---
title: "CustomFormatReader Class"
canonical: https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CustomFormatReader.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/)

# CustomFormatReader Class
 
Abstract class for a custom format reader object.
 
**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 MustInherit Class CustomFormatReader _Inherits FormatReader
```
 
```csharp
public abstract class CustomFormatReader : FormatReader
```
 
## Remarks
  
In case you want to add read support of media formats not already supported by Graphics Mill for .NET, or if you want a custom reader for an already supported format, you should create a reader class derived from this class.
 
It provides several methods and properties, most of which are inherited. However, there are some members that you should implement:
 
- [GetEmptyFrame()](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CustomFormatReader_GetEmptyFrame.htm.md)
- [IsSupported(Stream)](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CustomFormatReader_IsSupported_1_bca7c9fe.htm.md)
- [LoadFrameBitmap()](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CustomFormatReader_LoadFrameBitmap.htm.md)
- [LoadFrameParameters()](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CustomFormatReader_LoadFrameParameters.htm.md)
- [OpenReader(Stream)](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CustomFormatReader_OpenReader_1_bca7c9fe.htm.md)

For more details on these members, see the appropriate reference topics.
 
## Inheritance Hierarchy
  
- [System.Object](http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/e5kfa45b)
    - [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.SyncHandler](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_SyncHandler.htm.md)
        - [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.FormatReader](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_FormatReader.htm.md)
            - Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.CustomFormatReader
 
## Thread Safety
 Static members of this type are safe for multi-threaded operations. Instance members of this type are safe for multi-threaded operations.
 
## Object Model

[![](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/Aurigma.GraphicsMill_ObjectModel_125.png)](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CustomFormatReader.htm.md)
![](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/ObjectModel1.png)[![](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/Aurigma.GraphicsMill_ObjectModel_95.png)](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_IFrame.htm.md)
  
## See Also

### Reference

- [CustomFormatReader Members](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/AllMembers_T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_CustomFormatReader.htm.md)
- [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs Namespace](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/N_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs.htm.md)
- [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Codecs.FormatReader](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_FormatReader.htm.md)