Replacing ":)" with smiley image doesn't work

Question

I am using visual c# to create a windows chat app, and I want all the :) words inside the chatDisplay rich text box to be replaced with a smiley image located in the resources folder. this is my code:

private void add_smileys()
{
    if (chatDisplay.Text.Contains(":)"))
    {
        chatDisplay.SelectionStart = chatDisplay.Find(":)", RichTextBoxFinds.WholeWord);
        chatDisplay.SelectionLength = 2;

        String image = System.IO.Path.Combine(System.Windows.Forms.Application.StartupPath, "Resources/smile.png");
        Image img = Image.FromFile(image);
        Clipboard.SetImage(img);
        chatDisplay.Paste();
        Console.WriteLine("All images replaced");
    }
}

I don't get any errors, and I don't get the "file not found" error either, and the "All images replaced" center is outputted in the console correctly. the only wrong thing is that the :) phrase in the textbox doesn't get replaced with the image. can someone help me? what's wrong with my code?

Do you think setting the user's clipboard and pasting it is the right way to do this? — Cyral, Feb 19 '15 at 21:59
I think it's the only way to do it @Cyral , do you have any other ideas? — Othuna, Feb 19 '15 at 22:00
This probably is relevant http://stackoverflow.com/questions/542850/how-can-i-insert-an-image-into-a-richtextbox — chancea, Feb 19 '15 at 22:01
@Othuna **No** user wants a program to deliberately manipulate with their clipboard. — Ondrej Tucny, Feb 19 '15 at 22:25
I like Yogee's idea. Then you can just do a simple `Replace`. If you are insistent on the image route, I recommend avoiding the use of the clipboard as well. — dub stylee, Feb 19 '15 at 22:46

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 19 '15 at 22:22

0

Here a sample code for a single emoticon :) You may extend it for all emoticons as you need.

private void richTextBoxOutput_TextChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    UpdateEmoticon();
}

private void UpdateEmoticon(int startIndex = 0)
{
    const string smileKey = ":)";
    const int smileKeyLen = 2;

    DataFormats.Format myFormat = DataFormats.GetFormat(DataFormats.Bitmap);
    var index = richTextBoxOutput.Find(smileKey, startIndex, RichTextBoxFinds.None);
    if (index == -1)
        return;

    richTextBoxOutput.Select(index, smileKeyLen);

    using (var bmp = new Bitmap(Resources.smile))
    {
        Clipboard.SetDataObject(bmp);

        if (richTextBoxOutput.CanPaste(myFormat))
        {
            richTextBoxOutput.Paste(myFormat);
        }
    }

    UpdateEmoticon(startIndex + smileKeyLen);
}

answered Feb 19 '15 at 22:22

denys-vega

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I tried, but I get the error "the name Resources doesn't exist in the current context" – Othuna Feb 19 '15 at 22:26
@Othuna you need to add an image on project's resources. In example code, it refers to an existing resource named "smile". – denys-vega Feb 19 '15 at 22:32
I already have an image named Smile.png in my resources @dbvega – Othuna Feb 19 '15 at 22:33
@Othuna I think you're confused. Please, go to Properties->Resources.resx and find the image resource's name. – denys-vega Feb 19 '15 at 22:37

Replacing ":)" with smiley image doesn't work

1 Answers1