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 |
|
|
| Compression / quality | depends | depends |
| File size characteristics | medium | medium |
| Compatibility | broad | broad |
| Editability | moderate | moderate |
| 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 |
|
|
| Common software |
|
|
| Archival suitability | moderate | moderate |
| Metadata handling | moderate | moderate |
| Delivery profile | strong | strong |
| Workflow fit | delivery | delivery |
| 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
- capture ingest
- editing
- web or print delivery
- Preserves editable GIMP document state.
When to use PFM Raw
- capture ingest
- editing
- web or print delivery
- Stores floating-point pixel data directly.
FAQs
Why convert XCF to PFM Raw?
Choose PFM Raw as target when HDR rendering, tone-mapping, or scientific-imaging workflows need floating-point pixel values to survive intact between tools.
What changes when converting 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 should I review after converting XCF to PFM Raw?
After conversion, review these destination checks: Open converted output in ImageMagick and verify behavior on real samples; Compare output against the expected depends quality profile; Weak formal standardization and uneven parser behavior.
How can I keep quality stable in XCF to PFM Raw conversion?
Run representative samples, keep settings deterministic, and monitor these risks: Poor fit for mainstream publishing and consumer software; Weak formal standardization and uneven parser behavior; Validate destination compatibility before large-batch conversion.