Digital images or graphic files are widely used both on desktop operating systems as well as on the web. In case of desktop operating systems the graphic files can be managed and organized with the help of image viewers.

There are available for download as freeware many graphic viewers that allows users to browse and view graphic files as well as editing and converting them. IrfanView image viewer is a very popular freeware program with many unique features as compared with other similar applications. It is very easy to install and use and is available only for Windows operating system. Linux users can also install IrfanView with the help of a virtual machine.

The application displays many types of graphic, video and audio files formats, being improperly defined as graphic viewer since it allows the playing of sound files having mp3s or OGG format. But its description is not important as compared with its unique features and performances shown in case of Windows operating systems.

Images can be viewed as automatic slideshows or by manually browsing an image directory. The slideshows export capability allows the creation of standalone executable presentations or screensavers (the burn to CD option is also available). The application provides multiple image editing and processing features similar to an image editor like Adobe Photoshop, but in a simplified version.

From a very simple and intuitive graphical interface, the user is able to crop, resize, change color depth, apply various filters and effects (Adobe Photoshop Filters for example), reduce the red eye effect for a selection and more. All of these operations can be performed by using drop down menus with direct access to a certain image processing operation. The possibility of images batch conversion and scanning from TWAIN sources is also available.

The image paint feature allows users to add to text to an image, replace colors, draw shapes (lines, circles, ellipses, rectangle, squares), straighten an image and more. New images can be created directly from the main menu or by using the capture feature. The user can capture any window or desktop area by pressing a hot key or automatically with a certain time delay.

The multimedia player supports almost all common types of video and audio files. The multimedia playing capabilities, as well as overall application functionalities can be extended with the help of certain plugins available for download on IrfanView website as a single executable file or separate zip archive. In order to use IrfanView as a portable application, it can be installed directly on a USB drive or the user has also the possibility to copy a previously installation directory to a removable drive such as USB drives or CD.

The main advantages of this application are: high image loading speed for large graphic files sizes, simplicity in usage, enhanced multimedia playing capabilities, multiple image editing and processing options and more. If you want to test this software or change your current image viewer, IrfanView is available for download here.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 4:53 am and is filed under Windows Software. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.