Why not something like Image.LoadPreservePixelType method?

[DrkWzrd]

I'm struggling with finding a right way to just load the image in the original format and pixel type. I don't know if it exists and I am not seeing it.

[JimBobSquarePants]

Use the non-generic version.

Image.Load()

[DrkWzrd]

But it loads Rgba32. For example this fragment

string fullPath = Path.GetFullPath(path);
if (!File.Exists(fullPath)) return;

byte[] bytes = await File.ReadAllBytesAsync(fullPath, ct);
using MemoryStream ms = new(bytes); //for use in another point later in the method

Image image = await Image.LoadAsync(ms, ct)

from a TIFF L8 it loads to a Rgba32 image.
I'm sure the TIFF is 8 bits per pixel L8.

[JimBobSquarePants]

Then use Image.Load<L8> if you specifically require that. You can use the info to make your decision.

I’d have to double check but I think the upcoming V4 will load the encoded pixel format for TIFF.

[antonfirsov]

@DrkWzrd if you expect various pixel types to appear in your input, you can utilize Image.Identify to detect the pixel format before using it.

Here is an example created by Claude Code. I tested it only on a tiny minority of the cases, so do not assume the code is correct, adapt it to your use-case and test it out extensively!

I think the library could help here more either by providing an API to enforce the original format or by making sure decoders are doing better job picking the right format (thought this could be insufficient if users need a guarantee, given the basic Image.Load overload is not designed to provide it).

[DrkWzrd]

One more thing, a way to get the type of IPixel from an Image instance would be fantastic.

Something like

Image img = ....;

Type pixelType = img.GetPixelType(); //this gives the type instance of 'Rgba32', 'L8', etc...

[JimBobSquarePants]

https://docs.sixlabors.com/api/ImageSharp/SixLabors.ImageSharp.Image.html#SixLabors_ImageSharp_Image_PixelType

[DrkWzrd]

But that is not like typeof(L8) or typeof(Rgba32), am I wrong?

[antonfirsov]

Why do you need a System.Type what is your use case?