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
PGM at a glance
PGM
PBM, PGM, PPM, PNM, and later PAM come from the tool-centric tradition of keeping image interchange formats easy to parse, script, and transform.
ERF at a glance
ERF
Digital photography fragmented into many manufacturer-specific raw formats because camera makers optimized for their own sensors, metadata, and software ecosystems rather than for one shared public raw standard.
Format comparison
| Feature | PGM | ERF |
|---|---|---|
| File type | Image | Image |
| Extensions |
|
|
| MIME type |
|
|
| Created year | 1988 | 2004 |
| Inventor | Jef Poskanzer / Netpbm lineage | Epson |
| 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 | Supported |
| HDR support | Not supported | Not supported |
| Streaming ready | Not supported | Not supported |
When to use each format
When to use PGM
- Your source file is already in PGM.
- Preserve source expectations before exporting to ERF.
- PGM is commonly used in image workflows.
When to use ERF
- Your target workflow expects ERF.
- Improve delivery compatibility with ERF.
- ERF is commonly used in image workflows.
FAQs
Why convert PGM to ERF?
Convert to ERF when preserving or restoring Epson-origin raw captures in an archive or compatibility workflow.
In most contemporary pipelines, it is a legacy source format to retain or migrate.
What changes when converting PGM to ERF?
This conversion changes how the format behaves in downstream tools and delivery environments.
Moving to ERF adds camera raw data.
What should I review after converting PGM to ERF?
Validate output quality on representative files and confirm the target format behaves correctly in the destination workflow.