Quick Look: Preview Unsupported Videos & Files on Mac
Leveraging the Power of Quick Look in macOS
The Quick Look feature within macOS is a remarkably useful, yet often overlooked, capability. By simply selecting a file in Finder and pressing the "Space" bar, users can instantly preview its contents.
This functionality is particularly effective with images, videos, and standard documents. However, native support isn't universally available across all file types.
Extending Quick Look with Plugins
A lesser-known aspect of Quick Look is its extensibility through plugins. These plugins allow users to broaden the range of supported file types significantly.
Installing a plugin can unlock preview capabilities for formats not natively supported by macOS. This includes specialized video codecs and archive files.
Furthermore, plugins can enhance functionality, enabling users to inspect the contents of archive files or installers without the need for full application launches.
Discovering and Implementing Useful Plugins
Several online resources curate collections of Quick Look plugins. QuickLookPlugins.com and a dedicated Github roundup are excellent starting points for discovery.
Below is a selection of the most beneficial plugins identified from these sources, offering immediate value to macOS users.
- Plugins can add support for video formats not natively handled by Apple.
- Some plugins allow previewing the contents of archive files directly.
- Text files and scripts can be quickly inspected using Quick Look with the appropriate plugin.
Adding these plugins to your Mac can substantially improve your workflow and file management efficiency.
Installing Quick Look Plugins: A Guide
Quick Look plugins are typically distributed in one of two formats. Certain plugins are provided as .PKG installation packages, which can be executed directly by simply running the installer.
Alternatively, some plugins are downloaded as .qlgenerator files. These require a slightly different installation process.
Installing .qlgenerator Files
To install .qlgenerator files, you must first locate your Mac’s Library folder. Then, the .qlgenerator file should be dragged into the "QuickLook" folder, which is found within your user's Library directory (~/Library).
This process enables the plugin to function correctly within the Quick Look framework.
Once installed, these plugins will enhance your file preview capabilities.
Successfully installed the plugins? Excellent. Let’s explore some essential plugins you should consider.
Previewing Videos with Limited Quick Look Support
The Quick Look feature on macOS is designed to display previews of files, but it primarily supports video formats compatible with QuickTime. Previously, Mac users had the ability to extend QuickTime’s capabilities through the addition of codecs.
However, this functionality was altered several years ago. Consequently, a significant number of video formats are now unable to be previewed directly within Quick Look, and thumbnails may not be generated.
Using QLVideo for Thumbnail Generation
While QLVideo cannot enable playback of unsupported video files within Quick Look, it offers a valuable alternative. It generates thumbnails for these files, providing a visual indication of the video’s content.
This solution isn’t flawless, but it offers a method to verify the contents of a video file when full Quick Look preview isn’t available.
- Quick Look Limitations: Relies on QuickTime compatibility.
- Codec Changes: Reduced user control over supported formats.
- QLVideo Benefit: Provides thumbnails for unsupported files.
Essentially, QLVideo serves as a helpful workaround when standard Quick Look functionality is insufficient for previewing certain video types.
Viewing Image Dimensions and File Size During Preview
The Quick Look feature provides a convenient method for rapidly examining photographs. However, if you require details regarding the resolution or file size in megabytes, a different approach is needed.
Determining these specifications without opening the image directly can streamline your workflow.
QLimageSize addresses this need by displaying this crucial information directly within the Quick Look preview window. This eliminates the necessity of individually opening each image to access its properties.
Instead of relying on more cumbersome methods, this tool provides immediate access to resolution and file size data.
Exploring the Contents of Archive Files
When utilizing a Mac operating system, archive files are typically decompressed automatically upon double-clicking. This behavior is often desirable for immediate access to the contained files. However, there are instances where simply viewing the archive's contents without extraction is sufficient.
Previewing Archive Contents with Quick Look
The Quick Look feature on macOS provides a convenient way to preview files without opening the associated application. However, native support for archive file previews is limited.
BetterZip 3 extends the functionality of Quick Look by introducing a plugin designed for rapid inspection of compressed files. This plugin enables users to view the contents of various archive formats directly within the Quick Look interface.
Supported File Types
The BetterZip 3 Quick Look plugin offers compatibility with a wide range of archive types. It supports over 30 different file formats, including commonly used formats such as:
- ZIP
- RAR
- DMG
- 7Z
Acquiring the plugin is straightforward. It is included with the installation of the BetterZip 3 software. Even utilizing the free trial version grants permanent access to the Quick Look plugin. Alternatively, the plugin can be downloaded independently for direct installation.
This allows for a quick and efficient method to determine the contents of an archive without the need for full extraction, streamlining workflow and saving time.
Examining the Contents of PKG Files Prior to Installation
When obtaining software, you may encounter applications distributed as installable PKG files. A common question arises: what exactly does a PKG file contain?
The utility known as Suspicious Package provides a solution through a Quick Look plugin. This allows users to preview the files an installer package intends to deploy onto their macOS system.
Understanding Installer Behavior
With Suspicious Package, you can inspect the files a PKG installer will add to your Mac. Furthermore, the plugin reveals the intended destination directories for these files.
This capability is particularly valuable for assessing the trustworthiness of an installer. By understanding what changes an installation will make, you can better determine if the software source is reliable.
- PKG files are common macOS installer packages.
- Suspicious Package offers a Quick Look plugin for inspection.
- The plugin displays the files and their intended locations.
- This aids in evaluating the safety and legitimacy of installers.
Essentially, Suspicious Package empowers users with greater control and transparency over the software installation process. It provides a means to proactively identify potentially unwanted or malicious components within a PKG file.
Viewing Markdown Files as Rendered Content
This article was originally composed using Markdown, a streamlined method for formatting text files intended for web display. However, directly previewing a Markdown file with Quick Look often results in a plain text view filled with unfamiliar formatting characters.
This issue can be readily resolved by installing a dedicated Markdown plugin for Quick Look. Such a plugin facilitates the rendering of Markdown files, allowing you to view the formatted article content rather than the underlying code.
The Benefit of a Quick Look Plugin
Without a suitable plugin, Quick Look treats Markdown files as simple text. This obscures the intended formatting, making it difficult to assess the final appearance of the content.
Installing a Markdown plugin transforms the Quick Look preview experience. It interprets the Markdown syntax and displays the text with headings, lists, and other formatting elements as they would appear in a web browser.
This enhancement is particularly useful for writers and developers who frequently work with Markdown files and need a quick and convenient way to review their work.
How it Works
The plugin integrates directly with macOS's Quick Look functionality. After installation, simply select a Markdown file and press the spacebar to activate Quick Look.
The plugin will then render the Markdown content, presenting a visually appealing preview of the formatted text. This eliminates the need to open the file in a dedicated Markdown editor or web browser for a quick review.
The result is a significantly improved workflow for anyone who relies on Markdown for writing and documentation.
Code Exploration Enhanced with Color CodingFor developers, or those who frequently work with web development platforms like Wordpress, syntax highlighting is a valuable tool. It provides a rapid method for understanding the logic within code.
Being able to quickly decipher code is crucial for efficient troubleshooting and modification.
Introducing QLColorCode
QLColorCode extends the functionality of Quick Look on macOS by integrating syntax highlighting. This allows for the analysis of files directly within the Quick Look preview, eliminating the need to open them in a dedicated editor.
With QLColorCode, code can be parsed and understood without the interruption of launching a separate application.
- It streamlines the workflow for reviewing code snippets.
- The tool supports a wide range of programming languages.
- Quick Look previews become significantly more informative.
The integration is seamless, enhancing the existing Quick Look experience.
This feature is particularly useful when examining code files directly from Finder.
Viewing Plain Text Files Without ExtensionsMany files stored on your computer lack a file extension, and a significant number of these are likely to be in plain text format. QLStephen is a streamlined Quick Look plugin designed to display the content of these files.
This allows for rapid examination of files like READMEs and others without needing to open them in a dedicated text editor.
Why Isn't This a Default Feature?
The reason Apple doesn't integrate this functionality natively is understandable. Displaying the contents of non-text files as text often results in an unreadable sequence of characters.
However, despite this potential for visual clutter, the utility of quickly previewing text-based files remains high.
Benefits of Using QLStephen
Despite the possibility of encountering garbled output with certain file types, QLStephen provides a convenient method for quickly inspecting the contents of plain text files.
It offers a simple solution for users who frequently need to scan the contents of files lacking standard extensions.
Ultimately, this plugin can be a valuable tool for developers and anyone who regularly works with text-based configuration or documentation files.