FastStone update, V4.3 (14/1/2011)

For anyone who's missed this -

FastStone, the freeware image editor has just brought out a new version that includes Clone Stamp, Healing Brush and 'Colour Auto-Adjust'. The listing -

"Version 4.3 (January 14, 2011)
Added Clone Stamp and Healing Brush
Added "Auto-Adjust Colors" to Colors menu. THANKS to Andras Horvath: log69.com
Added "Adjust Lighting" to lighten or darken shadows and highlights
Added "Adjust Levels"
Added "Adjust Curves"
Added USM (Unsharp Mask) option to Sharpen/Blur
Added Sketch and Oil Painting effects
Added outward-pointing tails to text objects in Draw Board
Now images in Slide Show Builder, Multi-page File Builder, Image Strip Builder and Email list can be drag-and-dropped to rearrange the order
Supported EPS format by displaying the preview image
Updated the RAW format library. Sony SR2 raw format is supported
Improved memory management to handle larger images
Other minor bug fixes and improvement"

I've been using FastStone as a default viewer/editor for some time and found it be a reliable and effective program for quick editing (especially on a Laptop).

I must say that I'm so far very pleased with this new version - the 'Auto Colour Adjust' gives absolutely amazing first-time results and is one of the best versions of this feature I've come across (all due to the skill of the above mentioned author). The Clone and Healing Brush has been a long time coming but now makes it a top free program IMO. It's shaping up to be a fine piece of software in it's own right.

PS. Try the USM (UnSharp Mask) - you will like that!

Thanks, I am off to have a look now.

John