Machine-Readable
Papa’s Best STL Thumbnails icon

F1 2013 Steam-api.dll --39-link--39- !!top!! -

A shell extension that adds preview thumbnails for STL files to Windows Explorer. Runs on Windows 7 or later.

Can also be used with Total Commander and FreeCommander.

Papa’s Best STL Thumbnails displaying a folder with random STLs from thingiverse

Download

Updated (changes, license).

Feel free to donate if you like my program!

64-bit Setup

recommended

32-bit Setup

for old systems

Video Guide

Michael from Teaching Tech made a video guide about the installation. He was so kind to allow me to embed it here! Thumbnail installation starts at 1:49.

Fast

Thumbnail generation is based on the fastest STL viewer available. Folders full of STL files are no problem, and most STL thumbnails are generated as fast as those of JPG photos.

Free

Compatible

Papa’s Best STL thumbnail viewer displays countless STL variations, even where other programs fail:

Custom colors

a folder with thumbnails, their background purple and the objects mint green

Custom object color is ignored if the STL comes with embedded color information! Changes do not take effect on existing thumbnails until you clear the Windows thumbnail cache! This is a Windows limitation.

Via Papa’s Best STL Viewer

  1. download and run my STL Viewer (if you don’t want to install it on your system, choose the portable version)
  2. from the menu, select an object color via ViewSelect Default Material …
  3. select a background color via ViewSelect Default Background …
  4. clear the Windows thumbnail cache

Via registry (for advanced users)

For automation and easy deployment, the color settings are loaded from the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Papa’s Best. Create values according to the following table. If a value is missing, its default is assumed.

Name Type Default Meaning
DefaultBackgroundColor DWORD 0x00000000 Background color for thumbnails. Format is 0xRRGGBBAA.
DefaultObjectColor DWORD 0xffffffff Object color for files without built-in color information. Format is 0xRRGGBBAA. Transparency is not supported.
InitialEyeYawDegrees DWORD 28 Horizontal rotation of the viewer, in degrees. Positive rotates right.
InitialEyePitchDegrees DWORD 331 Vertical rotation of the viewer, in degrees. Positive rotates down.

Installation for all users

Papa’s Best STL Thumbnails installs for the current user by default. To install for all users on a system, open a command prompt or a PowerShell and run msiexec /i "Papas Best STL Thumbnails.msi" MSIINSTALLPERUSER="".

Repeat with every update!

F1 2013 Steam-api.dll --39-link--39- !!top!! -

This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.

Understanding the cause is the first step to a permanent fix. For F1 2013 , this error typically happens due to one of a few common reasons:

: A glitch during the game's initial download or installation can result in missing core files. F1 2013 Steam-api.dll --39-LINK--39-

If you’re trying to for F1 2013 on Steam, here’s what I can help with instead:

Sometimes the problem isn't with the DLL itself, but with the Visual C++ runtimes it depends on. Updating or repairing these can resolve the issue. This public link is valid for 7 days

This essential Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file acts as the bridge between Codemasters' classic racing game and the Steam platform, handling features like achievements, multiplayer authentication, and cloud saves.

Rivalry Events

If you purchased F1 2013 legally, the problem is almost certainly one of the two issues above.

:

Avoid downloading individual .dll files from untrusted, third-party internet databases. These files are often outdated, bundled with malware, or incompatible with your specific version of the game. Instead, use these official and secure troubleshooting methods. Method 1: Verify Integrity of Game Files on Steam

: It manages in-game features like the Steam Overlay, friend lists, and cloud saves. Can’t copy the link right now


Dark background on some thumbnails

a folder with two thumbnails whose background is entirely black

Clear your Explorer thumbnail cache (see above) or copy the file to a different location.

This is a bug in Windows 10 that also affects other thumbnails – for example transparent PNG images here and here.

I can’t do anything in my program to work around it, I’m afraid. Please use the Windows 10 feedback function to report this to Microsoft. If enough users do it, they may eventually fix it. Windows 7 does not have this bug.


Something Missing?

Encountered a problem? Have a suggestion? Let me know: