You can simply call Adapt method from anywhere.

var dest = src.Adapt<TSource, TDestination>();

or just

var dest = src.Adapt<TDestination>();

2 extension methods are doing the same thing. src.Adapt<TDestination> will cast src to object. Therefore, if you map value type, please use src.Adapt<TSource, TDestination> to avoid boxing and unboxing.

In some cases, you need an instance of a mapper (or a factory function) to pass into a DI container. Mapster has the IMapper and Mapper to fill this need:

IMapper mapper = new Mapper();

And usage Map method to perform mapping.

var result = mapper.Map<TDestination>(source);

In most case Adapt method is enough, but sometimes we need builder to support fancy scenario. Basic example, is to pass run-time value.

var dto = poco.BuildAdapter()
              .AddParameters("user", this.User.Identity.Name)
              .AdaptToType<SimpleDto>();

Or if you use mapper instance, you can create builder by method From.

var dto = mapper.From(poco)
              .AddParameters("user", this.User.Identity.Name)
              .AdaptToType<SimpleDto>();

See Mapster.Tool for generating your specific mapper class, rather than using the provided mappers.