How to convert HBITMAP to byte array or string?

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Hello

I have two separate programs, one written in C# and .NET and other in C++ and WinAPI. The first creates configuration files for the second. In these configuration files I insert images and other data. Then I thought about using the HBITMAP that is available on both platforms. But I need to convert the HBITMAP to some structure that I can save in the file, as a byte array or a string.

The struct of the configuration file will be like this:
[DataID][DataLenght][Data]
[DataID][DataLenght][Data]
[DataID][DataLenght][Data]
...

I have looked on google but got no satisfactory answer.

Anyone know how to do this? Or know any better method?

@EDIT:
OK, thanks for the replies.

But, how can I get a BYTE array in C#?

I searched and found this code.

C#

private byte[] BmpToByte(Bitmap bmp)
{
    MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream();
    // Save to memory using the Jpeg format
    bmp.Save(ms, System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Bmp);
    // read to end
    byte[] bmpBytes = ms.GetBuffer();
    bmp.Dispose();
    ms.Close();
    return bmpBytes;
}

If I load a byte array generated by this code with SetBitmapBits it will work?

Posted 21-Oct-10 2:56am

RawArkanis

Updated 21-Oct-10 4:40am

v2

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Richard MacCutchan · Answer 1 · 2010-10-21T03:06:00

Solution 1

HBITMAP is a handle to an internal Windows object. You would need to get the actual bitmap from the handle and then store that in your resource file. See here[^] for some of the functions that can help you.

Posted 21-Oct-10 3:06am

Richard MacCutchan

GAJERA · Answer 2 · 2010-10-21T03:40:00

Solution 3

Using the GetBitmapBits you can get the Byte data from HBITMAP.
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/graphics/using_get_set_bitmapbits.aspx[^]

Posted 21-Oct-10 3:40am

GAJERA

Kozlov_Sergey · Answer 3 · 2010-10-21T03:25:00

Here is conversion to Bitmap:

DWORD *local_bit_map_buffer;
                local_bit_map_buffer = new DWORD[cxImage*cyImage];

                for(int local_counter_width=0;local_counter_width<cxImage;local_counter_width++)
                {
                    for(int local_counter_height=0;local_counter_height<cyImage;local_counter_height++)
                    {
                        int local_couter = local_counter_width+local_counter_height*cxImage;
                        int local_bit_map_couter = local_counter_width+(cyImage-(local_counter_height+1))*cxImage;
                        local_bit_map_buffer[local_bit_map_couter] = RGB_BYTE_ORDER(prgb[local_couter].rgbtRed,prgb[local_couter].rgbtGreen,prgb[local_couter].rgbtBlue);
                    }
                }

                HBITMAP handle_bit_map = NULL;

                handle_bit_map = CreateBitmap(
                    cxImage,
                    cyImage,
                    1,
                    32,
                    local_bit_map_buffer);

                delete []local_bit_map_buffer;
HDC hdc; 
				local_handle_result = gImageSrc->GetDC(&hdc);
				if (local_handle_result!=D3D_OK)
				{
					return E_FAIL;
				}
				
				HDC hdc_compatible = CreateCompatibleDC(hdc);
				
				if (hdc_compatible==NULL)
				{
					return E_FAIL;
				}
				
				if(SelectObject(hdc_compatible,handle_bit_map)==NULL)
				{
					return E_FAIL;
				}
				if(!BitBlt(hdc, 0  ,0 ,cxImage  , cyImage  , hdc_compatible, 0, 0, SRCCOPY))
				{
					return E_FAIL;
				}
				if(gImageSrc->ReleaseDC(hdc))
				{
					return E_FAIL;
				}
				DeleteDC(hdc_compatible);
				
				BOOL local_result = DeleteObject(handle_bit_map);
				if(!local_result)
				{
					return E_FAIL;
				}