Sample: Set and retrieve entity images

Article
06/29/2017

Applies To: Dynamics CRM 2013

This sample code is for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. Download the Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK package. It can be found in the following location in the download package:

SampleCode\CS\GeneralProgramming\LateBound\EntityImages.cs

Requirements

For more information about the requirements for running the sample code provided in this SDK, see Use the sample and helper code.

Demonstrates

This sample shows how to set and retrieve data for entity images.

The sample does the following tasks:

Uses the CreateImageAttributeDemoEntity method to:
1. Create a custom entity with the schema name sample_ImageAttributeDemo and a primary attribute with the schema name sample_Name.
2. Create an image attribute with the schema name EntityImage. All image attributes use this name.
3. Retrieve and update the main form for the sample_ImageAttributeDemo entity to set the <form> (FormXml) showImage attribute to true so that the image is displayed in the form.
4. Publish the sample_ImageAttributeDemo entity.

Creates five new records for the sample_ImageAttributeDemo entity using five different sized images located in the Images folder as shown here.

The relative size of source images

The sample_Name primary attribute field value is the name of the file.

After each record is created you have the opportunity to view the record in the web browser application using the ShowEntityFormInBrowser method so that you can see how the source images are resized to fit the space available in the form.


//Use a 144x144 pixel image
Entity imageEntity1 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
imageEntity1["sample_name"] = "144x144.png";
imageEntity1["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\144x144.png");
Guid imageEntity1Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity1);
ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "144x144.png", imageEntity1Id);

//Use a 144x400 pixel image
Entity imageEntity2 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
imageEntity2["sample_name"] = "144x400.png";
imageEntity2["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\144x400.png");
Guid imageEntity2Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity2);     
ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "144x400.png", imageEntity2Id);

//Use a 400x144 pixel image
Entity imageEntity3 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
imageEntity3["sample_name"] = "400x144.png";
imageEntity3["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\400x144.png");
Guid imageEntity3Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity3);
ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "400x144.png", imageEntity3Id);

//Use a 400x500 pixel image
Entity imageEntity4 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
imageEntity4["sample_name"] = "400x500.png";
imageEntity4["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\400x500.png");
Guid imageEntity4Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity4);
ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "400x500.png", imageEntity4Id);

//Use a 60x80 pixel image
Entity imageEntity5 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
imageEntity5["sample_name"] = "60x80.png";
imageEntity5["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\60x80.png");
Guid imageEntity5Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity5);
ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "60x80.png", imageEntity5Id);

Note

This code uses late bound entities because the entity is created in the sample and is not available as a strongly typed class. However, after early bound classes are generated, the strongly typed classes could be used. More information: Create early bound entity classes with the code generation tool (CrmSvcUtil.exe)

Retrieves the records with the entityimage attribute and saves the resized files. After you run the sample you can find the files saved in the \bin\Debug folder.


     //Retrieve and download the binary images
     string binaryImageQuery =
String.Format(@"<fetch mapping='logical'>
  <entity name='{0}'>
    <attribute name='sample_name' />
    <attribute name='entityimage' />
  </entity>
</fetch>",_customEntityName.ToLower());

     EntityCollection binaryImageResults = _serviceProxy.RetrieveMultiple(new FetchExpression(binaryImageQuery));


     Console.WriteLine("Records retrieved and image files saved to: {0}", Directory.GetCurrentDirectory());
     foreach (Entity record in binaryImageResults.Entities)
     {
      String recordName = record["sample_name"] as String;
      String downloadedFileName = String.Format("Downloaded_{0}", recordName);
      byte[] imageBytes = record["entityimage"] as byte[];
      var fs = new BinaryWriter(new FileStream(downloadedFileName, FileMode.Append, FileAccess.Write));
      fs.Write(imageBytes);
      fs.Close();
      Console.WriteLine(downloadedFileName);
     }

The image files are resized as shown here.

The relative size of downloaded images

Retrieves the records with the entityimage_url attribute and displays the relative URL values you can include in your application to access the images. This query should be more responsive because the amount of data transferred is smaller.
```
     //Retrieve and the records with just the url
     string imageUrlQuery =
String.Format(@"<fetch mapping='logical'>
  <entity name='{0}'>
    <attribute name='sample_name' />
    <attribute name='entityimage_url' />
  </entity>
</fetch>", _customEntityName.ToLower());

     EntityCollection imageUrlResults = _serviceProxy.RetrieveMultiple(new FetchExpression(imageUrlQuery));


     Console.WriteLine("These are the relative URLs for the images retrieved:");
     foreach (Entity record in imageUrlResults.Entities)
     {
      String imageUrl = record["entityimage_url"] as String;
      Console.WriteLine(imageUrl);
     }
```
The relative URLs will look something like the following examples:
- /Image/download.aspx?Entity=sample_imageattributedemo&Attribute=entityimage&Id=2ed5a666-7b51-e311-9088-00155d9c5607&Timestamp=635205044273046819
- /Image/download.aspx?Entity=sample_imageattributedemo&Attribute=entityimage&Id=22f17c6d-7b51-e311-9088-00155d9c5607&Timestamp=635205044320978850
- /Image/download.aspx?Entity=sample_imageattributedemo&Attribute=entityimage&Id=24f17c6d-7b51-e311-9088-00155d9c5607&Timestamp=635205044333049824
- /Image/download.aspx?Entity=sample_imageattributedemo&Attribute=entityimage&Id=26f17c6d-7b51-e311-9088-00155d9c5607&Timestamp=635205044343080227
- /Image/download.aspx?Entity=sample_imageattributedemo&Attribute=entityimage&Id=28f17c6d-7b51-e311-9088-00155d9c5607&Timestamp=635205044353421800

The DeleteImageAttributeDemoEntity method gives you the option to delete the sample_ImageAttributeDemo entity and return your organization to state it was before running the sample. You can’t run the sample again until you delete this entity.

Example

The following is the full code for the sample.


using System;
using System.ServiceModel;
using System.ServiceModel.Description;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Xml.Linq;
using System.IO;

// These namespaces are found in the Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.dll assembly
// located in the SDK\bin folder of the SDK download.
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Query;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Client;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Discovery;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Messages;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Metadata;

// This namespace is found in Microsoft.Crm.Sdk.Proxy.dll assembly
// found in the SDK\bin folder.
using Microsoft.Crm.Sdk.Messages;

namespace Microsoft.Crm.Sdk.Samples
{
 /// <summary>
 /// Demonstrates how to do create and retrieve records with image data
 /// </summary>
 /// <remarks>
 /// At run-time, you will be given the option to delete all the
 /// database records created by this program.</remarks>
 public class EntityImages
 {
  #region Class Level Members
  private OrganizationServiceProxy _serviceProxy;
  private const String _customEntityName = "sample_ImageAttributeDemo";
  #endregion Class Level Members

  #region How To Sample Code
  /// <summary>
  /// This method first connects to the Organization service. Afterwards,
  /// a custom entity is created and configured to support entity images.
  /// Then records are created using this custom entity with image data. 
  /// The records are then retrieved and the resized images are saved.
  /// Finally, the custom entity can be deleted.
  /// </summary>
  /// <param name="serverConfig">Contains server connection information.</param>
  /// <param name="promptforDelete">When True, the user will be prompted to delete all
  /// created entities.</param>
  public void Run(ServerConnection.Configuration serverConfig, bool promptforDelete)
  {
   try
   {
    // Connect to the Organization service. 
    // The using statement assures that the service proxy will be properly disposed.
    using (_serviceProxy = ServerConnection.GetOrganizationProxy(serverConfig))
    {
     // This statement is required to enable early-bound type support.
     _serviceProxy.EnableProxyTypes();

     Console.WriteLine("Please wait while the custom Image Attribute Demo entity used by this sample is created.");
     //Creates the Image Attribute Demo entity used in this sample
     CreateImageAttributeDemoEntity();

     //Create 5 records using different sized images.
     /*

      This sample uses late-binding because the entity was just created and is
      not included in the 'MyOrganizationsCrmSdkTypes.cs' file created by the 
      code generation tool (CrmSvcUtil.exe)

     */
     //Use a 144x144 pixel image
     Entity imageEntity1 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
     imageEntity1["sample_name"] = "144x144.png";
     imageEntity1["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\144x144.png");
     Guid imageEntity1Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity1);
     ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "144x144.png", imageEntity1Id);

     //Use a 144x400 pixel image
     Entity imageEntity2 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
     imageEntity2["sample_name"] = "144x400.png";
     imageEntity2["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\144x400.png");
     Guid imageEntity2Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity2);     
     ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "144x400.png", imageEntity2Id);

     //Use a 400x144 pixel image
     Entity imageEntity3 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
     imageEntity3["sample_name"] = "400x144.png";
     imageEntity3["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\400x144.png");
     Guid imageEntity3Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity3);
     ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "400x144.png", imageEntity3Id);

     //Use a 400x500 pixel image
     Entity imageEntity4 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
     imageEntity4["sample_name"] = "400x500.png";
     imageEntity4["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\400x500.png");
     Guid imageEntity4Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity4);
     ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "400x500.png", imageEntity4Id);

     //Use a 60x80 pixel image
     Entity imageEntity5 = new Entity(_customEntityName.ToLower());
     imageEntity5["sample_name"] = "60x80.png";
     imageEntity5["entityimage"] = File.ReadAllBytes("Images\\60x80.png");
     Guid imageEntity5Id = _serviceProxy.Create(imageEntity5);
     ShowEntityFormInBrowser(promptforDelete, "60x80.png", imageEntity5Id);
     Console.WriteLine();
     //Retrieve and download the binary images
     string binaryImageQuery =
String.Format(@"<fetch mapping='logical'>
  <entity name='{0}'>
    <attribute name='sample_name' />
    <attribute name='entityimage' />
  </entity>
</fetch>",_customEntityName.ToLower());

     EntityCollection binaryImageResults = _serviceProxy.RetrieveMultiple(new FetchExpression(binaryImageQuery));


     Console.WriteLine("Records retrieved and image files saved to: {0}", Directory.GetCurrentDirectory());
     foreach (Entity record in binaryImageResults.Entities)
     {
      String recordName = record["sample_name"] as String;
      String downloadedFileName = String.Format("Downloaded_{0}", recordName);
      byte[] imageBytes = record["entityimage"] as byte[];
      var fs = new BinaryWriter(new FileStream(downloadedFileName, FileMode.Append, FileAccess.Write));
      fs.Write(imageBytes);
      fs.Close();
      Console.WriteLine(downloadedFileName);
     }
     Console.WriteLine();
     //Retrieve and the records with just the url
     string imageUrlQuery =
String.Format(@"<fetch mapping='logical'>
  <entity name='{0}'>
    <attribute name='sample_name' />
    <attribute name='entityimage_url' />
  </entity>
</fetch>", _customEntityName.ToLower());

     EntityCollection imageUrlResults = _serviceProxy.RetrieveMultiple(new FetchExpression(imageUrlQuery));


     Console.WriteLine("These are the relative URLs for the images retrieved:");
     foreach (Entity record in imageUrlResults.Entities)
     {
      String imageUrl = record["entityimage_url"] as String;
      Console.WriteLine(imageUrl);
     }


     DeleteImageAttributeDemoEntity(promptforDelete);
    }
   }

   // Catch any service fault exceptions that Microsoft Dynamics CRM throws.
   catch (FaultException<Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.OrganizationServiceFault>)
   {
    // You can handle an exception here or pass it back to the calling method.
    throw;
   }
  }

  /// <summary>
  /// Creates any entity records that this sample requires.
  /// </summary>
  public void CreateImageAttributeDemoEntity()
  {
   //Create a Custom entity
   CreateEntityRequest createrequest = new CreateEntityRequest
   {

    //Define the entity
    Entity = new EntityMetadata
    {
     SchemaName = _customEntityName,
     DisplayName = new Label("Image Attribute Demo", 1033),
     DisplayCollectionName = new Label("Image Attribute Demos", 1033),
     Description = new Label("An entity created by an SDK sample to demonstrate how to upload and retrieve entity images.", 1033),
     OwnershipType = OwnershipTypes.UserOwned,
     IsActivity = false,

    },

    // Define the primary attribute for the entity
    PrimaryAttribute = new StringAttributeMetadata
    {
     SchemaName = "sample_Name",
     RequiredLevel = new AttributeRequiredLevelManagedProperty(AttributeRequiredLevel.None),
     MaxLength = 100,
     FormatName = StringFormatName.Text,
     DisplayName = new Label("Name", 1033),
     Description = new Label("The primary attribute for the Image Attribute Demo entity.", 1033)
    }

   };
   _serviceProxy.Execute(createrequest);
   Console.WriteLine("The Image Attribute Demo entity has been created.");

   //Create an Image attribute for the custom entity
   // Only one Image attribute can be added to an entity that doesn't already have one.
   CreateAttributeRequest createEntityImageRequest = new CreateAttributeRequest
   {
    EntityName = _customEntityName.ToLower(),
    Attribute = new ImageAttributeMetadata
    {
     SchemaName = "EntityImage", //The name is always EntityImage
     //Required level must be AttributeRequiredLevel.None
     RequiredLevel = new AttributeRequiredLevelManagedProperty(AttributeRequiredLevel.None), 
     DisplayName = new Label("Image", 1033),
     Description = new Label("An image to show with this demonstration.", 1033)

    }
   };
   _serviceProxy.Execute(createEntityImageRequest);
   Console.WriteLine("The Image attribute has been created.");

   QueryExpression qe = new QueryExpression("systemform");
   qe.Criteria.AddCondition("type", ConditionOperator.Equal, 2); //main form
   qe.Criteria.AddCondition("objecttypecode", ConditionOperator.Equal, _customEntityName.ToLower()); 
   qe.ColumnSet.AddColumn("formxml");

   SystemForm ImageAttributeDemoMainForm = (SystemForm)_serviceProxy.RetrieveMultiple(qe).Entities[0];

   XDocument ImageAttributeDemoMainFormXml = XDocument.Parse(ImageAttributeDemoMainForm.FormXml);
   //Set the showImage attribute so the entity image will be displayed
   ImageAttributeDemoMainFormXml.Root.SetAttributeValue("showImage", true);

   //Updating the entity form definition
   ImageAttributeDemoMainForm.FormXml = ImageAttributeDemoMainFormXml.ToString();

   _serviceProxy.Update(ImageAttributeDemoMainForm);
   Console.WriteLine("The Image Attribute Demo main form has been updated to show images.");


   PublishXmlRequest pxReq1 = new PublishXmlRequest { ParameterXml = String.Format(@"
   <importexportxml>
    <entities>
     <entity>{0}</entity>
    </entities>
   </importexportxml>", _customEntityName.ToLower()) };
   _serviceProxy.Execute(pxReq1);

   Console.WriteLine("The Image Attribute Demo entity was published");
  }


  public void ShowEntityFormInBrowser(bool prompt, String name, Guid id)
  {
   if (prompt)
   {
    Console.WriteLine("\nDo you want to view record '{0}' form? (y/n)", name);
    String viewFormAnswer = Console.ReadLine();
    if (viewFormAnswer.StartsWith("y") || viewFormAnswer.StartsWith("Y"))
    {
     try
     {
      String webServiceURL = _serviceProxy.EndpointSwitch.PrimaryEndpoint.AbsoluteUri;
      String entityInDefaultSolutionUrl = webServiceURL.Replace("XRMServices/2011/Organization.svc",
       String.Format("main.aspx?etn={0}&amp;pagetype=entityrecord&amp;id=%7B{1}%7D", _customEntityName.ToLower(),id.ToString()));

      ProcessStartInfo browserProcess = new ProcessStartInfo("iexplore.exe");
      browserProcess.Arguments = entityInDefaultSolutionUrl;
      Process.Start(browserProcess);

     }
     catch (SystemException)
     {
      Console.WriteLine("\nThere was a problem opening Internet Explorer.");
     }
    }
   }
  }

  /// <summary>
  /// Deletes any entity records that were created for this sample.
  /// <param name="prompt">Indicates whether to prompt the user 
  /// to delete the records created in this sample.</param>
  /// </summary>
  public void DeleteImageAttributeDemoEntity(bool prompt)
  {
   bool deleteRecords = true;

   if (prompt)
   {
    Console.WriteLine("\nDo you want to delete the entity created for this sample? (y/n) [y]: ");
    String answer = Console.ReadLine();

    deleteRecords = (answer.StartsWith("y") || answer.StartsWith("Y") || answer == String.Empty);
   }

   if (deleteRecords)
   {
    DeleteEntityRequest der = new DeleteEntityRequest() { LogicalName = _customEntityName.ToLower() };
    _serviceProxy.Execute(der);
    Console.WriteLine("The Image Attribute Demo entity has been deleted.");
   }
  }

  #endregion How To Sample Code

  #region Main method

  /// <summary>
  /// Standard Main() method used by most SDK samples.
  /// </summary>
  /// <param name="args"></param>
  static public void Main(string[] args)
  {
   try
   {
    // Obtain the target organization's Web address and client logon 
    // credentials from the user.
    ServerConnection serverConnect = new ServerConnection();
    ServerConnection.Configuration config = serverConnect.GetServerConfiguration();

    EntityImages app = new EntityImages();
    app.Run(config, true);
   }


   catch (FaultException<Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.OrganizationServiceFault> ex)
   {
    Console.WriteLine("The application terminated with an error.");
    Console.WriteLine("Timestamp: {0}", ex.Detail.Timestamp);
    Console.WriteLine("Code: {0}", ex.Detail.ErrorCode);
    Console.WriteLine("Message: {0}", ex.Detail.Message);
    Console.WriteLine("Inner Fault: {0}",
        null == ex.Detail.InnerFault ? "No Inner Fault" : "Has Inner Fault");
   }
   catch (System.TimeoutException ex)
   {
    Console.WriteLine("The application terminated with an error.");
    Console.WriteLine("Message: {0}", ex.Message);
    Console.WriteLine("Stack Trace: {0}", ex.StackTrace);
    Console.WriteLine("Inner Fault: {0}",
        null == ex.InnerException.Message ? "No Inner Fault" : ex.InnerException.Message);
   }
   catch (System.Exception ex)
   {
    Console.WriteLine("The application terminated with an error.");
    Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);

    // Display the details of the inner exception.
    if (ex.InnerException != null)
    {
     Console.WriteLine(ex.InnerException.Message);

     FaultException<Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.OrganizationServiceFault> fe = ex.InnerException
         as FaultException<Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.OrganizationServiceFault>;
     if (fe != null)
     {
      Console.WriteLine("Timestamp: {0}", fe.Detail.Timestamp);
      Console.WriteLine("Code: {0}", fe.Detail.ErrorCode);
      Console.WriteLine("Message: {0}", fe.Detail.Message);
      Console.WriteLine("Trace: {0}", fe.Detail.TraceText);
      Console.WriteLine("Inner Fault: {0}",
          null == fe.Detail.InnerFault ? "No Inner Fault" : "Has Inner Fault");
     }
    }
   }

   // Additional exceptions to catch: SecurityTokenValidationException, ExpiredSecurityTokenException,
   // SecurityAccessDeniedException, MessageSecurityException, and SecurityNegotiationException.

   finally
   {
    Console.WriteLine("Press <Enter> to exit.");
    Console.ReadLine();
   }
  }
  #endregion Main method
 }
}

Sample: Set and retrieve entity images

Requirements

Demonstrates

Example

See Also

Additional resources