Convert anything, at global scale.
200+ formats and automation APIs that feels instant.
CONVERT
From
To
Drop files or choose a source
Upload multiple files at once, mix formats, and fine-tune every conversion with format-aware settings.
Max 2GB per file · Drag & drop ready · Mixed file types welcome
PFM Raw at a glance
PFM Raw
PFM persists from the era when HDR imaging, rendering research, and tone-mapping workflows needed straightforward file carriers for floating-point image data long before mainstream consumer HDR delivery formats matured.
DDS at a glance
DDS
DDS grew out of Microsoft's graphics API and game-development ecosystem, which is why it feels more like an engine or texture-delivery format than a conventional consumer image file.
Format comparison
| Feature | PFM Raw | DDS |
|---|---|---|
| File type | Image | Image |
| Extensions |
|
|
| MIME type |
|
|
| Created year | 1998 | 1999 |
| Inventor | PBRT / Paul Debevec community | Microsoft / DirectX ecosystem |
| Status | active | proprietary |
| Transparency | Not supported | Not supported |
| Animation | Not supported | Not supported |
| Primary use cases |
|
|
| Layer support | Not supported | Not supported |
| Vector scaling | Not supported | Not supported |
| Camera raw data | Not supported | Not supported |
| HDR support | Supported | Not supported |
| Streaming ready | Not supported | Not supported |
When to use each format
When to use PFM Raw
- Your source file is already in PFM Raw.
- Preserve source expectations before exporting to DDS.
- PFM Raw is commonly used in image workflows.
When to use DDS
- Your target workflow expects DDS.
- Improve delivery compatibility with DDS.
- DDS is commonly used in image workflows.
FAQs
Why convert PFM Raw to DDS?
Convert to DDS when preparing textures for games, real-time rendering, environment maps, or GPU-oriented asset bundles.
It is useful when mipmaps, compression, and engine compatibility matter more than broad image-viewer support.
What changes when converting PFM Raw to DDS?
This conversion changes how the format behaves in downstream tools and delivery environments.
Moving to DDS removes HDR content.
What should I review after converting PFM Raw to DDS?
Validate output quality on representative files and confirm the target format behaves correctly in the destination workflow.