If you’ve been searching for a way to make some sense of a lot of images, graphics, photos, etc (and other media) on your HDD(s), then you should definitely consider XnView… i was about to say consider “purchasing XnView” and then i realized… it’s FREE^†!!

That’s right, not only is XnView one of the coolest image media sorting / viewing application available, it’s also very inexpensive to use.

Now, I know many of you might be used to other methods of image browsing– or maybe your operating system’s default application is all you’ve ever known as far as image viewing goes period, but XnView is alive and kicking, and upon my first use of it, it was so easy to learn that i felt right at home with virtually zero learning curve. Since I was able to benefit from XnView’s power immediately, i quickly became famililar with all many of its advanced power-features– and after just a day of use, i felt as if i could never live w/out it!

I’ve tried other image viewer applications, as well as apps designed specifically to help sort and manage image media, but the best the features seem to be not intuitively brought together in one smart application and easily accessible as in XnView, but scattered amongst different software apps, and oftentimes, expensive software. Before i found XnView, i tried many different thumbnail-browser type viewers for the purpose of sorting vast digital graphic-designs and candid, personal camera photos, but i felt as if i was forever fumbling through different the features and options– never able to find what i needed quickly. I could go on and on about the comparisons, but instead, allow me to mention just a few of the features which stand out in XnView.

One of my favorite “common sense” options is “Start in Last Folder”, which launches the application in the previously viewed folder– simple enough, yet incredibly difficult to find as a custom setting in image viewers. XnView also offers the ability to specify what folder the thumbnails viewer opens into upon every launch. In general, I find XnView to be more intuitive and useful than any other of 2 categories of software– digital media organizers, and digital image viewers– for the very purpose of its design, which in my opinion seems to be for simple, practical purpose of boosting productivity while managing a vast amount of image collections– all without sacrificing a bit of viewer quality or features..

Check out some of these great XnView features:

• Browser – Favorites: allows me to keep all of my Apache Webs (localhost) in my favorites, such that any time i need to view or edit an image for a web development project, it is a cinch to locate that image.
• Open With (from within XnView viewer). – Another feature which, working in hand with my XnView Favorite Folders, i am able to easily locate a folder, use XnView to browse to the proper image, and then, w/out ever leaving the convenient XnViewer, i can modify the files for my webs by opening them in Photoshop (or my custom choice of target apps for this feature)
• Built-in Image Editor
  • Adjust Color
  • Adjust Bright/ Contrast
  • Crop
  • Photoshop Plugins — that’s right! XnView will easily load-up your photoshop plugins– allowing you to do very advanced editing w/out ever leaving the convenience of this handy image browser!
• Very Customizeable Interface: from thumbnail size to startup options, XnView will pretty much do whatever you want as long as you are able to gain a command over the vast options available.

At first, it may seem overwhelming that there are a LOT of different options available for tweaking, but once you practice with it, you’ll realize that these options are indispensible!

I found XnView at a site titled the 46 Best-ever Freeware Utilities were XnView was rated above IrfanView, and i though– “okay, now here’s a guy who must think as I do”, so excited to try it, i downloaded it right away, and haven’t looked back since!

give ‘er a go! you’ll be glad you did!
New version 1.802 just released.

^†XnView offers a registration option in which a commercial license is granted. If you download and enjoy XnView, please consider registering your copy!!

Update: XnView Deluxe2 Reloaded

If you’re considering purchasing an image management software, then you should definitely consider trying something different: XnView Deluxe 2! That’s right, XnView has gone commercial, yet our FREE version remains available– observe what value we enjoy for FREE!

If you’re hesitant about purchasing software which doesn’t have a major software manufacturing co’s name on it, then by all means try it first. You’ve got nothing to lose, and think of what the Independent Software community will have to gain. Here’s a convenient link directly to the UK version of the commercial software’s distributers.

You may also find the alternate, XnView UK web site. This is not the distributer’s site, apparently, but another face for the software by one of the project associates (if any of the link info is inaccurate, or incorrect, please inform me so that i may make the appropriate changes!).

XnView has long been a favorite FREE image viewing utility– hold it! XnView is much more than a utility— it’s a favorite, a must-have, for some of us more lonely, even an ol’ friend! Just read below for my review of the latest major release of XnView, a product i’ve found many great uses for– most of which is likely my ability to sort and manage my graphic files, and perform various functions on the right from the convenience of XnView. For example, if i’m going to edit a file in Photoshop® , i usually open it in XnView first, browse the directory, get a good feel for confidence about the Current Version, and then, i easily select “open with Photoshop” right from XnView’s browser OR viewer window. it just doesn’t get any more convenient than XnView when it comes to image media management!
So, again, before you go out and buy one of the other image media viewers out there, consider XnView Deluxe; consider that the developers and others responsibile for its production have and continue to offer a feature packed FREE version for consumers, consider the Software Programming community, and then make your choice. I’m confident that you’ll fall in love with XnView on the power and friendly usability of its feature alone!
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