Why don't my pictures have image icons on my Mac?

I'm jealous: my buddy has a Mac and when he downloads pictures from his camera onto his computer, they all end up with nifty little preview icons that make it easy to pick out which pictures to view. When I download pictures onto my Mac, however, I get these stupid generic "JPEG" icons instead. What's wrong and how do I fix it?

Dave's Answer:

This is a bit of a mystery to me too, I have to admit. Sometimes Mac OS X seems to automatically generate preview thumbnail icons for images, but other times there's no preview associated with a given file so you get the generic icon instead.

Fortunately, it's really easy to update a generic JPEG icon to be a preview image instead using the splendid GraphicConverter program that's probably already on your computer. If not, download a copy. It's a superb piece of shareware, well worth the registration fee, and I've been using it daily for years.

With GraphicConverter installed on your Mac, here's how you fix a given folder. First off, start out with a folder that either has no preview icons, or has a mix of some previews, some not. Here's the one I'll use:

In GraphicConvert, choose File --> Convert & Modify... to get here:

On the very top, make sure you've selected Create Icon/Preview, as shown, then on the left pick the specific folder you want to fix or, if you have a lot of icons to build, pick a parent folder (like "Pictures") and let it build icons for every photograph in any subfolder at that point:

Once you have the correct folder or parent folder selected, click on the Go button on the very top (do not click on any of the buttons on the bottom of this dialog window, however!). In just a few seconds, the icons you desire will be automatically created for every photograph and graphic file in the area you specified.

That's all there is to it! Now when I look at that same folder in the Finder it's much nicer:

Hope that'll help you fix things. If someone has the scoop on how to have Image Capture or any other app automatically create preview icons, please do add a comment so we'll all know.

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 6409, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: graphic converter, mac os x, preview icons, thumbnail icons
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Reader Comments To Date: 15

Jo Wenner said, on April 17, 2006 9:17 PM:

That's the hard way.

The easy way is to use the Finder's folder preferences.

Open the folder with the photos in the Finder.

Bring up the folder preferences. (command-J).

Turn on "Show Icon Preview", either for all folders or for this folder only (your choice).

---

No need to mess with a graphics application.

Dave Taylor said, on April 18, 2006 12:11 AM:

Cool!! Thanks, Jo. I knew there was an easier way, I just didn't know what it was. :-)

kenny b said, on June 11, 2006 5:17 PM:

what version of the os does this work? I'm still running 10.3.9 and i don't see this option.

thanks

ken

Richard Soderberg said, on December 6, 2006 9:31 PM:

Sometimes Finder won't generate an icon preview for every image. I use a piece of freeware, CocoThumbX, that updates the icon preview when Finder doesn't. (Or when the Finder preview is out of date due to editing.)

Nick B said, on March 5, 2007 12:49 PM:

I'm using 10.4.8. It looks like its available for all folders if you select the grid view option (view as icons). It's not a visible option while you're in list or column view in the active folder for some reason. In Finder look under "View" > "Show View Options" (command-J)

wilbur said, on March 7, 2007 3:33 PM:

is there anyway to generate preview thumbnails for .avi files?

Dale Drake said, on May 2, 2007 7:49 AM:

Buy a windows computer

Uri said, on May 13, 2007 7:57 PM:

Thanks Jo Wenner. Your tip is exactly what I was looking for.

Chris said, on May 14, 2007 5:47 AM:

There is actually a difference between an Icon Preview and an Icon. If only Finder could automatically generate Icons, there must be a way, I just haven't read about one yet.

martinique said, on June 27, 2007 1:35 PM:

also a trick for new players... when you have your image selected in the finder window make sure that to the right where it lists name, kind, size and the rest ... that the arrow beside the word 'Preview' at the top is pointing down (if not just click on it), the thumbnail may just be hidden.

Ivan said, on February 23, 2008 8:30 PM:

I have the same problem!!=[,
but with windows vista.
my cousin was messing around with the computer and now i only see icons on "my pictures".
HELLP!

erik said, on April 29, 2008 10:11 PM:

I have the same problem!!=[,
but with windows vista.
my cousin was messing around with the computer and now i only see icons on "my pictures".
HELLP!

erik said, on April 29, 2008 10:14 PM:

except it was my brother messing with my computer not my cusin

joannesweet said, on August 5, 2010 8:37 AM:

Hey, thanks for the tip! I used GraphicConverter and it worked! I didn't know what to do so I googled it and came up with your site.

arthur robins said, on March 10, 2011 2:38 PM:

JO WENNER-THANK YOU SO UCH AND BLESS YOU-WHAT A SIMPLE SOLUTION!!!

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Why don't my pictures have image icons on my Mac?

Reader Comments To Date: 15

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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