Thumb Plug TGA
February 2nd, 2003

Can you figure out what's different about this picture?

Look close.....The difference is you are seeing thumbnails for TGA files inside Windows Explorer!!!  That also means you can see them inside pretty much any file open / file save dialog.  Hooray!

Windows 2000 and XP provide thumbnails for .JPG, .GIF, .BMP, .AVI, .MPG and a few other formats.  What's cool though is Windows 2000 and XP also provide an API for adding support for more formats.  So, I found an example, whipped out some old TGA code and threw this together.

Not too many *normal* people use the TGA format but in the video and computer game industry it's pretty popular.  Probably because it's supported by most graphics software and because it's very simple to use.  You can read or write a basic TGA file in just a few lines of code.

Just in case you are not aware, the same function is available inside the normal Windows standard file open/save window so for example if you are in Maya selecting a texture file you can select by clicking on a thumbnail instead of having to remember the name of the file.

To do this, in the file open/save window you click the last icon on the right and pick "thumbnails" (1)

Also, just incase you didn't notice you can resize the standard file open/save window (2) so that you can see more files at once.

Download:

You can download the installer by clicking the link below.

thumbplug_tga1.10.exe (268k)
[ for TGA (Targa) files ]

There is also a version for Softimage PIC files.

thumbplug_pic1.11.exe (309k)
[ for PIC (Softimage) files ]

And for Maya IFF files.

thumbplug_iff1.09.exe (314k)
[ for IFF (Maya) files ]

THERE IS NO WARRANTY HERE.  USE THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!  THERE IS ALSO NO SUPPORT!

Notes:

The TGA(Targa) format supports many formats but most of them are pretty rare.  For example, TGA files can have their images stored in any direction, right to left, bottom to top, top to bottom, left to right.  They can also support 15 and 16 bit pixels.  But, in my personal experience, I've never seen a TGA file stored any way other than bottom to top + left to right.  I've also never personally used a 16 bit TGA file nor have I used or seen any of the other options.  Therefore, there is no support for those other formats in this plug in.  If you need support, see below

The PIC format also supports many formats.  This plugin currently only supports 24bit and 32bit files.

Version History:

TGA
v1.09 2003-02-02
  • first public release
v1.10 2004-08-15
  • attempted to fix issues with vertically flipped files
PIC
v1.11 2003-02-02
  • first public release
IFF
v1.09 2003-02-02
  • first public release

Source Code:

The source is provided under a FreeBSD style license.  If you do find a bug or add a feature I'd be happy to hear about it for if you find it really useful it would be nice to hear.

You can download the source code here

thumbplug_tga_src1.10.zip (28k)
[ for TGA (Targa) files ]

thumbplug_pic_src1.11.zip (25k)
[ for PIC (Softimage) files ]

If you download the source be sure to read the readme.  It's important that you make a new CLSID or there will be conflicts.

Pass it on
Comments: 1 [2][3]
Thumb Plug TGA Source Code - IDL file missing

Hi,

The IDL file thumbtgaformat.idl seems to be missing in the source code.

I would have tried create a thumbnail extension for another file format.

-Gaff

posted by GaffFebruary 9, 2003 at 22:49 [ e ]
Source code
Sorry about that.  I uploaded a new zip file that should have the .idl file in it.  If there is anything else missing let me know.  Also, if you do end up making one for another format it would be cool if you could post a link here.
posted by greggmanFebruary 10, 2003 at 9:23 [ e ]
Thumb Plug question: refresh problem experiences?

Back in December ('02) you had posted on Philipos Sakellaropoulos' web site that you were having trouble with the proper refreshing of Thumbnails using his code as a guide.  Did you subsequently resolve those problems?  I am about to embark on developing a Thumbnail extractor shell extension handler for a proprietary file format, and I was wondering if you had discovered anything that went beyond Philipos' example to solve that problem.

Thanks,   - Stan -

posted by StanMarch 17, 2003 at 12:53 [ e ]
Sadly no
Basically we found out it was particular to certain machines so it appears it's a conflict with some piece of software.  It our case it only effected the .PIC version so it must be some software that has to do with .PIC files.  We didn't bother to narrow it down though and find a solution.  Those people that have the conflict just have to press F5 for now
posted by greggmanMarch 17, 2003 at 19:59 [ e ]
Windows 2000 and XP also provide an API for adding support for more formats
Where do I get this API at?
posted by anon_ssj3alan_anonymousApril 19, 2003 at 11:49 [ e ]
Here's some API links

http://msdn.microsoft.com/ms
dnmag/issues/0600/w2kui2/def
ault.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/li
brary/default.asp?url=/libra
ry/en-us/shellcc/platform/shell/re
ference/ifaces/iextractimage
2/iextractimage2.asp

http://www.codeproject.com/s
hell/ThumbExtract.asp

Note: I don't have any more information.  Sorry.  Search google or msdn for IPicture / IPicture2 if those links above don't lead to something.

posted by greggmanApril 19, 2003 at 11:56 [ e ]
*.pdf thumbnails

>"What's cool though is Windows 2000 and XP also provide an API for adding support for more formats."

Can you write (or tell me how to do it) an extension that makes Explorer show *.pdf thumbnails? I even would pay some money for such a program.

Thanks.

posted by anon_AdminatorMay 17, 2003 at 10:53 [ e ]
Thanks! This is just what I needed!
posted by DerekHauffeSeptember 13, 2003 at 12:11 [ e ]
Refresh problem fixed ?

I fixed the problem I had with the refresh which duplicated some thumbnails in thumbscb. I guess you had the same problem since I saw a Sleep( 100 ) in the code :D

I hope it can fix your problems.

The only thing to do  in the get location function, we must output a unique value in pszPath Buffer.

Something like that will do :

USES_CONVERSION;
swprintf( pszPathBuffer, A2W("%d"), count++ );

Hope it helped.

posted by CedrickCollombJanuary 15, 2004 at 6:16 [ e ]
thumb plug iff does not work

I've installed the tga and the iff version. The tga's now display fine in the explorer, thanks for this feature!

but for my maya iff files i don't get thumbnail images, does anyone know what the problem could be?

I'm using windows 2k

posted by CreaApril 30, 2004 at 3:20 [ e ]
well it does work

even the iff files are displayed, nice and thx for this.

posted by CreaApril 30, 2004 at 7:56 [ e ]
Also having problems with the IFF version...

Had the .tga viewer working in moments, but the IFF version doesn't want to play on either Windows 2000 or XP.

Any ideas would be much appreciated!

posted by SimonJuly 25, 2004 at 19:29 [ e ]
Targa - Dont display .tga with alpha channel

I cant thank you enough for making this plugin - but I use a lot of .tga with an alpha channel - Rendered from 3D Max and later into AVID.

If you can direct me to another plugin or make a modification to your excellent plugin, I would be a happy puppy ( and would not ask you any questions of Japan or other game related stuff ;)

Thanks for some serious coding when I needed it the most!

Best Regards
David Radszuweit

posted by DavidRadszuweitJuly 31, 2004 at 9:31 [ e ]
can someone help me with tga plug?

this is the error I get .... look here :

http://www.n-trace.com/untitled-1.jpg

 

what needs to be done to fix it ? thumbs isn't working.... :(

posted by choocheeAugust 1, 2004 at 5:04 [ e ]
WOW

THANKS ALLOT FOR THIS!!!!

It works like a charm, I I REALLY like this :D

posted by LouNGeRAugust 5, 2004 at 10:27 [ e ]
sorry about the alpha problem

I noticed that myself recently.  I'll try to fix it when I get a chance.  Hopefully soon.

posted by greggmanAugust 10, 2004 at 9:02 [ e ]
win2k pro users : don´t waste your time

the tga plugin doesn´t work on W2K PRO . on 2k and xp it works with SOME tga files .

forget this thing and use acdsee - it´s not like this plugin but at least it supports ALL tga files and more.

anyway , nice try

posted by some1August 14, 2004 at 2:38 [ e ]
it does work on Win2k Pro

Since I wrote it for Sega of Japan and every single person at the company was running Win2K Pro except me.

As for it not working on some files, you got me there.  It worked on 30 or 40 thousand files at Sega.  Sorry if it didn't work for you.

posted by greggmanAugust 14, 2004 at 9:14 [ e ]
to be more explicit

the old tga plugin (v1.09 - wich was the only version available at the time i wrote the comment) did not work on 2kp! -  i´ve tried it on 2 different computers with different setups,both with 2kp (+service pack 3)

the new one (v1.10 available AFTER i wrote my comment) does ..... but still not with all tga files.

posted by some1August 14, 2004 at 13:24 [ e ]
send me a file
or tell me where I can download one.  when I have time I'll take a look at it.  As for the new one working and the old one not I suspect it was just that you rebooted your machine or something.  Nothing changed related to it working.
posted by greggmanAugust 14, 2004 at 22:42 [ e ]
Include file 'xmldom.idl' not found in source

Downloaded the source code, compiled it (Visual C++ 6.0), got this error: "fatal error C1083: Cannot open include file: 'xmldom.idl': No such file or directory".

Am I doing something wrong?

posted by NicoAugust 30, 2004 at 0:59 [ e ]
xmldom.idl
searching for that file on google it appears you need to download the platform SDK and specifically the Internet Explorer part
posted by greggmanAugust 30, 2004 at 5:40 [ e ]

Bummer. The iff plugin doesnt work with XP SP2. Works with SP1 jsut fine but it gives me a bunch of .dll errors on SP2. I guess all i can hope for is that you will do an update. I Love that plugin!

Eagerly awaiting the day when iff for XP SP2 is on your site.

keep up the good work.

/\\/

posted by AngryVitaminSeptember 7, 2004 at 23:45 [ e ]
XP SP2 no problems

A friend of mine tried it with XP SP2 and he had no problems.  I don't know what to suggest to get it to work on your system.  Maybe if you uninstall it, reboot and then re-install it?

posted by greggmanSeptember 10, 2004 at 1:42 [ e ]
Mr

Thanks, these are  a REALLY helpful & cool little apps - they werk Perfectly for Me, XP with SP2

Ciao Zac

posted by zacromSeptember 16, 2004 at 13:51 [ e ]
SP2 works fine
Just saying that I also have no problems with in xp sp2.  In fact I have it built in to my unattended install.    Thanks for a cool plugin.
posted by smknightOctober 10, 2004 at 14:18 [ e ]
SageThumbs thumbnail image shell extension (freeware)
* Extednded thumbnail image view
* Thumbnail image in context menu
* Extednded info tips
* Support 157 image formats
http://newsgroup.xnview.com/
viewtopic.php?t=746
posted by ryoohkiOctober 15, 2004 at 23:35 [ e ]
good work ;)

Well done mate, a simple yet very usefull little plug for us .tga users ;)

posted by blaedmonNovember 5, 2004 at 11:03 [ e ]
TGA Thumbnails
Excellent work my friend and very appreciated. Thanks! 
posted by JohnNovember 12, 2004 at 12:08 [ e ]
I love you
posted by garryDecember 10, 2004 at 11:26 [ e ]
3d artist

Hi.

First, thanks so much for the tga viewer!  My company just switched to an entirely .sgi pipeline however.  Any chance there's a .sgi thumb plug on its way with win2k and winxp support?

Thanks!

Dru

posted by druabramsDecember 27, 2004 at 9:26 [ e ]

Is there any way to make this work with Windows Picture and FAX Viewer so we can view these images full size in that built in applet?

That would be really nice...

=O)

posted by LiddoTeapotJanuary 24, 2005 at 20:02 [ e ]
I looked but I couldn't find a way
posted by greggmanJanuary 25, 2005 at 3:33 [ e ]
Is there any possibility for getting a .tif /.tiff version?
posted by MarkFebruary 1, 2005 at 23:49 [ e ]
tiff blues...
You'd be DA man if you could...  ;)
posted by MarkFebruary 6, 2005 at 10:13 [ e ]

wow - xsi .pic thumbnails - hurrah!!!!

.tif thumbnail preview would be fantastic as well - is that easy enough to code up?

 

cheers for supplying them tho :D

posted by anthonymcgrathMarch 7, 2005 at 1:43 [ e ]
GREAT!!!
Great work! Thanks for your effort :)
posted by TomasMMarch 21, 2005 at 8:37 [ e ]
how fantastic is that??

Have to pick one shot out of a 501 frame animation to go into a presentation as a still!  Would have been great if I could have previewed them as well, but at leat now I can use the thumbnails to narrow it down to 20 or so!

Ta! : )

posted by sidMarch 22, 2005 at 2:40 [ e ]
I express my heartfelt thanks to you.

Work advances efficiently by your favor.

I wish to express my gratitude.

It is not "GOMENNASORI(ごめんなそり）", and "GOMANNASAI（ごめんなさい）. "

However, you are not necessary ..the apology...

posted by SayuriNagayoshiApril 22, 2005 at 0:59 [ e ]
ナガヨシさん、「ごめんなそり」は冗談ですよ。「NICEGUY人」というグループの曲のおかしい歌詞です。
posted by greggmanApril 22, 2005 at 3:14 [ e ]
As a Lightwave artist, both the .tga and the .iff plugs are invaluable.  So many texture and image libraries use these formats.  Huge time saver, especially in the file open box!
posted by LightwaveUserJune 6, 2005 at 8:31 [ e ]
Saved me about 3 hours just now!!

I have a 3dsmax render farm, and one server hadn't been patched to 7.1, so when I returned to my 1000 frame render, there were frames randomly spread through the sequence that had no animated textures (they'd rendered black).   I was faced with going back to the render manager, listing all the frames that had been assigned to the faulty machine, then manually deleting those files... (nightmare...)  but thanks to the TGA plugin, the whole process took about 5 minutes because from the thumbnail view the bad frames were visible imediately.

Thanks heaps for a great little tool, and like so many things on the web - small utilities tend to be the most powerful, and the most useful...!!!

Nathan

posted by nathanJune 10, 2005 at 6:29 [ e ]
.mov

Hi,

Best plugin of one of its kind but is there any plugin or patch to view .mov thumbnail in explorer itself

posted by AshishJune 17, 2005 at 21:28 [ e ]
Thank You!
Thanks so much for this program.  It makes it so much easier when I am working on game mods where I have so many .tga files and need to keep track of what they are without opening the files.
posted by XiamaraJuly 4, 2005 at 2:46 [ e ]
about time i downloaded this plugin THANK U!!!
posted by JoseJuly 6, 2005 at 8:23 [ e ]
nice job
Awesome just what I needed~!
posted by slackerJuly 14, 2005 at 13:39 [ e ]
sometimes it is the little things
great - very helpful - thanks a lot for sharing!

Holger
posted by HolgerJuly 17, 2005 at 18:47 [ e ]
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