---
title: "Your First Application with Graphics Mill"
canonical: https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/your-first-application-with-graphics-mill.htm
product: "Graphics Mill"
---

# Your First Application with Graphics Mill
 
This topic describes how to get started with Graphics Mill and shows how to write a simple image processing routine. The routine loads an image, resizes it, and draws a watermark on it.
 
## Image Processing
  
To process relatively small images, you can use bitmaps. Graphics Mill can load bitmaps from various [image formats](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/supported-file-formats.htm.md), save them to these formats, apply different transformations on bitmaps, and draw text, graphic primitives, or other images on them. You can draw on bitmaps with any pixel format [supported by Graphics Mill](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/supported-file-formats.htm.md), except for indexed formats. Even extended formats (16 bits per channel), CMYK, and formats with alpha channels are handled correctly.
 
First, you can add the following namespaces to our application to make the code more attractive.
 
```csharp
using Aurigma.GraphicsMill;
using Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs;
using Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Transforms;
using Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Drawing;
```
 
The following imaging algorithm comprises three main operations with a bitmap: load the bitmap from a file, resize it, and then draw watermark text on it. Here is the complete code implementing this algorithm:
 
```csharp
private static Bitmap ResizeAndWatermark(string sourceImagePath, int size, string text)
{
    // Load an image from the specified file.
    var bitmap = new Bitmap(sourceImagePath);

    // Resize the image to the specified size.
    bitmap.Transforms.Resize(size, size, ResizeInterpolationMode.High, ResizeMode.Fit);

    // Draw watermark text.
    using (var graphics = bitmap.GetGraphics())
    {
        var textToDraw = new PlainText(text, graphics.CreateFont("Calibri", bitmap.Height / 20), 
            new SolidBrush(RgbColor.White), graphics.Width - 1, graphics.Height - 1, 
            TextAlignment.Right);
        graphics.DrawText(textToDraw);
    }
    return bitmap;
}
```
 
All drawing operations are built around the [Graphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_Graphics.htm.md) abstraction. The bitmap itself is storage for pixels and does not support any drawing operations. That is why we use **Graphics** to draw on the bitmap. If you want to learn how to draw on bitmaps in detail, read the [Drawing](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/advanced-drawing.htm.md) section.
 
## Adding Graphics Mill to Your Project
  
The easiest way to add Graphics Mill to your project is NuGet. Run the following command in the project folder:

```
dotnet add package Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Core.x64
```
 
Use `Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Core.x86` if your application targets the x86 platform.
 
If you prefer not to use NuGet, install Graphics Mill SDK and add a reference to the `Aurigma.GraphicsMill.dll` assembly. You can find it in ` C:\Program Files (x86)\Aurigma\Graphics Mill 12 SDK\Binaries\net472\xNN\` for .NET Framework 4.7.2 and higher, or in ` C:\Program Files (x86)\Aurigma\Graphics Mill 12 SDK\Binaries\net9.0\xNN\` for .NET 9 and higher. *NN* is `64` or `86`. For more information, read [Installation and Redistribution Notices](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/installation-and-redistribution-notices.htm.md).
 
## See Also
  
### Reference
 
- [Bitmap Class](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Bitmap.htm.md)
- [Graphics Class](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_Graphics.htm.md)

### Manual
 
- [Supported File Formats](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/supported-file-formats.htm.md)
- [Drawing Text and Graphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/advanced-drawing.htm.md)
- [Interpolation Modes Comparison](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/interpolation-modes-comparison.htm.md)
- [Installation and Redistribution Notices](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/installation-and-redistribution-notices.htm.md)