View RAW thumbnails in Windows?

GainfulShrimp · 11-10-2007, 16:32

I've been using the Microsoft RAW Viewer download/powertoy for the last couple of years so that I can view my 20D's CR2 files just the same as any other image file - i.e. thumbnails during file browsing and that sort of thing.

Trouble is, my new 40D's CR2 files seem to be incompatible and there's no sign of any updates at Microsoft - the download hasn't changed in a couple of years so I guess there are now plenty of other DSLRs whose RAW files aren't supported.

Does anyone know of an alternative tool to allow RAW files to be viewed as normal thumbnails in Windows?

silkstone · 11-10-2007, 17:16

Sorry, don't know of anything else that lets you view RAW thumbnails in Windows Explorer, although there's Faststone, Picasa, etc that you can use as a quick browser.

It's odd because all you need to do is open the JPEG embedded in the RAW file - you don't need to decode the RAW itself - so it shouldn't be difficult. Not an advert (really) but the Ubuntu file browser displays any RAW file as a thumbnail. Maybe M$ are reserving the update for Vista?

fionaB · 11-10-2007, 18:15

ok im confused....... easy done i hear u say......... but what jpg ?

**Markulous** · 11-10-2007, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

It's odd because all you need to do is open the JPEG embedded in the RAW file - you don't need to decode the RAW itself - so it shouldn't be difficult.

Can't quite work out why Canon insist on changing the location of the JPG with every generation of camera. I assume it's similar to changing batteries, chargers, etc. for all that added value!

Hopefully, someone will write the mod for it - oh, except Canon won't release the spec of it's RAW files!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionaB

ok im confused....... easy done i hear u say......... but what jpg ?

RAW files have an embedded thumbnail so that 'quick view' applications can quick view the shot. It's why sometimes the small view looks different from the RAW

fionaB · 11-10-2007, 21:32

ah the thumbnail! lol gotcha

cheers

Fi

Charlotte · 11-10-2007, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by GainfulShrimp

... Does anyone know of an alternative tool to allow RAW files to be viewed as normal thumbnails in Windows?

Try doing a search on Canon's website. I can't see MS updating anything on XP that they don't have to

I downloaded a codec (for Vista) from Nikon website, so that I can view NEF files in windows explorer: I did a google search for "NEF +Vista" and the relevant website was first on the list

RichW · 12-10-2007, 09:21

What you need is dpMagic Community. Its a freebie, small download and allows the viewing of thumbnails of the RAW formats of most cameras.

dpMagic - Products

You can get a codec to view Canon and Nikon RAW files in Vista but not XP for some reason, but dpMagic works great

Hope this helps

Rich

GainfulShrimp · 12-10-2007, 10:03

Thanks guys.

Rich - ta for the tip. I'd already found that one but the 40D's not on the supported cameras list. I might give it a go on the off-chance this weekend though, cheers.

Charlotte · 12-10-2007, 10:23

Googled "view CR2" and found this viewer, which works in XP

GainfulShrimp · 12-10-2007, 10:47

Thanks Charlotte, but that's not quite what I'm looking for.

I already have several standalone applications that I can use to view the CR2s... but I wanted something to enable 40D-type CR2s to show as normal thumbnails in Explorer and File Open dialogs, etc.

Close, but no cigar!

Charlotte · 12-10-2007, 11:10

I know ... get Vista

GainfulShrimp · 12-10-2007, 11:19

No ta. I'm not convinced it's worth the pain.

***Steve*** · 12-10-2007, 19:14

If you are going to give that dpmagic a go make sure you go for the 'minilab' version as that shows its compatable with the later Canon RAW files (although not listing the 40D).

Its probably your best chance

Your only other (slim) chance is doing a registry hack. Going back a while before MS released their thumbnailer application there was a registry hack that associated a .dll file for the Canon raw format with windows explorer. If you can find that, and the relevant .dll (its already likely to be installed if you can view thumbnails in other apps) for the latest RAW files it may be possible to work something out. Obviously if you try this, back up your registry first in case you have issues.

GainfulShrimp · 15-10-2007, 12:22

Thanks Steve. Haven't had chance to look at this yet but I'll fire up regedit next time I'm feeling brave.

11-10-2007, 16:32	#1 (permalink)
GainfulShrimp Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 325	View RAW thumbnails in Windows? I've been using the Microsoft RAW Viewer download/powertoy for the last couple of years so that I can view my 20D's CR2 files just the same as any other image file - i.e. thumbnails during file browsing and that sort of thing. Trouble is, my new 40D's CR2 files seem to be incompatible and there's no sign of any updates at Microsoft - the download hasn't changed in a couple of years so I guess there are now plenty of other DSLRs whose RAW files aren't supported. Does anyone know of an alternative tool to allow RAW files to be viewed as normal thumbnails in Windows? __________________ my gallery Last edited by GainfulShrimp : 11-10-2007 at 16:32. Reason: typo

11-10-2007, 17:16	#2 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,724	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? Sorry, don't know of anything else that lets you view RAW thumbnails in Windows Explorer, although there's Faststone, Picasa, etc that you can use as a quick browser. It's odd because all you need to do is open the JPEG embedded in the RAW file - you don't need to decode the RAW itself - so it shouldn't be difficult. Not an advert (really) but the Ubuntu file browser displays any RAW file as a thumbnail. Maybe M$ are reserving the update for Vista?

11-10-2007, 18:15	#3 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,589	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? ok im confused....... easy done i hear u say......... but what jpg ?

11-10-2007, 21:32	#5 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,589	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? ah the thumbnail! lol gotcha cheers Fi

12-10-2007, 09:21	#7 (permalink)
RichW Getting Comfy Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 170	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? What you need is dpMagic Community. Its a freebie, small download and allows the viewing of thumbnails of the RAW formats of most cameras. dpMagic - Products You can get a codec to view Canon and Nikon RAW files in Vista but not XP for some reason, but dpMagic works great Hope this helps Rich

12-10-2007, 10:03	#8 (permalink)
GainfulShrimp Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 325	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? Thanks guys. Rich - ta for the tip. I'd already found that one but the 40D's not on the supported cameras list. I might give it a go on the off-chance this weekend though, cheers.

12-10-2007, 10:23	#9 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 6,319	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? Googled "view CR2" and found this viewer, which works in XP

12-10-2007, 10:47	#10 (permalink)
GainfulShrimp Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 325	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? Thanks Charlotte, but that's not quite what I'm looking for. I already have several standalone applications that I can use to view the CR2s... but I wanted something to enable 40D-type CR2s to show as normal thumbnails in Explorer and File Open dialogs, etc. Close, but no cigar!

12-10-2007, 11:10	#11 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 6,319	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? I know ... get Vista

12-10-2007, 11:19	#12 (permalink)
GainfulShrimp Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 325	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? No ta. I'm not convinced it's worth the pain.

12-10-2007, 19:14	#13 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,374	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? If you are going to give that dpmagic a go make sure you go for the 'minilab' version as that shows its compatable with the later Canon RAW files (although not listing the 40D). Its probably your best chance Your only other (slim) chance is doing a registry hack. Going back a while before MS released their thumbnailer application there was a registry hack that associated a .dll file for the Canon raw format with windows explorer. If you can find that, and the relevant .dll (its already likely to be installed if you can view thumbnails in other apps) for the latest RAW files it may be possible to work something out. Obviously if you try this, back up your registry first in case you have issues. __________________ .......__o .......\<, ....( )/ ( )

15-10-2007, 12:22	#14 (permalink)
GainfulShrimp Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 325	Re: View RAW thumbnails in Windows? Thanks Steve. Haven't had chance to look at this yet but I'll fire up regedit next time I'm feeling brave.