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FastStone Image Viewer is a very capable, free image viewer; IrfanView is still better
First off, I must say that I am a total IrfanView addict. A key part of my workflow is based on the fact that IrfanView can include a filename's full path right in the title bar; that's very useful for AutoHotkey automation.
FastStone Image Viewer doesn't have this particular feature, but it's still a nice viewer. As a whole, it is more comprehensive than IrfanView, not less. For example, when you launch an external editor, it lets you set which parameters are imported (full file path, just the file name, file name with no extension). IrfanView doesn't let you do that; it just passes along the file name with the complete path.
That's just one example. Another difference, which is much more noticeable, is that FastStone starts up in thumbnail mode, while IrfanView starts in single image mode. For me, that's a deal breaker. I mean, it's a totally different way of looking at your images, and it simply doesn't work for me.
Maybe I would consider using it if it had a way of passing along image parameters (height and width), ... but that doesn't seem to be the case. Saikat Basu over at MakeUseOf does a nice job of describing what's so awesome about FastStone. I must say that I don't think I will be quitting IrfanView any time soon, though.
Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsblasztaJun 8th 2010 10:26PM
I take FastStone Image Viewer anytime a day than IrfanView.
I'm not sure about full path image name, but other features are in FastStone. It just using different flow than IrfanView.
About FastStone start in the thumbnail mode, yup, that's correct. But I never actually need to see this. Why? Once you setup the file association, anytime you double click an image it will open in full screen (or window mode, you can change the settings). Once you inside this fullscreen, the power of FastStone start.. try to move your cursor to the top (you can preview next image, etc.), move to the left (crop, resize, etc.), move to the right (EXIF, metadata, etc.) and bottom for zoom, compare image, etc.
If you want to exit press Esc key, or if you want to go to thumbnail mode press Enter.
And one more thing, image smoother in FastStone is better than IrfanView.
20100608.1.kultfigurJun 9th 2010 12:58AM
Of course Faststone can open images in single mode. Just change the settings (Settings->settings->Launch associated files in full screen)
Irfan view is soooo 90th. Back in the good old days I preferred ACDSee (V 1.3) and now I use Faststone. Irfan view? Never!
dodutilsJun 9th 2010 4:24AM
like kultfigur I used ACDSee 1.3 for ages until I discovered FSViewer a few years ago and it is still my prefered basic image manipulation tool, Irfanview has very old 90's interface but tons of features like batch date/exif filedate manipulation.
99% of time I use FSViewer especially it's side-by-side picture's somparator that is really a great feature to compare multiple shots of same scene.
eclipser7Jun 9th 2010 6:06AM
Tried IrfanView but much prefer XnView.Interface is superior,is easier to use & supports 400 graphic formats,free too!
SpankyJun 9th 2010 11:44AM
FastStone is the best. Period. IRfan View makes it difficult to leave because you have to climb up a learning curve and, once you're there, you don't want to relearn anything. FastStone, on the other hand, isn't about climbing up a learning curve, it's about discovering where they put stuff. As a commenter stated above, once you get in the habit of sliding your mouse to the left of the screen, or the top of the screen, you greatly appreciate how easy it is to manipulate your files while being able to see the full image.
I've set this up for a professional photographer and there's no way he's moving to anything like IRfan after this. FastStone deserves your 20 minutes of exploration. You will not be disappointed.
Stuart HallidayJun 10th 2010 12:07PM
IrfanView and AHK are such a hot combination, I'm glad I'm not the only one to see the benefits of automating the two together to get more productive.
Been using these two for years.