How to Convert XML to BMP

How to Convert an XML File to a BMP Image

Sheetise provides a simple, high‑performance API that lets you turn an XML document (.xml) into a crisp BMP (Bitmap) picture. This is perfect for generating raster previews of data structures, embedding configuration snapshots in reports, or creating thumbnails for archival systems without exposing the raw XML source.

Why Use Sheetise for XML‑to‑BMP Conversion?

  • Full fidelity – retains the hierarchical tags, attributes and indentation, rendering them as readable text in the image.
  • Fast & scalable – built on .NET, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux without needing an XML viewer.
  • Customisable resolution – set horizontal and vertical DPI to control image sharpness.
  • Zero‑dependency – no external tools or Office installations required.

Getting Started

Add the Sheetise.ImageConverter package to your .NET project (via NuGet) and call the ImageConverter.Process method.

Sample C# Code 

using Sheetise;

var loadOptions = new LoadOptions
{
    // Path to the source XML file
    InputFile = @"C:\Users\John\Documents\AppSettings.xml"
};

var saveOptions = new ImageSaveOptions
{
    // Desired output file – BMP extension selects the BMP format
    OutputFile = @"C:\Users\John\Pictures\AppSettings.bmp",

    // Optional: control image resolution (DPI)
    HorizontalResolution = 200,
    VerticalResolution = 200,

    // Optional: background colour for the bitmap (default is white)
    // BackgroundColour = "#FFFFFF"
};

ImageConverter.Process(loadOptions, saveOptions);

The snippet loads AppSettings.xml and writes AppSettings.bmp using the specified DPI (and optional background colour).

Key Options for BMP Output

  • HorizontalResolution / VerticalResolution – define the reference DPI; higher values give sharper text at the cost of a larger file.
  • BackgroundColour – specify a solid background (e.g., #FFFFFF for white). BMP does not support transparency.
  • Padding – optional extra pixels around the rendered text to avoid clipping.

Best Practices

  1. Use 200 DPI or higher when the BMP will be printed; 96 DPI is sufficient for on‑screen previews.
  2. If the XML file is very deep, increase the DPI or adjust the font size (via additional API settings) to keep the text legible.
  3. Verify the generated BMP in an image viewer or editor to ensure all tags are visible and properly aligned.
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