CDT to PICON Converter

Browser-based CDT to PICON conversion — no signup

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Visual Fidelity

Your CDT template converts to PICON seamlessly — Convertio bridges CorelDRAW content to accessible personal icon output.

Safe Conversion

Privacy comes first — CDT files are erased right after processing, and converted outputs are removed within 24 hours.

Instant Processing

Cloud-powered processing delivers results in moments — no waiting, no local CPU or memory usage.

How to convert CDT to PICON

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

CDT (CorelDRAW Template) is a template file format used by CorelDRAW, Corel Corporation's vector graphics editor available since January 1989. A CDT file is structurally identical to a standard CDR document — sharing the same RIFF-based container, vector object types, color definitions, and page layout capabilities — but is designated as a reusable starting point for new designs rather than a finished artwork file. When opened in CorelDRAW, a CDT creates a new untitled document pre-populated with the template's content, leaving the original template unchanged for repeated use. This workflow mirrors the template model found in office productivity suites, adapted for graphic design. CDT files commonly contain pre-built layouts for business cards, brochures, letterheads, certificates, posters, and other standardized print materials, complete with placeholder text, guide lines, bleed areas, and properly configured color spaces for print output. One advantage is workflow consistency — design teams can distribute branded templates ensuring every new document starts with correct dimensions, margins, fonts, and color palettes aligned to corporate identity standards. The format also saves significant setup time: rather than configuring document properties and recreating layout elements from scratch, designers begin with a production-ready foundation. Corel ships hundreds of CDT templates with CorelDRAW installations, and the format is supported across CorelDRAW versions with the same compatibility considerations as CDR.
Developer: Corel Corporation
Initial release: 1989
PICON (Personal Icon) is a small-format image type used in the X Window System ecosystem, developed by Steve Kinzler at Indiana University around 1990 as part of the picons (personal icons) database project. Picons are small, typically 48x48 pixel, color images used as visual identifiers for people, organizations, domains, and Usenet newsgroups in Unix mail readers, news readers, and other communication tools. The picon format is essentially an XPM (X PixMap) image stored with specific naming conventions and directory structures that allow software to look up the appropriate icon based on email address, domain name, or newsgroup name. The picons database organized thousands of these small images in a hierarchical directory structure keyed by domain name components (e.g., faces/com/example/user.xpm), enabling mail clients like exmstrstrstr and faces to automatically display a sender's photo or organizational logo alongside their messages. The system predated the modern concept of contact photos and avatars by more than a decade. One advantage is the system's pioneering role in visual identity for electronic communication: picons introduced the idea that email and Usenet messages should display a visual representation of the sender — a concept that eventually became standard in every modern email client, messaging app, and social media platform. The XPM-based format ensures that picons are displayable on any system with X Window libraries. Picon images are supported by ImageMagick, GIMP, and X Window display utilities, and the historical picons database remains archived online at Indiana University.
Developer: Steve Kinzler
Initial release: 1990

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert CDT to PICON?

Converting CDT to PICON turns a proprietary CorelDRAW template into a portable image anyone can view and use instantly.

What software reads PICON files?

PICON files open in ImageMagick viewers and X Window System tools — they are small icon-sized images.

Is the CDT to PICON tool free to use?

Absolutely. Standard conversions cost nothing. Upgrade to a premium plan for extended limits and batch features.

Does CDT to PICON take long?

Not at all — server-side processing delivers your converted file in seconds regardless of device performance.

Are my files safe during conversion?

Absolutely. Source CDT files are erased after conversion, and results are automatically removed within 24 hours.

Does this converter work on Mac?

It works on any platform — macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Just open a browser and start converting.