wmf previewer

[jatclat]

I have a large collection of Serif wmf files. I find them useful because I can start with a ready-made file and adapt it for my purposes. Until now I've been using the Microsoft Office 2010 facility for viewing a folder's worth of wmf files and selecting the one I want. I've had to upgrade Office and they don't seem to support this any more. How do I preview wmf files before choosing which one to open in Affinity Designer?

[stokerg]

Hi jatclat,

 

You'd need to install a 3rd party program as explained on this link from Microsoft:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-files/wmf-in-windows-explorer-not-shown-as-thumbnails/3f2beb84-54a2-4aa8-9689-b5addb3af237?auth=1

 

I know that link talks about Windows 7, but the same applies to Windows 10 as well.  Once you've got a 3rd party app or extension installed, the thumbnails will show in Windows Explorer  

[catlover]

Try XnView  (Win & Mac versions) . Once installed, goto Preferences > General, put a tickmark in "Show all graphic formats".

Then, it also shows all Affinity files.

Other than that, it's extensively configureable,so be sure to look thru all the possibilities.

There is also an Xn Converter program, which will convert any file format to any other format.

Both are free.

[jatclat]

Many thanks to you both! I've decided to try Karel Donk's first (https://github.com/kareldonk/WMFPreview/releases)

but will try those too. Any chance Affinity Designer and/or Photo could incorporate something like this in a future upgrade?

[catlover]

You're welcome. Mind you : the KarelDonk program is listed as a Windows Shell extension.

That means ( if I remember correctly from my Windows days ) it partly takes over tasks of the Filemanager.

Which means it digs into the operating system.

Xnview can do that too, but by choice only ( configureable).