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I can't directlyaddress your wishes, but you do realize you can preview parts in the File/Open dialog box don't you. There's a button at the bottom right that opens a Preview>>> windowpane.
There is a config option that can be set sosaved sketches can also bepreviewed: sketcher_save_preview_image, and there may be others.
Huh, this thumbnail thing is very tricky. First of all I remember when I worked with solidworks (back in 99), it would save files with icons of models (what was modeled was in icon), and that given me a lot of problems with mine computer back then (well you spend 6 hours of work and you can't save, that was sight for eyes).
Second when in windows use thumbnails for a lot of files (for example pictures) then windows become real slow (I'm talking that they become slow when you open this folder where you have pictures in thumbnails).
So imagine what would be if you would have Proe models in thumbnails and a lot of files (machine crash?).
But maybe in time windows become pretty save and stable platform so we might see ProE models in thumbnails
If you NEED a thumbnail of word and powerpoint files there is something
seriously wrong with your file naming. For me the Windows preview is a
waste of space
Windows has a limit on the number of icons it can display before
it poohs itself and starts showing incorrect icons due to hitting the limit of Max Cached Icons. With NT4 and win2k the default was as low as 500 and maximum is 4096
As I only purge about once a week, some of my folders end up with over
a thousand files in after a serious editing session. In my previous job
we had over 2,000 released pdf drawings in a single folder. Reading a
name is far faster than looking though lots of similar looking
thumbnails. The last thing I
want is Windows slowing down even more trying to display icons for
these files, particularly when you have 50 of more versions of the same
file that are going to look nearly identical in the first place.
Thanks but a definite NO THANKS
And for the record I don't use the preview in Pro/E
either.
As for other files.. i dont NEED Thumbnails... i just like using them !! And i can be bothered purging my folders after every pro session so i never have multiple copies of the same part !!
It was just n idea.. tis all... no need to get all touchy about it !!
So I see you have never discovered a major bug or limitation of the
software and had to roll back your models by a couple of days and
explore an entirely new method to achieve the result you need without
the hassle of having to pull the files off backup.
Oh I forgot to mention that I have one project folder of around 400
parts and assemblies AFTER purging and this is in spite of having a
very extensive library of common components.
Unnecessary icons are just another time waster. As a proof of this get
hold of a copy of File Manager from NT4 SP6a and try using this to
browse a remote folder. It will reveal the complete contents
immediately because it does not try to browse every single file looking
for pretty icons to show like Explorer does.
I think M$ tries too hard to accommodate people who don't know how to
use a computer to the detriment of users who do know how and get sick
of Windows telling them that it knows best or running non-essential
processes that can cripple the speed of the big stuff. At work I have
XP down to about 18 processes at boot. I see other people with 30 or 40
processes and they wonder why it runs like a dog in comparison.
1. Ive never had a "bug" which has meant ive had to roll back a model !! your quite right there..
2. The assemblies i work with may not be 400 + parts but some of them arent far off !
3. Knock that chip off ya shoulder !! This is not a rant and rave forum.. its a wishlist forum !! If you've got such a BIG problem with what ive posted REPORT ME !!
This forum is just for throwing ideas in the mix.. ok, it'snot the best idea, but it was just a thought i had !! the whole point of this forum being to share ya thoughts on what you would like to see in the future.. that sorta stuff !
Actually, this is not completely a function of Windows. When you
install Adobe Acrobat, it allows viewing thumbnails in Explorer.
AutoCAD does this as well. You cannot view these thumbnails
without their parent app (or 3rd part thumb tool which I do not know
of) installed. I do not believe this has anything to do with
icons. They are
thumbnails and are stored in the "thumbs.db" file (at least in XP).
Also, you can shut them off by viewing "details" or "icons" or "list".
The biggest problem I see with this would be that Pro/E appends the
save rev of the part to the file extension. Windows would have no
way of knowing that a ".1", ".2", or ".3" file was a Pro/E file.
If you look in Explorer, you will see the default icon, unless you
specify that ".1" files are to be opened with Pro/E. Windows
doesn't see it as a PRT or ASM file.
Another big problem with this would be that some files are huge, and if
Windows had to read the file for each thumbnail, it could take a
while. Just try opening a large collection of hi-res images (ie -
digital camera folder) and watch your performance slow to a
crawl. Maybe if there were a JPG preview saved in the PRT file,
it would make the process more efficient.
I do not use thumbnails either and I believe naming conventions is the
way to go. It makes coding in Pro/Program and J/Link much easier,
as similar parts are grouped together and somewhat categorized, making
collections easier to remember. It also is easier to open files,
as they sort in the open box by the name you give it.
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