Summary

If Windows Explorer does not display preview thumbnails or preview pane information for GibbsCAM part files, the GibbsCAM File Preview extension may not be installed or registered correctly.

This article explains how to repair the installation and manually register the file preview component if necessary.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cause

The GibbsCAM File Preview extension is a Windows Shell extension that enables Windows Explorer to display previews of GibbsCAM part files.

If the extension is missing, damaged, or not properly registered, Windows cannot generate file previews.

Possible causes include:

  • Incomplete GibbsCAM installation

  • Antivirus software blocking installation

  • Damaged Windows registration

  • Missing or corrupted GibbsCAM shared components

Resolution

Follow the steps below in order.


Step 1 – Repair the GibbsCAM Installation

  1. Close GibbsCAM.

  2. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

  3. Select your installed version of GibbsCAM.

  4. Choose Modify.

  5. Select Repair.

If the repair option is unavailable, reinstall GibbsCAM using the latest installer.

If antivirus or endpoint protection software is installed, temporarily disable it (if permitted by your organization's IT policies) during the installation process, as it may prevent the preview component from being installed correctly.

After the repair or reinstall completes, restart Windows and verify whether file previews have been restored.


Step 2 – Manually Register the Preview DLL

If reinstalling does not resolve the issue, manually register the GibbsCAM File Preview extension.

Close Windows Explorer

Close all File Explorer windows before continuing.


Open an Elevated Command Prompt

  1. Open the Windows Start menu.

  2. Search for Command Prompt.

  3. Right-click Command Prompt.

  4. Select Run as administrator.


Register the Preview Extension

Run the following command exactly as shown:

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\regasm.exe /codebase "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GibbsCAM Shared\Extensions\GCFilePreviewer.dll"


If registration is successful, you should receive a message similar to:

Types registered successfully.


Restart Windows Explorer or reboot the computer, then test the file preview again.


Step 3 – Verify the Microsoft .NET Framework

If the registration command fails:

  • Verify that the Microsoft .NET Framework required by GibbsCAM is installed.

  • Install any pending Windows updates.

  • Restart the computer.

  • Run the registration command again using an elevated Command Prompt.

Troubleshooting

Problem: "Access is Denied"

Cause

The command prompt was not started with Administrator privileges.

Resolution

Close Command Prompt, reopen it using Run as administrator, and run the command again.


Problem: "regasm.exe" Cannot Be Found

Cause

The required Microsoft .NET Framework components may not be installed correctly.

Resolution

Install the required .NET Framework components through Windows Update or repair the Microsoft .NET Framework installation.


Problem: Registration Completes but the Preview Still Does Not Work

Possible Causes

  • Windows Explorer has not been restarted.

  • The DLL registration did not complete correctly.

  • Antivirus software blocked the registration.

  • The GibbsCAM installation is damaged.

Resolution

Restart Windows, repair or reinstall GibbsCAM, and repeat the DLL registration procedure if necessary.


Problem: Only Some GibbsCAM Files Show a Preview

Cause

The preview handler may not support every file type or the file may be damaged.

Resolution

Open the file in GibbsCAM to verify that it is valid and not corrupted.

Best Practices

  • Install GibbsCAM using an Administrator account.

  • Keep Windows fully updated.

  • Avoid interrupting the installation process.

  • Exclude the GibbsCAM installation folder from antivirus scanning if recommended by your IT department.

  • Restart Windows after repairing or reinstalling GibbsCAM.

Expected Result

Windows Explorer successfully displays previews for supported GibbsCAM part files in the Preview Pane and thumbnail view.

Related Articles

Keywords

File Preview, Preview Pane, Windows Explorer, Thumbnail, GCFilePreviewer, GCFilePreviewer.dll, regasm, 

Windows Shell, DLL Registration, Explorer Preview, Preview Handler