Create an image viewer application in Visual Basic 6 and VB.NET
This program enables users to search for image files on their computer and view them in a picture box. We'll explore two implementation methods for VB6 and their equivalent in VB.NET.
Use DriveListBox, DirListBox and FileListBox to create a file browser interface
Simpler method using CommonDialog control to open image files
Modern implementation using OpenFileDialog and PictureBox
This method uses DriveListBox, DirListBox, and FileListBox controls to create a file browser interface. It requires more setup but provides a fully integrated browsing experience.
Private Sub Combo1_Change() 'To list all graphics files or all files If ListIndex = 0 Then File1.Pattern = ("*.bmp;*.wmf;*.jpg;*.gif") Else File1.Pattern = ("*.*") End If End Sub Private Sub Dir1_Change() 'Update file list when directory changes File1.Path = Dir1.Path File1.Pattern = ("*.bmp;*.wmf;*.jpg;*.gif") End Sub Private Sub Drive1_Change() 'Update directory when drive changes Dir1.Path = Drive1.Drive End Sub Private Sub File1_Click() 'Handle file selection If Combo1.ListIndex = 0 Then File1.Pattern = ("*.bmp;*.wmf;*.jpg;*.gif") Else File1.Pattern = ("*.*") End If If Right(File1.Path, 1) <> "\" Then filenam = File1.Path + "\" + File1.FileName Else filenam = File1.Path + File1.FileName End If End Sub Private Sub show_Click() 'Display selected image If Right(File1.Path, 1) <> "\" Then filenam = File1.Path + "\" + File1.FileName Else filenam = File1.Path + File1.FileName End If Picture1.Picture = LoadPicture(filenam) End Sub
In VB.NET, we use the OpenFileDialog control to select images and the PictureBox control to display them.
Private Sub btnBrowse_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles btnBrowse.Click 'Configure OpenFileDialog With OpenFileDialog1 .Title = "Select Image File" .Filter = "Image Files|*.bmp;*.jpg;*.jpeg;*.gif;*.png;" & _ "*.tif;*.tiff;*.ico|All Files|*.*" .Multiselect = False End With 'Show dialog and handle selection If OpenFileDialog1.ShowDialog() = DialogResult.OK Then Try 'Load the selected image PictureBox1.Image = Image.FromFile(OpenFileDialog1.FileName) 'Update status lblStatus.Text = Path.GetFileName(OpenFileDialog1.FileName) lblSize.Text = $"Size: {New FileInfo(OpenFileDialog1.FileName).Length / 1024:n0} KB" Catch ex As Exception MessageBox.Show("Error loading image: " & ex.Message, "Image Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error) End Try End If End Sub Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load 'Set initial PictureBox properties PictureBox1.SizeMode = PictureBoxSizeMode.Zoom PictureBox1.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.Fixed3D End Sub
Try the Picture Viewer functionality right in your browser. Select an image from the file browser to view it.
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