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
VECTOR
Xfig Converter
Convert Xfig files with ConverterHQ using workflows tuned for vector 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 | VECTOR |
| Extensions | .fig |
| MIME types | application/x-xfig |
| Created | 1985 |
| Inventor | Supoj Sutanthavibul |
| Status | legacy |
| Vector Graphics | ✅ |
| X11 Native | ✅ |
| Ascii Format | ✅ |
| Transparency support | ❌ |
| Animation support | ❌ |
| Layer support | ❌ |
| Vector scaling | ✅ |
| Reflowable text | ❌ |
| Multitrack content | ❌ |
| Camera raw data | ❌ |
| HDR content | ❌ |
| Structured data | ✅ |
| Streaming delivery | ❌ |
About this format
Xfig format context
Format: Xfig
Overview
XFIG matters because Unix drawing workflows needed a native editable interchange format for interactive technical diagrams, flowcharts, annotations, and mixed vector/text drawings that could later be exported into print and publishing targets.
Users of X Window System drawing tools needed a native format that preserved editable objects, layout, colors, splines, text, and compound structures for later modification instead of flattening every diagram to a final rendered output.
XFIG now appears mostly in legacy engineering, academic, and Unix documentation workflows, plus preservation or conversion tasks where old.
Xfig is closely associated with Xfig open-source project.
Xfig is usually selected for workflows that center on illustration, diagramming, brand asset delivery.
Typical Workflows
- illustration
- diagramming
- brand asset delivery
Common Software
- xfig
- fig2dev
- pstoedit
- gnuplot export workflows
Strengths
- Preserves object-level editability for technical diagrams.
- Historically strong export path through fig2dev into print and document workflows.
- Useful for legacy Unix diagram archives and conversions.
Limitations
- Closely tied to the Xfig ecosystem and long-tail compatibility workflows.
- Not a mainstream modern illustration exchange format.
Related Formats
- EPS
- PDF-VECTOR
- SVG
- METAPOST
Interesting Context
Xfig began in 1985 and accumulated decades of maintenance and export tooling, which made the .fig format a durable bridge between interactive diagram editing on Unix systems and downstream conversion to PostScript, PDF, and other outputs.
Unix/Linux X11 desktop scientific and academic drawing ecosystem: Xfig, Jfig (Java port), and fig2dev for format conversion.
Still used in some academic/scientific publications for technical figure production.
Status: legacy. Introduced: 1985. Invented by: Supoj Sutanthavibul. Stewarded by: Xfig open-source project.
How Xfig fits into workflows
Workflow role: Xfig
Technical diagrams and figures in Unix academic workflows, legacy Xfig drawing migration, and scientific publication figure production on Unix.
History of Xfig
Format history: Xfig
Xfig began in 1985 and accumulated decades of maintenance and export tooling, which made the .fig format a durable bridge between interactive diagram editing on Unix systems and downstream conversion to PostScript, PDF, and other outputs.
Original problem: Users of X Window System drawing tools needed a native format that preserved editable objects, layout, colors, splines, text, and compound structures for later modification instead of flattening every diagram to a final rendered output.
Why Xfig still matters
Current role: Xfig
XFIG matters because Unix drawing workflows needed a native editable interchange format for interactive technical diagrams, flowcharts, annotations, and mixed vector/text drawings that could later be exported into print and publishing targets.
Modern role: XFIG now appears mostly in legacy engineering, academic, and Unix documentation workflows, plus preservation or conversion tasks where old .fig diagrams still need to be edited or exported.
When to use Xfig
- illustration
- diagramming
- brand asset delivery
Advantages of Xfig
- Preserves object-level editability for technical diagrams.
- Historically strong export path through fig2dev into print and document workflows.
- Useful for legacy Unix diagram archives and conversions.
Limitations of Xfig
- Closely tied to the Xfig ecosystem and long-tail compatibility workflows.
- Not a mainstream modern illustration exchange format.
Formats related to Xfig
Xfig technical profile
| Feature | Fact sheet |
|---|---|
| Category | vector |
| Extensions | .fig |
| MIME types | application/x-xfig |
| Created year | 1985 |
| Inventor | Supoj Sutanthavibul |
| Status | legacy |
| vector_graphics | True |
| x11_native | True |
| ascii_format | True |
| supports_transparency | False |
| supports_animation | False |
| supports_layers | False |
| supports_vector_scaling | True |
| supports_reflowable_text | False |
| supports_multitrack | False |
| camera_raw | False |
| hdr_capable | False |
| structured_data_capable | True |
| streaming_ready | False |
| sources | {'url': 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xfig', 'title': 'Xfig', 'relevance': 'Application overview', 'source_type': 'reference'}, {'url': 'https://mcj.sourceforge.net/', 'title': 'Xfig official', 'relevance': 'Official project', 'source_type': 'official'} |
Xfig quality and compatibility
Format profile: Xfig
Size profile: small. Quality profile: scalable. Editability profile: high. Compatibility profile: moderate. Archival profile: good. Metadata profile: moderate. Delivery profile: strong. Workflow profile: design. Status: legacy.
Notable capabilities: vector scaling, structured data.
Software that opens Xfig
- xfig
- fig2dev
- pstoedit
- gnuplot export workflows
Conversion options
FAQs
Q: What is Xfig typically used for?
A:
Xfig is commonly used for illustration, diagramming, brand asset delivery.
Q: What are the advantages of Xfig?
A:
Xfig is broadly compatible across common software.
Q: What should I watch out for when converting Xfig?
A:
Check output quality and compatibility on representative sample files.
Sources
Application overview
Official project