---
title: "FormatReader..::.Open Method (Stream)"
canonical: https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_FormatReader_Open_1_bca7c9fe.htm
product: "Graphics Mill 5.5 for .NET"
---

This documentation is for the old version. [Go to the latest Graphics Mill docs](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/)

# FormatReader.Open Method (Stream)
 
Opens format reader on the specified stream.
 
**Namespace:** [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/N_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs.htm.md)
 **Assembly:** Aurigma.GraphicsMill (in Aurigma.GraphicsMill.dll)
 
## Syntax
  
```
Public Overridable Sub Open ( _stream As Stream _
)
```
 
```csharp
public virtual void Open(Stream stream
)
```
 
### Parameters
 
 - stream
     - Type: [System.IO.Stream](http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/8f86tw9e)
The [Stream](http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/8f86tw9e) class instance that holds data to read from.
 
### Implements
 
[IFormatReader.Open(Stream)](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_IFormatReader_Open_1_bca7c9fe.htm.md)
 
## Remarks
 After you completed reading, you should close the reader with [Close()](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_FormatReader_Close.htm.md) method.
   
## See Also

### Reference

- [FormatReader Class](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_FormatReader.htm.md)
- [Open Overload](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/O_T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_FormatReader_Open.htm.md)
- [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs Namespace](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/N_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs.htm.md)