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Get graphic object from InDesign using COM object in C#

I am looking at automating some functions in InDesign using a WPF app in C# using the COM library. I have managed to open a document, get text frames and update text within the document.

I would like to swap out images within graphic frames but I am having trouble doing so, I can't even get the graphic object.

I am using the below code to try and get graphic objects from the document:

Type type = Type.GetTypeFromProgID("InDesign.Application");
Application app = (Application)Activator.CreateInstance(type, true);

 //Set units to mm
app.ViewPreferences.HorizontalMeasurementUnits = idMeasurementUnits.idMillimeters;
app.ViewPreferences.VerticalMeasurementUnits = idMeasurementUnits.idMillimeters;

//Open Document
app.Open(@"C:\document.indd", true, idOpenOptions.idOpenOriginal);
Document doc = app.ActiveDocument;

Page pg = doc.Pages[1];
Graphics gs = (Graphics)pg.AllGraphics;

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but I keep getting this error:

An unhandled exception of type 'System.InvalidCastException' occurred in InDesignTest.exe

Additional information: Unable to cast COM object of type 'System.__ComObject' to interface type 'InDesign.Graphics'. This operation failed because the QueryInterface call on the COM component for the interface with IID '{C85A4AB3-9492-4C40-8A7B-F8305706C8B8}' failed due to the following error: No such interface supported (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80004002 (E_NOINTERFACE)).

Has anyone used InDesign successfully with C#, any help would be appreciated.

Kyle Abrahams, PMP

What type is pg.AllGraphics?

Bob Learned

If you added a COM reference to the project, then I am curious why you are using Type.GetTypeFromProgID?

Type type = Type.GetTypeFromProgID("InDesign.Application");
Application app = (Application)Activator.CreateInstance(type, true);

You should be able to create an instance of the InDesign.Application with early-binding, instead of late-binding.

CatsSolutions

ASKER

I will admit that I copied most of this code from the internet to give me a start as I have only just started working with the InDesign COM and every sample I have seen uses the late-binding.

I have just tried creating a new instance of InDesign.Application and I get a class not registered error, Using late binding is working up until trying to get the graphics.

The pg.Allgraphics returns a COM object.

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Bob Learned

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CatsSolutions

ASKER

This has helped a lot, thank you.