Copyright: Copyright © 2005 by Steve Clark and Irfan Skiljan


Introduction

IrfanView is a compact, easy to use image viewer. More than that, you can also edit images directly in IrfanView, to produce a variety of effects. IrfanView was created by Irfan Skiljan.

Open IrfanView by clicking its icon on the Windows Start Menu or double clicking the icon on your desktop.

Click on the File menu, then the Open option to get a file for use in the viewer. A dialog box will allow you to select the file you want. Click the Preview active box in the Open dialog to see small versions of images before opening them.

With an image in the viewer, you can manipulate it in a large number of ways. Most functions for changing an image are in the Edit and Image menus.

When you are finished with the image, Save it to your disk. Bring in another image, or Exit IrfanView.

Click on the image below to find out more about that function:


Installation

Setting up IrfanView for use.

For the experienced computer user:

Download IrfanView and unzip the files into a directory of your choice. Create a shortcut to the program in the Windows start menu or on your desktop.

For the less-experienced computer user:

Download a self-install copy of IrfanView and start the installation file.

Some informations:

Unzipped, the file contains several files. "i_about.txt" describes the viewer and gives information about the author. "i_changes.txt" contains the versions history of the program. "i_options.txt" outlines some advanced features of the program. "i_view32.exe" is the program that makes IrfanView work. The two files "i_view32.hlp" and "i_view32.cnt" are the Help files for the program.

Shortcuts are the labels you click in the Start Menu, or the icons on your Desktop, that start programs for you. You need to create a shortcut to IrfanView. To make one in the Start Menu, click the Start button. Move the cursor up to point at Settings. On the sub-menu that appears, click Taskbar. A dialog box opens, with two tabs. Click the tab that is labeled: Start Menu Programs. In the top half of the box, click the Add button. A box called Create Shortcut comes up to put in the name of the program. Click the Browse button and another box opens, to locate your copy of IrfanView. Find it, click it, then click the Open button. The box closes and IrfanView is now selected. Click the Next button. A box comes up called Select Program Folder. Browse through to find the folder where you want the shortcut to appear in your Start Menu. Click the folder name, then click the Next button below. Finally a box comes up called Select a Title for the Program. Click the Finish button at the bottom of the dialog. Next time you open your Start Menu, a clickable label for IrfanView will be in the folder you selected.

The easiest way to create a desktop shortcut is to use the viewer itself. Open IrfanView. Click the Options menu, then click Properties. A dialog box opens; click the tab called Misc. 2. Almost at the bottom is a button labeled Create desktop link for IrfanView. Click this, and an icon for the viewer will appear on your desktop. Click the OK button to close. Next time you want to use the viewer, just double click the icon or press the key combination Ctrl+Shift+I.

Note:	You can install/update a new version over any older version. Uninstall is not required. After install, just refresh your associations under Properties->Extensions, if not already done during installation process.


Uninstall IrfanView

How to uninstall IrfanView?

Go to Windows menu: "Start · Programs · IrfanView" and click "Uninstall IrfanView" or see in Windows menu: "Start · Settings · Control Panel · Add/Remove Programs".


Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some interesting questions about IrfanView, bug reports, etc..

Q:	I will create a CD-ROM with images and I will put IrfanView on the CD. How can I start IrfanView's Slideshow when I insert the CD in the drive?

A:	You can create either a self running EXE slideshow file (in slideshow dialog) or you can copy the original files to the CD and use a TXT file. Read this page for an example.

Q:	Problem: if I try to play some AVIs, I get the error message "Video not available, cannot find MJPG decompressor"!

A:	Please install the MJPG (Motion JPEG) video codec. Try these sites:

http://www.mainconcept.com/downloads.shtml

http://www.morgan-multimedia.com

http://www.free-codecs.com/Motion_JPEG_Codec_download.htm

http://www.fourcc.org/indexcod.htm

Q:	Problem: if I try to play some AVIs and MPGs with IrfanView, I always get the error message "MMSYSTEMxxx, no device ..."!

A:	Please search on http://www.microsoft.com/ for more infos about the message number. In some cases is a fix available.

Q:	Generic problem with video files: if I try to play some AVIs, I get the error message "Video not available, cannot find XXX decompressor"!

A:	The correct video codec is not installed, please check this site for the right codec (see in menu: Image->Information for the codec name):

http://www.fourcc.org/indexcod.htm

http://www.codec-download.com

http://codecs.necromancers.ru

http://www.free-codecs.com

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?productID=&freetext=media+8&DisplayLang=en

http://www.videohelp.com

Q:	Bug report: since yesterday, IrfanView shows all my images black/white! Why?

A:	The load option for JPGs "Load as grayscale" in 'Properties->JPG/PCD/GIF' is activated, please uncheck!

Q:	How to use JPG lossless rotation in batch mode?

A:	Start the Thumbnail window, open the folder with JPGs, select many JPGs and see in Thumbnail menu for lossless JPG transformations. Note: the Auto-Rotation option works only if the EXIF orientation tag is properly saved (not top-left).

Q:	Is IrfanView affected by the MS JPEG vulnerability?

A:	NO. There is no GDI+ usage in IrfanView.

Q:	How can I make IrfanView as my default viewer?

A:	Start IrfanView, go to 'Properties->Extensions' and associate your types.

Q:	Is IrfanView compatible with Windows 95 or 98?

A:	Yes, IrfanView is compatible with all Win9x- and later Windows versions. Win9x means: Windows 95, 98, 98 SE and Windows ME.

Q:	Why are some edit menus or the red-eye menu greyed out?

A:	Many edit options or red-eye works on selections only. Create first a selection (outline rectangle) in the image using the left mouse button.

Q:	How can I add background sound for automatic slideshow or EXE/SCR?

A:	In the slideshow dialog put/add MP3 files into the slideshow file list, usually at the begin or before an image. IrfanView PlugIns should be also installed, at least the MP3 PlugIn.

Q:	How to reduce saved file size from XX to YY KB?

A:	There is no one-click solution for that, sorry.

1.	Open an image.

2.	Go to menu Image->Resize/Resample and reduce the image dimensions in pixels.

3.	Go to menu File->Save as, choose JPG and save as new file (see also JPG save options like: lower JPG quality, uncheck EXIF, etc.).

4.	Look at the file size of the new file. If still too big, repeat the steps, using smaller pixel size and/or lower quality, etc..

X.	For many images, use File->Batch Conversion, Advanced options.

Q:	How can I add background sound a VCD (Video CD)?

A:	This is not possible by the VCD specification.

Q:	How can I change the icon for IrfanView associations?

A:	Go to Properties->Extensions and choose the Miscellaneous button. Here you can set other icon(s) for associated file types.

Q:	How to extract images from the EXE Slideshow?

A:	Start the EXE and press F1 for help Use E hotkey for extraction.

Q:	How proceed multiple edit for JPG IPTC/Comment data?

A:	Start the Thumbnail window, open the folder with JPGs, select many JPGs and see in Thumbnail menu for lossless JPG operations. The data from the first image are added to all selected images. See also IPTC options for more.

Q:	Are the JPG editing options for IPTC/Comment lossless?

A:	Yes, the image itself is NOT recompressed.

Q:	How can I load only desired file types during the browsing?

Q:	How to exclude specific file extensions (e.g. TXT) from browsing through directory?

Q:	IrfanView can load e.g. CR2 files, but the files are not showed in the Thumbnail window?

A:	Go to Properties->Extensions, edit the file extensions in field Load custom file types; delete unwanted or add special (but supported!) extensions.

Q:	Bug report: If I decrease the color depth to 8 or less BPP, the saved JPG file is always 24 BPP?

A:	Please note that a JPG can be only saved as 24 BPP or 8 BPP grayscale image. JPG do not allow other BPP values. If you want other BPP values, please use formats like PNG, TIF, BMP etc.

Q:	How can I change the desktop icon for IrfanView?

A:	This is a standard Windows feature. Right click on the desktop icon, then 'Properties'. Now you can set another icon (change icon) or remove/change the hotkey for the program start.

Q:	How can I load file types WITHOUT any extension during the browsing?

A:	Go to Properties->Extensions, edit the file extensions in field Load custom file types; add a | at the end, to create an empty extension entry.Optional: go to Properties->Misc 1 and disable the option: Ask to rename if incorrect extension.

Q:	How to remove the eBay toolbar from IrfanView toolbar?

A:	Go to Properties->Misc. 3 and uncheck this option. You can also set this option during the IrfanView installation, everything is optional.

Q:	How to print many files (batch print)?

A:	In the Thumbnails window, you can select many images/files and use the menu Print selected files as single images.

Q:	How to print many images on one page?

A:	In the Thumbnails window, use the menu Create contact sheet from selected thumbs. The result image(s) can be printed or saved.

Q:	How to change JPG IPTC/Comment data for many images (batch mode)?

A:	In the Thumbnails window, select many JPG images/files and use the menu JPG Lossless Operations->Set IPTC data/Comment to selected thumbs. The data for the first image is applied to all files. The IPTC dialog offers additional options.

Q:	How to download/acquire more than one image from my digital camera?

A:	Use the menu: File->Batch Scanning.

Q:	Is there a way to do batch scanning without having an ADF scanner?

A:	Yes, uncheck the option: Properties->Misc. 1->Close TWAIN dialog after acquire.

Q:	How can I play Quicktime (MOV) files with IrfanView?

A:	If you want to play all Quicktime files: install Apple Quicktime, install IrfanView PlugIns. Activate the Quicktime PlugIn for IrfanView in Properties->Video/Sound.

Q:	Bug report: IrfanView won't save settings! Why?

A:	There are 2 possibilities, first: your INI (i_view32.ini) file (or whole IrfanView folder) is set to read-only, please change that; second: some "smart" Washer/Restore tools/plugins are washing too much, please exclude IrfanView files/folder from such actions.

Q:	Bug report: since yesterday, IrfanView shows all images distorted/stretched! Why?

A:	The view menu option "Fit images to desktop" is activated (or a similar view option), please uncheck and use the default display option.

Q:	Bug report: The Add button in the slideshow/batch dialog won't add the selected file to the file list.

A:	There is a Windows Explorer "feature": Hide file extensions for known file types. Please deactivate this default (and stupid) Explorer option to show files with their real names and extensions!

Q:	Bug report: the thumbnail window crashes if I have many files in a folder!

A:	This is a Windows 9x/XP bug, the max. number of files in the folder is system dependent. WinNT/Win2K works fine. Try to split files to several folders.

Q:	Bug report: When I capture a video, why is the screen black?

A:	Try to disable video acceleration in Settings · Control Panel · Display · Throubleshooting, during the screenshots. Or start a second player instance and try to capture it.

Q:	Bug report: in the thumbnail window, when I click on a thumbnail, nothing happens, the image will not be displayed in the main window!

A:	You have an old version of the "comctl32.dll", please update this Windows component from the MS homepage:

http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/ieplatform/ie/comctrlx86.asp

Q:	Problem: When double-click a file which is associated with IrfanView, I get an error message "Cannot find the file [path] or one of its components". What is the problem?

A:	Start IrfanView, go to 'Properties->Extensions' and associate your file types again.

Q:	Bug report: IrfanView runs/starts very slowly on my system! Why?

A:	Probably an old anti virus program or another background software is running, which causes such problems. Check your system.

Q:	Bug report: the screensaver created by IrfanView shows just few images and then exits. Why?

A:	The problem is caused by another running software, which kills the saver. Check your system.

Q:	Upgrade: Is it necessary to uninstall the older version before installing the newer version?

A:	No. Install a new version over any older version. After install, just refresh your associations/options under Properties->Extensions.

Q:	Basic: How can I convert e.g. a BMP image/file to JPG?

A:	Open a BMP file using the File->Open menu. Now go to File->Save as menu, choose JPG as output format, set the new file name/folder and save. If you want to convert many files, use the Batch Conversion.

Q:	Basic: Do I need IrfanView PlugIns?

A:	Probably not. All basic options/features/PlugIns are included in the standard IrfanView installation. PlugIns contains usually special file formats. If you need a special PlugIn, IrfanView will show you an error message and then you can/should install all other PlugIns.

Q:	Does IrfanView contain Spyware or Viruses, etc.?

A:	NO. If your virus program reports a virus or spyware in IrfanView downloaded from the official homepages, you should either update the virus program or use a better one.

Q:	I am an administrator. How can I install IrfanView on a server with same settings for all users?

A:	1)	Install IrfanView on the server.

2)	Set your IrfanView options (properties, etc.). Now set the INI file "i_view32.ini" to read-only.

The users can't change IrfanView options anymore.

3)	To prevent the registry changes (associations), you can hide the Properties->Extensions dialog. Write in the INI file:

ShowExtensionsDlg=0 in section [Extensions].

Q:	I am an administrator. How can I install IrfanView on a server but each user should save/use own INI files?

A:	1)	Install IrfanView on the server.

2)	Write in the INI file (i_view32.ini on server):

INI_Folder=folder in section [Others].

Examples:

INI_Folder=C:\TEMP, or

INI_Folder=%TEMP%, or

INI_Folder=C:\TEMP\%YOUR_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLE%, or

INI_Folder=%YOUR_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLE%\folder

Q:	I am an administrator. How can I silent install/uninstall IrfanView?

A:	Usually, you can download the ZIP version of IrfanView and Plugins and deploy the files. Self install versions have special start options for silent install (example, version 3.90):

1)	IrfanView:

iview390.exe /silent /folder="c:\test folder\irfanview" /desktop=1 /thumbs=1 /group=1 /allusers=0 /assoc=1

Options:

folder:	destination folder; if not indicated: old IrfanView folder is used, if not found: "Program Files" folder used

desktop:	create desktop shortcut; 0 = no, 1 = yes

thumbs:	create desktop shortcut for thumbnails; 0 = no, 1 = yes

group:	create group in Start menu; 0 = no, 1 = yes

allusers:	desktop/group links are for all users; 0 = current user, 1 = all users

assoc:	set file associations; 1 = images only, 2 = select all

2)	PlugIns:

all_plugins.exe /silent

3)	Uninstall:

iv_uninstall.exe /silent

Q:	What is the IrfanView icon, is this a bear or devil or something else?

A:	This is a red CAT, a road cat. Note, I like cats, but this is a joke ;-)

Misc: Some IrfanView users created tutorials for specific features/operations. Thanks guys!

- Common:	http://www.dreamwater.com/sport/walkstick/irfanview/irfan.htm

- Common:	http://www.indeavors.com/services_wbt_ivtutorial.htm

- Common:	http://www.fileshow.com/movie/irfanview/irfanview.html

- Batch resize:	http://www.lancelotgroup.com/tutorials/HowToResize-IrFanView-Start.asp

- Batch conversion:	http://mysticmusings.typepad.com/photos/tutorials_ivw_batchconren/index.html

- Batch conversion:	http://home.t-online.de/home/p.mattenklott/batch.html (german)

- Install, etc.:	http://www.kulak.ac.be/renwv/nazorg/wegwijsweb/ (dutch)

- Fractals:	http://www21.brinkster.com/silmarillion/ag/fractal_art.htm

Misc: Interesting links for special Windows problems:

- Wrong thumbnails in Explorer:	http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Tweekz.htm

- Video tools/conversions:	http://www.videohelp.com


Supported File Formats

These are the file formats/extensions supported by the current version of IrfanView:

AIF¹, ANI, AU¹, AVI, B3D, BMP, CAM, CLP, CPT, CRW/CR2, CUR, DAT¹, DCM/ACR, DCX, DDS, DIB, DJVU, DLL/EXE, DXF, ECW, EMF, EPS, FITS, FLI/FLC², FPX, FSH, G3, GIF, ICL, ICO, IFF/LBM, IMG, JP2, JPG/JPEG, JPM, KDC, LDF, LWF, Mac PICT², MED, MID, MNG/JNG, MOV¹², MP3, MPG/MPEG¹, MrSID, NLM/NOL/NGG/NSL/OTB/GSM, OGG, PBM, PCX, PGM, PIC, PhotoCD, PNG, PPM, PSD, PSP, QTIF², RAS/SUN, RealAudio, RAW, RLE, RMI, SFF, SFW, SGI/RGB, MrSID, SWF, SND¹, TGA, TIF/TIFF, TTF, TXT, WAD, WAL, WAV, WBMP, WMF, WMA, WMV, XBM, XPM, (DNG, EEF, NEF, ORF, RAF, MRW, DCR).

¹ Microsoft's Media Player program is required for these formats.

² Apple's QuickTime program is required for these formats.

Note:	Many of these formats are supported through PlugIns, check the table below and read the file "i_plugins.txt" for more infos.

PlugIns Download:	http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

IrfanView Formats Overview:

Extension	Format name	Open	Save
AIF	Sound file, Audio Interchange Format	YES¹ ³
ANI	Animated Cursor format for Microsoft Windows	YES
AU, SND	Encoded Audio format used by Sun and NeXT machines	YES¹ ³
AVI, WMV	Audio Video Interleaved: Microsoft's video for Windows	YES
B3D	BodyPaint 3D Format	YES³
BMP, DIB	Windows Bitmap	YES	YES
CAM	Casio digital camera file	YES³ (JPG version)
CLP	Windows clipboard format	YES
CPT	CorelDraw Photopaint image	YES (CPT version 6)
CRW, CR2	Canon RAW image	YES³
CUR	Cursor Resource file format for Microsoft Windows	YES
DCM, ACR, IMA	Dicom/ACR file format for medical images	YES³
DCX	Multipage PCX files format	YES
DDS	Direct Draw Surface	YES³
DJVU, IW44	DjVu File Format	YES³
DXF, DWG, HPGL	CAD formats	YES³
ECW	Enhanced Compressed Wavelet	YES³	YES³
EMF	Enhanced Metafile Format	YES	YES
EPS	Encapsulated PostScript	YES (TIF preview)
FITS	Flexible Image Transport System	YES³
FLI, FLC	Autodesk animation format	YES² ³
FPX	FlashPix format	YES³
FSH	EA Sports FSH Format	YES³	YES³
G3	Group 3 Facsimile Apparatus format	YES³
GIF	Graphics Interchange Format	YES	YES
ICL, EXE, DLL	Icon Library formats	YES (icons)
ICO	Windows Icon	YES	YES
IFF, LBM	Interchange File Format	YES
IMG	GEM Raster image	YES³
JP2, JPC, J2K	JPEG 2000 Format	YES³	YES³
JPG, JPEG	Joint Photographic Experts Group	YES	YES
JPM	JPEG2000/Part6, LuraDocument.jpm	YES³	YES³
KDC	Kodak digital camera format	YES³
LDF	LuraDocument Format	YES³	YES³
LWF	LuraWave Format	YES³	YES³
Mac PICT, QTIF	Macintosh PICT format	YES² ³
MED	MED/OctaMED sound format	YES³
MID, RMI	Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)	YES³
MNG, JNG	Multiple Network Graphics	YES³
MOV	QuickTime Movie format	YES² ³
MP3	MPEG audio layer 3 format	YES³
MPG, MPEG	Moving Pictures Experts Group format	YES¹ ³
MrSID, SID	LizardTech's SID Wavelet format	YES³
DNG, EEF, NEF, MRW, ORF, RAF, DCR, SRF, PEF, X3F	Digital camera RAW formats (Adobe, Epson, Nikon, Minolta, Olympus, Fuji, Kodak, Sony, Pentax, Sigma)	YES³
NLM/NOL/NGG/OTB/GSM	Nokia/LogoManager files	YES³
OGG	OGG Vorbis audio format	YES³
PBM	Portable Bitmap File format	YES	YES
PCX	PC Paintbrush format from ZSoft Corporation	YES	YES
PCD	Kodak Photo CD	YES
PGM	Portable Greymap File format	YES	YES
PIC	Softimage PICT	YES³
PNG	Portable Network Graphics	YES	YES
PPM	Portable Pixelmap format	YES	YES
PSD	Adobe PhotoShop format	YES
PSP	Paint Shop Pro file format	YES³
RAS, SUN	Sun Raster format	YES³
RA	Real Audio sound format	YES³
RAW	Raw (binary) data	YES³
RLE	Utah RLE format	YES³
SFF	Structured Fax File	YES³
SFW	Seattle Film Works format	YES³
SGI, RGB, RGBA	Silicon Graphics format	YES³
SWF	Macromedia's Flash/Shockwave format, Version 4	YES³
TGA	Truevision Advanced Raster Graphics Adapter (TARGA)	YES	YES
TIF, TIFF	Tagged Image File Format	YES	YES
TTF	True Type Font	YES³
TXT	Text (ASCII) File	YES
WAD	WAD3 Game Format	YES³
WAL	Quake 2 textures	YES³
WAV, WMA	Windows audio file	YES³
WBMP	WAP Bitmap format	YES³
WMF	Windows Metafile format	YES
XBM	X11 Bitmap	YES³
XPM	X11 Pixmap	YES³

¹ Microsoft's Active Movie program is required for these formats.

² Apple's QuickTime program is required for these formats.

³ PlugIn is required for these formats, see above for download.


PlugIns

Please use always the current IrfanView and PlugIn version.

How to install IrfanView PlugIns?

1.	Visit IrfanView 's homepage: http://www.irfanview.com (or a mirror site).

2.	Go to 'Download -> PlugIns'.

3.	Download PlugIns.

4.	Click on the PlugIn file.

5.	PlugIns will be installed into IrfanView 'PlugIns' directory.

Download:

You can download all PlugIns from this site:

http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

Please read also the file "i_plugins.txt" (IrfanView folder) and/or "plugins.txt" (PlugIns folder) for additional informations about the PlugIns.

Available PlugIns:

1. 8BF_FILTERS:	allows IrfanView to load Adobe Photoshop 8BF filters.

Note: This PlugIn may require additional system DLLs (check "i_plugins.txt" for details).

2. B3D:	allows IrfanView to read BodyPaint 3D files.

3. CRW:	allows IrfanView to read Canon CRW files (high resolution image version).

Note: This PlugIn requires additional Canon DLLs (check "i_plugins.txt" for details).

4. CSIMAGE:	allows IrfanView to read CAD files (DXF, DWG, HPGL). Shareware, third party PlugIn.

Note: Check "i_plugins.txt" for details and newest version link.

5. DICOM:	allows IrfanView to read Dicom medical files (DCM, ACR, IMA).

6. DJVU:	allows IrfanView to read AT&T DJVU files.

7. EA_FSH:	allows IrfanView to read/write EA Sports FSH files.

8. ECW:	allows IrfanView to read/write ECW files.

9. Effects:	contains image effects.

10. EMAIL:	allows IrfanView to send images as EMails.

11. EXIF:	allows IrfanView to show EXIF information from JPG files.

12. Filter Factory:	allows IrfanView to use Filter Factory 8BF files (Photoshop PlugIns for Filter Factory).

13. FLASH:	allows IrfanView to read Macromedia Flash/Shockwave files.

14. Formats:	allows IrfanView to read some rare image formats.

Current formats:	PSP, G3, RAS, BioRAD, Mosaic, XBM, XPM, GEM-IMG, SGI, RLE, WBMP, TTF, RAW, CRW, CR2, DNG, NEF, ORF, RAF, MRW, DCR, SRF, PEF, EEF, X3F, DDS, CAM, SFW, WAD, WAL, PIC, FITS

15. FPX:	allows IrfanView to read FlashPix files.

16. Filters Unlimited:	allows IrfanView to use Filters Unlimited files (Photoshop PlugIns).

Check "FUnlimited_Readme.txt" for details.

17. Icons:	additional icons for IrfanView file associations.

18. ICS:	allows IrfanView to read ICS/IDS files.

19. IPTC:	allows IrfanView to show/edit IPTC and Comment information from JPG files.

20. IV_Player:	allows IrfanView to play video/sound/audio-cd files.

Current formats: AVI, MPG, WAV, MIDI, CDA, WMA, ASF, AIF, SND, WMV, etc.

21. JPEG2000:	allows IrfanView to read/write JPEG 2000 files.

22. JPG Transformation:	allows IrfanView to support lossless JPG transformations.

23. JPM:	allows IrfanView to read/write JPM files.

24. KDC:	allows IrfanView to read Kodak Digital Camera files.

25. LDF:	allows IrfanView to read/write LuraDocument LDF files.

26. LOGOMANAGER:	allows IrfanView to read Nokia Logo Files: NLM/NOL/NGG/NSL/OTB/GSM.

27. LWF:	allows IrfanView to read/write LuraWave LWF files.

28. MED:	allows IrfanView to play MED/OctaMED audio files.

29. MNG:	allows IrfanView to read/play MNG/JNG files.

30. MP3:	allows IrfanView to play MP3/MP2/MP1 files.

31. MPG:	allows IrfanView to extract frames from MPEG files.

32. MRC:	allows IrfanView to read MRC files.

33. MrSID:	allows IrfanView to read LizardTech's SID files.

34. NERO:	allows IrfanView to burn slideshow to data or Video CD, using Nero Burning ROM software

Check www.nero.com for download.

35. PCD:	allows IrfanView to read Kodak PhotoCD files.

36. PNGOUT:	allows optimized PNG saving.

37. QuickTime:	allows IrfanView to play Apple Quicktime movies.

38. REAL AUDIO:	allows IrfanView to play Real Audio RA files.

39. SFF:	allows IrfanView to read SFF (Structured Fax) Files.

40. Slideshow:	allows IrfanView to create presentations in EXE or SCR format (standalone executable/screen saver).

41. SoundPlayer:	allows IrfanView to play OGG audio files (Ogg Vorbis).

42. VIDEO:	allows IrfanView to play video/sound files.

(AVI, MPG/MPEG, WAV, MOV, MID/RMI, AIF, AU/SND, WMA, WMV).


Command Line Options

Command line options allow you to set some functions of IrfanView before the viewer is launched.

These command line options are supported in IrfanView:

/one	-	force 'Only one instance'

/fs	-	force Full Screen display

/bf	-	force 'Fit images to desktop' display option

/title=text	-	set window title to 'text'

/pos=(x,y)	-	move the window to x,y

/convert=filename	-	convert input file to 'filename' and close IrfanView

/slideshow=txtfile	-	play slideshow with the files from 'txtfile'

/slideshow=folder	-	play slideshow with the files from 'folder'

/thumbs=folder	-	force thumbnails (with a specific folder)

/killmesoftly	-	close all IrfanView instances

/closeslideshow	-	close slideshow and close IrfanView after the last image

/page=X	-	open page number X from a multipage input image

/crop=(x,y,w,h)	-	crop input image: x-start, y-start, width, height

/print	-	print input image to default printer and close IrfanView

/print="Name"	-	print input image to specific printer and close IrfanView

/resize=(w,h)	-	resize input image to w (width) and h (height)

/resample=(w,h)	-	resample input image to w (width) and h (height)

/capture=X	-	capture the screen or window (see examples below)

/ini	-	use the Windows folder for INI/LST files (read/save)

/ini="Folder"	-	use the folder "Folder" for INI/LST files (read/save)

/clippaste	-	paste image from the clipboard

/clipcopy	-	copy image to the clipboard

/silent	-	don't show error messages for command line read/save errors

/invert	-	invert the input image

/dpi=(x,y)	-	change DPI values

/scan	-	acquire the image from the TWAIN device (show TWAIN dialog)

/scanhidden	-	acquire the image from the TWAIN device (hide TWAIN dialog)

/batchscan=(options)	-	simulate menu: File->Batch Scan, see below for example

/bpp=BitsPerPixel	-	change color depth of the input image to BitsPerPixel

/swap_bw	-	swap black and white color

/gray	-	convert input image to grayscale

/rotate_r	-	rotate input image to right

/rotate_l	-	rotate input image to left

/filepattern="x"	-	browse only specific files

/sharpen=X	-	open image and apply the sharpen filter value X

/contrast=X	-	open image and apply the contrast value X

/hide=X	-	hide toolbar, status bar, menu and/or caption of the main window (see examples below)

/aspectratio	-	used for /resize and /resample, keep image proportions

/info=txtfile	-	write image infos to "txtfile"

/append=tiffile	-	append image as (TIF) page to "tiffile"

/multitif=(tif,files)	-	create multipage TIF from input files

/jpgq=X	-	set JPG save quality

/tifc=X	-	set TIF save compression

/wall=X	-	set image as wallpaper

/extract=(file,ext)	-	extract all pages from a multipage file

/import_pal=palfile	-	import and apply a special palette to the image (PAL format)

Notes:

- Only lower case options are supported (don't type any UPPERCASE letters) !

- Input file name (if required) is always the first parameter!

- Use "" for file names with spaces, example: "dummy test file.jpg".

- Write always the FULL paths for file names (incl. drive).

- You can combine several options in one command.

- Wildcards (*) supported only for /convert, /print and /info.

- Maximal command line length is limited by Windows.

Example for conversion:

i_view32.exe c:\test.bmp /convert=c:\test.jpg

Convert file: 'c:\test.bmp' to 'c:\test.jpg' without GUI.

i_view32.exe c:\*.jpg /convert=d:\temp\*.gif

i_view32.exe c:\*.jpg /resample=(500,300) /convert=d:\temp\*.png

i_view32.exe c:\*.jpg /resample=(500,300) /aspectratio /convert=d:\temp\*.png

(Note: Supported are all IrfanView read/save formats except audio/video.)

Example for slideshow:

i_view32.exe /slideshow=c:\mypics.txt

(Note:	The file 'c:\mypics.txt' contains, in each line, a name of an image, including the full path OR path relative to "i_view32.exe".)

i_view32.exe /slideshow=c:\images\

i_view32.exe /slideshow=c:\images\*.jpg

i_view32.exe /slideshow=c:\images\test*.jpg

You have to close IrfanView after the last image from the TXT file if not /closeslideshow used.

Example for /closeslideshow:

i_view32.exe /slideshow=c:\mypics.txt /closeslideshow

IrfanView will be closed after the last image from 'c:\mypics.txt'.

Example for thumbnails:

i_view32.exe c:\test\image1.jpg /thumbs

Open 'image1.jpg' and display thumbnails from directory 'c:\test'.

i_view32.exe c:\test\ /thumbs

Display thumbnails from directory 'c:\test'.

Example for close:

i_view32.exe /killmesoftly

Close IrfanView and terminate all instances.

Example for /page:

i_view32.exe c:\test.tif /page=3

Open page number 3 from the multipage image 'c:\test.tif'.

Example for /crop:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /crop=(10,10,300,300)

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and crop: x-start=10, y-start=10, width=300, height=300 (in pixels).

Example for /print:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /print

Open 'c:\test.jpg', print the image to default printer and close IrfanView.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /print="Printer Name"

Open 'c:\test.jpg', print the image to specific printer and close IrfanView.

i_view32.exe c:\*.jpg /print

Print all JPGs from "C:\" and close IrfanView.

Example for /resize:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resize=(300,300)

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resize: width=300, height=300.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resize=(300,300) /aspectratio

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resize: width= max. 300, height= max. 300, proportional.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resize=(300,0)

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resize: width=300, height=original.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resize=(300,0) /aspectratio

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resize: width=300, height=proportional.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resize=(150p,150p)

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resize: width=150%, height=150%.

Example for /resample:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resample=(300,300)

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resample: width=300, height=300.

(Note: Using always the active resample filter from the I_VIEW32.INI.)

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resample=(300,300) /aspectratio

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resample: width= max. 300, height= max. 300, proportional.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resample=(0,300)

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resample: width=original, height=300.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resample=(0,300) /aspectratio

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resample: width=proportional, height=300.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /resample=(50p,70p)

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and resample: width=50%, height=70%.

Example for /capture:

i_view32.exe /capture=0

Capture the whole screen and show the image in IrfanView.

i_view32.exe /capture=1

Capture the foreground window and show the image in IrfanView.

i_view32.exe /capture=2

Capture client area of the foreground window and show the image in IrfanView.

Example for /ini:

i_view32.exe /ini

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /ini

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /ini="c:\temp\"

Example for /clippaste:

i_view32.exe /clippaste

i_view32.exe /clippaste /convert=c:\test.gif

Example for /clipcopy:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /clipcopy

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /clipcopy /killmesoftly

Example for /invert:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /invert

Example for /dpi:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /dpi=(72,72)

Example for /scan:

i_view32.exe /scan

i_view32.exe /scanhidden

i_view32.exe /scan /convert=c:\test.gif

i_view32.exe /scanhidden /convert=c:\test.gif

i_view32.exe /print /scan

Example for /batchscan=(options):

options = all 8 options from the batch scan dialog:

filename, index, increment, digits, skip, dest-folder, save-extension, multi-tif

i_view32.exe /batchscan=(scanfile,1,1,2,1,c:\temp,bmp,0)

i_view32.exe /batchscan=(scanfile,1,1,2,0,c:\temp,tif,1)

Example for /bpp:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /bpp=8

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and reduce to 256 colors. Supported BPP-values: 1, 4, 8 and 24 (decrease/increase color depth).

Example for /filepattern:

i_view32.exe c:\images\ /thumbs /filepattern="*.jpg"

Go to folder "'c:\images" and show JPG thumbnails only.

i_view32.exe c:\images\ /thumbs /filepattern="123*.jpg"

Go to folder "'c:\images" and show JPG with names "123*" as thumbnails.

Example for /sharpen:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /sharpen=33

Example for /hide:

Values (can be combined (add values)):

Toolbar	1

Status bar	2

Menu bar	4

Caption	8

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /hide=1

Open 'c:\test.jpg', hide toolbar only.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /hide=3

Open 'c:\test.jpg', hide toolbar and status bar.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /hide=12

Open 'c:\test.jpg', hide caption and menu bar.

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /hide=15

Open 'c:\test.jpg', hide all.

Example for /info:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /info=c:\test.txt

i_view32.exe c:\*.jpg /info=c:\jpgs.txt

Example for /append:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /append=c:\test.tif

Open 'c:\test.jpg ' and append it as page to 'c:\test.tif'.

Example for /multitif:

Syntax: /multitif=(tifname,file1,...,fileN)

First file is the name of the result TIF file.

i_view32.exe /multitif=(c:\test.tif,c:\test1.bmp,c:\dummy.jpg)

Create multipage TIF ('c:\test.tif') from 2 other images.

Example for /jpgq:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /jpgq=75 /convert=c:\new.jpg

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and save it as 'c:\new.jpg', quality = 75. Quality range: 1 - 100.

Example for /tifc:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /tifc=4 /convert=c:\new.tif

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and save it as 'c:\new.tif', compression = Fax4.

Compressions: 0 = None, 1 = LZW, 2 = Packbits, 3 = Fax3, 4 = Fax4, 5 = Huffman, 6 = JPG, 7 = ZIP.

Example for wallpaper:

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /wall=0

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and set is as wallpaper (centered).

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /wall=1

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and set is as wallpaper (tiled).

i_view32.exe c:\test.jpg /wall=2

Open 'c:\test.jpg' and set is as wallpaper (stretched).

Example for /extract:

i_view32.exe c:\multipage.tif /extract=(c:\temp,,jpg)

Open 'c:\multipage.tif' and save all pages to folder 'c:\temp' as single JPGs.


Toolbar

The toolbar allows quick access to some of the most useful features of IrfanView.

Turn the toolbar on by using the View Menu, and selecting the Show/hide toolbar option. Turn the bar off by again clicking on View and Show/hide toolbar. There is an image of the Toolbar here.

You can add/remove the toolbar buttons in Properties->Misc. 3.


Open

Click on the File menu, then Open (or use the Open tool on the toolbar.) A dialog allows you to open a file for use in IrfanView.

Use the Look in box to locate the file you want, or type a file name into File Name. Files of type lets you limit your choice, showing only the type of file you want (JPG, for instance.) The default is Common graphic Files (Note: Windows can't display at same time all file types supported by IrfanView).

If you check Preview active, a single click on an image filename will display a small version. Another click brings the file into the viewer. You can also double click the filename.

If multiple images are in the file, as with icons, a small dialog box will allow you to choose one. Single click the names for a preview. Click accept when you find the one you want.

To close without opening a file, click Cancel. Another way to close is to click the X in the upper right corner.

After the opening, you will see an image or you will get an error message, if the file type is unsupported by IrfanView.

If you open a large image, you can use scrollbars to see all parts of the image. Scrolling is possible with the arrow keys and with the page up/down, home/end keys. Scrolling is also possible with the right mouse button: press the right mouse button and move the mouse arround.

See also:

Reopen

Open with external editor


Reopen

Click on the File menu, select Reopen to bring in, again, the last (actual) file you opened.

See also:

Open

Open with external editor


Open with External Editor

Click on the File menu, then Open with external editor. Your chosen "other" viewer/editor will be launched, with the image loaded into it (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc.).

To use this option, you must first select an external editor.

See also:

Open

Reopen


Open in HEX Viewer

Click on the File menu, then Open in HEX viewer. You can open any file in the HEX viewer.

You can see all bytes in HEX and ASCII mode of the opened file.

This option is used by advanced users.

To close without opening a file, click Cancel. Another way to close is to click the X in the upper right corner.


Open ASCII file

Click on the File menu, then Open ASCII file.

You can open any ASCII file (TXT, etc.) and display it as image.


Thumbnails
Thumbnail Window

Open an image from a selected directory in the viewer. Click the File menu, then Thumbnails. A box will open and fill with thumbnails of the images in the directory.

On the left side is a tree view with drives and directories.

Double click any thumbnail to open that image in the viewer. If you change directories by opening another image, the thumbnail display will show those images.

To close the display, click Exit on the display's menu bar or press ESC.

File:

Move selected files: allows you to move all selected thumbs (files) to another directory.

Copy selected files: allows you to copy all selected thumbs (files) to another directory.

Delete selected files: allows you to delete all selected thumbs (files).

Start slideshow with selected thumbs: Click to start slideshow with all selected thumbs (files) and current slideshow settings. Note: The actual/global slideshow (slideshow.lst file) is not changed.

Save selected thumbs as current slideshow: Click to save the selected thumbs as the actual/global slideshow (slideshow.lst file).

Append selected thumbs to current slideshow: Click to append the selected thumbs to the global slideshow.

Start batch dialog with selected thumbs: Click to start the batch dialog with all selected thumbs (files).

JPG Lossless Operations: Click to start the JPG lossless transformations dialog with all selected thumbs (files) and transform all JPG files. You can rotate, flip, optimize, clean or set JPG comment or IPTC info for all selected JPG files.

Create contact sheet from selected thumbs: allows you to create a large image (contact sheet or catalog) with all selected thumbs (files). A dialog appears and you can choose the options for the result image.

Save selected thumbs as an image: Click to have your selected thumbs made into a single image and saved. A dialog lets you choose the directory to save the image in. Images are selected by clicking on each thumb, while holding down the CTRL key, or by using the Select All option (see below).

Save selected thumbs as single images: Click to have chosen thumbs made into images and saved individually. A dialog lets you choose the directory to save them in. Images are selected by clicking on each thumb, while holding down the CTRL key, or by using the Select All option (see below).

Save selected thumbs as HTML file: Click to make a page of thumbs that can be used in a web browser, or at an internet website. A dialog lets you choose some HTML options and the directory to save the file in. Images are selected by clicking on each thumb, while holding down the CTRL key, or by using the Select All option (see below).

The default HTML template files are located in the IrfanView "HTML" subfolder. They can be edited and changed: you can remove unwanted lines or variables or add your own code like CSS styles, etc.. You can also prepare several folders with different templates, for different purposes.

Print selected files as single images: Click to print all selected images (batch printing). Images are selected by clicking on each thumb, while holding down the CTRL key, or by using the Select All option (see below).

Send selected files by EMail: Click to send all selected images by EMail (PlugIn required). Images are selected by clicking on each thumb, while holding down the CTRL key, or by using the Select All option (see below).

Open with external editor: Click to open an alternate viewing or editing program with the image connected to the current displayed thumbnail. To use this option, you must first set up an external editor.

Options:

Save current size/postion will save the actual size/position of the Thumbnail window. You can resize/move the Thumbnail window manually with mouse.

Select all highlights all the thumbs for saving them as files (see above).

Set thumbnail options lets you control the size and quality of the thumbnails. Click it to open a dialog box.

The first option is Use Resample instead of Resize for creating thumbnails. Click the check-box to have better quality thumbnails displayed. This may take longer for the images to appear. The next option is Thumbnail size. Click on the size-box to set a size for the thumbnails. The default is 80 x 80 pixels.

On the options for the thumbnail display you can also set the border/background color options for thumbnails and the background color for the thumbnail window. And you can disable the display of a warning, if the screen is actually not configured for 24 bits per pixel (true color).

You can Set the number of the MRUDs (most recently used directories) for the thumbnail view. If you want to clear the MRUD list, press the Clear MRUDs button.

With option Show common shell folders you can set, if also special personal folders like desktop, my pictures, etc. should be displayed above the drives in the directory tree view. After modifying this option, the thumbnail window have to be refreshed to see the modification.

When done making your choices, click OK to save and exit. Click Cancel to exit without making any changes.

Sort Thumbnails allows you to sort the files/thumbnails in the current folder.

Note: In the Thumbnail mode, you have more sort options than in the normal/window mode, like Sort by EXIF date or by Image width/height. These sort options are not saved, they are available only during the Thumbnail window lifetime.

View:

Directory tree will hide/show the directory tree on the left side of thumbnail window.

Most recently used directories will hide/show the box with last used directories on the top side of thumbnail window.

Refresh reloads the directory tree and all images in the directory and refreshes all thumbnails.

Misc: You can copy/move files/thumbnails to the folders in the Directory tree using the mouse. Hold the SHIFT key to move files, as in Windows Explorer.


Slideshow

Click on the File menu, select Slideshow. A dialog allows you to select a directory from which the files will be taken. Use Look in and File name to narrow the search; use Files of type to limit the search to one type of file, such as JPG.

Click the file names you want to use. If you have a range of files to choose, click the first. Move the mouse to the last file in the group, hold down the Shift key on the keyboard and click. To choose individual files, hold down the Ctrl key and click each file name with the mouse. Click the Add button. Click the Add all button to add all images in the directory to the slideshow list. Remove and Remove all remove the selected or all files from the slideshow list.

Click the Advanced options button to choose a sort order by name, date, size or extension. Files may be sorted in ascending or descending order. To remove a sort, click the No sort option button. Click Stop Slideshow and close IrfanView after the last image if you want to close IrfanView after the slideshow. Click OK to close the dialog. To exit without making changes, click the Cancel button.

There are several options for slideshow. If there is a check-mark in the box, the option is "on." Unchecked means "off." Click Loop slideshow to cause the slideshow to play continuously. The next option is Suppress errors during playing. Next is Show text; click this to display the file infos as it appears on screen. IrfanView can display a variety of file infos like name, size, date/time, EXIF/IPTC/Comment infos, etc.. Check this page for more infos. Next option is Loop MP3 files. You can use MP3 files (with installed PlugIns) as background music, so you can loop one MP3 file until the next MP3 is loaded or the slideshow ends. The last before final option is Hide mouse cursor; click to make the mouse cursor "invisible" while the slideshow is playing. If the final option No file repeat is enabled, it will be prevented during a random slideshow, that an image is shown more than once.

There are settings for how long each image will be shown; click the option button of your choice. The top option plays the next image automatically after a number of seconds, any key press will stop the slideshow; type a number into the box to change the timing. The second option will cause the viewer to wait until you touch a key on the keyboard or move the mouse before displaying the next image. The third option plays a randomly chosen image after the specified time, any key press will stop the slideshow; the fourth plays a random image after you touch a key or the mouse.

You can set the start image either manually or using double click on a file in the slideshow list.

Click the Play button to begin the slideshow.

Slideshows can be saved for future use. When you choose the images and begin playing a show, IrfanView creates a file named:

Slideshow.lst

which is placed in the IrfanView directory on your disk drive. This may be loaded back into the viewer and used again. Click Load filenames from TXT and a dialog like the Open dialog from the File menu appears. Find the file you want to use and click Open to load it. Click Save filenames as TXT and a dialog like Save As appears. Give your slideshow a name, and click Save to have it stored on the disk drive.

You can also save the current slideshow as self running EXE or SCR file (standalone executable/screen saver). First, create and run a slideshow. Now, if all slideshow options work as you wish, click the Save as EXE/SCR file button. The result file is standalone and can be distributed easily.

Possible errors during the EXE creation are: the input file can't be loaded or the disk is full (temp folder).

Note:	All video/audio files saved in EXE/SCR are played using DirectX or other installed audio drivers/codecs, normal IrfanView PlugIns are not used.

If you have Nero Burning ROM (full or demo version, NO OEM) installed, you can burn the slideshow to CD (Data CD) or create a Video CD (VCD). You must also install the Nero-PlugIn for IrfanView first.

Slideshows can be created outside of IrfanView, then loaded once you open the viewer. Use a text editor that stores its files as plain text, such as Windows Notepad. The file only contains the name of each image to be played in the slideshow, each on a separate line in the file. Each must include the complete path where the image will be found on your hard drive. It will look something like this:

C:\Images\myimage.JPG

Create the file and store it on your disk. When you start IrfanView, open the Slideshow dialog, and use the Load filenames from TXT button to start your show. Shows can also be played from outside the viewer, using a Command Line Option.

When you are done click Close. You may also click it before the slideshow starts. Another way to exit is to click the X in the upper right corner.

How to pause an automatic slideshow? Just press the Pause key. Press the pause key again to restart the slideshow.


Slideshow from CD
How to start IrfanView slideshow from a CD?

1. Method:	The easiest way is if you have Nero Burning ROM (full or demo version) software installed:

1.1.	Create and test (play) the slideshow in the Slideshow dialog.

1.2.	Press in the slideshow dialog the button Burn to CD. (Note: The Nero-PlugIn for IrfanView must be installed.)

1.3.	Choose the burn option, Data-CD is default/recommended.

1.4.	Insert empty CD-R/CD-RW in your burning device and burn it.

1.5.	Done.

2. Method:	Manual or special slideshow CD:

2.1.	Copy IrfanView files into the root CD folder. (You can also copy an INI file "i_view32.ini" with your settings.)

2.2.	Copy your images into the CD folder called e.g. "images".

2.3.	Create a TXT file (in slideshow dialog or using Notepad) with the names of the images. If your image files have names like "image1.jpg", "image2.jpg", etc. the TXT should look like this:

.\images\image1.jpg

.\images\image2.jpg

etc.

In each line is a file name with relative paths (relative to IrfanView, i_view32.exe).

Save the TXT file e.g. as "slideshow.txt" in the CD root folder.

2.4.	Create the "autorun.inf" file (Notepad). Write in the file 2 lines:

[AutoRun]

open = i_view32.exe /slideshow=slideshow.txt

Save "autorun.inf".

2.5.	Done. Burn the CD using your burning software.


Batch Conversion/Rename

Click on the File menu, select Batch Conversion/Rename. A dialog allows you to select a directory from which the files will be taken. Use Look in, File name, and Files of type to limit the search.

Select the output directory at bottom right. If you don't have the full path for this directory, click the Browse button to find it. Find a directory and when you have selected a directory with Browse, click the OK button to load the directory name as output directory.

You can set the current directory as output directory if you press the Use this directory as output button.

Batch Conversion:

Select the Output Format at bottom left. This works just like Save and Save As. The Options button lets you choose from the various file format specific save options, just like the Save and Save As dialog.

Use the Set advanced options button to apply many special operations to the images during conversion. These options are much like their versions on the Image menu. The options are:

Crop, Resize, Insert text, Change color depth, Horizontal flip, Vertical flip, Rotate left, Rotate right, Convert to greyscale, Negative, Sharpen, Brightness, Contrast, Gamma Correction, Saturation, Color Balance, etc.

Hint: For Batch Resize: If you set both width and height to e.g. 640 and activate the preserve aspect ratio option, the result image dimensions are: width = max. 640, height = max. 640, proportional.

Batch Rename:

You can rename original/input files or you can copy/move original files to output directory and rename the files in the output directory. For renaming, you can generate a name pattern for new names and the starting index for numbers.

Please be very carefully when you use rename and first test your options with dummy files; batch rename can be very powerful = dangerous! Using bad name pattern, combined with options like Rename-Move original/input files and/or Overwrite existing files, you can, under special circumstances, remove all input/original files! Please do not use these options, until you REALLY know what you are doing.

Hint: If you want e.g. 3 digits in the new rename name, you must also write 3x "#" in the pattern!

Example: pattern image_### with start index 1 will produce file names "image_001", "image_002", etc..

Click on Set rename options to open a dialog for further options for the renaming process.

Check those you want to use, then click OK. To exit without making any selections, click Cancel.

Batch Conversion + Rename:

This option combines the normal Batch Conversion with Batch Rename. You can set the name pattern for the output files.

Select the files you want to convert by clicking their names. For a large range of files: click the first name, move the mouse to the last file in the group, hold down the Shift key, and click. To choose individual files, hold down the Ctrl key and click each name.

Click the Add button to add the (selected) files that will be converted. Click the Add all button to select every image in the directory with the extension choosen in Files of type. Remove and Remove all take chosen files back out.

If the Include subdirectories option is checked and button Add all is pressed, all sub-directories will be searched for files with the choosen file type and added to the file list.

Click the Load TXT button to load file names from a TXT file. The TXT file contains, in each line, a name of the image/file, including the full path.

Click the Start button to begin. A box shows the progress of the conversion. If you need to halt, click the Stop button. When the process is done, click Exit to close the dialog.

File conversion may also be performed from outside IrfanView, using a Command Line Option.

When you are finished converting files, click Cancel to exit. Another way of exiting is to click the X in the upper right corner.


Rename

Click on the File menu, select Rename File. A dialog opens; type in a new name for the file and click OK. The filename will be changed, both in the viewer and on the hard drive (or other source). To exit without making a change, click Cancel.


Move

Click on the File menu, then Move File. The file in the viewer will be moved to another directory on your hard drive (or other media).

You can set a default directory for Move at the properties and move all files to same folder or you can activate the option Ask me before moving to show a dialog with several destinations for each file.

The Move File dialog offers 10 input fields for the definition of destination directories.

See also:

Properties->File Handling


Copy

Click on the File menu, then Copy File. The file in the viewer will be copied to another directory on your hard drive (or other media).

You can set a default directory for Copy at the properties and copy all files to same folder or you can activate the option Ask me before copying to show a dialog with several destinations for each file.

The Copy File dialog offers 10 input fields for the definition of destination directories.

See also:

Properties->File Handling


Delete

Click on the File menu, select Delete File. The file in the viewer is removed from your hard drive (or other source). Be sure you want this, as the file is immediately removed.

The file is, by default, removed to Recycle Bin, but you can change this option in: Properties->File Handling.

If you delete a file by accident, just resave the image.

There is also a Delete option on the Edit menu. This only removes the file from the viewer (memory), it doesn't affect the file on your hard drive.

See also:

Properties->File Handling


Save

Click on the File menu, then Save.

Allows you to save your file to disk. Use Save in and File name to find the directory where you want the file saved.

To save the file as a different type, use Save as type. Click the arrow and a list of file types drops down. Move the cursor to the one you want and click again. When you save, the file will be converted to this new type.

If Show options dialog is checked, an additional dialog is automatically shown for the file types ECW, GIF, ICO, JP2, JPG, JPM, LDF, LWF, PBM, PGM, PNG, PPM, RAW und TIFF for choosing and setting special options.

Click Save to send the file to your disk drive. Click Cancel to exit without saving.

Note that Save comes up in the last (actual) directory from which you loaded an image. Save As comes up in the last directory in which you saved a file.

See also:

Save As

Save, Options JPEG/GIF

Save, Options JPEG2000

Save, Options JPM

Save, Options LDF

Save, Options LWF

Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO

Save, Options TIFF


Save As

Click on the File menu, select Save As (or use the Save As tool on the toolbar).

Saves your file to disk. Use Save in and File name to find the directory where you want the file saved.

To save as a different type, use Save as type. Click the arrow and a list of file types drops down. Move the cursor to the one you want and click again. When you save, the file will be converted to this new type.

If Show options dialog is checked, an additional dialog is automatically shown for the file types ECW, GIF, ICO, JP2, JPG, JPM, LDF, LWF, PBM, PGM, PNG, PPM, RAW und TIFF for choosing and setting special options.

Click Save to send the file to your disk drive. To exit without saving, click Cancel.

Note that Save As comes up in the last directory in which you saved a file. Save comes up in the last (actual) directory from which you loaded an image.

See also:

Save

Save, Options JPEG/GIF

Save, Options JPEG2000

Save, Options JPM

Save, Options LDF

Save, Options LWF

Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO

Save, Options TIFF


Save, Options JPEG/GIF

JPEG

The upper half of the dialog lets you set a quality level for JPG images. Move the slider control to the desired setting. Lower settings take less space, but deliver less quality. Higher settings are better, but take more file space. The default setting is 80, which is fine for most images.

Check the grayscale option to save the image as that. Please remember if you activate this option!

Click the Save as progressive JPG (like many images from internet) box to activate that option. Click either again to remove the choice.

You can also control the saving of original EXIF/IPTC/Comment informations into the new JPG file.

GIF

The bottom half of the dialog has options for GIF images.

Click the Save interlaced (like many images from internet) box for that option.

Click Save transparent color to set a transparency for the GIF.

Choose transparent color during saving: later, you can click into a preview image to set the transparent color, easy method.

Set transparency value to palette entry: type a number in the box below to use that palette entry as the transparent color. For more on this, see Edit Palette. If you have a true color image, you must first decrease the color depth to 256 colors to see the palette.

Note: IrfanView can't save animated GIFs.

After setting the options you choose, click SAVE to save the image and store the settings. To exit without saving the file or changed options, click Cancel.

The new settings will stay in effect until you change them again.

See also:

Save

Save As

Save, Options JPEG2000

Save, Options JPM

Save, Options LDF

Save, Options LWF

Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO

Save, Options TIFF


Save, Options JPEG2000

JPEG2000

Click one of the option buttons to set a compression level for JP2 images. If you select Quality or Compress to bytes, type in a value for the option. Lossless compression allows saving of the image without loosing any image information (= highest quality).

Note:	Saving as JPEG2000 is only available, if the PlugIn JPEG2000 is installed.

After setting the options you choose, click SAVE to save the image and store the settings. To exit without saving the file or changed options, click Cancel.

The new settings will stay in effect until you change them again.

See also:

Save

Save As

Save, Options JPEG/GIF

Save, Options JPM

Save, Options LDF

Save, Options LWF

Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO

Save, Options TIFF


Save, Options JPM

JPM

Set the profile option. There are 5 standard profiles for different image/color types. You can also set the quality of the result JPM image.

If you want the thumbnail in the JPM image (for faster preview), check Save thumbnail option.

If you want to create multipage JPM images, click on the View Menu, then click Multipage images -> Create Multipage JPM.

Note:	Saving as JPM is only available, if the PlugIn JPM is installed.

After setting the options you choose, click SAVE to save the image and store the settings. To exit without saving the file or changed options, click Cancel.

The new settings will stay in effect until you change them again.

See also:

Save

Save As

Save, Options JPEG/GIF

Save, Options JPEG2000

Save, Options LDF

Save, Options LWF

Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO

Save, Options TIFF


Save, Options LDF

LDF   [LuraDocument Format]

Set the profile option. There are 5 standard profiles for different image/color types. You can also set the quality of the result LDF image.

If you want the thumbnail in the LDF image (for faster preview), check Save thumbnail option.

If you want to create multipage LDF images, click on the View Menu, then click Multipage images -> Create Multipage LDF.

Note:	Saving as LDF is only available, if the PlugIn LDF is installed.

After setting the options you choose, click SAVE to save the image and store the settings. To exit without saving the file or changed options, click Cancel.

The new settings will stay in effect until you change them again.

See also:

Save

Save As

Save, Options JPEG/GIF

Save, Options JPEG2000

Save, Options JPM

Save, Options LWF

Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO

Save, Options TIFF


Save, Options LWF

LWF   [LuraWave Format]

Click one of the option buttons to set a compression level for LWF images. If you select Quality, Compression Rate or Compress to bytes, type in a value for the option. Lossless compression allows saving of the image without loosing any image information (= highest quality).

Set Progressive (faster for small images) or Baseline (better for large images) mode.

Note:	Saving as LWF is only available, if the PlugIn LWF is installed.

After setting the options you choose, click SAVE to save the image and store the settings. To exit without saving the file or changed options, click Cancel.

The new settings will stay in effect until you change them again.

See also:

Save

Save As

Save, Options JPEG/GIF

Save, Options JPEG2000

Save, Options JPM

Save, Options LDF

Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO

Save, Options TIFF


Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO

PNG

Set the compression level and transparent color (similar to GIF/ICO) for PNG images. Note: PNG is a lossless format (like GIF) with true color support. It is usually the ideal format for screenshots, because the file size for this images is often much smaller as i.e. JPG, the save image has at the same time no loss in quality and can be read by many programs.

You can also try the PNGOUT PlugIn for optimized PNG saving.

PBM, PGM, PPM

Click one of the option buttons to set a encoding type for PBM/PGM/PPMs. Ascii will produce very large files.

ICO

You can save transparent ICO images with the click on the preview image during the saving.

After setting the options you choose, click SAVE to save the image and store the settings. To exit without saving the file or changed options, click Cancel.

The new settings will stay in effect until you change them again.

See also:

Save

Save As

Save, Options JPEG/GIF

Save, Options JPEG2000

Save, Options JPM

Save, Options LDF

Save, Options LWF

Save, Options TIFF


Save, Options TIFF

TIFF

Click one of the option buttons to set a compression type for TIFFs. The left side is for color images, the right may be used for black & white.

Save palette for grayscale images: some graphic editors have "problems" with grayscale TIFs with a palette. So you can disable the palette.

If you have a multipage image opened, you can save all pages from the input image into the result TIF, when you activate the option: Save all pages from original image.

After setting the options you choose, click SAVE to save the image and store the settings. To exit without saving the file or changed options, click Cancel.

The new settings will stay in effect until you change them again.

See also:

Save

Save As

Save, Options JPEG/GIF

Save, Options JPEG2000

Save, Options JPM

Save, Options LDF

Save, Options LWF

Save, Options PNG / PBM/PGM/PPM / ICO


Print

On the File menu, click Print.

A dialog appears with options for printing an image. You can select the printer and the orientation on the left dialog side.

A preview shows how the image would look printed in Portrait or Landscape orientation.

Use the Printer setup button to change the paper size or other printer settings.

Option buttons select how the image will print.

Original size will print the image with original dimensions, calculated from image DPI. DPI of 72 is used for images without DPI information.

Note:	The maximal image size is limited by the paper size, NO aspect ratio is used.

Best fit to page puts the image on the page as large as it can, without altering the dimensions/ratio.

Note:	Aspect ratio IS used.

Stretch to page fills the print area, even if it has to re-size one dimension.

Note:	NO aspect ratio is used.

Custom allows you to print the image with specific size. Type in the desired change: width, height and left/top margin in cm or inches.

Note:	The maximal image size is limited by the paper size, aspect ratio is used when activated. The width/height values are not auto-calculated for a new image, check/uncheck the Aspect ratio button or click in the desired field.

Scale fits the image on the page. Type in the desired change; 1.00 is normal size; 2.00 is twice as large in that dimension.

Note:	The maximal image size is limited by the paper size.

Click Center image to have the image printed in the center of the paper.

You can print the file name of the image or its path or a user defined text as head- and/or footnote.

You can also set the number of copies.

Note:	The preview image doesn't show the paper's un-printable area (depends on the printer). If you have an outline area selection (rectangle) in the original image, only the selected image area is printed.

Select options, then click Print.

Click Cancel to exit the Print dialog without printing, or when the job is done.


Select TWAIN Source

Click on the File menu, then Select TWAIN Source.

Allows you to choose from the scanners or any other TWAIN compatible device (digital camera, TV card, etc.) installed on your computer (if more than one is available).

Click the name of the device you want to use, then the Select button. To exit without making a selection, click Cancel.

See also:

Acquire

Batch Scanning


Acquire/Batch Scanning

Click on the File menu, click Acquire/Batch Scanning.

•	If you want to acquire just one image, use the first option.

The program that runs your scanner or any other TWAIN compatible device (digital camera, TV card, etc.) will appear. Follow the steps given in your scanner's manual for scanning an image.

When finished, the image will be placed into IrfanView.

•	For many images, please use the second option.

There, you can set:

•	output file name

•	starting index for output files

•	index increment number (can be also a negative number)

•	number of index digits used in the file name

•	option to skip existing files with same file name (no overwrite)

•	destination directory for scanned images

•	image file type

If you are using the TIF format for output, you can create a multipage TIF file from the scanned images (only one file is saved as result, no increment).

The program that runs your scanner or any other TWAIN compatible device (digital camera, TV card, etc.) will appear. Follow the steps given in your scanner's manual for scanning an image.

Images will be saved in the output directory as image files. The file names are "ScanImage001.bmp", "ScanImage002.bmp", etc. (if default settings).

When finished, the last scanned image will be placed into IrfanView.

See also:

Select TWAIN Source


MRUDs

On the File menu, point the mouse at MRUDs (most recently used directories). A sub-menu appears showing the most recently used directories. Click one, and the Open dialog appears, already in the chosen directory. From there you can open any file in the directory.

The MRUDs list can be erased using a button on the Misc. 2 tab, located in the Properties box on the Options menu.

The MRUDs menu can be disabled in Properties->Misc. 2 dialog.


Exit

There are several ways to exit the program:

On the main window, press the ESC key on your keyboard. The program will close immediately. (If you're in any of the menus or dialog boxes, ESC will back out of that window. Press it again to exit.)

From the File menu, you can press the E key, to close IrfanView. W hen using the mouse, just click the EXIT option to close the viewer.

Click the logo in the upper left corner of the program window to bring up the standard Windows control box and click the Close option or execute a double click on the logo to close IrfanView immediately.

Click the X box in the upper right corner of the program window. This will also close the program.

Note:	IrfanView doesn't ask the silly question "Do you want to save changes blah blah?" - it closes right away. Be sure you've saved any work you want to keep.


Undo

Click on the Edit menu, select Undo (or use the Undo tool on the toolbar).

"Backs up" from the last action you took. Undo will take back many functions of IrfanView. Only one function may be undone; the viewer does not save them up. You can disable this option in Misc. 1 tab in the Options->Properties dialog.

Functions supported by Undo are:

3D Button, Blur, Custom Rotation, Convert to Greyscale, Crop, Cut, Decrease Color Depth, Edge Detection, Emboss, Enhance colors, Explosion, Increase Color Depth, Negative, Oil Paint, Pixelize, Resize/Resample, Sharpen.


Create Custom Selection

Click on the Edit Menu, then Create custom selection. A dialog allows you to create a special selection (outline rectangle) in the loaded image.

You can set the position, width/height and the aspect ratio of the selection.

You can also create a custom selection with mouse. Put the mouse cursor at one corner of the area you want to outline. Press the left button and hold it - mouse pointer is a double cross. Drag the mouse across and down (or up) to the opposite corner of the area you want outlined. A border appears as you drag the mouse. Release the button when you are done dragging.

To remove the selection, press left mouse button outside the outline rectangle (normal mouse pointer).

If you press the left mouse button inside the selected array (mouse pointer is a magnifying glass), you zoom into this area.

To resize the outline rectangle, put the mouse over the border line of the side, you want modify. The mouse pointer changes to a thin double arrow. Press and hold left mouse button and drag the border. Press CTRL key during resize to keep the actual ratio of the selection.

If the buttons on your mouse are reversed, use the right button as described above.

If you want to change the position of the selection, press and hold right (or left on reversed) mouse button inside the area. The mouse pointer changes to a cross of thin arrows. Drag the mouse until the outline has reached the new position you want and release the mouse button.

The pixel coordinates of the upper left corner, the dimensions in pixel and the aspect ratio of the selection is display on the title/caption bar.

See also:

Cut

Crop

Copy

Paste

Add Text

Red eye reduction


Add Text

Use the left mouse button to outline the area (selection) on the image where you want text to appear. Click the Edit menu, then Add Text. A dialog box will open.

How to make a selection? Just press the left mouse button and move the mouse. You will see the selection rectangle. If you click on the image again, the selection rectangle will be deleted and the selection is not more active.

In the Text box on the left, type in the text you want to put on the image.

Use the Choose Font button to change the size, style, color, etc., of the text. The name of the selected font is shown under the Text box.

Uncheck the Text is transparent box to choose a background color. The highlighted area will change to that color, with the text inside. The small box above the button shows the selected background color.

Click the OK button to add the text to your image. To close the dialog without adding any text, click the Cancel button.

Add text may be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.


Cut

Use the left mouse button to outline the area (selection), click on the Edit menu, then Cut (or use the Cut tool on the toolbar.)

Cut - selection

The area inside the outline will be removed from the image. The area will be usually filled with the black color. The cut portion is placed on the Windows Clipboard as bitmap image, and may be pasted in elsewhere.

Cut - leave selection

The area outside the outline will be removed from the image.

Note:	You can set the cut color in Properties->Misc 3.

This action may be reversed with the Edit Menu's Undo command.

See also:

Paste


Crop

Use the left mouse button to outline the area (selection), click on the Edit menu, then Crop.

The area outside the outline will be thrown away, only the inside will be left.

Use this to eliminate unwanted space (usually blank space) from an image. It can also center a badly composed photo.

Use with Resample (Image menu,) to eliminate background "noise", and often have the same sized image when you finish.

This action may be reversed with the Edit Menu's Undo command.


Copy

Use the left mouse button to outline the area (selection), click on the Edit menu, select Copy (or use the Copy tool on the toolbar.)

The area inside the outline will be placed on the Windows Clipboard as bitmap image, and may be pasted in elsewhere.

If you don't select an area with the mouse, the entire image will be copied to the Windows Clipboard.

See also:

Paste


Paste

Click on the Edit menu, then Paste (or use the Paste tool on the toolbar.)

If you have an Edit outline (selection rectangle) around an area of the current image, an image stored on the Windows Clipboard as bitmap, metafile or text will be pasted into your outline. The clipboard image will be re-sized to fit the outline, and the rest of the image will stay as it was. This feature is very useful for editing images or portions of them.

If there is no Edit outline, an image (bitmap, metafile or text) on the Windows Clipboard will replace the entire image in the viewer.

See also:

Cut

Copy (Edit menu)


Delete (Clear Display)

Click on the Edit menu, then Delete.

Removes the entire image from the viewer. This does not affect the image stored on your disk drive.

There is also a Delete option on the File menu; this one removes the file from your disk drive completely.


Clear Clipboard

Click on the Edit menu, then Clear Clipboard.

Removes the contents of the Windows Clipboard.


Information

Click on the Image menu, then Information (or use the Information tool on the toolbar). A box opens with the following about the image:

File name

Directory name

Full file path

Compression method

Current DPI - you can change the DPI values and then press the "Set" button.

Original size (Width/Height in pixels)

Current size (Width/Height in pixels)

Print size (in cm/inches, based on image DPIs)

Original colors (color depth, BitsPerPixel)

Current Colors (color depth, BitsPerPixel)

Number of unique colors in the image

File disk size (in KB)

Image memory size (in KB, decompressed)

Current directory index

File date/time

Loaded in (time to load image)

If you load a JPG image with EXIF information, the button 'EXIF info' is visible and IrfanView shows you EXIF information.

When you are viewing a photo in JPG format with Exif photo information, click on Image Information and an IrfanView Image Properties window opens, in the lower left hand corner you will see button marked "EXIF info", click on the button and another window will open to display all the exposure information pertaining to the photo you are viewing.

Click your mouse on the name of the file and use your cursor up and down keys to scroll through the information. You will find the date, time, image size, lens aperture opening, zoom lens setting, quality mode, shutter speed, use of flash, ISO speed of CCD setting sensitivity, make and model of camera. This information is in text (.txt) format. You can select the text info copy it to clipboard so that you can paste it into a word processing program so you can print it or save into the same directory where your photo images are stored for future reference.

Note:	EXIF component is stored in the EXIF-plugin, please install!

If you load a JPG image, the button 'IPTC info' is visible and IrfanView allows you to display/edit/write IPTC information. IPTC editing is a lossless operation, the JPG image is not changed.

Note:	IPTC component is stored in the IPTC-plugin, please install!

If you load a JPG image, the button 'JPG Comment' is visible and IrfanView allows you to display/edit/write the JPG comment. Comment editing is a lossless operation, the JPG image is not changed.

Note:	JPG Comment component is stored in the IPTC-plugin, please install!

Note:	If you load a JPG file and EXIF/IPTC/Comment data is already available in the file, a "*" is added to the button text.

Click the OK button when you are done viewing the information.


Create New Image

Click on the Image Menu, then Create new image. A dialog allows you to create a new (empty) image.

You can set the image width/height, number of colors (BPP) or grayscale and the background color (default is black).


Create Panorama Image

Click on the Image Menu, then Create panorama image. A dialog allows you to create a panorama image.

You can add single images vertically or horizontally. The first image in the chain will be used as the base for the next images.


Rotate
Rotate Left/Right/Custom

Rotate Left

Click on the Image menu, then Rotate Left. The image will turn 90 degrees; the top of the image will move towards the left.

Rotate Right

Click on the Image menu, then Rotate Right. The image will turn 90 degrees; the top of the image will move towards the right.

For JPG images, you should better use the lossless transformation in Options->JPG Lossless Rotation menu.

Custom Rotation

A dialog allows you to enter a special degree (range: -360 - +360) for the image rotation.

Enter a value to control how far the image is rotated; positive numbers (e.g. 30,00) rotate the image to the right, negative (e.g. -30,00) rotate the image to the left; higher numbers rotate the image farther. You can also set the color of the background area, produced by the rotation.

See also:

Vertical Flip

Horizontal Flip


Vertical Flip

Click on the Image menu, then Vertical Flip. The image will turn upside-down. The left/right orientation will stay the same.

For JPG images, you should better use the lossless transformation in Options->JPG Lossless Rotation menu.

See also:

Horizontal Flip

Rotate Left/Right/Custom


Horizontal Flip

Click on the Image menu, then Horizontal Flip. The image will turn side-to-side, as in a mirror.

For JPG images, you should better use the lossless transformation in Options->JPG Lossless Rotation menu.

See also:

Vertical Flip

Rotate Left/Right/Custom


Resize/Resample
Resize/Resample/Resample

Click on the Image Menu, then Resize/Resample. A dialog allows you to choose the new size for the image; some Resample filter can be used if you are enlarging the image.

There are several built in choices, or you can type over the old numbers. The first number is width, the second height, both in pixels. Leave the Preserve aspect ratio box checked, type in one number and the other will be calculated for you.

Resampling an image often improves its quality, especially when enlarging it. Enlarging without resampling can result in a blurry image.

Click OK to resize the image. This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.

See also:

Image Menu


Canvas Size

Click on the Image Menu, then Canvas size. A dialog allows you to choose the size of image borders around the image and the border color.

Click OK to create the canvas image. This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.


Increase Color Depth

Click on the Image menu, then select Increase Color Depth. A dialog shows the possible color depths. Select one.

Click OK to make the change. This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.

See also:

Decrease Color Depth


Decrease Color Depth

Click on the Image menu, then select Decrease Color Depth. A dialog shows the possible color depths. Select one.

Click OK to make the change. This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.

See also:

Increase Color Depth


Convert to Greyscale

Click on the Image menu, then select Convert to Greyscale.

Greyscale (or grayscale) is actually a color mode, like RGB. It contains more information about the photo than Black and White. Converting from color to greyscale will usually give a better effect than from color to black and white.

This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.


Negative

Click on the Image menu, then select Negative. The image is converted to a reversed color version of the original.

This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.


Enhance Colors

Click on the Image menu, then Enhance colors. A dialog appears with a slider controls. Move the setting up or down, for more or less brightness / contrast / gamma / saturation and RGB balance.

You'll see the image change as you move the control. When you are satisfied, click OK. To quit without changing the image, click Cancel.

This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.


Effects

Click on the Image Menu, then point the mouse at Effects to access these options.

Note: All of these effects (except Filter Factory) can be used on a smaller portion (selection) of an image, as well as the entire image.

The Effects possible are:

3D Button

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, and click 3D Button.

Gives the image a beveled edge look, with the center raised. The size of the border can be changed using Effects setup.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Blur

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, and click Blur.

Softens the image, creating a blurry or fuzzy look. The amount of blur can be changed using Effects setup.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Emboss

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, and click Emboss.

Turns the background grey and gives the image an engraved appearance.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Oil Paint

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, and click Oil Paint.

Creates a textured effect, such as that seen in an oil painting. The amount of texture can be changed using Effects setup.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Edge Detection

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, and click Edge Detection.

Finds the main lines in an image and replaces their color with the opposite color, at the same time most fill colors are darkened, making them like a background. The image takes on a "painted on velvet" appearance. This effect needs a color depth of 256 or less to work properly.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Median Filter

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, and click Median filter.

Causes a group of pixels to have the brightness of the "average" pixel in that group. In most cases, this has a "smoothing" effect on the area being filtered. The amount of filter can be changed using Effects setup.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Explosion

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, and click Explosion.

Breaks up the image, as if the darker pixels exploded. The amount of Explosion can be changed using Effects setup.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Pixelize

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, and click Pixelize.

Breaks the image into a coarse version of itself, as if it were made up of oversized pixels. The amount can be changed using Effects setup.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Red eye reduction

Click on the Image Menu and click Red eye reduction.

This menu is enabled only when you create a selection/outline in the image, using the left mouse button. The feature will reduce the red color values in the selected area (usually the eye). The amount can be changed using Effects setup.

This action can be reversed with the Edit menu's Undo command.

Other menu options:

Setup

Click on the Image Menu, then click Effects Browser. Opens a dialog from which you can change many of the Effects settings.

Adobe 8BF filters

Click on the Image Menu, then click Adobe 8BF filters. Opens a dialog from which you can perform many other Effects . IrfanView has a PlugIn which loads normal Adobe Photoshop filters.

Filter Factory

Click on the Image Menu, then click Filter Factory. Opens a dialog from which you can perform many other Effects.

Filters Unlimited

Click on the Image Menu, then click Filters Unlimited. For this feature, you must first install the Filters Unlimited - PlugIn and download some filters from www.icnet.de.

Please read the file FUnlimited_Readme.txt (in IrfanView PlugIns folder) for all details.


Effects Setup

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects, then click Effects Browser. A dialog allows optional settings for many of the special effects.

When you are finished, click OK to close. To exit without any changes, click Cancel.

This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.

The settings are:

Sharpen

Enter a value (1-99) to control how deep the sharpen effect is; higher numbers sharpen the image more; the default is 30.

Oil Paint

Enter an odd number (3, 5, 7 or 9) to control how coarse the oil paint effect is; higher numbers produce a more streaked effect; the default is 3; higher settings take longer to finish.

Explosion

Enter two values to control the mask value for explosion; this sets how coarse the explosion effect will be; higher numbers produce a more coarse effect; the default is 3 x 3; higher settings take longer to finish.

Blur

Enter a value (1-99) to control how coarse the blur effect is; higher numbers produce a wider blur; the default is 30.

Median Filter

Enter an odd number (3, 5, 7 or 9) to control how coarse the median filter effect is; higher numbers cause the pixels to become more alike in brightness (most areas will appear "softer"); the default is 3; higher settings take longer to finish.

Pixelize

Enter two values to control the mask value for pixelize; this amount sets how coarse the pixel effect will be; higher numbers produce a more coarse effect; the default is 5 x 5; higher settings take longer to finish.

3D Button

Enter two values to control the width and height of the border for 3D buttons. The settings are in pixels; 15 is the default.

Red Eye Reduction

Enter a value (-127 - 127) to control how strong the level of the red color is; higher numbers produce less reduction; the default is 0.


Filter Factory

Note: Filter Factory is used as PlugIn, download and install:

http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

Important note: IrfanView can'r read original Photoshop 8BF files, you must use 8BFs created with Filter Factory. You can find several such 8BFs under:

http://www.stevesdesktopphotography.com

http://hno.freeshell.org/download.htm

Click on the Image Menu, point the mouse at Effects and click Filter Factory. A dialog opens from which to control the filter.

Parameters sliders control the filter: these will cause the filter to act more, or less, on the image. Usually, moving the slider to the right increases the action, to the left decreases. Default slider values resets the sliders to whatever values were set by the author of the filter.

Filter Groups help you keep track of them. The display shows the names of all groups available for use. You can add groups to the list, or remove them.

Filters displays the names of the filters in the selected group. You can add filters to the list. Click one of the names to see that filter. The preview image shows what the image will look like if you apply the filter. To use the filter, click Apply to image. This can be reversed using the Undo button or by the Edit menu's Undo command.

Add filter makes more filters available. A dialog box allows you to find the directory in which your filters are stored. Click the Use dir button. All of the filter groups in that directory will be added to the list. Click Cancel to exit without changes. Remove filter removes the selected filter from the list. To remove filters in larger numbers, use Remove group, or Remove all groups. Removing a filter does not remove it from your hard drive, only from this list.

Filter info displays the filename, filter name, author name, and copyright information for a selected filter. When you are done reading the info, click OK.

Thanks to... shows a message of thanks to Michael Johannhanwahr for Library provided for use with IrfanView.

When you have finished using the filters, click Exit.


Swap Colors

Click on the Image menu, then point the mouse at Swap Colors. A submenu allows you to select one of the color combinations to change the image.

This command operates at the pixel level, changing the color of all, or most, depending on which combination you select.

Example: if you choose RGB -> RBG, the pixels that are green will be made blue, and the blue pixels will be made green. (In this combination the red pixels stay the same.)

The possible swaps are:

RGB -> RBG

RGB -> BGR

RGB -> BRG

RGB -> GRB

RGB -> GBR


Palette

For images with 256 or fewer colors.

If you have a true color image, you can decrease the color depth in the Image menu.

Edit Palette

A dialog shows the colors at use in the image. Click any color for information about it. Double click to edit the color. Your changes will appear in the image. When you are satisfied, click OK to close the dialog.

This action can be reversed by the Edit menu's Undo command.

Export Palette

A dialog asks you for destination file/directory. The palette will be saved as PAL-File in PaintShopPro palette format.

Import Palette

A dialog asks you for a PAL file (PaintShopPro palette) format.


Properties

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties (or use the Properties tool on the toolbar.) A dialog allows you to change many of the basic functions of IrfanView.

Click one of the tabs to see the properties in that section. They are:

JPEG/PCD/GIF, Extensions, File handling, Viewing, Fullscreen, Language, Video/Sound,Misc 1, Misc 2, Misc 3.


Properties, JPEG/PCD/GIF
Properties, JPEG/PCD/GIF/GIF

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the JPEG/PCD/GIF section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

JPEG

If you want to auto rotate JPGs according to they EXIF information (if properly saved), check the first option.

If you check load JPEG images as grayscale, ALL loaded JPGs are showed as black/white. Please remember if you activate this option!

PhotoCD

This part allows you to choose the size at which PhotoCD images are loaded. Click one of the option buttons to make your selection.

Animated GIF

Option buttons allow choice of several setups for animated GIFs. The default is to play animation. If you disable it, only the first image/frame is showed.

Below the option buttons is a check-box to click if you want to show transparency in non-animated GIFs, as well. Please remember if you activate this option! If your Window color (default: black) equals the GIF transparent color, in some cases, you will see just an empty (black) image. Either deactivate this option or use another Window color in Properties->Viewing.

When you are done, click OK. To exit without making any changes, click Cancel.


Properties, Extensions

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the Extensions section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

Here you choose which file types will be automatically associated with IrfanView. Those files will show the viewer's icon next to them in directories; double clicking the file name will launch the viewer, with the file already loaded. Click any of the check-boxes next to files you want to associate. If you want them all, click Select all. Clear all removes all associations.

At the bottom of the selections area is a box for entering other file extensions not listed. Click the box, then type in the extensions, each separated by a |.

If you activate Load only associated types during moving through directory you will see only associated extensions if you move through a directory with space/backspace.

Hint: You can easily delete unwanted browse extensions if you select/edit the Load custom file types option/field.

The Miscellaneous button allows you to choose a different icon for IrfanView. Click the button to see several choices; click an icon to choose it.

Below the selections area is a box you can click to Use Thumbnails for loading BMP images. It is checked by default. Click it to remove the option.

Add IrfanView To Send-to Menu, Add 'Browse with IrfanView' for Drives and Folders to Shell-Menu and Add Open-browse to Shell Menu (This option can cause some problems with the MS Office toolbar!).

When you are done, click OK. To exit without making any changes, click Cancel.


Properties, File Handling

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the File Handling section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

The first section allows setting a default directory for Copy operations. Type in a directory, or click the browse button to select one. If you click the check-box below, IrfanView will ask your permission before making any copies.

The second section sets a default directory for Move operations. Click the check-box to have IrfanView ask permission before moving files.

The third section has several check-boxes that refer to delete operations. You may choose to have IrfanView ask permission before deleting files, send deleted files to the Windows Recycle Bin, or jump to the next file after deleting one.

Don't change directory index after file renaming: when checked, the current directory index will be not changed if you rename a file, otherweise, the index will be changed to the new position in the name list.

When you are done, click OK . To exit without any changes, click Cancel.


Properties, Viewing

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the Viewing section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

Dither 24 BPP images on 16 BPP displays. Click this if you want better displaying of the true color images if you have 65536 colors under your Windows.

Enable gamma correction. Enable it if you want to change the intensity of each loded image. The default value is 1.00 (no changes), the range is between 0.01 and 6.99.

Gamma correction for BW images. Enable it if you want to change the intensity of each resampled black/white image. The default value is 1.00 (no changes), the range is between 0.01 and 6.99.

Zoom factor: sets the factor/value for Zoom In and Zoom Out. The default is 10% increase or decrease each time you zoom the image. Type a number in the box to change this amount.

The next option is the background color option for the main window. You can choose any color as background. Default is black.

When you are done, click OK. To exit without making any changes, click Cancel.


Properties, Fullscreen

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the Fullscreen section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

The top half of this dialog has several options.

Display options for Fullscreen/Slideshow mode: Show images/movies with the normal size, Fit to screen larger images/movies only, Fit to screen all images/movies and Stretch all images/movies to screen. Click your choice. The next option is Hide mouse cursor. Click this to prevent the mouse cursor from showing onscreen while the images are displayed. Next is Show text; click this to display the file infos as it appears on screen. IrfanView can display a variety of file infos, like: name, size, date/time, EXIF/IPTC/Comment infos etc. Check this page for more infos. Click this to have the name of each image displayed onscreen with the image.

Use 'Resample' function for Fullscreen/Slideshow mode. Click this to have the viewer display the best possible version of an image when you put it in Full screen mode or if you use fit options in the viewing menu.

Below this option is Show transparent. If this is un-checked, the Text background color can be used. Check this and the text will be shown without the box.

You can also set the background color for fullscreen/slideshow window and fullscreen/slideshow text.

When you are done, click OK. To exit without making any changes, click Cancel.


Text/Pattern Display Options

There is powerfull option for generation of text for several dialogs/features:

•	Add/insert text

•	Batch conversion/rename

•	Print dialog

•	Slideshow

•	Full screen

•	Contact sheet

•	HTML export

Available placeholders for file/image properties:

Placeholder	Tag name/function

$D	-	file directory/folder (whole path)

$F	-	file name (with extension)

$N	-	file name (without extension)

$O	-	file extension

$S	-	file size

$T	-	file date/time

$U	-	current system date/time

$X	-	file directory index

$Z	-	actual zoom size (for fullscreen/slideshow)

$W	-	image width

$H	-	image height

$B	-	image bits per pixel

$C	-	JPG file comment, if available

$Ix	-	value of the JPG IPTC tag x, if available (x is a number, see below) (IPTC PlugIn required)

$Ex	-	value of the JPG EXIF tag x, if available (x is a number, see below) (EXIF PlugIn required)

|	-	new line

Important/interesting IPTC tags/placeholders, according to IPTC specification:

Placeholder	Tag name/function

$I5	- 	Object Name

$I7	- 	Edit Status

$I10	- 	Priority

$I15	- 	Category

$I20	- 	Supplemental Category

$I25	- 	Keywords

$I30	- 	Release Date

$I35	- 	Release Time

$I40	- 	Special Instructions

$I45	- 	Reference Service

$I47	- 	Reference Date

$I50	- 	Reference Number

$I55	- 	Created Date

$I60	- 	Created Time

$I65	- 	Originating Program

$I70	- 	Program Version

$I75	- 	Object Cycle

$I80	- 	Byline (Author)

$I85	- 	Byline Title

$I90	- 	City

$I95	- 	Province State

$I100	- 	Country Code

$I101	- 	Country

$I103	- 	Original Transmission Reference

$I105	- 	Headline

$I110	- 	Credit

$I115	- 	Source

$I116	- 	Copyright

$I120	- 	Caption

$I121	- 	Local Caption

$I122	- 	Caption Writer

Important/interesting EXIF tags/placeholders, according to EXIF specification:

Placeholder	Tag name/function

$E270	- 	ImageDescription

$E271	- 	Make

$E272	- 	Model

$E274	- 	Orientation

$E282	- 	XResolution

$E283	- 	YResolution

$E296	- 	ResolutionUnit

$E305	- 	Software

$E306	- 	DateTime

$E318	-	WhitePoint

$E531	- 	YCbCrPositioning

$E532	- 	ReferenceBlackWhite

$E33434	- 	ExposureTime

$E33437	- 	FNumber

$E34850	- 	ExposureProgram

$E34855	- 	ISOSpeedRatings

$E36864	- 	ExifVersion

$E36867	- 	DateTimeOriginal

$E36868	- 	DateTimeDigitized

$E37121	- 	ComponentsConfiguration

$E37122	- 	CompressedBitsPerPixel

$E37377	- 	ShutterSpeedValue

$E37378	- 	ApertureValue

$E37379	- 	BrightnessValue

$E37380	- 	ExposureBiasValue

$E37381	- 	MaxApertureValue

$E37382	- 	SubjectDistance

$E37383	- 	MeteringMode

$E37384	- 	LightSource

$E37385	- 	Flash

$E37386	- 	FocalLength

$E37510	- 	UserComment

$E40960	- 	FlashPixVersion

$E40961	- 	ColorSpace

$E40962	- 	ExifImageWidth

$E40963	- 	ExifImageHeight

$E41483	- 	FlashEnergy

$E41486	- 	FocalPlaneXResolution

$E41487	- 	FocalPlaneYResolution

$E41488	- 	FocalPlaneResolutionUnit

$E41492	- 	SubjectLocation

$E41493	- 	ExposureIndex

$E41495	- 	SensingMethod

$E41728	- 	FileSource

$E41729	- 	SceneType

$E41985	- 	CustomRendered

$E41986	- 	ExposureMode

$E41987	- 	WhiteBalance

$E41988	- 	DigitalZoomRatio

$E41989	- 	FocalLengthIn35mmFilm

$E41990	- 	SceneCaptureType

$E41991	- 	GainControl

$E41992	- 	Contrast

$E41993	- 	Saturation

$E41994	- 	Sharpness

$E41995	- 	DeviceSettingDescription

$E41996	- 	SubjectDistanceRange

Note: you can also use special EXIF tags from vendor specifications (Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Casio, Olympus).

Here is the list of tags for Nikon cameras (many models):

Placeholder	Tag name/function

$E1	-	Data Version

$E2	-	ISO Setting

$E3	-	Color Mode

$E4	-	Image Quality

$E5	-	White Balance

$E6	-	Image Sharpening

$E7	-	Focus Mode

$E8	-	Flash Setting

$E9	-	Flash Mode

$E11	-	White Balance Adjustment

$E14	-	Exposure Adjustment

$E15	-	ISO Selection

$E18	-	Flash Compensation

$E19	-	ISO 2

$E128	-	Image Adjustment

$E129	-	Tone Compensation

$E130	-	Auxiliary Lens

$E131	-	Lens Type

$E132	-	Lens

$E133	-	Manual Focus Distance

$E134	-	Digital Zoom

$E135	-	Flash Used

$E136	-	AF Focus Position

$E137	-	Bracketing

$E141	-	Color Mode

$E144	-	Light Type

$E146	-	Hue Adjustment

$E148	-	Saturation Adjustment

$E149	-	Noise Reduction

Here is the list of tags for Canon cameras (many models):

Placeholder	Tag name/function

$E1	-	Macro mode

$E2	-	Self timer

$E3	-	Quality

$E4	-	Flash mode

$E5	-	Sequence mode

$E7	-	Focus mode

$E10	-	Image size

$E11	-	Easy shooting mode

$E12	-	Digital zoom

$E13	-	Contrast

$E14	-	Saturation

$E15	-	Sharpness

$E16	-	ISO Value

$E17	-	Metering mode

$E18	-	Focus type

$E19	-	AF point selected

$E20	-	Exposure mode

$E25	-	Focal length

$E28	-	Flash activity

$E29	-	Flash details

$E32	-	Focus mode 2

$E40	-	White Balance

$E41	-	Sequence number

$E42	-	AF point used

$E43	-	Flash bias

$E44	-	Subject Distance

$E60	-	Image Type

$E70	-	Firmware Version

$E80	-	Image Number

$E90	-	Owner Name

$E120	-	Camera Serial Number


Properties, Language

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the Language section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

This dialog allows you to change (on-the-fly) IrfanView language.

The language DLLs are located (must be installed) in the IrfanView "Languages" folder. Choose the language in the language list and press OK to activate it.

Visit this site for available languages and SDK for translators:

http://www.irfanview.com/languages.htm


Properties, Video/Sound

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the Video/Sound section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

This dialog shows you options for video/sound playing. Videos/sounds can be played in the main window (default) or in the IV_Player PlugIn.

Apple QuickTime options:

IrfanView has QuickTime support! This allows IrfanView to read following formats: MOV, QTIF, Mac PICT, FLI/FLC. You can enable/disable this support for these formats.


Properties, Misc. 1

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the Misc. 1 section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

Check-boxes allow access to options; click any that you want to select. They are:

View all files in directory. Click this to have the viewer display all file extensions supported by IrfanView in each directory. If this is un-checked, you can't open next/previous file with space/backspace or with the toolbar arrows.

Show hidden files during moving: enable/disable to show hidden files in the actual directory.

If the end/begin of the folder is reached: Loop current folder (during browsing): when you reach the last of the images in a directory, IrfanView shows you a Browse dialog to use another folder/subfolder; checking this option will suppress the question, and just go right to the first/last image in the current folder.

Ask to Rename Incorrect Extension: while loading a file which has had the name given an incorrect extension, IrfanView will ask permission before changing it. If you uncheck this box, the viewer will load the file without making any changes.

Jump always to next image if Page Up/Down pressed: don't scroll large images, jump always to previous/next image if you press Page Up/Down keys.

Ask to overwrite for Save and Save As: checking makes the viewer ask permission before it destroys an old file in favor of a new one.

Display Save dialog for File -> Save: when checked, clicking on Save will bring up the standard dialog, through which you can choose a directory in which to save the image. Uncheck the option and Save will resave an image in place of the original. Note that this is only for Save; clicking on Save As still brings up the dialog box.

Only 1 Instance of IrfanView: unchecking will allow the viewer to open more than once at the same time. Checking the box will prevent more than one instance of the viewer at any time.

Use Undo option: Unchecking disables this function of the Edit Menu.

Use right mouse button for conext menu: the right mouse button can be used for scrolling (default) or to show the context menu.

Show PNG alpha/transparency color: some PNGs are saved with a transparency color, you can enable the display of the color.

Show TGA alpha color: some TGAs are saved with an alpha channel, you can enable the display of the color.

Start in fullscreen mode: show the fullscreen window, when you load an image in IrfanView; press ESC once for program exit.

Warning on ESC exit: click if you want to get a warning message, if IrfanView should be closed using the ESC key.

Show full file path in the title bar: click if you want to see the full file path (incl. folders) in the main window title bar, or, by default, only the short name: file name + extension.

When you are done making selections, click OK. To exit without any changes, click Cancel.

See also:

Properties, Others 2


Properties, Misc. 2

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the Misc. 2 section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

A box allows you to "Set external viewer/editor (for Menu 'File' and Thumbnail window):" Type in the location of another graphics viewer or editor, with the full path to where it is on your hard drive. You can also click the Browse button to locate the program. Now when you click the Open with external editor option on the File Menu or Thumbnail window, your selected editor will be launched, with the current image shown in it. The option Send short file name is good if you are using an old 16-bit external editor.

The next option is Center window if loading new image. Click this, and each time you load a new image in the viewer, it will be centered on your desktop.

The next option is Remember the last window position. Click this, and each time you open the viewer, it will be positioned on your screen where it was when you last closed it. This option works only if you use the following viewing options: 'Fit image to window' or 'Do not fit anything'.

Add MRUDs to menu File; enable/disable MRUDs (most recently used directories) in the File menu.

Close after file delete: automatic exit when you delete a file.

Open Slideshow dialog in last used slideshow folder: remember the slideshow folder or use the current folder.

Open batch dialog in last used batch folder: remember the batch folder or use the current folder.

Default printer for "/print" command line option: set the destination printer for this command line option in case of problems.

There are also two buttons, for further options:

Clear MRUDs list: clicking this removes all the names from the Most Recently Used Directories list; this option may be used at any time.

Create Desktop Link: places an icon on your Windows desktop that can be double clicked to start the viewer.

When you are done making your selection, click OK. To exit without any changes, click Cancel.

See also:

Properties, Others 1


Properties, Misc. 3

Click on the Options Menu, then Properties. If the Misc. 3 section is not showing, click its tab at the top of the box.

There are several options for loading of DigiCam RAW formats. If you want to use Canon DLLs for CRW/CR2 loading, please read the "i_plugins.txt" file, for actual infos and links.

You can set the options for TXT/ASCII files: font, foreground (text) and background color.

There is also an option to set the color which is used for the cut function.

The next option allows you to Customize the toolbar. You can add/remove buttons to/from the toolbar.


Start Multimedia Player

Note: The Multimedia Player is used as PlugIn, download and install:

http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

Click on the Options, then Start Multimedia Player.

The Multimedia Player allows IrfanView to play video, sound and audio-CD files like:

AVI, ASF, MP3, MPG/MPEG, MOV, MID/RMI, WAV, WMA , WMV, CDA etc.

The Player can play these formats through the MCI interface or using the Microsoft Media Player (recommended).

The Player can extract frames from AVI files and has a built-in audio CD player.

You can close the Player with ESC key.


Stop Animation

Click on the Options Menu, then click Stop Animation to perform this action.

This is used to "freeze" animated GIFs, animated cursors, ANIs or MNG animations. The motion stops, and the GIF/ANI is made a single image. It can be saved as a non-animated image.

If you want to save all the frames, use Extract all frames.


Extract All Frames

Click on the Options Menu, then Extract All Frames. A dialog allows you to select the directory in which the frames will be stored. Find the directory you want, then click Use Dir to have the images stored there. Click Cancel to abort the change. This option is available for animated GIFs, animated cursors (ANI) and MPG/AVI files.

The frames from the image are placed into the directory with names like this:

imagename_frame_000.bmp

where imagename is the name of the original image, and 000 is the number of the frame. The frames are stored as bitmap (BMP) files.

To continue, click OK. To exit without extracting the frames, click Cancel.


Send Images by EMail

Note: The EMail feature is used as PlugIn, download and install:

http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

Click on the Options, then Send image by EMail.

First, you must set the email options like SMTP server and your email address (check your email software to see these settings). You can also use MAPI protocol for email sending. Check your Internet Service Provider (ISP) documentation or your actual email program for correct SMTP settings.

Note: not all ISPs allow the free SMTP sending on port 25! In that case, please use the MAPI option.

There is a simple address book for your buddies.

Click on Send to send the image or Exit to leave the dialog without sending.


JPG Lossless Operations

Note: JPG Transformation is used as PlugIn, download and install:

http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

Note: This feature is available only if you load a JPG file.

Click on the Options Menu, then JPG Lossless Operations. A dialog allows you to rotate, flip, optimize or clean a JPG file.

Info: your original JPG file will be changed/overwritten!

Click Start to transform the loaded JPG or Cancel to exit.


Capture

Click on the Options Menu, then Capture. A dialog allows you to capture portions of your screen.

Capture - Area:

Use the option buttons to capture from your Whole screen, a Foreground window, or a Foreground window - client area (window without caption, menu and status bar).

Capture - Method:

You can capture with a self-defined hotkey or use the automatic capturing. For automatic capturing set a timer value. The value will be the number of seconds apart the viewer will take "snapshots" of the screen or window. One hotkey is valid for the duration of current IrfanView session.

Saving - Method:

You can display each captured image in the main window or you can save to disk.

If you use save to disk, you can set:

• Destination directory for images. Type in a directory path, or use the Browse button to find the directory you want to use.

• Save as box lets you choose which image format will be used to store the screens on your disk drive. Click the arrow and select one of the formats to change from the default JPG. The Options button brings up another dialog box with special options for certain file types.

Capture - Options:

If you want to see the mouse cursor in your screenshot image, check Include mouse cursor option.

Click Start to start capturing or Cancel to exit. After start, IrfanView window is minimized. Now, use the defined hotkey (if hotkey capturing used) to capture any foreground/activated window or desktop. You can make several shots using the hotkey.

Note: Click Options, then Capture again to stop any eventually started capture timer.


Sort Directory Files

Click on the Options Menu and point at Sort Directory Files. A sub-menu appears with the choices by Name, by Date, by Size, and by Extension. These are available in either ascending or descending order. The final choice is No sort. Click your choice.

When you activate any of the options that use the space bar to move forward and backspace to move backward through the files, such as Full screen mode or Thumbnails, they will be in the order set by your sort option.

Hint: in the Thumbnail window, you have additional sort options: Sort by EXIF date and Sort by Image Width/Height.


Set as Wallpaper

Click on the Options Menu and point at Set as Wallpaper. A sub-menu appears with the choices Centered, Tiled, and Previous wallpaper. Choose one to have the current image made into a background for your Windows desktop.

Centered appears as just one image on the center of the screen. Tiled appears as multiple images, taking up the whole screen. (The desktop icons are on top of the wallpaper.) Previous wallpaper restores the image that was replaced by this operation.

IrfanView will save a BMP file called IrfanView_Wallpaper.bmp in your user settings folder (Documents and settings\User\Application data\IrfanView\) and set it as wallpaper.


Minimize

Click on the Options Menu, then Minimize to minimize the viewer to the Windows task bar (the 'Boss'-key ;-).

Click the IrfanView button on the task bar to restore the viewer to use.

Another way to minimize is to click the minimize box in the upper right corner of the viewer window. It looks much like the underline ( _ ) character.


Always on Top

Click on the Options Menu, then Always on Top.

IrfanView will always be visible on your screen, even when you open other programs. This can be removed by clicking Always on Top again.

Note: this option will be saved and restored after next IrfanView start.


Status Bar

The status bar shows some informations about the displayed image at the bottom side of the main window. These informations are described in the image->info dialog.

Turn the status bar on by using the View Menu, and selecting the Status Bar option. Turn the bar off by again clicking on View and Status Bar.


Title/Caption Bar

The title bar shows some informations about the displayed image at the top side of the main window.

These informations are:

•	File name of the opened file (full path or short name)

•	Pixel coordinates and color value - when you click into the image

•	Selection rectangle coordinates, dimensions and aspect ratio - if a selection rectangle is visible

•	Dimensions of the zoomed image - if zoom activated

Turn the title bar on by using the View Menu, and selecting the Caption option. Turn the bar off by again clicking on View and Caption.


Directory Count Display

On the toolbar, it shows how many images are in the current directory, and which number is selected. "1/5" means the selection is number one out of five images in the directory.

To set a custom directory index, type a number into the box. The viewer will open that image.

For Multipage images, this gives the page location and number of pages. "1/5" means page one of five.

Use the mouse or SHIFT+T to jump into the edit field.

Change the text and press Enter to cause an action. Possible values:

•	X or X/Y = load file number X, from current folder

•	page X or page X/Y = load page number X, if multipage file

•	Text/pattern: filter files from current folder, using file patterns. Examples:

*.jpg 	= filter/get JPGs only

cat*.jpg	= filter/get all JPGs starting with "cat"

cat* 	= filter/get all files starting with "cat"

After using patterns, press F5/U (refresh) to get the default/original directory file list.


Full Screen

Click on the View Menu, then Full screen. The image will be displayed centered on a black background, which fills the entire screen. Move through the images in the current directory using the spacebar for the next image, and backspace for previous.

To cancel Fullscreen mode, press the Enter key, or the Esc key.

Resizing for Fullscreen mode can be done with resampling, for better results in most cases. Click the Options menu, then Properties, then the Viewing tab. Click the check-box next to Use 'Resample' function for 'Fit To Desktop' and Fullscreen mode. To turn it off, click again.

Other options for Fullscreen mode can be set from the Properties Viewing tab. The first is a set of option buttons: Show images/movies with the normal size, Fit to screen: large images/movies only, Fit to screen: all images/movies and Stretch all images/movies to screen. The fit options use for best displaying images aspect ratio. Click the option of your choice.

You can also set the background color for the fullscreen window and text.

The next option is Hide mouse cursor. If you don't want the cursor onscreen in Fullscreen mode, click this. To return the mouse, click again.

The final option is Show text. Click this to display the filename of the current image during Fullscreen mode. Click again to turn off. Click the box below, Show transparent, to have the filename appear as a light color against the Text background color.


Viewing Options

Note: only one of these options is active. Please remember when you change a display option and set it back in case of "problems"!

Fit window to image

The window will be resized to fit the image. This is the recommended viewing option.

Fit image to window

The image will be resized to fit the window.

Fit only big images to window

Click this to have the viewer reduce oversized images until they can be seen fully in the window. Images smaller than the window will not be changed.

Fit window/image to desktop

The window/image will be resized to fit the desktop size.

Fit window/image to desktop width

The window/image will be resized to fit the desktop width.

Fit window/image to desktop height

The window/image will be resized to fit the desktop height.

Fit only big images to desktop

Click this to have the viewer reduce oversized images until they can be seen fully on the desktop. Images smaller than the desktop will not be changed.

Do not fit anything

No change in window size/position if the user loads a new image.

Use "Resample" for fitting

This option will improve the display quality for fitted images (fit to window or desktop). The option is slower than normal display and needs more RAM.


Next File in Directory

Click on the View Menu, then click Next File in Directory (or use the Next File tool on the toolbar.) The viewer displays the next supported file.

If the image does not have a vertical scrollbar at its right edge, you can also use the Space or Page Down key to move to the next file in the directory.

See also:

Previous File in Directory

First File in Directory

Last File in Directory

Random File in Directory


Previous File in Directory

Click on the View Menu, then click Previous File in Directory (or use the Previous File tool on the toolbar.) The viewer displays the previous supported file, in reverse sequence.

If the image does not have a vertical scrollbar at its right edge, you can use the Backspace or Page Up key to move to the previous file in the directory.

See also:

Next File in Directory

First File in Directory

Last File in Directory

Random File in Directory


First File in Directory

Click on the View Menu, then First File in Directory. The viewer displays the first supported file in the current directory.

See also:

Next File in Directory

Previous File in Directory

Last File in Directory

Random File in Directory


Last File in Directory

Click on the View Menu, then Last File in Directory. The viewer displays the final supported file in the current directory.

See also:

Next File in Directory

Previous File in Directory

First File in Directory

Random File in Directory


Random File in Directory

Click on the View Menu, then Random File in Directory. The viewer displays a random supported file from the current directory.

See also:

Next File in Directory

Previous File in Directory

First File in Directory

Last File in Directory


Refresh

Click on the View Menu, then click Refresh. The image onscreen will be updated.

The directory will be updated.

If you have an editing outline around an area of the image for, Refresh will remove it.


Start/Stop Automatic Viewing

Click on the View Menu, then Start/Stop automatic viewing. The window-slideshow will be started, with images from the current directory, using the actual automatic slideshow timer value. Click again on this menu to stop the automatic viewing.


Zoom In

Click on the View Menu, then Zoom In (or use the Zoom In tool on the toolbar.) Increases size of the image. Click again for more increase.

The amount of each increase can be set using Zoom Factor on the Options menu, Properties dialog, Viewing tab. The default is 10% increase per use.

Note: zoom changes only the display size, not the image size! If you want to change the image size, see the menu Resize/Resample.


Zoom Out

Click on the View Menu, then Zoom Out (or use the Zoom Out tool on the toolbar.) Decreases size of the image. Click again for more decrease.

The amount of each decrease can be set using Zoom Factor on the Options menu, Properties dialog, Viewing tab. The default is 10% decrease per use.

Note: zoom changes only the display size, not the image size! If you want to change the image size, see the menu Resize/Resample.


Lock Zoom

Click on the View Menu, then Lock Zoom . This option works only if the viewing option is 'Fit window to image' is used.

If checked, the actual zoom factor is saved and used for all new loaded images.

This option is activated only for current session.

Click this option again to deactivate Lock Zoom.


Original Size

Click on the View Menu, then Original Size. Removes Zoom In or Zoom Out, returns image to its normal size.


Show HEX View

Click on the View Menu, then Show HEX view. This option will show you the HEX view of the current image.

You can see all bytes in HEX and ASCII mode of the opened file.

This option is used by advanced users.


Multipage Images

Click on the View Menu, point at Multipage images. A sub-menu opens, with several options. to click. The options are:

· Create Multipage JPM

Check this option to create multipage JPM images. You can add/remove images to file list and set JPM save options for each (image) page. If you want to set same compression for all pages, set the compression before you add any image. Set the destination directory/file and press the button Create JPM image or Exit to exit.

Note: JPM format is used as PlugIn, download and install:

http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

· Create Multipage LDF

Check this option to create multipage LDF images. IrfanView can create LDFs with max. 6 images (pages) per LDF file. You can add/remove images to file list and set LDF save options for each (image) page. If you want to set same compression for all pages, set the compression before you add any image. Set the destination directory/file and press the button Create LDF image or Exit to exit.

Note: LDF format is used as PlugIn, download and install:

http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

· Create Multipage TIF

Check this option to create multipage TIF images. You can save each page with a different TIF compression. If you want to set same compression for all pages, set the compression before you add any image.

· Edit multipage TIF

Check this option to edit (arrange, delete or add) pages/images in the opened multipage TIF file. The changes can be applied to the original file or a new TIF file is created (recommended).

· Append current image to TIF

Check this option to append the displayed image to TIF file. The actual TIF save option (save dialog) will be used for the new page.

Note: Following menus are activate only if you have an image with many pages. (some DCX/JPM/LDF/TIF files)

· Next Page

Click Next Page (or use the Next Page tool on the toolbar.) The viewer displays the next page in sequence.

· Previous Page

Click Previous Page (or use the Previous Page tool on the toolbar.) The viewer displays the previous page in reverse sequence.

· First Page

Click First Page. The viewer displays the beginning page of the image.

· Last Page

Click Last Page. The viewer displays the final page of the image.

· Open Page Number ...

Click this menu and a dialog will be displayed. You can enter a page number to open.

· Print all pages

Click Print all pages. The Print dialog may be used to send all pages of the image to your printer.

· Extract all pages

Click Extract all pages. A dialog allows you to select the format and the directory in which the pages will be stored.

The pages from the image are placed into the directory with names like this:

name_irfanview_extract_0000.bmp

where name is the name of the file and 000 is the number of the page. The pages are stored as bitmap (BMP) files.

· Start animation

Click this menu and choose the time intervall between the pages. The animation will be started.

· Stop animation

Click this menu to stop the animation.


IrfanView Help

Click on the Help menu, then Help. This Help file (the one you are reading now) will appear.

The first version of this WinHelp file was written by Steve Clark, changes after IrfanView ver. 3.02 by Irfan.

Version 3.97updated by Michael Ofner.

Many many thanks Steve and Michael!


Installed PlugIns

Click the Help menu and select Installed Plugins.

Displays a dialog with properly installed IrfanView Plugins.

When done viewing the information, click OK.


Thanks

Click the Help menu and select Thanks.

Displays a message of thanks from me, Irfan Skiljan, to all the users of IrfanView.

When done viewing the information, click OK.


Registration

Click the Help menu and select Registration. A dialog allows you to enter your name and a registration code.

Although IrfanView is free for non-commercial use, it's best to register your copy. The small fee helps the author continue developing one of the best viewer/tools on the WWW.

When done registering, click OK.


Info

Click the Help menu and select Info. A dialog will explain who is allowed to use IrfanView for free, and where to send your registration fee.

Also explains where to send bug reports, and other messages to the author. Tells you where to find the IrfanView website.

When done viewing the information, click OK.


About IrfanView

Click the Help menu and select About (or use the About tool on the toolbar.)

Gives the current version number of IrfanView, e-mail address for the author, and a photograph of his beautiful home town (worth a look, just for that).

When done viewing the information, click on the bar that says "Click".


Hotkeys

Available keyboard shortcuts in IrfanView:

Key:	Function:

+	Zoom In

 -	Zoom Out

•	Scroll image up

•	Scroll image down

•	Scroll image right OR next image in directory

•	Scroll image left OR previous image in directory

1	Fullscreen mode: Show images/movies with the original size (1:1)

2	Fullscreen mode: Fit to screen: large images only

3	Fullscreen mode: Fit to screen: all images/movies

4	Fullscreen mode: Stretch all images/movies to screen

ESC	Close actual window (main window, slideshow, fullscreen, thumbnails or a dialog)

CTRL + W	Start Slideshow with current directory files

Pause/Break	Pause an automatic slideshow. Press this key again to resume the slideshow

TAB	Switch between main and thumbnail (if visible) window

A 	About-Box dialog

CTRL + A	Select all thumbnails (Thumbnail window)

CTRL + SHIFT + A	Acquire/Scan

CTRL + SHIFT + B	Batch Scanning

B	Batch Conversion/Rename

CTRL + B	Open Browse-Subfolders dialog

C	Capture dialog

CTRL + C	Copy image to clipboard

SHIFT + C	Edit -> Create custom selection

CTRL + SHIFT + C	Set as wallpaper - centered

D	Edit -> Delete

CTRL + T	Edit -> Insert Text into selection

SHIFT + T	Jump into the Toolbar edit field

CTRL + TAB	Control switch in the Thumbnail window

CTRL + E	Effects setup

E	Show EXIF Dialog for JPGs with available EXIF data

F	Switch between 'Fit window/image to desktop' and 'Fit window to image'

CTRL + Home	Load first file in the directory

G	Stop GIF or ANI animation

SHIFT + G	Enhance colors

SHIFT + J	JPG Lossless Operations

H	Horizontal flip

CTRL + H	Original size (no zoom)

I	Image information

CTRL + I	Show IPTC Dialog for JPGs

K	Filter Factory dialog

CTRL + K	Adobe 8BF Filters dialog

L	Rotate left

SHIFT + L	Lock/Unlock Zoom (also in fullscreen mode)

CTRL + End	Load last file in the directory

M	Minimize IrfanView window (Boss key ;-)

SHIFT + M	Send image by Email

CTRL + M	Open random image from the directory

CTRL + PageDown	Show next page in a multipage image OR load next file in directory

O	Open dialog

P	Properties dialog

CTRL + PageUp	Show previous page in a multipage image OR load previous file in directory

CTRL + P	Print dialog

CTRL + SHIFT + P	Set as wallpaper - previuos wallpaper

CTRL + Q	Edit multipage TIF

R	Rotate right

CTRL + R	Resample dialog

SHIFT + R	Reopen file

S	Save as - dialog

CTRL + S	Save - dialog

SHIFT + S	Sharpen

T	Thumbnails

SHIFT + E	Open in external viewer

CTRL + SHIFT + T	Set as wallpaper - tiled

V	Vertical flip

CTRL + V	Paste image from clipboard

F1	Help

F2/F6	Rename

F3	Show image in HEX viewer

F4	Append current file to slideshow

F5/U	Refresh (display and directory)

F7	Move file

F8	Copy file

INSERT	Paste image from clipboard

W	Slideshow dialog

CTRL + X	Cut selection rectangle

CTRL+ Y	Crop selection rectangle

CTRL+ Z	Edit -> Undo

Space	Load next file in directory

Backspace	Load previous file in directory

Page Up	Load previous file in directory OR scroll image up

Page Down	Load next file in directory OR scroll image down

Home	Scroll to begin (horizontal scroll) OR Load first file in directory

End	Scroll to end (horizontal scroll) OR Load last file in directory

Alt + SHIFT + S	Show/hide status bar

Alt + SHIFT + T	Show/hide toolbar

Alt + SHIFT + M	Show/hide menu bar

Alt + SHIFT + C	Show/hide title/caption bar

Available mouse shortcuts in IrfanView:

Normal mode:

Left button click	Show the mouse coordinates and pixel color in the window title

Left button click + drag	Make a Selection rectangle

CTRL + Left button click + drag	Resize the Selection rectangle using the actual rectangle aspect ratio

Right button click + drag	Scroll image in direction of drag. If within the selection: move the selection rectangle

Left button double-click	Switch to fullscreen mode

Wheel up	Load previous file in directory OR scroll image up

Wheel down	Load next file in directory OR scroll image down

CTRL + Wheel up	Zoom in

CTRL + Wheel down	Zoom out

Fullscreen mode:

Left button click	Load previous image in the directory

Right button click	Load next image in the directory

Left button click	... in the upper left or right screen corner = close fullscreen.

F	Change/loop the fullscreen display/fit option

•	Load next image in directory

•	Load previous image in directory

Slideshow mode:

Left button click	... in the upper left or right screen corner = close slideshow.


Update/Contact

The latest edition of IrfanView can be downloaded from the Internet at:

 http://www.irfanview.com

 http://www.irfanview.net

 http://www.irfanview.at

or

http://irfanview.tuwien.ac.at

The author of the program, Irfan Skiljan, can be E-mailed at:

irfanview@gmx.net

If you want to register the program with him (only $10 US or EUR 10)

send your cash payment to:

Irfan Skiljan

Postfach 48

2700 Wiener Neustadt

Austria, Europe

or, donate on PayPal (https://www.paypal.com) to email address: irfanview@gmx.net

Thank you very much!

Commercial users: please contact me per email for prices and discounts.


File Menu

The following options are available on the File Menu:

Open

Reopen

Open with external editor

Open in HEX viewer

Open ASCII file

Thumbnails

Slideshow

Batch Conversion/Rename

Rename

Move

Copy File

Delete File

Save

Save As

Print

Select TWAIN Source

Acquire

Batch Scanning

MRUDs

Exit


Edit Menu

The following options are available on the Edit Menu:

Undo

Create custom selection

Add Text (into selection)

Cut - selection

Cut - leave selection

Crop

Copy

Paste

Delete

Clear Clipboard


Image Menu

The following options are available on the Image Menu:

Information

Create new image

Create Panorama Image

Rotate Left

Rotate Right

Custom Rotation

Vertical Flip

Horizontal Flip

Resize/Resample

Canvas size

Increase Color Depth

Decrease Color Depth

Convert to Greyscale

Negative

Enhance colors

Sharpen

Red Eye Reduction

Effects

Swap Colors

Palette


Options Menu

The following options are available on the Options Menu:

Properties

Start Multimedia Player

Stop Animation

Extract all frames

Send image by EMail

JPG Transformation

Capture

Sort directory files

Set as Wallpaper

Minimize

Always on Top


View Menu

The following options are available on the View Menu:

Toolbar

Status bar

Full screen

Fit window to image

Fit image to window

Fit only big images to window

Fit window/image to desktop

Fit only big images to desktop

Fit images to desktop width

Fit images to desktop height

Do not fit anything

Next File in Directory

Previous File in Directory

First File in Directory

Last File in Directory

Random File in Directory

Refresh

Start/Stop automatic viewing

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Lock Zoom

Original size

Show HEX view

Multipage images


Help Menu

The following options are available on the Help Menu:

Help

Installed Plugins

Thanks

Registration

Info

About IrfanView


Glossary

A

AIF

ANI

AU

AVI

B

BMP

C

CAM

capture

check-box

clipboard

CLP

CPT

CUR

D

DAT

DCM/ACR

DCX

dialog

DIB

DJVU

DLL

drag

E

EMF

EPS

EXE

extension

F

fill color

filter

Filter Factory

FLI/FLC

FPX

FSH

G

G3

GIF

grayscale

greyscale

I

ICL

ICO

IFF/LBM

image

IMG

interlaced

J

JP2

JPEG

JPEG2000

JPG

K

KDC

L

landscape

LBM

LDF

LWF

M

Mac PICT

maximize

MED

MID

minimize

MOV

MP3

MPEG

MPG

O

option button

outline

P

PBM

PCD

PCX

PGM

PhotoCD

pixel

PNG

portrait

PPM

progressive

PSD

PSP

Q

QTIF

R

RAS/SUN

RealAudio

RLE

RMI

S

SFF

SFW

SGI/RGB

slider control

SND

sub-menu

SUN

SWF

T

tabs

task bar

TGA

thumbnail

TIF

TIFF

transparent color

W

WAV

WBMP

WMF

X

XBM

XPM


AIF

Sound file, Audio Interchange Format from Amiga computers.


ANI

Animated Cursor format for Microsoft Windows.


AU

Encoded Audio format used by Sun and NeXT machines.


AVI

Audio Video Interleaved: Microsoft's video format for Windows.


BMP

Windows Bitmap: The image format Microsoft created for use in Windows.


CAM

Casio digital camera file.


capture

To store a part of the monitor screen in memory and turn it into an image, which can be saved and modified just like any other image. Capture utility programs (such as that in IrfanView) let you choose exactly which part of the screen to save.


check-box

A small square box, usually to the left of some text; clicking the box with the mouse makes a mark appear, showing it as a selected option. The text identifies what the option is for. Often check-boxes appear in groups to allow multiple selections.


clipboard

An area used by Windows to store various file information for cut/copy/paste operations. For programs that support the clipboard (most do), you can cut or copy from one application, and paste into another. An example: an image edited pixel-by-pixel in Windows Paint can be copied to the clipboard, then pasted into IrfanView, from which it can be saved in a variety of formats. (Paint supports only a few file formats.) Each time you cut or copy to the clipboard, it replaces whatever was there before.


CLP

Windows clipboard format; used to store various types of files for Windows cut/copy/paste operations.


CPT

CorelDraw Photopaint image, IrfanView can read only older versions, Photopaint 6, 5, etc..


CUR

Cursor Resource file format for Microsoft Windows; contains image data for cursors used by Windows applications. (Files may contain multiple images, plus a directory.)


DAT

Video CD format; don't confuse this with Windows dat files, which hold information about programs and such.


DCM/ACR

Dicom/ACR file format for medical images.

Note: DICOM/ACR format hasn't a specific header and IrfanView can't recognize all such images. If you want to read Dicom/ACR images with IrfanView the file extension MUST BE ".dcm" or ".acr".


DCX

Multipage PCX files format.


dialog

In Windows, a box that appears when you click a menu item or button. The box will contain items from which you can select, to more accurately perform a function. For example, a files dialog allows you to browse through the files on your hard drive, choose the one you want, and open it.


DIB

Device Independent Bitmap: another form of BMP, used widely with printers and display devices.


DJVU

DejaVu image format from AT&T, with good compression.


DLL

Dynamic Link Library; under Windows, a file that can contain portions of a program, to make the program more useful; it can also hold information to help the main program do its job better; many dll's hold icons that can be opened in IrfanView.


drag

Pulling the mouse, usually while holding down one of the buttons. This is used to highlight or outline an area, so that some special operation (such as cut or paste) can be performed on the area you select.


EMF

Enhanced Metafile Format; Microsoft's device-independent vector format for Windows.


EPS

Encapsulated PostScript: mostly used for desktop publishing; uses the Postscript page description language; these can be used on both PCs and Macs.

Note:	IrfanView can open only EPSs with a TIFF preview image.


EXE

Executable file under DOS and Windows; many exe's contain icons that can be opened in IrfanView.


extension

The part of a filename that comes after the last dot (.) character. In a filename such as "i_view32.exe" the "exe" is the extension, and tells us this is an executable file - one that performs a function. (In this case, it is the IrfanView program file.) Some common graphics file extensions include .jpg, .gif, and .tif.


fill color

A color used to fill a large area, as opposed to drawing individual lines; if you see a drawn circle and the inside area of the circle is yellow, yellow is the fill color.


filter

For images: a small computer program that performs some action on the image, changing it in specific ways. Filters can be used to smooth or roughen an image, correct or remove the color and perform many other editing functions. Most often, filters are used to create special effects.


Filter Factory

A creation tool for image filters. These filters are Photoshop compatible. With filters, you can produce an almost endless series of special effects from very tiny changes in the image to complete makeovers. There are thousands of such filters available; many can be found for free on the internet.


FLI/FLC

Autodesk animation format.


FPX

Flashpix format.


FSH

EA Sports FSH Format.


G3

Group 3 Facsimile Apparatus format, used for document transmission.


GIF

Graphics Interchange Format: The format created by CompuServe for the faster exchange of graphics over modem lines; widely used in Web publishing.


grayscale/greyscale

Despite the name, grayscale (or greyscale) is actually a mode of color; it uses 256 shades of grey to render an image, producing a richly varied tonal quality; black and white uses just two colors, black with white spacing to render.


ICL

Icon Library format, used by many icon editing programs; can contain one or many icons for use in other programs.


ICO

Windows Icon: used by Windows to represent programs and other files.


IFF/LBM

Interchange File Format: the image format standard for Amiga computers.


image

The graphics you see on your screen; they can be photographs showing your home town, line drawings showing Mickey Mouse, even the undulating, weird backgrounds you see at many WWW websites. They can range in size from a single dot on your screen (so small it is difficult to see,) to huge objects that go off the screen in all directions, causing you to scroll the screen back and forth, up and down, to see them.


IMG

GEM Raster image, from Atari.


interlaced

In terms of some image types, such as GIF: an image which builds up on the screen, showing the full image, but of low quality, then gradually building until the full quality image is visible. This allows the user to see some of the image as it builds. This is much the same as progressive.


JP2/JPEG2000

JPEG 2000 format. The new web standard, using wavelet compression, offers better compression than old JPEG.


JPG/JPEG

Joint Photographic Experts Group: 24-bit support and fine compression make this format another standard for publishing on the Web.


KDC

Kodak digital camera format.


landscape

In reference to printers; printing an image so that it is faced with one long edge of the paper nearest you, as most landscape paintings would be faced. The other standard facing is Portrait.


LBM

Interchange File Format: the image format standard for Amiga computers.


LDF

LuraDocument Format: wavelet compression image format from LuraTech GmbH, Germany. Format enhanced to improve on JPG and other scanned images, with better quality and more control options.

Note:	IrfanView can't save images larger than 4096x4096 as LDF and max. 6 pages per LDF image.


LWF

LuraWave Format: wavelet compression image format from LuraTech GmbH, Germany. Format enhanced to improve on JPG, with better quality and more control options. IrfanView is the first viewer with LWF support.

Note:	IrfanView can't save images larger than 4096x4096 as LWF.


Mac PICT

Macintosh PICT format.


maximize

To "blow up" a program window so that it fills the entire screen. This is useful if the information in the program does not fully display at a smaller screen size.


MED

MED/OctaMED sound format.


MID

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI): a file created with a set of standard formats to instruct electronic musical instruments how to play; with a MIDI player (such as IrfanView,) you can play a basic version of the song through the computer's speakers.


minimize

To remove a program, such as IrfanView, from the screen and have it appear as a button on the task bar at (usually) bottom of the screen. Click the button to restore the program to the screen.


MOV

Quick Time Movie format; Apple Computer's format for movie and other time-based data file storage.

Note: IrfanView uses the MS Active Movie for MOV playing. Active Movie can't play all MOVs, especially many QuickTime-created MOVs.

Install Apple Quick Time and check Properties->Others 2 in IrfanView ;-)


MP3

MPEG audio layer 3 format, very popular :-)


MPG/MPEG

Moving Pictures Experts Group: a standard for full-motion video; provides 352x240 resolution, 30 frames per second, and CD-quality sound; also used to compress audio without video.


option button

A small circle, usually to the left of some text; clicking the circle with the mouse makes a mark appear, showing it as a selected option. The text identifies what the option is for. Option buttons appear in groups, to allow a single selection from many choices; clicking one automatically "unclicks" all the others. Sometimes these groups are known as radio buttons, for their similarity to selecting a station on a radio.


outline

Highlighting an area you want to work on.

Put the mouse cursor at one corner of the area you want to outline. Press the left button, and hold it. Drag the mouse across and down (or up) to the opposite corner of the area you want outlined. A border appears as you drag the mouse. Release the button when you are done dragging.

This technique is used in such operations as cropping and adding text to an image. If the buttons on your mouse are reversed, use the right button as described above.


PBM

Portable Bitmap File format; mostly used to convert between various types of bitmap images.


PCD

Digital images from Kodak, presented as "slides" on a CD-ROM. IrfanView can open the Overview-PCD files too!


PCX

PC Paintbrush format from ZSoft Corporation. These images are used by many word-processing and desktop publishing programs.


PGM

Portable Greymap File format; mostly used to convert between various types of greymap images.


PhotoCD

Digital images from Kodak, presented as "slides" on a CD-ROM. IrfanView can open the Overview-PCD files too!


pixel

Picture element: One dot in an image. It is the smallest (practical) element used to make up a picture.


PNG

Portable Network Graphics: A format that combines the best qualities of gifs and jpgs; used for Web publishing.


portrait

In reference to printers; printing an image so that it is faced with one short edge of the paper nearest you, as most portrait paintings would be faced. The other standard facing is Landscape.


PPM

Portable Pixelmap format; mostly used to convert between various types of color images.


progressive

In terms of some image types, such as JPG: an image which builds up on the screen, showing the full image, but of low quality, then gradually building until the full quality image is visible. This allows the user to see some of the image as it builds. This is much the same as interlaced.


PSD

PhotoShop Software Development file, used for development with Adobe Photoshop and related software.

Note:	IrfanView (and other viewers too) can't correct display some PSD files, especially CMYK PSDs.


PSP

Paint Shop Pro file format, from Jasc Software; special graphics format that can describe a multi-layered image in complete detail.

Note:	IrfanView will display only the first layer (if many) in a PSP image.


QTIF

Quick Time format.


RAS/SUN

Sun Raster: The native bitmap file format for Sun Microsystems workstations.


RealAudio

RealAudio (*.ra): audio/video format developed by RealNetworks, www.real.com. IrfanView plays RA-files with the player plugin, please download and install.


RLE

Utah Run Length Encoded image format.


RMI

MIDI file (MIDI sequence.) See also: MID.


SFF

Structured Fax File.


SFW

Seattle Film Works format.


SGI/RGB

Silicon Graphics image format.


slider control

A control used in Windows to set a value for something. An example: in IrfanView, click on the Image menu, then select "Enhance colors". A dialog opens with slider controls. The first slider control allows you to set the value of brightness you want. In the Brightness control, the value starts at zero, and you can move the slider down to -255 (less bright) or up to +255 (more bright). Click on the line to move the settings more rapidly. Put the mouse directly over the slider, press the left mouse button and hold it, and drag the slider to change the settings very rapidly. A fine adjustment allows the input field on the right side of the control. Most slider controls are similar.


SND

Sun-workstation sound file, similar to AU.


sub-menu

On a Windows menu, an extra menu that "pops up" when you point the mouse at one of the menu choices. This sub-menu gives further control over the choice. An example: on the Image menu, point the mouse at Effects; a sub-menu will appear to let you choose which effect to perform.


SUN

Sun Raster: The native bitmap file format for Sun Microsystems workstations.


SWF

Macromedia's Shockwave format.


tabs

Small extensions at the top of a dialog box; they look like tabs on a file folder; clicking one changes to a different section of the dialog, allowing access to other options.


task bar

The area of Windows (usually) along the bottom of the screen. This displays various information about Windows' status, such as the clock in the lower right corner. Also shown in the bar are the buttons representing open programs, such as IrfanView. If you minimize a program, you remove it from the screen, but leave it active. Only its button shows, until you click the button to restore it.


TGA

Truevision Advanced Raster Graphics Adapter (TARGA): Format by Truevision, Inc, used to support image capturing; used with a series of high-resolution graphics adaptors released under the TARGA name.


thumbnail

A small version of a larger image. Thumbnails are used as "stand-ins" for images where space is a problem. Example: pages on the WWW often use thumbnails to represent images stored at the website. The thumbnails take a fraction of the time to load that the large images would take. Usually, the thumbnail is linked to the large image, so that a click on it will load the full-sized version.


TIF/TIFF

Tagged Image File Format: a widely used raster format, jointly supported by Aldus; used mostly in desktop publishing; can be viewed on both Macs and PCs; this is the format used by most fax machines.


transparent color

One color in an image that does not show on screen. This is most often used to allow an image background to be invisible against other colors. An example would be a company logo used on an internet web page; a transparent background color would allow it to be placed directly over other images on the page, and all will still be visible.


WAV

Windows audio file; they take up a lot of space, but can serve as a go-between for converting between some of the other sound formats.


WBMP

WAP Bitmap format.


WMF

Windows MetaFile format; Microsoft vector graphics file, more compact and portable than bmp images.


XBM

X11 Bitmap.


XPM

X11 Pixmap.