RLA to JPS Converter

Export 3D render data to compressed JPS online

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Legacy VFX Recovery

Breathe new life into archived Wavefront RLA renders by converting them to JPS — viewable in any modern image application.

No Install Required

The entire RLA to JPS conversion runs in your browser. No desktop software, no plugins — just upload and convert.

Multi-File Processing

Queue several RLA files at once and convert them all to JPS simultaneously. Batch mode streamlines repetitive conversion work.

How to convert RLA to JPS

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

RLA is a raster image format developed by Wavefront Technologies in the mid-1980s for their Advanced Visualizer 3D rendering software, which ran primarily on Silicon Graphics workstations. RLA files store rendered frames with support for multiple channels beyond standard RGB — including alpha transparency, Z-depth, surface normal vectors, object ID, material ID, and other arbitrary data channels that compositing artists use to manipulate rendered elements without re-rendering. Each scanline is independently compressed using run-length encoding, allowing efficient random access to any row without decompressing the entire image. The format supports 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit floating-point per channel, making it suitable for high-dynamic-range rendering output. RLA was a staple of visual effects production throughout the 1990s, used extensively in film and broadcast VFX pipelines alongside Wavefront's Composer compositing software. The format's successor, RPF (Rich Pixel Format), extended the concept further and was adopted by Autodesk 3ds Max, but RLA remains the earlier standard. One advantage is the multi-channel rendering data: unlike simple RGB image formats, RLA files carry per-pixel depth, normal, and ID passes that enable post-render effects like depth-of-field blur, fog, re-lighting, and object-level color correction without returning to the 3D application. This pipeline efficiency made RLA essential in early visual effects production. The format is recognized by Autodesk tools, Foundry Nuke, ImageMagick, and various legacy compositing applications.
Initial release: 1986
JPS (JPEG Stereo) is a stereoscopic 3D image format that stores a left-eye and right-eye view pair within a single JPEG-compressed file, developed by VRex, Inc. around 1997 for use with stereoscopic displays and viewers. A JPS file is technically a standard JPEG file containing a side-by-side stereo pair — the left and right perspective images are placed horizontally adjacent within a single frame, with the full image width being twice the individual view width. The file uses standard JPEG compression and can be opened by any JPEG-compatible viewer (which will show the side-by-side pair as a single wide image), but stereo-aware applications parse the image into its left and right components for proper 3D presentation. JPS files can be viewed with dedicated stereoscopic software, anaglyph viewers (generating red-cyan images for colored glasses), autostereoscopic displays, VR headsets, and hardware like NVIDIA 3D Vision or passive 3D monitors. The format gained renewed interest with the consumer 3D photography boom of the late 2000s and early 2010s, when cameras like the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1/W3 captured stereo pairs natively. One advantage is backward compatibility: because JPS uses standard JPEG encoding, the files work with existing JPEG infrastructure — they can be transmitted, stored, thumbnailed, and even viewed (as flat side-by-side images) without any special software. The format's simplicity is another practical strength — no specialized container or codec is required, and any tool that can crop and display JPEG images can extract individual views. JPS files are supported by StereoPhoto Maker, ImageMagick, and various 3D photo viewers.
Developer: VRex, Inc.
Initial release: 1997

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert RLA to JPS?

RLA was designed for 1990s VFX pipelines and lacks modern support. Exporting to JPS lets you archive and share those renders universally.

What programs can open JPS?

Stereoscopic viewers, 3D photo apps, and IrfanView (with stereo plugin) display JPS stereo JPEG images for 3D viewing experiences.

Is the conversion from RLA to JPS lossless?

A small amount of data is discarded during lossy JPS encoding. For everyday viewing and sharing, the quality difference is imperceptible.

How quickly can I convert RLA to JPS?

The process is fast — cloud-based processing handles RLA to JPS conversion in seconds for standard-sized images, even on slower connections.

Can I queue several RLA files for conversion?

Yes — upload multiple RLA files in one session and convert them all to JPS simultaneously. Batch processing saves time on repetitive tasks.