How do I get Windows Explorer to show a preview of my files in 'thumbnail' view?

Question

I'm making a 3D editor and I want Windows Explorer to show previews of the 3D models in the files when it's in thumbnail view mode.

How do I do that?

Answer 1

You have to implement a preview handler.

Answer 2

You have to write a shell extension that implements IExtractImage2 and extracts the thumbnail for Explorer. Oh, and it's COM, so better expect to feel dirty afterwards.