing pixel format with quantizing and dithering, adjusting brightness, contrast and gamma, or even editing the palette entries of indexed bitmaps (supported for GDI+ types only, or when you execute the KGy SOFT Imaging Tools application from the Visual Studio Tools menu).
Installing Debugger Visualizers
- For Visual Studio 2013 and above you can use this VSIX package (the 32-bit version for VS2013-2019 or the 64-bit version for VS2022). It will install the .NET Framework 4.6.2 build, which works also for .NET Core projects.
- For older Visual Studio versions and/or frameworks follow the installation steps at the project site.
Release Notes
See the change log.
FAQ
Q: Can I use the debugger visualizers for other Visual Studio versions?
A: The VSIX installer has two versions. You can use the 32-bit version for VS2013-2019 and the 64-bit version for VS2022. However, you can install the debugger visualizers manually for any version starting with Visual Studio 2008. See the installation steps at the project site.
Q: Is Visual Studio Code supported?
A: As it has a completely different API, it is not supported yet.
Q: I get an error message when I click the magnifier icon.
A: It can have several reasons. See the Troubleshooting section at the project site.
Q: I prefer the classic visualizers, can I revert to them?
A: If you want to use the classic visualizers with Visual Studio 2022, you have to remove this package, and manually install the classic visualizers from the Imaging Tools application. The classic visualizers are not available in the VSIX package for Visual Studio 2022.
Q: Even though I installed the 64-bit version of the debugger visualizers, I still see the classic dialog-based visualizers.
A: This can happen if you have the classic visualizers installed from the Imaging Tools application. You can remove them by executing the Imaging Tools application from the Visual Studio Extensions menu, and then clicking drop-down area of the Application Settings button on the tool bar. Select the Manage Classic Debugger Visualizer Installations... menu item. Select Visual Studio version from the drop-down list and click the Remove button. You need to restart the debug session to see the changes.
Q: Are WPF image types supported?
A: Yes, starting with version 3.0.0 WPF ImageSource (and derived types), BitmapPalette and Color types are supported as well. You might need to explicitly select the correct visualizer from the drop-down menu next to the magnifier icon.
Q: Are other 3rd party image types supported?
A: Yes, starting with version 3.1.0 SkiaSharp types SKBitmap, SKImage, SKPixmap, SKSurface and SKColor are also supported. The infrastructure is extensible so further frameworks can be expected in future versions.
Q: Where do I find the edited/downloaded resource files?
A: From the Language Options dialog click the Edit Resources... button. Starting with version 5.0.0 the Edit Resources window has an Open in containing folder button that navigates to the folder where the edited resource files are stored, selecting currently edited file.
More Info:
Feel free to visit the project site for more information. There you will find the binaries for other frameworks and Visual Studio versions as well as the complete source code.
