Install FICture2 using Winget - wingetCollections
Go back Packages FICture2 Use this command to install FICture2:
winget install --id=floyd68.FICture2 -e Copy WinGet command to clipboard FICture2 is a high-performance image viewer built with DirectX for smooth rendering and navigation. It is designed to handle large texture files and provide fast, efficient image comparison and browsing.
Key Features:
Support for multiple image formats, including DDS textures.
Thumbnail preview for quick navigation.
Accurate handling of DDS BCn formats (BC1/BC3/BC4/BC5/BC6H/BC7) with proper alpha channel support.
Archive browsing capability for accessing images within compressed files.
Side-by-side comparison mode for up to four images, ideal for A/B testing and conflict resolution.
Folder-to-folder sync feature that automatically pairs files with the same name.
Audience & Benefit:
Ideal for game modders and texture artists who work extensively with DDS textures. FICture2 provides a lightweight, fast tool for inspecting and comparing textures without the need for heavy frameworks or complex setups. Its performance-first design ensures near-instant startup and smooth navigation, making it an essential companion for modding workflows. It can be installed via winget for easy integration into your development environment.
README FICture2 – Ultra-Fast Image Compare & DDS Texture Viewer for Modders
FICture2 is an ultra-lightweight, high-performance image viewer and comparison tool built specifically for game modders and texture artists .
It aims for a sub-1MB executable with near-instant startup — no splash screen, no heavy frameworks, no delay.
Double-click a texture and you're already comparing it.
> FICture2 is an acronym for Floyd's Image Compare miniaTURE 2 .
Demo Video
Watch the demo: https://youtu.be/2eowYOEa5dw
Download
FICture2 is available on NexusMods: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/100267
Why FICture2 exists
Most image viewers claim to support DDS — but in reality:
BCn formats are often decoded incorrectly
Alpha channels are mishandled or ignored
Mip levels are flattened or forced
Performance collapses on large texture folders
FICture2 was built because no existing lightweight tool handled DDS BCn textures correctly and fast enough for real modding workflows.
Proper DDS & BCn support (not “partial” support)
Native DDS support via DirectXTex
Correct decoding of:
BC1 / BC3 / BC4 / BC5 / BC6H / BC7
Accurate alpha channel handling
No forced recompression
No incorrect color-space shortcuts
What you see in FICture2 is what the engine actually gets.
Fast image viewing
Fast loading of large DDS textures
Optimized thumbnail generation for massive mod folders
Smooth zoom & pan with mouse-centric controls
Designed for inspection, not editing
Image compare mode (side-by-side)
Compare 2–4 images simultaneously
Perfect for A/B testing multiple texture replacements
Split-view comparison with synchronized navigation
Folder-to-folder sync (compare mode)
When comparing two folders:
1.4.115.0
Copy WinGet command to clipboard 1.1.103.0
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Selecting an image in one panel automatically selects the same filename in the other
Ideal for:
Vanilla vs modded textures
Competing retextures
Conflict resolution
Built for Vortex Mod Manager users
Automatic side-by-side comparison of conflicted files
Files with the same filename are paired automatically
Zero manual setup
FICture2 is a natural companion tool for Vortex .
Modder-centric image browser
Thumbnail list includes:
Images
Subfolders (including ..)
Folder previews with embedded image thumbnails
Handles real mod directory structures
Ultra-light, zero bloat
Executable size target: < 1 MB (size-first release builds)
Near-instant cold start
No runtime frameworks
No background services
Who this is for
Modders working heavily with DDS / BCn textures
Anyone resolving mod conflicts visually
Anyone tired of opening Photoshop just to check a texture
Status
Actively developed
Performance-first design
Feedback welcome
> A sub-1MB, ultra-fast image viewer that finally handles DDS BCn textures correctly — built for modders.
Tech overview This repository is the “app shell” that wires the UI and decode pipeline together:
FD2D/ (submodule)ImageCore/ (submodule)external/DirectXTex/ (submodule)external/libarchive/ (submodule)
Installation & running
Requirements
Windows 10/11 (x64)
Visual Studio 2022 with Desktop development with C++
Windows 10/11 SDK
Build
Clone repo with submodules:
git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/floyd68/FICture2.git
Open FICture2.slnx in Visual Studio
Select Release x64
Build FICture2 project
Build (CMake)
Clone repo with submodules:
git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/floyd68/FICture2.git
Configure:
cmake -S . -B build -G "Visual Studio 18 2026" -A x64
Build:
cmake --build build --config Release
Run:
build\Release\FICture2.exe
CMake builds libarchive from source by default (FICTURE2_USE_LIBARCHIVE_CMAKE=ON).
Local zlib/xz submodules are used by default (FICTURE2_USE_LOCAL_ARCHIVE_DEPS=ON).
CMake options
FICTURE2_BUILD_THUMBNAIL_PROVIDER (default: ON): build the ThumbnailProvider DLL.FICTURE2_USE_LIBARCHIVE_CMAKE (default: ON): build external/libarchive via CMake and link archive_static.FICTURE2_USE_LOCAL_ARCHIVE_DEPS (default: ON): build external/zlib and external/xz locally and wire them into libarchive. DirectXTex (forced in root CMake):
BUILD_TOOLS=OFF: do not build texconv/texdiag tools.BUILD_SAMPLE=OFF: do not build DirectXTex sample projects.BUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF: build DirectXTex as a static library. libarchive (forced in root CMake):
Compression deps:
ENABLE_ZLIB=ON: ZIP/deflate support.ENABLE_LZMA=ON: 7z/XZ support (via liblzma).ENABLE_BZip2=OFF, ENABLE_ZSTD=OFF, ENABLE_LZ4=OFF, ENABLE_LZO=OFF: disabled to minimize size.
Crypto backends:
ENABLE_CNG=ON: use Windows CNG (bcrypt) for hashes.ENABLE_OPENSSL=OFF, ENABLE_MBEDTLS=OFF, ENABLE_NETTLE=OFF: disabled.
Tools and extras:
ENABLE_TAR=OFF, ENABLE_CPIO=OFF, ENABLE_CAT=OFF, ENABLE_UNZIP=OFF: no CLI utilities.ENABLE_XATTR=OFF, ENABLE_ACL=OFF, ENABLE_ICONV=OFF: disabled to reduce surface area.ENABLE_PCREPOSIX=OFF, ENABLE_PCRE2POSIX=OFF: disable regex backends.ENABLE_TEST=OFF, ENABLE_INSTALL=OFF: no tests/install targets.
POSIX_REGEX_LIB=LIBC: prefer libc regex if available. zlib (forced when FICTURE2_USE_LOCAL_ARCHIVE_DEPS=ON):
ZLIB_BUILD_STATIC=ON: static zlib.ZLIB_BUILD_SHARED=OFF: no shared zlib.ZLIB_BUILD_TESTING=OFF: no zlib tests.ZLIB_INSTALL=OFF: no zlib install step. xz/liblzma (forced when FICTURE2_USE_LOCAL_ARCHIVE_DEPS=ON):
BUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF: static liblzma.XZ_NLS=OFF: no gettext-based translations.XZ_DOC=OFF, XZ_DOXYGEN=OFF: no docs.XZ_TOOL_XZ=OFF, XZ_TOOL_XZDEC=OFF, XZ_TOOL_LZMADEC=OFF,
XZ_TOOL_LZMAINFO=OFF, XZ_TOOL_SCRIPTS=OFF,
XZ_TOOL_SYMLINKS=OFF, XZ_TOOL_SYMLINKS_LZMA=OFF: no CLI tools or symlinks. Override options on configure, for example:
cmake -S . -B build -G "Visual Studio 18 2026" -A x64 -DFICTURE2_BUILD_THUMBNAIL_PROVIDER=OFFcmake -S . -B build -G "Visual Studio 18 2026" -A x64 -DFICTURE2_USE_LOCAL_ARCHIVE_DEPS=OFF
libarchive (required for archive browsing) FICture2 expects a locally built, minimal libarchive static library in:
external/libarchive/build-minimal/libarchive/Debug/archive.libexternal/libarchive/build-minimal/libarchive/Release/archive.lib We keep the submodule clean and do not commit libarchive build outputs or local patches , so you must build it yourself:
Ensure the submodule exists: git submodule update --init --recursive
Run the script: build-libarchive-minimal.ps1
For details and the exact CMake flags used, see docs/libarchive_integration.md.
Run
Launch the built exe from x64\Release\FICture2.exe
Or run from a terminal:
FICture2.exe "C:\path\to\image.dds"
Quick start
Run with a file parameter :
FICture2.exe "C:\path\to\image.dds"Session restore is ignored; the given file is opened.
Run with no parameters :
If a previous session exists: restores the last session (window placement + viewers + folders/images + splitters).
If no session exists: opens the first supported image found in the current user's Pictures folder.
Features
Thumbnail strip + main image optimized for DDS-heavy foldersFolder navigation inside the thumbnail strip (includes .. “up” item)Archive browsing : ZIP / 7Z / RAR / BA2 (images and folders)Supported image formats : DDS, PNG, JPG/JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIF/TIFF, TGACompare / multi-view : open up to 4 viewers side-by-side (equal widths)Sync mode (when 2+ viewers exist) :
selecting an image propagates to other viewers (by filename match within their current folder)
zoom/pan propagates to other viewers currently showing the same filename
Mouse pan + smooth zoom :
zoom is critically-damped spring animated
pointer-based zoom (the point under the mouse stays fixed)
Sampling quality toggle for scaled image display (D2D + D3D11 paths)Session persistence (per-user INI):
window placement (auto-saved during move/resize)
open viewers + folders + selected image
splitter positions (horizontal compare splits + thumbnail strip height)
IPC compare strategy (single instance assist) :
if another instance is already running and you launch a file:
if filenames match: first instance enters compare mode; second instance exits
if filenames differ: second instance runs independently
Drag & drop (main image region):
Left 3/4 drop zone: replace the current ImageBrowser folder/image with the dropped path (red overlay while dragging)Right 1/4 drop zone: insert a new ImageBrowser to the right and open the dropped path there (green overlay while dragging)Multi-select drag & drop : drop multiple images/folders/archives to open up to 4 viewers side-by-sideUnsupported files show an X cursor and cannot be dropped
File associations : register supported image types from the context menu (per-user / HKCU only)Explorer DDS thumbnails : register/unregister the thumbnail provider from the context menu (admin prompt)First-run file association prompt (per-user / HKCU only)
Hotkeys
Global
Thumbnail list / navigation (focused ImageBrowser)
Left / Right : move selection (includes folders and images)Home / End : jump to start / end of listPgUp / PgDn : page step selectionEnter : activate selected item
folder: navigate into folder
..: navigate upimage: show in main view
Backspace : navigate up (same as ..)Alt + Up : navigate up (Explorer-style)N : toggle navigation items visibility globally (folders + ..) across all ImageBrowser instancesQ : toggle sampling quality (low/high)Ctrl + O : open file dialog, replace current viewer image/folder contextCtrl + Shift + O : open file dialog, create a new viewer on the right (up to 4 total), equal widths
Mouse controls (main image)
Mouse wheel : zoom in/out (smooth spring animation)
Shift + wheel : ±10% per notchWheel : ±50% per notchZoom is pointer-based : the pixel under the mouse stays fixed during zoom.
Left mouse drag : panMax zoom : 5000%
Drag & drop (main image)
Drag an image file/folder onto a main image view:
Left 3/4 : replace current view (folder/image) — red overlay while draggingRight 1/4 : insert a new ImageBrowser on the right and open there — green overlay while dragging
Multiple files/folders/archives can be dropped at once (up to 4 viewers total)
Unsupported files show an X cursor and are rejected
Supported formats
Images : .dds, .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .bmp, .gif, .tif, .tiff, .tgaArchives : .zip, .7z, .rar, .ba2 (browse images + folders)
File associations & thumbnails
Register file associations : right-click the main image area and choose Register File Associations (per-user / HKCU)Register DDS thumbnails : choose Register Thumbnail Provider (Admin) (prompts for elevation)If already registered, the menu shows Unregister Thumbnail Provider (Admin)
Command line
--renderer=d3d--renderer=d2d
Configuration (INI) All settings are stored per-user at:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\FICture2\FICture2.ini
Important keys
[Window]
Left/Top/Right/Bottom/ShowCmdWindow placement is auto-saved during move/resize (debounced) and also saved on exit.
[Viewer]
ShowNavItems (0/1): navigation items visibility (global across all ImageBrowser instances; toggled by N )
[Image]
ZoomStiffness (10..500): higher = faster zoom spring response
[Thumbnails]
MinSize (default 32)MaxSize (default 256)ItemSpacing, Padding, TileLabelSpacing
[Session]
ViewerCount (1..4)ThumbStripHeightHorizontalSplitRatios
[Viewer0]..[Viewer3]
CurrentFolderDisplayedFile
Repository layout
FICture2.cpp: app entrypoint, renderer selection, IPC integration, startup restore logicImageBrowser.cpp/.h: core UI component (thumbnail strip + main image + multi-view + sync)FD2D/: UI framework (submodule)ImageCore/: decode scheduler/dispatcher/cache (submodule)external/DirectXTex/: DirectXTex (submodule; not authored here )
Prerequisites
Windows 10/11
Visual Studio 2022 (C++ workload)
Windows SDK installed (VS installer)
git if you want to work with submodules
Clone This repo uses git submodules . Clone with:
git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/floyd68/FICture2.git
If you already cloned without submodules:
git submodule update --init --recursive
Build (Visual Studio)
Open FICture2.vcxproj (or open the folder in VS).
Select configuration:
Debug|x64 for developmentRelease|x64 for distribution/perf/size tuning
Build + run FICture2.
Build (MSBuild CLI) From a Developer PowerShell:
msbuild .\FICture2.vcxproj -m -p:Configuration=Release -p:Platform=x64
Release “size-first” notes This repo can be configured to prioritize output size (even if it costs some runtime speed).
Typical knobs include:
/O1 /Os (optimize for size)/Ob1 (limit inlining)/GS- (disable buffer security checks; smaller & faster builds, but reduces mitigation)/Gy /Gw + /OPT:REF /OPT:ICF (dead stripping / folding)/LTCG (link-time code generation) > If you want a speed-first profile again, revert the above to /O2, /Ob2, /GS, and FavorSizeOrSpeed=Speed.
Submodules
FD2D: https://github.com/floyd68/FD2DImageCore: https://github.com/floyd68/ImageCoreDirectXTex (external): tracked as a submodule under external/DirectXTex
License This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
Copyright (c) 2024 EunSuk, Lee (이은석, floyd)
Troubleshooting
Submodules are empty / missing files : run git submodule update --init --recursive.Build fails due to locked exe : close the running FICture2.exe instance.DDS decode performance : see ImageCore/README.md for pipeline details and tuning points.
Network Activity Does FICture2 connect to the internet?
FICture2 itself does NOT initiate any network connections. The application code contains no network APIs, HTTP requests, or telemetry.
However, Windows may make network requests when FICture2 runs due to system-level security features:
Certificate Validation : Windows validates digital signatures of system components (WIC, COM, DirectX)SmartScreen Filter : Windows checks application reputationWindows Defender : Real-time cloud-based protectionWindows Update : Component update checks
Reducing Network Activity (v1.1+) FICture2 v1.1+ uses static runtime linking (/MT) to eliminate dependency on VC Runtime DLLs (vcruntime140.dll, msvcp140.dll). This reduces one major source of Windows certificate validation network requests.
Minimal dependencies
Windows 10/11 compatibility declarations
Maximum compatibility (Windows 10 1809+)
Remaining network activity comes from Windows system services only (WIC, DirectX, Common Controls validation). This is standard behavior for all Windows applications using system imaging components.
For advanced users who need to further reduce network activity (e.g., air-gapped systems), see:
