converting a base 64 string to an image and saving it

Question

Here is my code:

protected void SaveMyImage_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            string imageUrl = Hidden1.Value;
            string saveLocation = Server.MapPath("~/PictureUploads/whatever2.png") ; 


            HttpWebRequest imageRequest = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create(imageUrl);
            WebResponse imageResponse = imageRequest.GetResponse();

            Stream responseStream = imageResponse.GetResponseStream();

            using (BinaryReader br = new BinaryReader(responseStream))
            {
                imageBytes = br.ReadBytes(500000);
                br.Close();
            }
            responseStream.Close();
            imageResponse.Close();

            FileStream fs = new FileStream(saveLocation, FileMode.Create);
            BinaryWriter bw = new BinaryWriter(fs);
            try
            {
                bw.Write(imageBytes);
            }
            finally
            {
                fs.Close();
                bw.Close();
            }
        }
}

The top imageUrl declartion is taking in a Base64 image string, and I want to convert it into an image. I think my set of code only works for images like "www.mysite.com/test.jpg" not for a Base64 string. Anybody have some suggestions? Thanks!

Answer 1

Here is an example, you can modify the method to accept a string parameter. Then just save the image object with image.Save(...).

public Image LoadImage()
{
    //data:image/gif;base64,
    //this image is a single pixel (black)
    byte[] bytes = Convert.FromBase64String("R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAAAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==");

    Image image;
    using (MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream(bytes))
    {
        image = Image.FromStream(ms);
    }

    return image;
}

It is possible to get an exception A generic error occurred in GDI+. when the bytes represent a bitmap. If this is happening save the image before disposing the memory stream (while still inside the using statement).