How can I get an image out of the clipboard without losing the alpha channel in .NET?

Question

I\'m trying to save a copied image from the clipboard but it\'s losing its alpha channel:

Image clipboardImage = Clipboard.GetImage();
string imagePath = Pat         


        

Answer 1

I am just using Forms methode. Its not that nice solution like using GetFormat like Kevin is telling us but its more quick and works quiete well at all.

  'Dim bm As BitmapSource = Clipboard.GetImage()'looses alpha channel
                'Dim bmS As New WriteableBitmap(bm)'does work but still without alpha information
                Dim bmF As System.Drawing.Bitmap = System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard.GetImage 'Get working image
                Dim bmS As BitmapSource = TB.Imaging.WPF.BitmapToWpfBitmapSource(bmF, Me) 'convert Bitmap into BitmapSource
                Me.Source = bmS

Answer 2

Instead of calling Clipboard.GetImage(), try calling Clipboard.GetDataObject()

This returns an IDataObject, which you can in turn query by calling dataObject.GetFormats(). GetFormats() returns the type formats supported by the Clipboard object - there may be a more precise format supported that you can use to extract the data.

Answer 3

The image is being saved as a bitmap where the transparent pixels are visible on the clipboard so use this code

Bitmap clipboardImage = Clipboard.GetImage();
clipboardImage.MakeTransparent()
string imagePath = Path.GetTempFileName();
clipboardImage.Save(imagePath);

Answer 4

It might be like this article suggests, that the Clipboard object, working within Win32, is only able to manage bitmaps, which don't feature the transparent/partially transparent alpha channel. The OLE clipboard is more capable, it seems:

• Intro
• Vague support article
• A bit of discussion about the Win32 clipboard

However, the netez was the best article I found on the topic. (beware I haven't tested this myself)