FastPictureViewer Professional 1.9 review
FastPictureViewer Professional is a commercial image viewer and editor for Windows designed specifically for photographers and large image collections.
FastPictureViewer Professional has been designed to speed up the image reviewing process of large images collections, for instance those taken after a photo shooting session.
While that's the program's main purpose, it it also one of the fastest image viewers available for Windows which increases its appeal to a wider audience.
If you ever tried to browse quickly through a collection of photos shot with modern digital cameras you have probably noticed limitations when it comes to flipping quickly between photos. Depending on the program you are using for that, you may notice that you can't flip through photos in rapid succession due to the time it takes to load an image.
FastPictureviewer Professional
What makes FastPictureViewer special in this regard is the program's support for technologies that improve the loading and rendering time of pictures that you view in the program.
Some of these technologies, like hardware acceleration that is making use of the graphics card to improve the performance of the program, are disabled by default as they do not work on all systems. You can enable hardware acceleration in the program settings.
To do so click on Menu > Options > Display and enable the "Enable graphic processor" option there. Note that it requires a restart of the program before it becomes active, and that you will receive a warning when you enable the feature.
The author of the program states that you will be able to go through 4000 images per hour using the program when reviewing photos, and that you will be able to evaluate composition, sharpness or exposure directly using it.
The program displays the menus and options in the system's default language. Sometimes that is not the language you want the program to be displayed in. You have options to select the language you want the program to use during setup, or, if you have already installed the application on your system, via the lang:EN command line parameter (this one sets the interface language to English).
You have a couple of options to use the program's image viewing capabilities. You can drop folders or images directly into the program interface, use Menu > Images Folder to load a folder with images or Open Image to load individual images, use the program's Windows Explorer integration, or use keyboard shortcuts while the program is active to do so.
The program displays the current image on the screen, and information about the image if available in four transparent overlay widgets that act independently from the program window. The widgets display the XMP rating, GPS data if available the Histogram and EXIF information
A left-click zooms in on the image at the location of the mouse pointer which is an excellent option to evaluate the photo's sharpness or check out details. Keyboard shortcuts are available that let you rate images with a tap on the 1 to 5 key (which will be reflected by the XMP module displayed on the screen) and perform other operations.
The developer has created a Cheat Sheet that you find in the start menu folder of the program and in the program installation folder that lists all shortcuts on a single sheet of paper.
It is a good idea to go through the selection and start using shortcuts that speed up your workflow even further when using FastPictureViewer Professional.
Here is a short selection of shortcuts that you may find useful:
- F4 displays a navigation slider
- F5 reload the image
- F10 toggle all floating windows on or off
- F11 or Alt-Enter toggle full-screen mode on or off
- F12 show or hide the taskbar
- P toggle publish flag
- X toggle delete flag
- Ctrl-X delete all images that are delete flagged
- Ctrl-q open a new image folder
- Ctrl 1-9 set Photoshop urgency
- Ctrl-W set as wallpaper
What's New
If you have read last year's review of FastPictureViewer Professional, you may be interested to find out what's new in the latest version of the program. Axel, the developer of the program, has published the list of changes on the official blog. Here is a short rundown of what's been added or improved:
- Web Publishing so that you can directly upload images to photo uploading sites and local devices. Photos can be converted / edited by the program before they are published.
- Black and White preview using the B keyboard shortcut
- EXIF Statistics plugin
- Geo-Clustering plugin to group images based on geographical or time proximity
- PNG Overlay can be used to display an overlay on top of the program window which acts like a watermark. May be useful for public presentations or KIOSK displays.
- Tethering Auto-Rename
- Lock command line option to lock-down the interface when it is used in public locations
- Subfolder Picker that lets you pick folders when you move and stop the mouse briefly at the left edge of the program window.
- Navigation History
- Support for Windows 8 and 10
- Camera RAW format support has been extended with new camera models like the Nikon D4 or the Canon EOS-1D X being supported now
- Support for Animated GIFs.
- Marks put on photos, e.g. X for delete, P for publishing, are persistent now.
Verdict
I'm not a professional photographer and can't really appreciate all the features that FastPictureViewer ships with. I do not really mind that as it supports all the features that I want in an image viewer. It is blazingly fast, probably the fastest program right now for image viewing, supports all the file formats that I throw at it, lets me rate and browse photos, and integrates well into Windows Explorer where it makes available thumbnails of image formats not supported by Windows by default.
If you are a professional photographer or photo reviewer, you will love the program even more as it will improve your current workflow significantly. Features like folder monitoring, folder tracking and the integration of external editors are just two of the many features that you may find useful in this regard.
Don't believe me? Try it out for yourself. A fully working trial version of FastPictureViewer Pro is available for download at the developer website.
Currently using Photo Mechanic
Love fastpicture viewer. I have been using irfan view for a long time now and would love to try the pro version of fastpicture viewer
I currently use FastStone Image Viewer. Thanks for the giveaway.
Currently I use google picasa. This programm would be good too I think.
I had this one from a site that gave you a software for free if you activate it on the same day but I lost that when I reinstalled windows xD
Anyway, I’m using FastStone Max View to simply browse through files because it’s really fast and bloat-free; ACDSee which I use ONLY to look up EXIF data sometimes and ofc Photoshop for all the psds and psbs I work with :)
What really interested me in this program is the thumbnail support it brings for windows explorer. I have that done using another program but if it will speed things a bit I’d definitely want to try it :) When previews are made inside explorer for, say, 300MB tif, believe me speed matters xD
Another good giveaway. I use the picasa, its good for viewing pictures, have simple editing n collage making features. But does not have advanced features. I didn’t try FastPictureViewer yet, but heard good views about it. Hope to try its Pro version.
I actually used FastPictureViewer earlier but it got lost in a reinstall of Windows. Loved it then and would really like to try it again. Lately I’ve been using IrfanView but I liked this software better for plain image viewing :)
Nice giveaway! I currently use Irfan View and would be happy to try FastPictureViewer.
Thanks gH!!! Currently us Irfan View!!
Nice giveaway :)
I use a InfranView but Fast Picture Viewer looks interesting, so count me in.
Regards and best wishes to all
At present I use Toolwiz Pretty Photo.
Nice tool for picture use.
I appreciate it.
Thanks
I am currently using the free Picasa software to view my photos, but I would like to try this software out!
Please count me in for the giveaway!
Using windows picture viwer :( It’s so slow.
acdsee pro but would like to try this!
Currently I use Windows Photo Viewer, FastPictureViewer offers some very interesting features
I hope I’m lucky
Currently I use FastStone Image Viewer, I would love to have the full version of FastPictureViewer Pro to use in its place.
Wow, this is a giveaway I’d LOVE to win, Martin! Would it help Mr if I told you that I use an old acdsee version AND that my daughter, who would be born in a couple of months, will be called MARTINA? (no kidding!) :)
Wow, this is a giveaway I’d LOVE to win, Martin! Would it help me if I told you that I use an old acdsee version AND that my daughter, who would be born in a couple of months, will be called MARTINA? (no kidding!) :)
I use Photools IMatch.
Use a range of apps (depending on who I need to share pics with and what I’m working on), nothing particularly good, esp. for this kind of functionality.
I use Windows Live Photo Gallery currently, but have always been a FPV fan. Would love to go Pro with FPV though!
Big deal, many thanks! I actually use FastStone Image Viewer.
Windows Photo Viewer
I actually use XnView.
Kind regards
I’m using IrfanView since ages ;-)
I’m certainly willing to try this one.
Martin, FastPictureViewer has always been my choice. I hope Santa is good to me again this year.
Xnview
Eu uso há bastante tempo o FastStone Image Viewr, além de ser grátis faz até mais coisas que o FastPicture Viewer.
This would be nice I use Zoner…
Of all the programs mentioned so far, this one is definitely the best. For the non-believers, just try it with an open mind (meaning that every single program in the world has a learning curve). You’ll see.
That being said, I think it’s pretty useless for professional photographers who would (or should) rather use (something like) Adobe Lightroom.
But my kids would love getting a license for their photo requirements!
Currently using picasa. Would love to win a license. Thanks…
Faststone viewer here… but always on the lookout for something faster ;-)
I proudly own a FPVPro license already, yet for my daily needs the default Windows app does the job… if supplemented with the excellent FPV Codec pack <3
(obviously not interested in the giveaway, just wanted to spread the love :))
I am using irfan view. Please count me also.
Currently use FastStone Image Viewer & ACDee. But this looks much better for my move to RAW images.
Been using windows built in viewer, I could use something like this, because I have a lot of pics.
I currently use Windows picture viewer
been using picasa for ages now….
would love to get my hands on this product….
thanks….
I currently use FastStone Image Viewer Free Version.
Currently I use XnView.
Thanks :)
Using built in Windows viewer, and RIOT for any image compression needs.
Windows Picture Viewer and I don’t like it too much.
I use two programs for photo viewing and other graphics FastStone Image Viewer and ACDSee Pro but I would like to try it FastPictureViewer Pro.
At last, an invaluable tool for handling all those RAW brackets.
Belongs in all software gadget bags
I am using Picasa. Thank for this giveaway
As a photographer, I’d love to try this out.
I’ve been using Irfanview for years (have donated) as a part of my workflow. As each new camera body produces larger and larger files, the load speeds are definitional getting longer. Very interested in testing it’s claims of the ‘Fastest image viewer’! Also curious with it’s integration with Photoshop.
Thanks for yet another great giveaway.
Picasa
Thank you so much for giving this nice tool up for grab.
I will appreciate if I win a license.
Cheers!
Nice giveaway. Thanks!
im not using any program, i want this one them i think i can make things done
Currently using Picasa. FastPictureViewer looks to be worth checking out.
i use faststone image viewer, love being able to zoom by clicking wherever the cursor is. i’ve always wanted to try fastpictureviewer, maybe now is the time?
ACDSEE 3 Pro.
Any image viewer that has many features, supports many formats and on top of that it’s really fast it’s a must for me. Would like to participate in the Give Away. Thank you.
I am using Fastone Image Viewer, btw. Thank you,
Oh yeah…I’d forgotten about ACD/See…used to use that wayback when…
I use a combination of viewers as no one has it all. I often use FastStone, Breezebrowser, Canon DPP. I’ll try FPV now.
I actually use FastPictureViewer. Have used it since gHacks.net Xmas 2009 Giveaway. Excellent program I have to say.
Count me in Please
Using the default windows viewer and gimp.
Thanks! Merry Christmas
This would surely be a welcome upgrade from just using irfanView…
See, Martin? another Portuguese user commenting just above my comment.
Using irfan view. This giveaway is awesome. Hope to win this!
I currently use ACDSee 5.0.1 to view images. The software does not work well on newer Windows operating systems, unfortunately.
Nice! Today I use FastStone MaxView.
Hi!
I have long wanted to purchase this program. Currently viewing images I use FSViewer.
Best regards!
I am using JASC Paint Shop Pro 7.0
This is an awesome tool, I wish it was priced cheaper around $10.
Forgot to mention, that I currently use IrfanView.
I currently use Irfanview, but have considered using XNView as well
Thanks Martin for the giveaway. I’m using windows default image viewer now.
Hope to win Fast Picture viewer.
Acdsee Pro but I find it to be too slow.
I want to win this useful software and test it. Great contest. Please count me in. :)
I use ashampoo photo; to many click throughs to find the picture I am looking for when I want to make a family calender, or similar project.
Windows viewer.
I currently use Irfanview for all my graphical needs so any thing that helps with my photo collection would be great.
I allready use FastPictureViewer an can only recommend it, its really fast and handles all different raw formats I have created over the years.
I actually use windows viewer, but need a more professional one :). Thanks…
I generally use IrfanView, although I did try FastPictureViewer and found it to be very fast, indeed.
I want to use PhotoScape.Thanks For giveaway.
I am using AcdSee , would love to try it.
I use nexus image cos it’s simple. Would love fast picture viewer instead.
I currently use FastStone Image Viewer.
i would be happy to give it a shot, since the built in windows tool is giving me troubles and crashes regularly. also it is slow as hell, especially for raw.
I now use FaststoneViewer, which seems fast. I’ll have to compare it to FastPictureViewer.
nice giveaway i use ACDSee pro
Currently I’m using ACDSee.
Currently: IrfanView.
I am currently using 4 Neurons Fullscreen Photo Viewer–a fine freeware application that would be perfect if it enabled the end user to open the image in an external editor. I’d like to try FastPictureViewer Pro 1.9 to see how it compares. Thank you and best wishes for the holidays and the coming year!
I use Irfanview to view images right now, but would LOVE a copy of FastPictureViewer Pro 1.9. I have over 40,000 digital images to go through… This program would make that chore so much easier! Thanks.
I’m using irfanview, faststone, & picasa
I have been using the built-in Windows Photo Viewer, Irfanview, and ACDSee. But one day I saw this program given away for free (from giveawayoftheday). Now I am beginning to love this viewer as I associated all the JPG files into it as the default viewer. Please let me win this one. Thanks. From Philippines.
I use FastStone Image View and Irfan to view my digital photos. If FastPictureViewer Pro is the fastest Please count me in I have quite large digital photo collection.Thanks
I use ArcSoft Photo+ for viewing my photo’s and Zoner 13 Pro for photo managment.
Usually content with Picasa but FastStone I.V. is a good one at free level, so it would be handy to have the pro one for sure! Thanks!
‘this is the best viewer for image include RAW files. I hope to win. Thanks for a contest.
I’m using IrfanView too for viewing my images.
Rex
I currently use Picasa Photo Viewer. I love the lightbox mode, but I requires Picasa to be installed as well.
Great program! Great giveaway! I currently use XnView (portable version). Would love to give this a whirl, so please count me in! Thank you!
I’m currently using FPV, but just a demo :-/
I once got a license from GOTD, but lost it when I bought a new computer.
I would certainly put FastPictureViewer Pro to good use. By all means toss my name into the hat
Hi Martin,
FastPictureViewer sounds like a great solution to view all my photography, as I have thousands of artistic photos to run through all the time.
Thanks!
Ben
Heard highly optimized code for pro-grade (huge) esp. raw image files, and keyboard shortcuts to rate and organize.
Currently use Picasa picture viewer
Currently using XnView.
Please count me in. Thanks.
I currently use FastStone Image Viewer and Adobe Photoshop for viewing images. Would love to get a licence for this program.
Xnview
Thanks for the giveaway!
Count me in.
Thank u.
I would really like to use a fast, clutter free, image viewer like FastPictureViewer Pro, however its price put it a little beyond my needs. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky.
For the time being I’m quite satisfied with XNView.
I am using “Windows Viewer”.
Thanks
I primarily use IrfanView. I have played around with Picasa & Xnview. I purchased Zoner PhotoStudio 12 but it seems that no sooner than you install a paid version of a program it becomes obsolete and you’re being bombarded with popups coxing a purchase of the newer and better version. I use JPEGSnoop for image decoding.
FastPictureViewer Pro sounds like a top drawer program which might be the holy grail of viewers and decoders. I’d like to find out. Please toss me into the hat for the giveaway.
I am using Nothing For Image Viewing , I am using Windows7 and i cannot View .Gif Images While using Windows Default Image Viewer , I think Fast Picture Viewer Do this Work ,
I will happy to win one license of this as used it many months ago and i think its quite good!!!
Count me in brah! Thanks
I am using windows photo viewer. Thanks
I’m actually using FastPicture Viewer,
Currently I use Infraview, but Fastviewer has a lot more to offer with RAW photos from my DSLR, would love get my hands on a version :)
Thank you for this amazing Offering!
I’ve been using the Free version of FastPictureViewer, and I would love to use the Pro version!
Please, count me in for a FastPictureViewer Pro license!
I use IrfanView & Imagine.
Still using an old school Irfanview :)
Thanks for the giveaway!
I have used Irfanview for a long time to act as a front-end for Photoshop. It is fast but also has batch operations that are convenient.
I would love to get a trial license to see if this product is faster.
I use FastStone Image Viewer, would love to grab a copy of this.
I use Xnview or more often FastStone Image Viewer
Please add me to the draw. Currently using Windows (XP) Picture and Fax Viewer
Currently I use FastStone Image Viewer, I would love to have the full version of FastPictureViewer Pro to use in its place.
Thanks for this interesting giveaway. I currently use IrfanView, but I’ve some problem with dimensions of Raw files, so I’d like to win FastPictureViewer Pro.
Could really use this. Tired of slow viewers. Thanks.
I’m using Windows viewer, but would benefit from a faster one. Thank you very much.
Oh, this is the fastest viewer I ever tested. I use old free version and want a license to get more features.
I will take a chance on this giveaway.
Am using faststone image viewer as well but am willing to upgrade (insert big ole smile here) to better applications. Many handy features with this one.
I use Windows in-built image viewing app.
i like this software. It’s better than Irfan Viewer.
Looking for a fast viewer. Hope to have one soon. Thanks.
I currently use picasa but gave fpv a try before and I loved it! especially loved the use of gpu to improve viewing experience…
I just started using FastStone Image Viewer which is pretty good, with one exception: when going to a new folder it is slow to load the thumb nailes.
Would love to try FastPictureViewer.
Thanks so much for all you do Martin!
Please count me also in . I am currently using the Picasa software to view my photos, but I would love to try this software.
I now use FaststoneViewer, which seems very good. I’ll have to compare it to FastPictureViewer.
i won one of this! thanks Martin!