View images and graphics
Phials can present ordinary raster images, SVG graphics, and Camera RAW files without sending them to another app. Select an image for a quick look in the File panel, or open it in a file tab for a persistent, larger view.
Inspect a raster image
- Select the image in an Explorer tab.
- If necessary, choose File in the panel dock.
- Check the image and any metadata shown above it.
- Choose Open in Tab when you need more room or want to keep the image open.
The File panel fits the image to its available space. In a file tab, use Zoom out, Zoom in, and Reset zoom in the toolbar. You can also scroll over the image to zoom smoothly. Reset zoom returns to the fit-to-view baseline rather than forcing the image to its native pixel size.
Phials treats images that contain generative-image data like ordinary images; it does not extract or present embedded generation workflows.
Switch between an SVG and its source
SVG files open in Rendered mode. Use the toolbar switcher to choose:
- Rendered for the visual result
- Code for the XML source
The Code view is useful when you need to inspect paths, fills, view boxes, or embedded text. Editing and saving the source is covered in Edit text, code, HTML, and SVG. SVG files larger than 1 MB show File too large to edit instead of loading the in-app Rendered or Code view, although the operating system may still be able to render them in another app.
View a Camera RAW file
Camera RAW files use a decoded proxy so Phials can show the photograph without changing the original file. The first view may take longer while Phials extracts an embedded preview or creates a compatible image. Subsequent views can reuse the cached proxy.
RAW viewing is read-only. Phials does not provide a RAW development workflow, export controls, or image adjustments for the original camera file. If the proxy cannot be created, the viewer shows No preview available; use Open files in Phials or another app to continue in a RAW-capable application.
Use thumbnails and metadata
Supported image formats can provide visual thumbnails in Grid and Gallery views. Camera RAW thumbnails use the same proxy pipeline as the viewer, so a failed RAW decode can fall back to a generic icon.
Available metadata varies by format and by what the file actually contains. It can include dimensions, camera details, dates, color information, or other technical fields. Use Show All above the representation when you need to see supported fields that are currently empty.
For complete coverage, see Thumbnail support by file type and Metadata support by file type. To change a supported raster image, continue with Edit images.