PWP to SK Converter

PWP to SK conversion online — easy and fast

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Complete Image Extraction

The converter decodes the proprietary PWP format to extract the full image — all the detail Seattle FilmWorks originally processed.

Safe File Handling

Uploaded PWP images are deleted right after processing. Converted outputs are automatically cleaned up within 24 hours.

Just a Browser Needed

No obscure 1990s software required. Open any modern browser and convert PWP files from Seattle FilmWorks instantly.

How to convert PWP to SK

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

PWP is a proprietary image format used by Seattle FilmWorks (later renamed PhotoWorks) for their internet-based photo delivery service in the mid-to-late 1990s. When customers mailed film rolls to Seattle FilmWorks for developing, the company offered a Pictures Online service that let users download their scanned photos through a dial-up internet connection. PWP files were the format used for these online downloads, containing JPEG-compressed image data wrapped in a proprietary container with additional metadata for the PhotoWorks viewing software. The format was intentionally tied to Seattle FilmWorks' proprietary desktop viewer application (PhotoMail), which customers needed to install to view and manage their downloaded photos. PWP represented one of the earliest attempts at digital photo delivery — bridging the gap between traditional film processing and the emerging internet, at a time when most consumers had no other way to get digital copies of their photographs. One advantage of the PWP format's historical context is that it preserves scanned film images from a transitional era when few consumers owned digital cameras or scanners, making PWP files potentially the only digital record of photographs from that period. The format's JPEG-based internal structure is another practical consideration: despite the proprietary wrapper, the underlying image data uses standard JPEG compression, and tools like ImageMagick, XnView, and dedicated PWP converters can extract the images for viewing in any modern application.
Developer: Seattle FilmWorks
Initial release: 1994
SK is the native file format of Skencil (originally named Sketch), a free vector graphics editor for Linux created by Bernhard Herzog, with the first public release on October 31, 1998. Skencil holds historical significance as one of the earliest full-featured vector drawing applications written almost entirely in Python, with only performance-critical rendering components implemented in C. The SK file format uses a text-based, Python-like syntax to describe document structure — pages, layers, groups, and individual graphic objects are represented as nested statements with parameters specifying coordinates, colors, line styles, and transformations. The format supports Bezier curves, rectangles, ellipses, text objects with font specifications, imported raster images, gradient and pattern fills, and hierarchical grouping with affine transforms. One advantage is human readability — SK files can be opened in any text editor, making it possible to inspect, modify, or generate artwork programmatically using simple scripts. The Python-native structure also provides a benefit for automation: since Skencil itself is a Python application, the file format integrates naturally with scripting workflows for batch processing and procedural graphic generation. While Skencil's development slowed after the mid-2000s, its SK format became the foundation for the sK1 project, which extended the format and continued active open-source vector graphics development. SK files remain convertible through sK1, UniConvertor, and other open-source tools.
Developer: Bernhard Herzog
Initial release: October 31, 1998

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert PWP to SK?

PWP is an extinct proprietary format. Converting to SK is likely your only way to view photos that were mailed to you on floppies in the 1990s.

What opens SK?

Skencil (formerly Sketch), and vector editors with import support, open SK format files.

Is the SK output scalable?

SK is a vector format, so the output can be scaled without pixelation. The tracing quality depends on the original PWP image detail.

Can I convert PWP to SK on my phone?

Absolutely. The converter works in any mobile browser — iOS Safari, Android Chrome, or any other. No app installation necessary.

Is it free to convert PWP to SK?

Basic PWP to SK conversions are free. Paid plans unlock priority processing and expanded capabilities for heavy users.