BCP out image files not working

[fraser.jc]

We have a table in our SQL2005 db with a varbinary(max) column in it.
In this field we store images and pdfs that the user has uploaded in
our .net 2.0 web app. I'm attempting to get the images out via sql
using the bcp utility (-n option for preserving native format).

The bcp command is not failing.
The image file is being created correctly (filename and file size are
intact).
Opening the image results in a "Preview not available" message.
BCP'ing out the PDFs in the exact same fashion works a treat.

Any ideas how to bcp out images? Or alternatives to bcp?

Thanks!!
Jon

[fraser.jc]

I found out that in the bcp process, an extra 8 junk hex characters
are added to the start of the file. Take them out and the image is
perfect once more

[Erland Sommarskog]

(fr*******@gmail.com) writes:

I found out that in the bcp process, an extra 8 junk hex characters
are added to the start of the file. Take them out and the image is
perfect once more

Those are not junk characters. That is the length of the data.

To achieve what you want, use this format file:

9.0
1
1 SQLBINARY 0 0 "" 1 col ""

--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, es****@sommarskog.se

Links for SQL Server Books Online:
SQL 2008: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/cc514207.aspx
SQL 2005: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb895970.aspx
SQL 2000: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinf...ons/books.mspx