Add image processing benchmarks and UI folder open buttons

- Added MaddoShared.Benchmarks project with BenchmarkDotNet for comprehensive image processing performance tests (parallel, chunk, size, stress).
- Included helper for generating test images and custom configs to ensure InProcess toolchain for .NET Windows compatibility.
- Added cross-platform scripts to run benchmarks easily.
- Updated .gitignore for benchmark artifacts and temp files.
- Exposed GetFilesToProcessPublic in ImageCreationStuff for testability.
- Added file name sanitization in ImageCreatorSharp to prevent IO errors.
- Enhanced WinForms UI: added "Open" buttons for source/destination folders, handled folder opening in Explorer, and improved user messaging and layout.
- Updated solution file to include new benchmark project.

imagecatalog/DataModel.cs

@@ -1010,6 +1010,8 @@ namespace ImageCatalog_2
         public event EventHandler<string> SaveSettingsRequested;
         public event EventHandler<string> LoadSettingsRequested;
         public event EventHandler SelectColorRequested;
+        // Request that the View shows a message to the user (message, caption, icon)
+        public event EventHandler<Tuple<string, string, MessageBoxIcon>> ShowMessageRequested;
 
         private void SelectSourceFolder(object parameter)
         {

imagecatalog/MainForm.cs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ using System.Drawing.Text;
 using System.IO;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Reflection;
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
 using System.Text;
 using System.Threading;
@@ -47,6 +48,10 @@ public partial class MainForm
         
         BindControls();
 
+        // Wire up 'Open folder in Explorer' buttons
+        btnOpenSourceFolder.Click += BtnOpenSourceFolder_Click;
+        btnOpenDestFolder.Click += BtnOpenDestFolder_Click;
+
         var version = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetName().Version;
         _Label27.Text = $"Version: {version.Major}.{version.Minor}.{version.Build}.{version.Revision}";
     }
@@ -70,6 +75,21 @@ public partial class MainForm
         Model.SaveSettingsRequested += OnSaveSettingsRequested;
         Model.LoadSettingsRequested += OnLoadSettingsRequested;
         Model.SelectColorRequested += OnSelectColorRequested;
+        // Show message requests (from ViewModel validation)
+        Model.ShowMessageRequested += OnShowMessageRequested;
+    }
+
+    private void OnShowMessageRequested(object? sender, Tuple<string, string, MessageBoxIcon> args)
+    {
+        if (args is null) return;
+        // Ensure call on UI thread
+        if (InvokeRequired)
+        {
+            Invoke(new Action(() => OnShowMessageRequested(sender, args)));
+            return;
+        }
+
+        MessageBox.Show(this, args.Item1, args.Item2, MessageBoxButtons.OK, args.Item3);
     }
 
     private void SetDefaults()
@@ -181,6 +201,57 @@ public partial class MainForm
         }
     }
 
+    private void BtnOpenSourceFolder_Click(object? sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        // Prefer the model value but fall back to the textbox if needed
+        var path = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Model.SourcePath) ? txtSorgente.Text : Model.SourcePath;
+        OpenFolder(path);
+    }
+
+    private void BtnOpenDestFolder_Click(object? sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        var path = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Model.DestinationPath) ? txtDestinazione.Text : Model.DestinationPath;
+        OpenFolder(path);
+    }
+
+    private void OpenFolder(string? path)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(path))
+        {
+            MessageBox.Show(this, "Folder path is empty.", "Open Folder", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        path = path.Trim().Trim('"');
+
+        try
+        {
+            if (File.Exists(path))
+            {
+                // If a file was provided, open its folder and select it
+                Process.Start("explorer.exe", $"/select,\"{path}\"");
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (Directory.Exists(path))
+            {
+                Process.Start(new ProcessStartInfo
+                {
+                    FileName = path,
+                    UseShellExecute = true
+                });
+                return;
+            }
+
+            MessageBox.Show(this, $"Folder does not exist: {path}", "Open Folder", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _logger?.LogError(ex, "Failed to open folder {Path}", path);
+            MessageBox.Show(this, $"Failed to open folder: {ex.Message}", "Open Folder", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
+        }
+    }
+
     private void OnSelectDestinationFolderRequested(object sender, EventArgs e)
     {
         var dialogResult = SelectFolder(Model.DestinationPath);