How to Convert Graphics File Formats

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There are quite a number of different graphics file formats in use. This page explains which software to use for some of the most common conversions. Links to the software mentioned can also be found in the software list on the previous page.

• Single graphics files: most image editors and viewers can read a graphics file in one format and save it in another. Some programs to check out are: IrfanView (a free viewer and converter), ImageForge (a free graphics editor), or Paintshop Pro (shareware, free test version). Unix users can use the 'mogrify' command that is included with ImageMagick (free).


• Multiple graphics files at once: this is also referred to as batch conversion. Not all image editors and viewers can automatically convert a group of graphics files in one format and save all of them in another format with one command. The following programs do have this capability: IrfanView (free), and Paintshop Pro (shareware, free test version). Use the File - Batch Conversion command to do this. Unix users can use the 'mogrify' command that is included with ImageMagick (free).


• Multiple TIF files to GIF: this is needed when one wants to create a GIF animation using the Gif Construction Set Professional (shareware, free test version) from a group of TIF files. As stated above, not all image editors and viewers can automatically convert a group of graphics files in one format and save all of them in another format with one command. The following programs do have this capability: IrfanView (free), and Paintshop Pro (shareware, free test version). Use the File - Batch Conversion command to do this. Unix users can use the 'mogrify' command that is included with ImageMagick (free). All of these can convert a group of TIF files into GIF files.


• Vector Postscript to Bitmap: Use the Windows version of GSView. First open the Postscript file. Next, select File - Print. Under Device, select 'bmp16m' and under resolution select '300' or a lower number. Finally select 'print to file' and click OK. The vector postscript file will be printed to a Bitmap file.


• Postscript to PDF: The full blown commercial version of Adobe Acrobat can convert postscript files to Adobe's portable document format (PDF).

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