How to visualize the contents of a graphic variable in Visual Studio 2010 during debugging?

Question

I am working on a rendering engine for my application and must render the Graphics object during a debugging session. I looked at Image Visualizers for VS2010, like this or this , but they only render Image objects, whereas I need graphics. What could be the solution here?

Sincerely, Alexander.

Answer 1

I finally figured it out myself.

To enable visualization of Graphics variables in VS2010, follow these steps:

• Download the Visualizer graphical debugger from this Code Project Page (use a precompiled version of the DLL).
• Extract the DLL to the place where you have full rights.
• Right-click the DLL and click the "Unlock" button on the first tab in the lower right. Click Apply, and then OK to close the Properties window.

• Copy the DLL to the following location:

  C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\Packages\Debugger\Visualizers

  -or -

  C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\Packages\Debugger\Visualizers depending on the architecture of your system.

• You do not need to restart VS2010, just start a debugging session and you will see a small sign of the magnifying glass to the left of the variable type name when you hover over your variable. Click this sign and you will see that the contents of your Graphics object have opened in a new window.

• Enjoy it!