How to load background image from setting? - vb.net

Question

Before I get into the actual problem, I've done some research and nothing helps. Also, this isn't a duplicate of this question because s/he was using ComboBox, and this question is using an Open file dialog which does not help me.
Here is my problem. I am doing a Virtual System Overlay (some call it vb.net os) and for the "desktop" I need an background image loaded from an application setting. The problem is that I am getting this error:
An unhandled expection of type 'System.IO.FileNotFounfExpection' occurred in System.Drawing.dll
Additional information: My.Resources._2
And my code is:
Image.FromFile(My.Settings.bgdesk.ToString)
The setting looks like:
Name: bgdesk | Type: string | Scope: user | Value: My.Resources._2
Also, have a look at my resources:
How do I load the background image from the resource?

Answer 1

If I properly understood your question, you want to dynamically load and save a background image setting, based on a user choice; the bitmaps to be used are already included in a resource file:
1) Create a Resource file named Resource1.resx
2) Insert bitmaps you want to use (e.g. named "_1", "_2"), in this file
3) In bgdesk, let the code save only the resource name (i.e. "_1", "_2")
4) Add a ComboBox cbImgList
5) Add a Button, which sets the new BackGround image when hit
6) Use the following code (adapt it to your needs)
Private Function GetBackGroundImgFromRes(ByRef sError As String) As Boolean
Try
Dim sImgName As String = My.Settings.bgdesk
If sImgName.Trim <> "" Then
Dim RM As Resources.ResourceManager = My.Resources.Resource1.ResourceManager
Dim objBitmap As Object = RM.GetObject(sImgName)
Me.BackgroundImage = DirectCast(objBitmap, Bitmap)
End If
Return True
Catch ex As Exception
sError = ex.ToString
Return False
End Try
End Function
Private Function SetBackGroundImg(ByRef sError As String) As Boolean
Try
Dim sImgName As String = ""
Select Case cbImgList.SelectedIndex
Case -1
Return True
Case 0
sImgName = "_1"
Case 1
sImgName = "_2"
End Select
Dim RM As Resources.ResourceManager = My.Resources.Resource1.ResourceManager
Dim objBitmap As Object = RM.GetObject(sImgName)
Me.BackgroundImage = DirectCast(objBitmap, Bitmap)
My.Settings.bgdesk = sImgName
Return True
Catch ex As Exception
sError = ex.ToString
Return False
End Try
End Function
Private Sub Button2_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Button2.Click
Dim sError As String = ""
SetBackGroundImg(sError)
End Sub
Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
cbImgList.Items.Add("_1")
cbImgList.Items.Add("_2")
Dim sError As String = ""
GetBackGroundImgFromRes(sError)
End Sub