Fix: Manual update to .CSPROJ file XML as VS 2017 was throwing an error when trying to go to the pics folder properties to include it in the output directoy. Added:

<None Update="Pics">
      <CopyToOutputDirectory>Always</CopyToOutputDirectory>
    </None>

See possible related bug in VS 2017:
https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn-project-system/issues/1579

build-bits.ps1

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ Write-Host "basketPathToPub is $basketPathToPub" -ForegroundColor Yellow
 ########################################################################################
 # Delete old eShop dotnet publish bits
 ########################################################################################
-Write-Host "Deleting previous dotnet publish bits from all projects" -ForegroundColor Blue
+# Write-Host "Deleting previous dotnet publish bits from all projects" -ForegroundColor Blue
 
 remove-item -path $WebMVCPathToPub -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
 remove-item -path $webSPAPathToPub -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

src/Services/Catalog/Catalog.API/Catalog.API.csproj

@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@
     <None Update="Dockerfile">
       <CopyToOutputDirectory>Always</CopyToOutputDirectory>
     </None>
+    <None Update="Pics">
+      <CopyToOutputDirectory>Always</CopyToOutputDirectory>
+    </None>
     <None Update="Pics\1.png">
       <CopyToOutputDirectory>Always</CopyToOutputDirectory>
     </None>