Desktop Integration

F3D can be integrated in the desktop experience.

Linux

For Linux desktop integration, F3D rely on mime types files as defined by the XDG standard, .thumbnailer file as specified here and .desktop file as specified here. Many file managers use this mechanism, including nautilus, thunar, pcmanfm and caja.

The simplest way to obtain desktop integration on linux is to use a package for your distribution, or the .deb binary release package we provide if compatible with your distribution. In other cases, the binary release archive can be used like this:

  1. Make sure ~/.local/bin is part of your PATH
  2. Extract F3D binary release archive in ~/.local/
  3. Update your mime database pointing to ~/.local/share/mime
  4. Update your desktop database pointing to ~/.local/share/application
export PATH=$PATH:~/.local/bin
tar -xzvf f3d-1.3.0-Linux.tar.gz -C ~/.local/
sudo update-mime-database ~/.local/share/mime/
sudo update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications

If you have any issues, refer to the troubleshooting part.

Windows

For Windows desktop integration, F3D rely on a registered shell extension.

Using the F3D NSIS installer (.exe) is the simplest way to enable thumbnails and integrate F3D on windows.

It is also possible to do it manually when using the zipped binary release archive, on installation, just run:

cd C:\path\to\f3d\bin\
regsvr32 F3DShellExtension.dll

To remove the shell extension, run:

cd C:\path\to\f3d\bin\
regsvr32 /u F3DShellExtension.dll

MacOS

There is no support for thumbnails on MacOS, the .dmg binary release provides automatic file openings.

Limitations

  • TIFF files are excluded from the thumbnailer to avoid conflicts with other better 2D thumbnailers.