Displaying images

Images are a common way to convey information, application options, or just make things look pretty. The Image element is typically used to show images, whether they originate from static image files or are generated dynamically. Let's take a look at how this works.

Getting ready

Make sure Visual Studio is up and running.

How to do it...

We'll create a simple image viewer, where the user can browse the file system, select an image and view it.

1. Create a new WPF Application named CH04.Images.

2. Add an existing image to the project, to serve as an icon. The downloadable source for this chapter includes an open.png image, but you can use any (preferably small) image.

3. Open MainWindow.xaml. Replace the existing Grid with a DockPanel.

4. Add a single Button to the DockPanel, dock it at the top, and place the added image inside the button using an Image element (with some text):

   <Button DockPanel.Dock="Top" FontSize="20" Margin="4" 
           Padding="4">
       <StackPanel Orientation=...