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
XCF at a glance
XCF
XCF reflects the long history of GIMP as an open-source raster editor with its own native document model rather than as a lightweight clone of consumer image viewers.
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.
Format comparison
| Feature | XCF | PFM Raw |
|---|---|---|
| File type | Image | Image |
| Extensions |
|
|
| MIME type |
|
|
| Created year | 1995 | 1998 |
| Inventor | GIMP community | PBRT / Paul Debevec community |
| Status | proprietary | active |
| Transparency | Not supported | Not supported |
| Animation | Not supported | Not supported |
| Primary use cases |
|
|
| Layer support | Supported | Not supported |
| Vector scaling | Supported | Not supported |
| Camera raw data | Not supported | Not supported |
| HDR support | Not supported | Supported |
| Streaming ready | Not supported | Not supported |
When to use each format
When to use XCF
- Your source file is already in XCF.
- Preserve source expectations before exporting to PFM Raw.
- XCF is commonly used in image workflows.
When to use PFM Raw
- Your target workflow expects PFM Raw.
- Improve delivery compatibility with PFM Raw.
- PFM Raw is commonly used in image workflows.
FAQs
Why convert XCF to PFM Raw?
Convert to PFM raw when HDR rendering, tone-mapping, or scientific-imaging workflows need floating-point pixel values to survive intact between tools.
It is especially useful as an intermediate format for graphics research, physically based rendering, and analytical image-processing pipelines that operate on scene-referred data.
What changes when converting XCF to PFM Raw?
This conversion changes how the format behaves in downstream tools and delivery environments.
Moving to PFM Raw removes layer support. Moving to PFM Raw removes vector scaling. Moving to PFM Raw adds HDR content.
What should I review after converting XCF to PFM Raw?
Validate output quality on representative files and confirm the target format behaves correctly in the destination workflow.