Free raw thumbnail viewer for Vista64?

[snyper77]

Is there a free download that will allow me to view raw thumbnails in Vista (64 bit). I know Canon has one for Vista 32, but is there anything free for 64 bit? To clarify, I'm not looking for a program that will "open" a Raw file and let me view it. I'm looking for a plugin or codec that will let me view Raw thumbnails inside windows explorer.

[kitacanon]

You can't see thumbnails in DPP?

[ed rader]

Is there a free download that will allow me to view raw thumbnails in Vista (64 bit). I know Canon has one for Vista 32, but is there anything free for 64 bit?


try irfanview. i've used it for years and it's the only photo software installed on my netbook.

ed rader

[Pandya]

I think he's not looking for third party photo viewers, as plenty exist, and for a third party viewer, you don't need x64 specific software...he's looking for a x64 version of Canon's RAW codec that allows RAW images to be seen in Windows Explorer as thumbnails...

But sadly, it doesn't exist. Complain to Canon!

[Jakpro]

I found a Raw Codec for V64, but you will have to pay $30 if it is worth it to you.

http://www.ardfry.com/cr2-codec/

No, it is not free! Sorry

[Subfightersandman]

this may not be what you are asking, but window picture and fax viewer can view raw thumbnails you just have to specify that it opens in that program, picasa views them to. In fact i cannot think of any programs that do not allow you to view them

[snyper77]

Gosh, I sure would hate to spend $30 just to see my thumbnails. Why doesn't WINDOWS OS allow you to see Raw thumbs like it allows for jpegs? Geesh.

[pknight]

Gosh, I sure would hate to spend $30 just to see my thumbnails. Why doesn't WINDOWS OS allow you to see Raw thumbs like it allows for jpegs? Geesh.

Not to speak for Microsoft, but they would probably say that it has something to do with the dozens of versions of RAW. JPEG is a published standard.

[Onyxdragun]

I've been looking at this. I used to have Canon's RAW Codec loaded for Vista 32bit, but now that I've upgraded to a new system and running 64bit, they no longer support the codec when it comes to the 64bit OS.

I just want to see thumbnails and also file information via Windows Explorer such as date taken, so I can selective import files into Lightroom.

I tend to forget to erase my memory cards so the photos from the shoots before are still there with the newer ones. I just don't want to have to import photos, and then delete the duplicates. Yes Lightroom does look to see if photos are duplicate but I dont know if it checks to see if there are duplicates in other locations on the catalog.

[In2Photos]

I've been looking at this. I used to have Canon's RAW Codec loaded for Vista 32bit, but now that I've upgraded to a new system and running 64bit, they no longer support the codec when it comes to the 64bit OS.

I just want to see thumbnails and also file information via Windows Explorer such as date taken, so I can selective import files into Lightroom.

I tend to forget to erase my memory cards so the photos from the shoots before are still there with the newer ones. I just don't want to have to import photos, and then delete the duplicates. Yes Lightroom does look to see if photos are duplicate but I dont know if it checks to see if there are duplicates in other locations on the catalog.
LR checks the entire catalog for duplicates. And I believe it goes by EXIF info as well as filename, not just filename. But if you delete images from LR and then import again, well you get the images back that you deleted.

BTW, you should delete the images and format the card in your camera. Not doing so can lead to a corrupt card and possible corrupt files.

[MattMoore]

Do this :

1. Install the 32bit version of the codec you want (i.e. Canon RAW codec 1.50).

2. Make a 32bit explorer launch shortcut. This will effectively enable you to use 32bit apps that integrate with 32bit versions of windows. Note, this will only enable 32bit windows explorer integrated apps for the ONE windows that is stated!!!! So you have to view your photos and everything from that one windows. Or launch more 32bit winows from the shortcut. To make the shortcut is easy. Simply right click on a blank space on your desktop. Select 'New' -----> 'Shortcut' -----> Enter the following text '%windir%\SysWOW64\explorer.exe /separate, /root, c:'. Obviously if you want it to open to a different directory than 'C:' you can modify it.

Now your done. To start viewing your CR2 files just launch a 32bit explorer window with the shortcut and navigate to your photos.

Maybe not the best solution, but its the free-est one we have for until Canon can convince Ardfry to give up his code.

[amd is the best]

Do this :

1. Install the 32bit version of the codec you want (i.e. Canon RAW codec 1.50).

2. Make a 32bit explorer launch shortcut. This will effectively enable you to use 32bit apps that integrate with 32bit versions of windows. Note, this will only enable 32bit windows explorer integrated apps for the ONE windows that is stated!!!! So you have to view your photos and everything from that one windows. Or launch more 32bit winows from the shortcut. To make the shortcut is easy. Simply right click on a blank space on your desktop. Select 'New' -----> 'Shortcut' -----> Enter the following text '%windir%\SysWOW64\explorer.exe /separate, /root, c:'. Obviously if you want it to open to a different directory than 'C:' you can modify it.

Now your done. To start viewing your CR2 files just launch a 32bit explorer window with the shortcut and navigate to your photos.

Maybe not the best solution, but its the free-est one we have for until Canon can convince Ardfry to give up his code.

Works perfect!

[stsva]

A similar approach to that described by MattMoore is to open the 32 bit version of Windows Live Photo Gallery (the one that opens from the "Program Files x86" folder). It will tell you there's an update available that will allow you to view RAW files, and give you the Canon Codec web page (also Nikon's Codec page). After the Codec is installed, when you open your picture folders with Photo Gallery it will process the RAW files using the Canon codec so that the RAW files are viewable as thumbnails. Once you've done that, you can then later open those same folders with Windows Explorer and still see the RAW thumbnails. You have to go through the same process for any new folders.

[raiyo]

Simply right click on a blank space on your desktop. Select 'New' -----> 'Shortcut' -----> Enter the following text '%windir%\SysWOW64\explorer.exe /separate, /root, c:'.
Was getting shooting RAW+Jpeg so I can see which picture was which. With this, I don't have to anymore. Thx a bunch.

[PixelMagic]

The free FastPictureViewer Codec Pack will allow you to view RAW thumbnails in both 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows. You can view the thumbnails in Windows Explorer, or view the larger previews in Media Center or Windows Live Photo Gallery: http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/

[GoneTomorrow]

The free FastPictureViewer Codec Pack will allow you to view RAW thumbnails in both 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows. You can view the thumbnails in Windows Explorer, or view the larger previews in Media Center or Windows Live Photo Gallery: http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/

Brilliant, works like a charm with no workaround. I had hoped though that Canon would've had a working codec by now, but I give up. This gets the job done.