SkUp 2021, How to get file thumbnails displayed?

HornOxx · 3 May 2021, 10:09

Hi All - can anyone please explain me how to get the small thumbnail images of a SketchUp file displayed when browsing through Window´s file explorer?
In my previously used version SkUp2019 this worked by itself somehow, but since I use SkUp2021 unfortunately it doesn´t work for me anymore...

TIG · 3 May 2021, 10:56

First off ensure that SketchUp is installed [or repaired] correctly.
While logged into Windows as your normal user-account ensure that SketchUp is closed.
Find the SketchUp installer's exe file - usually in your Downloads folder.
Select the installer's exe file icon, right-click > context-menu > Run as administrator
When prompted choose Repair...
Restart your computer to see if that helped...

There is a way of forcing this, but is it's not so simple...

Here's how I did it myself...

You need to use Regedit - but don't use it if you are at all unsure !
Make notes as you go in case you need to reverse any changes...

Windows: Start menu > Run > Regedit > OK

Search for the string \ThumbsUp.dll in your various entries' Data settings...

Edit the entries that relate to the file-paths where the \ThumbsUp.dll is located...

They should all point towards the latest v2021 ThumbsUp.dll, rather than any earlier ThumbsUp.dll files that might exist in earlier versions' installed folders.

They should all read something like:
C:\Program Files\SketchUp\SketchUp **2021**\ThumbsUp.dll

Depending on how many versions of SketchUp you have installed it might take a while to find all of the paths and edit them...

After that ALL installed versions of SketchUp seem to make their thumbnail icons properly...
[You might need to restart your PC for the changes to be seen ?]

BUT surely this can be fixed 'properly' by 'the powers that be' at Trimble ??

HornOxx · 3 May 2021, 12:03

Thank you TIG for your tips. Yes, indeed, my registry entry here refers to an old 2020 version. For reasons of non-existent admin rights (company notebook) I just asked our IT to help with the regestry approach. I will let you know how it turns out

jo-ke · 5 May 2021, 19:13

I have the same problems but I am not able to fix it.

Maybe I should show your advices to my admin. Maybe he can fix it...

thank you

christ0s · 2 Feb 2022, 13:33

@tig said:

First off ensure that SketchUp is installed [or repaired] correctly.
While logged into Windows as your normal user-account ensure that SketchUp is closed.
Find the SketchUp installer's exe file - usually in your Downloads folder.
Select the installer's exe file icon, right-click > context-menu > Run as administrator
When prompted choose Repair...
Restart your computer to see if that helped...

There is a way of forcing this, but is it's not so simple...

Here's how I did it myself...

You need to use Regedit - but don't use it if you are at all unsure !
Make notes as you go in case you need to reverse any changes...

Windows: Start menu > Run > Regedit > OK

Search for the string \ThumbsUp.dll in your various entries' Data settings...

Edit the entries that relate to the file-paths where the \ThumbsUp.dll is located...

They should all point towards the latest v2021 ThumbsUp.dll, rather than any earlier ThumbsUp.dll files that might exist in earlier versions' installed folders.

They should all read something like:
C:\Program Files\SketchUp\SketchUp **2021**\ThumbsUp.dll

Depending on how many versions of SketchUp you have installed it might take a while to find all of the paths and edit them...

After that ALL installed versions of SketchUp seem to make their thumbnail icons properly...
[You might need to restart your PC for the changes to be seen ?]

BUT surely this can be fixed 'properly' by 'the powers that be' at Trimble ??

IT WORKS !

You have to use the "Find" function in the Regedit. Then "Find next" and keep doing this until all entries lead to the SketchUp 2021\ThumbsUp.dll

It took me 2 years to find a solution for this. I lost so much time reading posts from the official "help" from the Sketchup stuff. Totally useless info. Thank you so much

HornOxx · 2 Feb 2022, 18:39

thank you - this good news is encouraging. I too am dependent on an IT department with my company´s notebook.
Due to also Corona-related many much much more important issues these people have to master, my concern was not important enough so far. Since the update to SU 2022 is coming up soon, I will keep an eye on this topic.
Anyway, I share tig's comment from above

@tig said:

BUT surely this can be fixed 'properly' by 'the powers that be' at Trimble ??