Quick Tip - You Can View Thumbnails Of SVG Files


How to View SVGS as Thumbnails on the Windows Operating System

The Cliff Notes Version - Use the svg viewer extension found here:
https://code.google.com/archive/p/svg-explorer-extension/downloads

OR Use Microsoft Power Toys Found here:
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 I was running Windows 10 when I originally wrote this post, so my screenshots are based on that operating system, with chrome as my default browser.   I've used the extension with Windows 11, and more recently, I've used the PowerToys version, all working equally well. 

This has been driving me nuts since I first started working with my cricut machine earlier this fall.  My laptop displayed the thumbnails of svg files as Chrome icons (Chrome is my default web browser) and to see the file, I had to open it.  I really wanted to be able to browse through my collection of downloaded svgs, without opening each one.

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USING THE GOOGLE EXTENSION
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A few google searches finally took me to an SVG viewer extension. 

Recently I purchased a new laptop, and this time I had to use the 3rd one down. If you are having issues, look for one that is not signed. 
The signed versions are now blocked on Windows 10.

NEW VERSIONS OF THE CODE ABOVE
Github has new versions of the code. 
Please note that I have not used these yet myself, as the one above worked fine.
https://github.com/tibold/svg-explorer-extension/releases

Scroll down, or search for "assets", and the download links will be there.
the .sig refers to it being a signed version.  A signed version will no longer work on Windows 10, so the top version in this list is the one I would start with.


If you don't know if you are running 32bit or 64 bit, go to Control Panel (in your start menu, choose windows system, control panel will be in there) and click on System & Security:
Next choose "View The Amount Of Ram & Processor Speed"

And your answer will be under system - see system type?  Mine says 64 bit operating system, x64 based processor.
So I go to https://code.google.com/archive/p/svg-explorer-extension/downloads and download the 64 bit option.  This will download as an exe file.  Click on it to run it, follow the prompts.

 And Voila - 


For my downloads folder, this was immediate - I didn't have to do anything else, once it was installed, I saw previews!  For my Dropbox folder (I back up all of my svg files and fonts in dropbox - sorted in folders by theme.  That way when I do something stupid like break my laptop, I still have access to everything on my new laptop... ) I had to restart my computer.

You may need to change your view settings - at the top left of the screen - to "icons" if you are  currently viewing in detail or list.


Make Sure Your View It Set To Allow Thumbnail View

If that did not work, make SURE that your views are not set to "always show icons never thumbnails"

 Open any folder, choose view on the top left, then choose options on the right.
A box will pop up, choose view in that box, then make sure the box is NOT checked beside "always show icons never thumbnails"

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USING MICROSOFT POWER TOYS 
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Find Microsoft Power Toys in the app store

I didn't have to do anything else, it was automatic once those were installed.  However, you can find this setting under Powertoys Settings/File Explorer Add-Ons, if you need to turn it on or off.


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The 51 states  SVG collection is free here - https://caluyadesign.com/free-51-states-svg/
I used it as an example simply because it was the first folder in my files.  :-)


For more quick tip cards like this one, go here:

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Facebook Page - For Tips, Tricks, & Free SVGS
 https://www.facebook.com/fieldsofheathercrafts/

Facebook Group- For Questions, Support, Sharing Projects, 
and LOADS More Free SVGS in themed posts with links in the comments
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1121399284857845
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Dollar Tree Travel Coffee Mugs - Cricut

Cliff Notes:
 This is a Super CHEAP project.  50 cent travel coffee cups from Dollar tree, scrap vinyl.  It is a major pain in the butt to weed.  But I'm not strong on patience.  It would be easier if you use bigger cups, and make the design bigger.

Some have said you can remove the Take It To Go logo with acetate and a magic eraser.  I tried, it didn't go great for me.  (I ended up painting those cups).  I decided to just put the design on the blank side, and leave the take it to go on the opposite side.  

Step By Step How I Did This:

Find the free SVG here - https://all-free-download.com/free-vector/download/starbucks-coffee-0_111169.html

The Starbucks font is Gibson.  You can download it for free here:
http://www.fonts101.com/fonts/view/Uncategorized/48928/Gibson

 (Do that now, before you open design space.  If you need to know how to install a font, try this post:  https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/2017/12/all-about-fonts-text-in-cricut-design.html)

Adding Text
Open a text box, type in your text, Choose the Gibson font.


Use The Curve Feature to curve your text.  If it does not fit the way you would like, ungroup your text, and manually move your letters - but in most cases, the curve feature should work great for this!


Now you have two options.  You can cut the letters out of white, and layer them on the green, or you can slice the letters out and let the background of the cup show through.

To slice, select your letters and weld.  You can only slice with TWO items selected at a time.  If you do not weld your letters, you will have to cut one letter out at a time.  If you weld the letters, you can slice them all out of the circle at once.



For these cups, I want a 3 inch decal.  So Select All, Choose Group, then in that top toolbar where it shows the size, type in a 3 and hit enter.



The cups I am using are the 2 for $1 "Take It To Go" Cups from the Dollar Tree.  I am leaving the Take It To Go on one side, and decorating the other side..

For the vinyl, I'm using 651. I buy it on Amazon, because...  free shipping.  I love Amazon prime!  Here's a look at my favorite vinyl, and where to buy it, with price comparisons including shipping costs: https://fieldsofhether.blogspot.com/2017/09/cricut-which-vinyl-do-i-need-where-do-i.html

For transfer tape, I use contact paper from the Dollar Tree.


I like to transfer my designs all at once when possible.  So I transferred the green to the transfer tape, then added the black center to the transfer tape - putting the entire design together before it touches the cup.  When transferring the design, flip the design upside down, and run the scraper tool over the back, then pull the white backing up gently, starting at one corner and pulling diagonally.

Now to place on the cup, fold lightly in half, non sticky sides together.  Not enough to crease, just enough to find the middle. Stick the middle to the cup, then press down one just one side. Once the one side is down flat, flatten the other side.


That's it!  The longest part of this process for me was the weeding.  This really was a pain to weed.   

(yes, I did realize, after taking this pic, that I had put the green ring on the Daleck cup sideways..  I was able to remove it and put it back on correctly.  It takes about 48 hours for the 651 to seal permanently, so it was an easy fix - for the most part)

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My Cricut Projects in 2017


In the last part of August 2017, I bought this magic machine.  I still don't completely understand all that it does - but here are a few of the things I have made with it in 2017!
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Drawing with FUN fonts in Cricut

The markers in cricut will do more than just write, with many fonts, they can actually draw!  The pen will still follow the path of the blade, and that will leave you with an outline on many things, such as the cow - but on many of the decorative fonts, the outer lines will all collapse and leave you with just a decorative font great for posters!  Surprisingly, these fonts seem to draw much faster than the writing fonts that I use for writing simple text.
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Alternative Markers For Cricut

I rarely use Cricut Brand Markers.  They are almost always the most expensive option, unless there's a really good sale - and the off brands are just as good, if not better.  In addition to off brands made to look and write exactly like the Cricut Brand, a variety of other pens can be used in the machine, no adaptor needed.  For instance, a bic round stic pen works great.  As does the set of jot markers that are 20 for $1.25 at the Dollar Tree.    Here's a look at some of the various pens I've used over the years, in my machine:
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