topic Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails? in Inventor Forum

Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

SharkDesign — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:55:19 GMT

I love the new feature in the BOM that allows you to export the thumbnails too, but I use a gradient background to stop eyestrain from staring at white all day. This prints a bit crap and makes the thumbnail harder to see.

If I change my background to pure white is there a way to update all the thumbnails in an assembly so they use the current background colour settings?

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

salariua — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:04:54 GMT

You can try All Thumbs from here

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

SharkDesign — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:08:59 GMT

That sounds interesting, where is the download link for it?

Thanks

James

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

salariua — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:11:48 GMT

you need to send Thomas an email from the contact page here.

So let's just ask @Anonymous if this add-in works with existing files or for new files only?

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

johnsonshiue — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:55:45 GMT

Hi James,

For individual file save, you can click on Option button in Save dialog. There you can control how the thumbnail for the given file will be captured.

Many thanks!

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

Curtis_W — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 16:22:53 GMT

Hi jameswillo,

Here's an iLogic rule you can run from the assembly, that will toggle the background color from your current to white, save the thumbnail, and then toggle it back to your original color settings.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

SharkDesign — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 07:51:13 GMT

Well that was exciting!

It errors on library parts but not content center for some reason. Other than that it seemed to do the job.

Nice one!

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

Curtis_W — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:13:46 GMT

@SharkDesign wrote:

It errors on library parts but not content center for some reason.

Hi jameswillo,

Here's a quick update that adds a Try/Catch on the Save call, so if the file can't be saved due to library or read only status, it catches the exception, and just moves to the next file.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

'get current color scheme name 
oColorScheme = ThisApplication.ActiveColorScheme.Name

'get current color scheme background type
oBackGroundType = ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType

'Change to Presentation (white background)
ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.Item("Presentation").Activate

'set to use one color background type
ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType = _
BackgroundTypeEnum.kOneColorBackgroundType 

Dim oAsmDoc As AssemblyDocument
oAsmDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument
Dim oDoc As Document
Dim oRefFile As FileDescriptor

For Each oDoc In oAsmDoc.AllReferencedDocuments
	ThisApplication.Documents.Open(oDoc.Fullfilename, True)  
	
	For Each oSketch In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.Sketches
		oSketch.Visible = False
	Next
	
	'set work plane visibility
	For Each oWorkPlane In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkPlanes
	oWorkPlane.Visible = False
	Next
	
	'set work axis visibility
	For Each oWorkAxis In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkAxes
	oWorkAxis.Visible = False
	Next
	
	'set work point visibility
	For Each oWorkPoint In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkPoints
	oWorkPoint.Visible = False
	Next

	'set iproperty to use ISO view on save
	oDoc.SetThumbnailSaveOption _
	(ThumbnailSaveOptionEnum.kActiveComponentIsoViewOnSave)
	
	'try to save 
	Try
	oDoc.Save
	Catch 
	'catch error and do nothing 
	End Try
	
	'close the file
	oDoc.Close
Next

'Change back to original scheme
ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.Item(oColorScheme).Activate 

'Change back to original back ground type
ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType = oBackGroundType

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 22:55:16 GMT

@salariua @SharkDesign Although it hasn't been updated in a few years and I'm not even sure it works anymore, you can download All Thumbs from here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9vVYSYnP3lOWkFPWlQtVVh4Skk

It worked on new and existing files on every save. Browsing through a folder of parts where they all had different background colors for the thumbnail was way too much for my CAD OCD.

Let me know how it works for you if you use it. I'm considering updating it for the latest version of Inventor since I've gotten so much new interest in the app the last few months.

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

SharkDesign — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 07:22:16 GMT

Thanks, but how do I use this once it's installed?

I can't find how to launch the dialogue.

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:46:09 GMT

@SharkDesign since this is an older add-in, Inventor will block the add-in from loading by default. You need to first install All Thumbs and then make sure it's not blocked in the add-in manager. Also, check the boxes mark it as loaded and load automatically.

When you have no documents open, there will be a button on the "add-ins" toolbar for "All Thumbs". Open this and check the box to enable the app after you select your preferred options.

I just tested the app and it actually still works perfectly with Inventor 2018.

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

SharkDesign — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:48:26 GMT

Closing all the documents first was the bit I hadn't done.

Thanks!

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:50:15 GMT

Yeah sorry, it's a bit wonky. I know. I would make it a little more user friendly if I were to update it.

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

SharkDesign — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 12:38:27 GMT

It mostly works but quite often gets stuck on the white background and doesn't switch back. Resaving it usually fixes it.

It also changes the background in drawings which is unnecessary, but I don't know how this is coded so you might not be bale to get away from that.

Other than that, it's brilliant!

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 12:25:51 GMT

Thanks Curtis!

It was incredibly helpfull!

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

K.TRYFONIDIS — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 08:51:38 GMT

Thanks @Curtis_W for this it works awesome. I have a slight problem with some long beams though, profiles, that due to length i guess i get some straight lines, check picture bellow:

Is there a way to change the perspective or the view to show it like bellow?

long beam can't tell the geometry.

Desired picture:

Thanks a lot in advance.

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

Curtis_W — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:39:06 GMT

Hi @K.TRYFONIDIS

Here is a version that selects the XZ Plane, and looks at it before saving the part files. I know you asked for a perspective view, and this sets an end view, but this approach might work. If not we can likely set the camera view to an specific iso view instead of looking an origin plane. I'll try to post back an example of that later as well.

You might need to add some logic to help it know which parts to do this for, so that not all parts will have that view, but I think something like this example would be the way to go.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

'get current color scheme name oColorScheme = ThisApplication.ActiveColorScheme.Name 'get current color scheme background type oBackGroundType = ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType 'Change to Presentation (white background) ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.Item("Presentation").Activate 'set to use one color background type ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType = _ BackgroundTypeEnum.kOneColorBackgroundType Dim oAsmDoc As AssemblyDocument oAsmDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument Dim oDoc As Document Dim oRefFile As FileDescriptor For Each oDoc In oAsmDoc.AllReferencedDocuments ThisApplication.Documents.Open(oDoc.FullFileName, True) For Each oSketch In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.Sketches oSketch.Visible = False Next 'set work plane visibility For Each oWorkPlane In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkPlanes oWorkPlane.Visible = False Next 'set work axis visibility For Each oWorkAxis In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkAxes oWorkAxis.Visible = False Next 'set work point visibility For Each oWorkPoint In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkPoints oWorkPoint.Visible = False Next Dim oDef As PartComponentDefinition oDef = oDoc.ComponentDefinition oDoc.SelectSet.Clear 'select plane oDoc.SelectSet.Select(oDef.WorkPlanes.Item("XZ Plane")) Dim oCtrlDef As ControlDefinition oCtrlDef = ThisApplication.CommandManager.ControlDefinitions("AppLookAtCmd") ThisApplication.ActiveView.Fit oCtrlDef.Execute 'set iproperty to use current view on save oDoc.SetThumbnailSaveOption _ (ThumbnailSaveOptionEnum.kActiveWindowOnSave) 'try to save Try oDoc.Save Catch 'catch error and do nothing End Try 'close the file oDoc.Close Next 'Change back to original scheme ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.Item(oColorScheme).Activate 'Change back to original back ground type ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType = oBackGroundType

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

Curtis_W — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:47:37 GMT

Here is a version that sets the camera to use a bottom iso view.

'get current color scheme name oColorScheme = ThisApplication.ActiveColorScheme.Name 'get current color scheme background type oBackGroundType = ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType 'Change to Presentation (white background) ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.Item("Presentation").Activate 'set to use one color background type ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType = _ BackgroundTypeEnum.kOneColorBackgroundType Dim oAsmDoc As AssemblyDocument oAsmDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument Dim oDoc As Document Dim oRefFile As FileDescriptor For Each oDoc In oAsmDoc.AllReferencedDocuments ThisApplication.Documents.Open(oDoc.FullFileName, True) For Each oSketch In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.Sketches oSketch.Visible = False Next 'set work plane visibility For Each oWorkPlane In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkPlanes oWorkPlane.Visible = False Next 'set work axis visibility For Each oWorkAxis In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkAxes oWorkAxis.Visible = False Next 'set work point visibility For Each oWorkPoint In oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkPoints oWorkPoint.Visible = False Next Dim cam As Camera = ThisApplication.ActiveView.Camera If Not cam.ViewOrientationType = ViewOrientationTypeEnum.kIsoTopLeftViewOrientation Then cam.ViewOrientationType = ViewOrientationTypeEnum.kIsoBottomRightViewOrientation cam.Fit cam.Apply End If 'set iproperty to use current view on save oDoc.SetThumbnailSaveOption _ (ThumbnailSaveOptionEnum.kActiveWindowOnSave) 'try to save Try oDoc.Save Catch 'catch error and do nothing End Try 'close the file oDoc.Close Next 'Change back to original scheme ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.Item(oColorScheme).Activate 'Change back to original back ground type ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType = oBackGroundType

Re: Is there a way to refresh all thumbnails?

samual_waser — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:56:59 GMT

if anyone comes across the need, here is a version that does this for every file in an active project folder.

' iLogic / VB.NET ' Updates EVERY .ipt in the active project's workspace folder (optionally including subfolders): ' - activates "Presentation" color scheme + one-color background ' - hides sketches / work features ' - sets ISO thumbnail on save ' - saves + closes each part Sub Main() ' ---- capture current appearance settings Dim originalSchemeName As String = ThisApplication.ActiveColorScheme.Name Dim originalBackgroundType As BackgroundTypeEnum = ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType ' ---- switch to Presentation (white) + one-color background Try ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.Item("Presentation").Activate() ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType = BackgroundTypeEnum.kOneColorBackgroundType Catch ' If scheme doesn't exist in this install, keep going End Try ' ---- get active project workspace folder Dim ws As String = ThisApplication.DesignProjectManager.ActiveDesignProject.WorkspacePath ' ---- choose whether to include subfolders Dim includeSubfolders As Boolean = True Dim opt As System.IO.SearchOption = If(includeSubfolders, System.IO.SearchOption.AllDirectories, System.IO.SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly) ' ---- enumerate .ipt files Dim iptFiles As String() = {} Try iptFiles = System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(ws, "*.ipt", opt) Catch ' can't enumerate: restore appearance and exit RestoreAppearance(originalSchemeName, originalBackgroundType) Exit Sub End Try Dim oldSilent As Boolean = ThisApplication.SilentOperation ThisApplication.SilentOperation = True For Each f As String In iptFiles ' skip if file is read-only Try Dim attrs = System.IO.File.GetAttributes(f) If (attrs And System.IO.FileAttributes.ReadOnly) <> 0 Then Continue For Catch Continue For End Try Dim doc As Document = Nothing Dim openedHere As Boolean = False Try ' if already open, use that doc; otherwise open invisibly doc = ThisApplication.Documents.ItemByName(f) Catch doc = Nothing End Try If doc Is Nothing Then Try doc = ThisApplication.Documents.Open(f, False) ' False = invisible openedHere = True Catch Continue For End Try End If ' only process part documents If doc.DocumentType <> DocumentTypeEnum.kPartDocumentObject Then If openedHere Then Try : doc.Close(True) : Catch : End Try End If Continue For End If Dim pdoc As PartDocument = CType(doc, PartDocument) Try Dim cd As PartComponentDefinition = pdoc.ComponentDefinition ' ---- hide 2D sketches Try For Each sk As PlanarSketch In cd.Sketches sk.Visible = False Next Catch End Try ' ---- hide 3D sketches (if any) Try For Each sk3 As Sketch3D In cd.Sketches3D sk3.Visible = False Next Catch End Try ' ---- hide work features Try For Each wp As WorkPlane In cd.WorkPlanes wp.Visible = False Next Catch End Try Try For Each wa As WorkAxis In cd.WorkAxes wa.Visible = False Next Catch End Try Try For Each wpt As WorkPoint In cd.WorkPoints wpt.Visible = False Next Catch End Try ' ---- set thumbnail to ISO view on save Try pdoc.SetThumbnailSaveOption(ThumbnailSaveOptionEnum.kActiveComponentIsoViewOnSave) Catch End Try ' ---- save Try pdoc.Save() Catch ' ignore save failures End Try Finally ' ---- close only if we opened it in this run If openedHere Then Try pdoc.Close(True) Catch End Try End If End Try Next ThisApplication.SilentOperation = oldSilent ' ---- restore appearance settings RestoreAppearance(originalSchemeName, originalBackgroundType) End Sub Private Sub RestoreAppearance(ByVal schemeName As String, ByVal bgType As BackgroundTypeEnum) Try ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.Item(schemeName).Activate() Catch End Try Try ThisApplication.ColorSchemes.BackgroundType = bgType Catch End Try End Sub