Overview

When using Eagle on Windows, you may notice that Sketch files don't display previews or thumbnails, showing only file icons instead. This article will explain the reasons and provide feasible solutions.

Technical Explanation

Eagle requires Sketch software's native support to generate previews and thumbnails for Sketch files. Since Sketch is an interface design tool specifically created for macOS with no Windows version available, Eagle cannot process .sketch files to generate thumbnails or previews on Windows systems.

This limitation is due to system compatibility constraints, not an Eagle software defect or error.

Available Solutions

You can try the following methods to manage or view your Sketch files:

Use macOS: If you have a macOS device with Sketch installed, use Eagle there for normal thumbnail and preview generation of Sketch files.
Set Custom Thumbnails: Right-click on a Sketch file and select "More" > "Custom Thumbnail" to choose a custom image as the file's thumbnail, making it easier to identify and manage these files in your library.

Future Possibilities

If Sketch releases a Windows version in the future, Eagle will be able to leverage Sketch's support to generate thumbnails and previews for Sketch files. We're monitoring Sketch's updates and will provide relevant functionality for Windows users when possible.

In Eagle, you may occasionally encounter issues where Sketch files don't preview properly or thumbnails fail to display. This guide will help you resolve these problems.

Root Causes

When you can't preview Sketch files, it's typically due to one of these reasons:

Sketch application isn't installed on your device, or the installed version is outdated
The .sketch file data is incomplete or incompatible with your current version

Problem Diagnosis

Before attempting solutions, verify that your device's installed Sketch.app can correctly interpret .sketch files. Try previewing the file in Finder using the "Space bar" to check if you can view the file contents.

Example of a file that previews correctly:
Example of a file that won't preview:

Solutions

Method 1: Confirm You Have a Compatible Sketch Application Installed (Skip if Already Installed)

If Sketch isn't yet installed on your device, follow these steps:

Visit the Sketch website
Click "Download the Mac app" to download and install
Once installation completes, you should be able to use it normally.

Method 2: Repair the QuickLook Functionality

If .sketch files can't be previewed in Finder, your system's QuickLook functionality might be unable to process .sketch files. Fix this manually with these steps:

Right-click on Sketch.app and select "Show Package Contents"
Copy the files under "QuickLook"
Open Finder and click the menu, select "Go" > "Go to Folder"
Paste this path: ~/Library/QuickLook, then click Go
Paste the files you copied from Sketch.app into this folder, then try previewing a .sketch file in Finder using the space bar to confirm it works properly.

Method 3: Resave the File

If you can't preview the content using the space bar in Finder, the file version might be incompatible with your current Sketch application. To resolve:

Right-click on the problematic .sketch file in Eagle and select "Open with Default Application"
Make any minor change in Sketch, then save to the original path
Return to Eagle, and the thumbnail should refresh automatically. If not, right-click on the problem file and select "More" > "Refresh Thumbnail"

Important Notes

Ensure your Sketch application is updated to the latest version for best compatibility
Files that are too old or damaged may not fully recover preview functionality

Unable to preview Sketch (.sketch) files