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IMAGE
ORA Converter
Convert ORA files with ConverterHQ using workflows tuned for image compatibility, predictable output, and practical downstream use.
Quality and compatibility profile
Core technical and historical facts used for conversion quality, compatibility decisions, and SEO uniqueness.
| Feature | Fact sheet |
|---|---|
| Category | IMAGE |
| Extensions | ora |
| MIME types | image/openraster |
| Created | 2006 |
| Inventor | Libre Graphics community |
| Status | active |
| Compression type | lossy |
| Animation support | ❌ |
| Transparency support | ❌ |
| Supports Quality | ❌ |
| Supports Lossless | ❌ |
| Supports Metadata | ❌ |
| Supports Multiple Frames | ✅ |
| Color Depth | 24-bit |
| Container | ORA container |
| Layer support | ✅ |
| Vector scaling | ❌ |
| Reflowable text | ❌ |
| Multitrack content | ❌ |
| Camera raw data | ❌ |
| HDR content | ❌ |
| Structured data | ✅ |
| Streaming delivery | ❌ |
About this format
ORA format context
Format: ORA
Overview
OpenRaster matters because layered raster editing historically lacked a broadly accepted open exchange format, leaving teams dependent on native editor formats or on imperfect PSD-centered handoff.
Raster editors needed a layered exchange format that was more open and more interoperable than proprietary native document formats.
ORA is mainly used in open-source and interoperability-minded graphics workflows where layered handoff matters.
ORA is closely associated with OpenRaster community.
ORA is usually selected for workflows that center on capture ingest, editing, web or print delivery.
Typical Workflows
- capture ingest
- editing
- web or print delivery
Common Software
- Krita
- MyPaint
- open graphics workflows
Strengths
- Open layered-raster exchange story.
- Useful bridge between raster editors that want something more open than PSD-only workflows.
Limitations
- Not every major commercial raster editor treats it as a primary native working format.
- Layer feature parity still depends on application support.
Related Formats
- KRA
- XCF
- PSD
- PNG
Interesting Context
OpenRaster emerged from the libre graphics community as a practical answer to the lack of a clean open interchange format for layered raster artwork.
ORA belongs to Krita, MyPaint, GIMP-adjacent workflows, and open creative-tool ecosystems that want a layered format not tied to a single vendor.
It is strongest where editable art handoff between open tools matters.
Status: active. Introduced: 2006. Invented by: Libre Graphics community. Stewarded by: OpenRaster community.
How ORA fits into workflows
Workflow role: ORA
Convert to ORA when you need a layered raster file that remains editable across open creative applications.
It is a good target for illustration handoff, collaborative painting workflows, and vendor-neutral layered artwork exchange.
History of ORA
Format history: ORA
OpenRaster emerged from the libre graphics community as a practical answer to the lack of a clean open interchange format for layered raster artwork.
Original problem: Raster editors needed a layered exchange format that was more open and more interoperable than proprietary native document formats.
Why ORA still matters
Current role: ORA
OpenRaster matters because layered raster editing historically lacked a broadly accepted open exchange format, leaving teams dependent on native editor formats or on imperfect PSD-centered handoff.
Modern role: ORA is mainly used in open-source and interoperability-minded graphics workflows where layered handoff matters.
When to use ORA
- capture ingest
- editing
- web or print delivery
Advantages of ORA
- Open layered-raster exchange story.
- Useful bridge between raster editors that want something more open than PSD-only workflows.
Limitations of ORA
- Not every major commercial raster editor treats it as a primary native working format.
- Layer feature parity still depends on application support.
Formats related to ORA
ORA technical profile
| Feature | Fact sheet |
|---|---|
| Category | image |
| Extensions | .ora |
| MIME types | image/openraster |
| Created year | 2006 |
| Inventor | Libre Graphics community |
| Status | active |
| supports_animation | False |
| supports_transparency | False |
| supports_quality | False |
| supports_lossless | False |
| supports_metadata | False |
| supports_multiple_frames | True |
| compression_type | lossy |
| color_depth | 24-bit |
| container | ORA container |
| supports_layers | True |
| supports_vector_scaling | False |
| supports_reflowable_text | False |
| supports_multitrack | False |
| camera_raw | False |
| hdr_capable | False |
| structured_data_capable | True |
| streaming_ready | False |
| sources | {'url': 'https://www.openraster.org/', 'title': 'OpenRaster', 'relevance': 'Official specification', 'source_type': 'official'}, {'url': 'https://libregraphicsmeeting.org/lgm/specs/openraster/', 'title': 'Reference Documentation', 'relevance': 'Technical reference', 'source_type': 'reference'} |
ORA quality and compatibility
Format profile: ORA
Size profile: medium. Quality profile: depends. Editability profile: moderate. Compatibility profile: broad. Archival profile: moderate. Metadata profile: moderate. Delivery profile: strong. Workflow profile: delivery. Status: active.
Notable capabilities: layer support, structured data.
Software that opens ORA
- Krita
- MyPaint
- open graphics workflows
Conversion options
FAQs
Q: What is ORA typically used for?
A:
ORA is commonly used for capture ingest, editing, web or print delivery.
Q: What are the advantages of ORA?
A:
ORA is broadly compatible across common software.
Q: What should I watch out for when converting ORA?
A:
Check output quality and compatibility on representative sample files.
Sources
Official specification
Technical reference