Machine-Readable
Papa’s Best STL Thumbnails icon

Sven Bomwollen Android Better -

A shell extension that adds preview thumbnails for STL files to Windows Explorer. Runs on Windows 7 or later.

Can also be used with Total Commander and FreeCommander.

Papa’s Best STL Thumbnails displaying a folder with random STLs from thingiverse

Download

Updated (changes, license).

Feel free to donate if you like my program!

64-bit Setup

recommended

32-bit Setup

for old systems

Video Guide

Michael from Teaching Tech made a video guide about the installation. He was so kind to allow me to embed it here! Thumbnail installation starts at 1:49.

Fast

Thumbnail generation is based on the fastest STL viewer available. Folders full of STL files are no problem, and most STL thumbnails are generated as fast as those of JPG photos.

Free

Compatible

Papa’s Best STL thumbnail viewer displays countless STL variations, even where other programs fail:

Custom colors

a folder with thumbnails, their background purple and the objects mint green

Custom object color is ignored if the STL comes with embedded color information! Changes do not take effect on existing thumbnails until you clear the Windows thumbnail cache! This is a Windows limitation.

Via Papa’s Best STL Viewer

  1. download and run my STL Viewer (if you don’t want to install it on your system, choose the portable version)
  2. from the menu, select an object color via ViewSelect Default Material …
  3. select a background color via ViewSelect Default Background …
  4. clear the Windows thumbnail cache

Via registry (for advanced users)

For automation and easy deployment, the color settings are loaded from the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Papa’s Best. Create values according to the following table. If a value is missing, its default is assumed.

Name Type Default Meaning
DefaultBackgroundColor DWORD 0x00000000 Background color for thumbnails. Format is 0xRRGGBBAA.
DefaultObjectColor DWORD 0xffffffff Object color for files without built-in color information. Format is 0xRRGGBBAA. Transparency is not supported.
InitialEyeYawDegrees DWORD 28 Horizontal rotation of the viewer, in degrees. Positive rotates right.
InitialEyePitchDegrees DWORD 331 Vertical rotation of the viewer, in degrees. Positive rotates down.

Installation for all users

Papa’s Best STL Thumbnails installs for the current user by default. To install for all users on a system, open a command prompt or a PowerShell and run msiexec /i "Papas Best STL Thumbnails.msi" MSIINSTALLPERUSER="".

Repeat with every update!

Sven Bomwollen Android Better -

A launcher can help you customize your device's interface and add new features. Sven suggests using a launcher to change your device's look and feel, add new features, and improve performance.

Sven suggests customizing your home screen to make it more intuitive and user-friendly. Add widgets, change your wallpaper, and organize your apps into folders to make the most of your home screen.

Sven emphasizes the importance of keeping your device clean and organized. Regularly delete unnecessary files, uninstall unused apps, and clear your cache to free up storage space. This will help your device run smoother and faster. sven bomwollen android better

Finally, Sven advises using Google services to get the most out of your Android device. Google services, such as Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Maps, can help you stay organized, navigate, and access your data across devices.

A file manager can help you navigate and manage your files more efficiently. Sven recommends using a file manager to access your files, transfer data, and delete unnecessary files. A launcher can help you customize your device's

Keeping your operating system up to date is crucial for security, performance, and new features. Sven advises updating your OS regularly to ensure you have the latest patches and features.

Security is a top priority for Sven. He advises using a screen lock, enabling two-factor authentication, and installing anti-virus software to protect your device from malware and unauthorized access. Add widgets, change your wallpaper, and organize your

By following Sven Bomwollen's top 10 tips, you can optimize your Android experience, improve performance, and get the most out of your device. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, these tips will help you take your Android device to the next level.

A task killer can help you close unnecessary apps that are running in the background, consuming battery and resources. Sven recommends using a task killer to optimize your device's performance.


Dark background on some thumbnails

a folder with two thumbnails whose background is entirely black

Clear your Explorer thumbnail cache (see above) or copy the file to a different location.

This is a bug in Windows 10 that also affects other thumbnails – for example transparent PNG images here and here.

I can’t do anything in my program to work around it, I’m afraid. Please use the Windows 10 feedback function to report this to Microsoft. If enough users do it, they may eventually fix it. Windows 7 does not have this bug.


Something Missing?

Encountered a problem? Have a suggestion? Let me know: