AFF to XBM Converter

Free AFF to XBM — X11 bitmap conversion online

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X11 Native

AFF to XBM conversion produces X Window bitmap images — plain-text C data arrays usable directly in X11 applications.

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Conversion runs on Convertio infrastructure. No local resources needed — upload and download, that is all.

No Barriers

Open and use the converter immediately. No registration, no downloads, no system requirements beyond a browser.

How to convert AFF to XBM

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose xbm or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your xbm file right afterwards

About formats

AFF (Acorn Draw) is a vector graphics file format native to Acorn Computers' RISC OS operating system, introduced with the Draw application bundled in RISC OS 2 in April 1989. The Draw application shipped as a standard component of every RISC OS installation, providing users with a capable vector illustration tool at no additional cost. AFF files store vector objects as a sequence of tagged data blocks, each containing object type, bounding box, and type-specific data — supported objects include paths with straight lines and Bezier curves, text objects with font references, sprite (bitmap) objects, groups, and tagged objects for application-specific extensions. Path objects use cubic Bezier curves with move, line, and curve elements, supporting variable line widths, join styles, dash patterns, and flat color fills. The coordinate system uses RISC OS draw units at 1/180 inch resolution, providing precision for both screen display and print output. One advantage is the straightforward binary structure — the tagged block architecture makes AFF files simple to parse and generate programmatically. Native operating system integration is another strength: RISC OS renders Draw files natively in its desktop environment, treating vector graphics as first-class objects alongside bitmaps. While Acorn Computers ceased operations in the late 1990s, RISC OS continues under active open-source development, and AFF files remain supported through the platform's drawing applications and conversion utilities.
Developer: Acorn Computers
Initial release: 1989
XBM (X BitMap) is a monochrome (1-bit) image format defined as part of the X Window System, originating at MIT around 1987. XBM files are unique among image formats in being valid C source code: each file defines the image as a static array of unsigned char values containing the packed pixel data, preceded by #define statements specifying the image width, height, and optional hot-spot coordinates (for cursor images). The pixel data is stored in hexadecimal byte values within curly braces, with each bit representing one pixel (1 = foreground, 0 = background) and bits ordered LSB-first within each byte. This design was intentional — XBM images could be #included directly into X Window application source code and compiled into the binary, eliminating the need for external file loading and runtime format parsing. The format was used throughout the X11 ecosystem for cursor shapes, window icons, toolbar buttons, and other small UI elements. One advantage is the source-code nature of the format: XBM files can be edited with a text editor, diff'd and merged in version control, generated by shell scripts, and compiled directly into C programs without any image loading library — a level of toolchain integration that no binary image format can match. The format's role as part of the X Window standard ensures it is understood by every X11-aware toolkit and application. While limited to monochrome and no compression, XBM's simplicity makes it an excellent teaching format for understanding bitmap representations. XBM files are supported by all X11 applications, ImageMagick, GIMP, web browsers (as a legacy web format), and programming environments.
Developer: MIT X Consortium
Initial release: 1987

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert AFF to XBM?

AFF is unreadable without Acorn Draw. XBM is a plain-text C-language bitmap used in X11 applications — converting makes your art usable in X Window environments.

What opens XBM files?

X11 bitmap editors, web browsers (for inline display), GIMP, ImageMagick, and any text editor (XBM is human-readable C code).

Is XBM monochrome?

Yes — XBM is a one-bit monochrome format. Your AFF artwork will be reduced to black and white pixels.

Is it free?

Completely free. No registration, no payment — premium plans are optional.

Can I use the result in web pages?

XBM can be displayed inline in some contexts, but modern formats like PNG or SVG are more practical for web use.