PIX to CGM Converter

Turn PIX images into scalable CGM online

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Multiple Files at Once

Need to convert several PIX files to CGM? Upload them all in one session and process them simultaneously for faster results.

Browser-Based Tool

Access the PIX to CGM converter from any modern browser. No extensions or plugins required — the tool runs entirely online.

Private and Secure

Your PIX files are deleted right after conversion, and CGM outputs are erased within 24 hours. Your data remains entirely confidential.

How to convert PIX to CGM

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

PIX is a raster image format originally developed by Alias Research (later Alias|Wavefront, then acquired by Autodesk) in the mid-1980s for use with their 3D animation and modeling software running on Silicon Graphics workstations. The format stores uncompressed 24-bit RGB image data in a straightforward scanline-by-scanline layout preceded by a minimal header containing the image width and height. PIX was the native output format of Alias's rendering engines, used to store individual frames of 3D animations and rendered stills from software that would eventually evolve into Maya, one of the most influential 3D content creation tools in entertainment history. The format's design reflected the priorities of high-end production rendering: raw speed for writing individual frames during batch renders, exact pixel fidelity with no compression artifacts, and compatibility with the hardware framebuffers used in professional compositing suites of the era. One advantage of PIX is its rendering pipeline heritage — the format can be read by tools throughout the VFX and animation industry, and legacy PIX sequences from Alias-era productions represent irreplaceable primary assets from foundational works in computer animation. The format's simplicity provides another practical benefit: with no compression overhead, metadata complexity, or container parsing required, PIX files can be read and written with minimal code, making them trivial to incorporate into custom rendering and compositing pipelines. PIX files are supported by ImageMagick, GIMP, XnView, and various professional compositing tools.
Developer: Alias Research
Initial release: 1985
CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile) is a vector graphics standard defined by ISO 8632, first published in 1987 and developed through the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 24 committee. The standard defines a device-independent format for storing and transferring two-dimensional vector graphics, raster images, and text. CGM supports three encoding methods: character encoding (compact text representation), binary encoding (efficient machine-readable form), and clear-text encoding (human-readable for debugging). The format describes graphical primitives including polylines, polygons, ellipses, circular arcs, splines, and text with associated attributes for color, line style, fill patterns, and clipping boundaries. CGM found its strongest adoption in technical documentation, particularly in aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors where long-term archival and precise technical illustration are critical. One advantage is formal standardization — as an ISO standard, CGM provides vendor-neutral, specification-driven interoperability guaranteed across compliant implementations. The format's adoption in specialized industries is another practical strength: WebCGM, a W3C profile of CGM, became the mandated illustration format for interactive electronic technical manuals in the aerospace industry (ATA iSpec 2200), ensuring CGM's continued relevance in aviation maintenance documentation. While general-purpose vector work has moved to SVG and PDF, CGM persists in regulated industries where certified, standards-based graphics interchange is mandatory.
Initial release: 1987

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert PIX to CGM?

Exporting PIX to CGM creates scalable vector output you can resize without quality loss — ideal for print, web, and design work.

What programs open CGM files?

Open CGM files in vector editors like Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, or CorelDRAW. Web browsers also render SVG files if applicable.

What makes PIX files historically important?

PIX images come from Alias PowerAnimator, the software behind groundbreaking CGI in early blockbuster films. They represent a pivotal era in VFX.

Can I convert multiple PIX files at once?

Yes — upload several PIX files in a single session and convert them all to CGM simultaneously. Batch processing saves considerable time.

Is my PIX data kept private?

Uploaded files are deleted immediately after conversion, and converted files are removed within 24 hours. Your data stays private and secure.