Differences Between XnView Classic and MP?

[Cfguy]

Hi All,

I am new to XnView, and to the forum.

I am trying to distinguish what the major differences are between XnView Classic and XnView MP.

Is there any type of chart posted online that distinguishes the differences in features? If there is, I was unable to find it.

If not, would someone mind giving me a quick "crash course" on the major differences between these programs?

Thanks so much - I really appreciate your help.

Best Wishes,
-Cfguy

[cday]

XnView MP is an enhanced, intended eventual replacement, for 'Classic that after a long development has finally recently been released as v1.00...

XnView MP has a new, more attractive, interface implemented using the Qt tool set, now supports almost all the functions available in 'Classic plus some additional functions, with the file browser in particular considerably enhanced, widely acclaimed, and currently undergoing further development in response to user suggestions. It is also available as 64-bit versions, and importantly is cross-platform with support for Mac and Linux.

Edit: XnView MP importantly also has full Unicode support.

[Cfguy]

Hi cday,

Thanks so much for replying to my post.

Thanks so much for highlighting the differences in the "classic" vs the "MP" versions.

Based on what you said - it definitely seems like "MP" would be the best version for a "newbie" like me to download and install.

Thanks again - I really appreciate your help,
-Cfguy

[trance]

Ev'ry developer praise their "new" software and claims that it is more convenient but what if actually for users it's the old version?
Cross-platform? I'm on Windows. How many are not?
Qt? What is the advantage? It's a huge "framework" and can't work faster. Not a native Windows' app look. Tabs OVER the main menu. Not a native tree-view without lines like normal explorer in windows 7. Has this type of tree-view any advantages? Probably "windows 10" explorer hasn't these "lines", but has "windows 10" any advantages?
Was it necessary to change something that was working well? I don't like folders hanging in the space.
Features? Claiming that MP supports "500" formats means that Classic support less? How much? I haven't seen.
Why "the features" can't be developed in Classic?
You can reimplement WHOLE program on Qt and can't implement SOME features in existing app?
Interface? Subjectively. I haven't seen any advantages but found some disadvantages. It even can't stop opening a new tab for every image and not closing it when returning to the browser.
Abandoning the Classic is not a good decision.

[cday]

XnView Classic is still available and has at least received some limited further development over the last few years...

XnView MP has been under development for many years, with the support of longstanding forum members, and has been widely acclaimed by many users rather than by the developer. And as all XnView software ever produced is the work of a single developer, it is understandable that he needs to concentrate his efforts where he feels they would be best directed. Qt certainly provides an attractive modern interface, but it's true that one or two limitations are rather surprising, and while it needs more resources to run, the rapid increase in the computing power of even quite modest computers means that shouldn't be a serious issue.

I'm a Linux user now, specifically to avoid Windows 10 and the recent widely-derided Windows 11, and from forum posts it is evident that quite a few members are Linux and also Mac users, for whom 'Classic could never be an option.

[xnview]

MP supports unicode & x64bits.

Abandoning the Classic is not a good decision.

Why?

[trance]

"enhanced, attractive, long-time development"

i JUST checked, and
- can't work in a single tab for all images, so not convenient as the browser
- missing a convenient zoom button with drop-down menu, which i often use

what has been enhanced, i not found

so there are many tabs, which i never use
to preview, you have to click on vertical tabs, to see properties, you have to click to horizontal tab. any benefit of that-way tabs?
when preview tab is not active, when you change image and activate preview tab, the thumbnail remains from previous image or empty.

64-bit? in which case it may be necessary more than 4gb memory for this app?
unicode? never came across unicode file names on my system (non-latin). don't know if it's required to rebuild the whole app, and why it's not solvable. probably it's pure c++ with shoot-in-the-leg.

[cday]

Would you care to list which of the features you mention as missing are present in 'Classic, which are features that could be posted as requests, and which are detailed design considerations that you feel could be improved?

Although XnView MP is, unlike 'Classic, available as a 64-bit download, which can for example be a consideration for displaying images with particularly large pixel dimensions, there is also a 32-bit Windows download.

Pierre is always open to suggestions for enhancements, and the software is now the frequently acclaimed software that it is due in particular to his willingness to refine the file browser in response to suggestions made by users.

[xnview]

- can't work in a single tab for all images, so not convenient as the browser

what do you means?

- missing a convenient zoom button with drop-down menu, which i often use

Right, this can be added...

so there are many tabs, which i never use
to preview, you have to click on vertical tabs, to see properties, you have to click to horizontal tab. any benefit of that-way tabs?

If you means the panels, you can hide panels that you don't use. Horizontal tab is the same in Classic.

when preview tab is not active, when you change image and activate preview tab, the thumbnail remains from previous image or empty.

Sorry but i need more info?