IrfanView Plugins: 6 Cool Tools to Enhance Your Image Editing

IrfanView: A Powerful and Versatile Graphic Viewer

IrfanView is a remarkably efficient graphic viewer designed for the Windows operating system. Its key strengths lie in its small file size and rapid performance, while simultaneously providing a comprehensive suite of functionalities.

Notably, this software is distributed as freeware, making it accessible to all users. The core application boasts several built-in features.

Core Features and Expandability

These include support for multiple languages, compatibility with a vast array of file formats, basic image editing tools, slideshow functionality, and batch conversion capabilities.

The functionality of IrfanView can be significantly expanded through the installation of numerous IrfanView plugins.

This review aims to provide insight into some of the most useful and interesting plugins available, assisting users in determining which additions best suit their needs.

Plugin Packages Available

IrfanView plugins are organized into five distinct packages: Media, Formats, Effects, Miscellaneous, and a complete Plugin Collection.

Furthermore, certain plugins are currently not included within any of these predefined packages.

Installation Process

Each package is distributed as a .zip archive, allowing for the individual installation of desired plugins. Detailed installation instructions are provided within the accompanying readme file.

A self-installing .exe version of the full plugin package is also offered for convenience.

1. SLIDESHOW: Creating Executable Slideshows with .exe or .scr Files

IrfanView offers functionality for displaying image slideshows. To begin, navigate to File > Slideshow to configure your presentation.

By default, the slideshow's file names can be saved to a .txt file for later reloading and reuse. However, utilizing the slideshow plugin, it's possible to save your slideshow as a self-contained .exe or .scr file, retaining all customized settings.

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This particular plugin is included within the broader media collection available for IrfanView. For those interested in archiving slideshows onto optical media, the BURNING plugin, also found in the same collection, provides CD burning capabilities.

Further Functionality

Preservation of Settings: Saving as .exe or .scr ensures your slideshow layout and preferences are maintained.
Ease of Distribution: Executable files can be easily shared and viewed on other computers without requiring IrfanView to be pre-installed (for .exe files).
Convenient Access: .scr files can be set as screen savers, providing a dynamic display.

The slideshow plugin significantly expands IrfanView’s capabilities, transforming it from a simple image viewer into a versatile slideshow creation tool.

2. EXIF: Examining Exif Data Within JPG Images

EXIF, which stands for Exchangeable Image File Format, contains metadata detailing the camera settings employed during image capture. The EXIF plugin enables users to view this data for JPG images. Following installation, navigate to Image > Information and select the EXIF info button.

This functionality is included as part of the miscellaneous plugin collection.

Understanding EXIF Data

EXIF data can reveal crucial details about a photograph. This includes settings like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and even the camera model used.

Accessing this information can be beneficial for photographers seeking to replicate specific effects.
It also aids in understanding the technical aspects of image creation.

The plugin presents this data in a readily accessible format. This allows for quick and easy review of image metadata.

Leveraging Filters Unlimited Plugins in IrfanView via Photoshop

For users of Photoshop, the functionality of Filters Unlimited plugins can be extended into IrfanView through the utilization of a dedicated plugin. It's important to note that a licensed copy of Filters Unlimited is a prerequisite for this integration.

The IrfanView plugin functions solely as a bridge, providing an interface to access the filters already installed within your Photoshop environment.

Following successful installation, the Filters Unlimited options become accessible via the IrfanView menu. Navigate to Image, then Effects, and finally select Filters Unlimited to begin applying these filters to your images.

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This particular plugin is integrated within IrfanView’s broader effects suite. FILTER_FACTORY represents a comparable alternative offering similar capabilities.

Extracting Frames from MPEG Files with IrfanView

This plugin enables the extraction of individual frames from MPEG (.mpeg) video files. The resulting images are then saved in the Bitmap (.bmp) format.

Functionality

The primary function of this plugin is to dissect MPEG movies and isolate specific frames as standalone images.

This capability is included as a component within the broader formats collection available for IrfanView.

Output Details

File Type: Frames are saved as .bmp files.
Source Files: The plugin operates on .mpeg movie files.

The plugin provides a straightforward method for obtaining still images from video content. This can be useful for various purposes, such as creating thumbnails or analyzing video sequences.

It’s important to note that this functionality is delivered as part of a larger package of format support within IrfanView.

Expanding IrfanView's Compatibility: Support for Uncommon Image Formats

IrfanView’s functionality can be significantly broadened to accommodate a wider range of file types. This allows users to view images with extensions such as PSP, G3, RAS, IFF/LBM, BioRAD, Mosaic, XBM, and XPM directly within the application.

Further support is added for formats including GEM-IMG, SGI, RLE, WBMP, TTF, FITS, PIC, HDR, MAG, WAD, and WAL. This ensures comprehensive image viewing capabilities.

Supported Camera Raw and Specialized Formats

The plugin extends compatibility to include camera raw formats like DNG, EEF, NEF, ORF, RAF, MRW, DCR, SRF/ARW, PEF, and X3F. These formats are commonly used by professional photographers.

Additionally, support is provided for specialized formats such as CAM, SFW, YUV, PVR, and SIF, catering to diverse imaging needs.

Complementary IrfanView Plugins

This format support is delivered as part of a larger plugin collection. Installing this collection unlocks a suite of enhancements for IrfanView.

Among the other useful plugins available are those for QuickTime, enabling playback of QuickTime files. Another plugin facilitates the playing of MP3 audio files within IrfanView.

Finally, a plugin is also available to allow users to view Flash movies directly inside IrfanView, provided it is installed.

OCR_KADMOS: Integrating Optical Character Recognition

The OCR_Kadmos component extends the functionality of IrfanView by incorporating optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities. This allows for the identification and extraction of textual data directly from images. To utilize this feature, load an image containing text and navigate to Options > Start OCR... (Plugin).

A dedicated window will then appear, presenting options for text type and language selection. Subsequently, the desired text areas within the image can be selected using the mouse cursor.

The characters recognized through the OCR process will be displayed in a separate window located in the lower-left corner of the screen.

Currently, this plugin is not included within the standard IrfanView package and requires a separate download and installation.