Q: Can Diagram.LoadFromXml read XML strings created using previous version's XmlWriter class?

A: The old XML format is still supported for reading; actually you must use the LoadFromString method to load an XML string.

Q: In v5, is there a performance difference between the LoadFromXml overload which takes a document vs. the one which takes a string?

A: The latter calls the former after creating an XmlDocument object from the string content.

Q: Is it possible to convert a Diagram to a bitmap file?

A: Call the Diagram.CreateImage method and then the Image.Save method.

Q: I am trying to create a custom drag&drop icon to show up when dragging the shape around on the screen. Is there a way to convert a flowChart shape into an image on the fly?

A: Create a graphics object using Graphics.FromImage. In order to draw a shape on the Graphics instance, create a temporary node, set its shape, and then call the ShapeNode.Draw method. A similar method is shown in the Flowcharter sample project where the icons in a list box represent Flowchart.NET shapes.

Q: How can I export a diagram to emf file?

A: Use the following code:

 
using (FileStream stream = new FileStream(
 @"C:\temp.wmf", FileMode.Create))
{
 Graphics g = CreateGraphics();
 IntPtr hDC = g.GetHdc();
 Metafile metafile = new Metafile(stream, hDC);
 g.ReleaseHdc(hDC);
 g.Dispose(); IGraphics gMeta = new GdiGraphics(
	 Graphics.FromImage(metafile));
	 
 diagram.Draw(gMeta, new RenderOptions(), 
	 diagram.Bounds, false);
	 
 gMeta.Dispose();
	 
 metafile.Dispose();
}