Question

How can I check if a C# System.Drawing.Bitmap image is valid before adding it to a picturebox?

Answer 1

It is pretty simple. If you can load the image before you assign it to the picture box then you’ve sufficiently proven that the image is valid and that the user has something to look at. The GDI+ image decoders very carefully check the file contents. Thus:

    private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) {
        if (openFileDialog1.ShowDialog(this) != DialogResult.OK) return;
        try {
            Bitmap bmp = new Bitmap(openFileDialog1.FileName);
            if (pictureBox1.Image != null) pictureBox1.Image.Dispose();
            pictureBox1.Image = bmp;
        }
        catch (Exception ex) {
            MessageBox.Show(ex.Message, "Could not load image");
        }
    }