CMX to PCD Converter

CMX to PCD online — Photo CD image format free

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Multi-Resolution

PCD stores images at multiple resolutions. CMX to PCD conversion gives you flexible output for different display and print needs.

Data Privacy

CMX uploads are deleted after processing. PCD results are removed within 24 hours — your files remain confidential.

No Software Required

Convert CMX to PCD without installing anything. Just open Convertio in your browser and upload the file.

How to convert CMX to PCD

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

CMX (Corel Presentation Exchange) is a vector graphics exchange format developed by Corel Corporation, introduced with CorelDRAW 5 in September 1994. Designed as a cross-application interchange format within the Corel product suite, CMX stores vector objects, text, bitmaps, and rendering attributes in a structure accessible to CorelDRAW, Corel PHOTO-PAINT, Corel Presentations, and other Corel applications without requiring each program to understand the full CDR native format. The format uses a chunk-based architecture that encodes geometric primitives, fill patterns, outline properties, and color definitions in a standardized way, supporting both 16-bit and 32-bit variants. CMX gained significance beyond the Corel ecosystem through its adoption by third-party applications and its role in clipart distribution — many vector art collections from the mid-to-late 1990s shipped in CMX format. One advantage is interoperability within design workflows: CMX provided a practical bridge for moving vector content between different Corel applications while preserving visual fidelity, gradients, and transparency attributes. The format's inclusion of both vector and bitmap data within a single file is another strength, allowing complex mixed-media illustrations to be exchanged as self-contained units. Microsoft also added CMX import support to some Office applications, expanding the format's reach. While modern Corel applications primarily use CDR for native work and export to SVG, PDF, or EPS for interchange, CMX files from the CorelDRAW era remain widely encountered in legacy asset libraries.
Developer: Corel Corporation
Initial release: 1994
PCD (Photo CD) is a proprietary image format developed by Eastman Kodak in partnership with Philips, launched in 1992 as a system for transferring 35mm film photographs to compact discs for digital viewing and printing. Each PCD file stores a single photograph at five different resolutions in a hierarchical structure called an Image Pac: Base/16 (192x128), Base/4 (384x256), Base (768x512), 4Base (1536x1024), and 16Base (3072x2048), with optional 64Base (6144x4096) on Pro Photo CD discs. Images are stored in Kodak's proprietary YCC color space (a variant of CIE Lab via the Photo YCC color model), which captures a wider gamut than sRGB, at 8 bits per component in the luminance channel and subsampled chrominance. The multi-resolution pyramid is encoded using a progressive scheme: the Base image is stored directly, and each higher resolution is stored as a residual (difference) that refines the upscaled previous level, keeping the total file size manageable. One advantage is the exceptional scan quality: Photo CD scans were performed on Kodak's professional PIW (Photo Imaging Workstation) scanners by trained operators, producing consistently excellent results from 35mm negatives and slides — often better than what contemporary consumer flatbed scanners could achieve. The multi-resolution structure is another notable feature: a single PCD file serves needs from thumbnail browsing to high-resolution printing without separate file versions. PCD files can be read by Adobe Photoshop, ImageMagick, GIMP (via plugin), IrfanView, and XnView, ensuring continued access to the millions of Photo CD images created during the format's commercial peak in the 1990s.
Developer: Eastman Kodak
Initial release: 1992

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert CMX to PCD?

PCD is Kodak Photo CD format with multi-resolution storage. Converting CMX to PCD produces images in a format used for high-quality photo archival.

What opens PCD files?

IrfanView, XnView, Adobe Photoshop, and GIMP can open PCD files. Some dedicated photo archival tools also support the format.

Does PCD support multiple resolutions?

Yes — PCD stores images at multiple resolutions in a single file, allowing quick access at different sizes without separate files.

Is the conversion free?

Basic CMX to PCD conversion is free on Convertio. Premium plans offer additional capacity and faster processing.

How long does it take?

Most conversions complete within seconds. Cloud servers process your CMX file efficiently regardless of its complexity.