Sigma X3F files thumbnail previews

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Sigma X3F files thumbnail previews

I’m a Sigma cameras user, and used to be able to see in Mac Finder the X3F files thumbnail previews after installing the X3F Utilities (corpus callosum) at the System or User Library. But now I have a new computer with M2 Pro chip under Mac OS Sonoma and can’t see those previews. I’ve tried both methods of installing the X3F utilities: copying the plugin Al generator into the Quicklook folder and the mdimporter in Spotlight folder, and using Terminal to write the commands. But I haven’t succeeded. Any user with the same Issue ?

Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023)

Posted on Jun 14, 2024 3:43 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

VikingOSX

Level 10

126,346 points

Jun 14, 2024 4:57 AM in response to FOTOFREAK

Apple does not provide camera RAW support for Sigma cameras and thus natively, the Finder will not show thumbnail previews, Quick Look will not present images, nor Preview open those X3F images.

You have been using third-party solutions that may now be incompatible with macOS Sonoma and I suggest you inquire of those respective vendors if they have updated their software for Sonoma compatibility.

Otherwise, you may need to use another third-party solution such as the free Adobe DNG converter, or free XnViewMP Utilities to get those images into usable visuals.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

126,346 points

Jun 14, 2024 5:47 AM in response to FOTOFREAK

Apple only provides camera RAW support to the camera vendors that choose to work with Apple and provides the camera RAW data for Apple to then implement that support in the operating system. You might ask Sigma what is going on with their Apple relationship.

Here is the current state of Adobe's camera RAW support for Sigma:

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Answer 3

FOTOFREAK Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 14, 2024 5:33 AM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks Viking. That's exactly what I was afraid of, and looking for a quick solution in the meanwhile, I searched the Web and found XnViewMP and tried it among other Apps. It seems to me the best one and work flawlessly. But it's annoying the need for third party apps to perform what it should be offered by Apple. This is not the Apple company we trusted in from many years ago...

And Adobe is no better, because their DNG Converter solution has never been able to read Sigma's X3F files and it continues to do so even with their latest release.

Anyway, Thanks a lot for your fast reply. Very useful to the community

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Answer 4

FOTOFREAK Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 14, 2024 9:30 AM in response to VikingOSX

You're right.

I should ask Kazuto Yamaki why they haven't supplied to Apple the necessary Data to facilitate their valued customers workflow.

But from the moment they've abandoned the Foveon X3 Sensor technology, with the launch of Bayer sensor based FP series, it's for sure quite improbable to be heard...

As for the Adobe's chart concerning the X3F files from Sigma Digital cameras, it should include all the early models with the first version of Foveon Sensor, as Camera Raw or Lightroom are able to read those files directly without converting them to DNG. (DP1x / DP2x and SD15 models are lacking)

On the other hand, Sigma fp & fp L can shoot natively in DNG, thus not requiring any conversion.

Hope this helps.

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