Xcf file specification

Though still a work in progress, the GIMP project happily added it to the official documentation. XCF files. But there are lessons to be learned from the entire adventure. First, publicly documenting data structures and file formats is of paramount importance even when you disagree with it, and even when you have a logical rationale to back your position.

But none of those reasons vacate the requirements of outside developers. Reading and writing. XCF files is a necessity for some apps, even when it means additional headaches.

You cannot predict the requirements and prerequisites of other software projects present and future , therefore no rationale for skipping the documentation is complete. There may seem to be no consequences to leaving it undone, but the consequences will arise. A second lesson is that — at least when it comes to free software — technical decisions have political repercussions.

This may be different in the proprietary software world, but the landscape of free software is one where every player regards himself as on equal footing with all others, and feels entitled to equal treatment. The row that cropped up during the OpenRaster discussion was only the most recent flare-up of a recurring misunderstanding. Email when done? Drop your files to convert them. File Size Warning.

You are attempting to upload a file that exceeds our 50MB free limit. No, thanks Continue uploading file. Files to Convert. File Name File Size Progress. XCF Image File extension. The XCF file format is backward compatible all versions of GIMP can open earlier versions' files and in some cases, forward compatible.

Target is full support of all important filters in roadmap in Version 3. PICT is a graphics file format introduced on the original Apple Macintosh computer as its standard metafile format. It allows the interchange of graphics, and some limited text support, between Mac applications, and was the native graphics format of QuickDraw. A GIS file format is a standard of encoding geographical information into a computer file.

They are created mainly by government mapping agencies or by GIS software developers. Corel Photo-Paint is a raster graphics editor developed and marketed by Corel since Corel markets the software for Windows and Mac OS operating systems, previously having marketed versions for Linux. Its primary market competitor is Adobe Photoshop. In computer graphics, graphics software refers to a program or collection of programs that enable a person to manipulate images or models visually on a computer.

A number of vector graphics editors exist for various platforms. Potential users of these editors will make a comparison of vector graphics editors based on factors such as the availability for the user's platform, the software license, the feature set, the merits of the user interface UI and the focus of the program.

Some programs are more suitable for artistic work while others are better for technical drawings. Another important factor is the application's support of various vector and bitmap image formats for import and export.

Image file formats are standardized means of organizing and storing digital images. An image file format may store data in an uncompressed format, a compressed format, or a vector format. Image files are composed of digital data in one of these formats so that the data can be rasterized for use on a computer display or printer. Rasterization converts the image data into a grid of pixels. Each pixel has a number of bits to designate its color.

Rasterizing an image file for a specific device takes into account the number of bits per pixel that the device is designed to handle.

It includes layers and alpha channel support, gradients and transparency effects, anti-aliased brushes, tablet support and plug-in filters. OpenRaster is a file format proposed for the common exchange of layered images between raster graphics editors.

It is meant as a replacement for later versions of the Adobe PSD format. OpenRaster is still in development and so far is supported by a few programs. The default file extension for OpenRaster files is ".