Implementing an OpenFileDialog with sound file preview.

Question

I would like to implement an open file dialog or file browser that additionally offers a "Preview" button to play the currently selected sound file (wave format in particular, other formats are not necessary for this application).

• I could create my own form with various controls such as a treeview and listbox to show the folders and files, but I think I would be reinventing the wheel, or if nothing else going to a lot of work for something very simple. Do you recommend doing this?
• Can I modify (inherit) the existing OpenFileDialog and add the sound-playing button to it somehow?
• Is there some free library of custom file pickers that could be utilized? (Provided that the license allows inclusion in a commercial sense.)

Answer 1

Regarding point 2, I had thought the OpenFileDialog (or SaveFileDialog) weren't extendable in any way - they are provided by the OS.

But, it turns out they could be:

• http://www.codeproject.com/KB/dialog/WPFCustomFileDialog.aspx
• http://www.codeproject.com/KB/dialog/CustomizeFileDialog.aspx

The first one looks like what you're wanting to achieve.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Before you get carried away hacking the dialog, consider a simple solution first that leverages the FileOk event. Create a form named, say, frmPreview. Give it a constructor that takes a string. You'll need a Cancel and an OK button and code to play the file.

Display that form like this:

        var dlg = new OpenFileDialog();
        // Set other dlg properties...
        dlg.FileOk += (s, cancel) => {
            using (var prev = new frmPreview(dlg.FileName)) {
                if (prev.ShowDialog() != DialogResult.OK) cancel.Cancel = true;
            }
        };
        if (dlg.ShowDialog(this) == DialogResult.OK) {
            // use the file
            //...
        }

Now, whenever the user clicks Open, your preview form shows up. The user can click Cancel and pick another file from the dialog.