XC to XPM Converter

XC to XPM conversion — online, no install needed

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Private & Secure

Uploaded XC data is purged right after processing. Converted XPM files are erased from servers within 24 hours.

Cloud-Powered Processing

Server-side processing means your computer stays responsive. The XC to XPM conversion happens entirely in the cloud.

Fully Browser-Based

No software to install, no plugins required. Open Convertio in any browser and convert XC to XPM immediately.

How to convert XC to XPM

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

XC (X window Color) is a procedural pseudo-format built into ImageMagick, the open-source image processing suite originally created by John Cristy at DuPont and first released on August 1, 1990. Rather than reading pixel data from a file, the XC format generates a solid-color canvas of specified dimensions, filled with a single uniform color value. The color can be specified using any of ImageMagick's supported color specification methods: named X11 colors (red, dodgerblue, linen), hex triplets (#FF6600), RGB/RGBA functional notation (rgb(255,102,0)), HSL, CMYK, or any other supported color space representation. XC canvases are created through ImageMagick's command-line interface using the special colon syntax (e.g., convert -size 800x600 xc:navy output.png) and serve as foundational building blocks in ImageMagick's compositing and image construction workflows. Common uses include creating background layers for compositing operations, generating masks and mattes of specific colors, initializing canvases for drawing operations, producing test images for pipeline validation, and creating placeholder images for web and application development. One advantage is workflow integration: XC canvases feed directly into ImageMagick's processing pipeline, enabling operations like gradient overlays, text rendering onto colored backgrounds, or template generation without requiring any input file. The pseudo-format's support for ImageMagick's complete color specification system is another strength — any color expressible in any supported color space can be used, including semi-transparent colors via RGBA notation, making XC a versatile primitive for programmatic image construction.
Initial release: 1990
XPM (X PixMap) is a color image format for the X Window System, developed by Arnaud Le Hors at GROUPE BULL beginning in 1989 as the color successor to the monochrome XBM format. Like XBM, XPM files are valid C source code — each file defines the image as a static array of character strings, where the header strings specify width, height, number of colors, and characters per pixel, the color definition strings map character codes to color values (supporting X11 color names, hexadecimal RGB, and symbolic color types like 'background' and 'foreground'), and the pixel strings encode each row as a sequence of character codes that index the color palette. This ASCII art representation makes XPM images human-readable: one can often see the image content directly in the text of the source file. The format went through three revisions: XPM1 (1989, compatible with X10), XPM2 (simplified syntax), and XPM3 (1991, the current version with the static char* syntax and extended color specification). XPM was the standard format for X Window application icons, splash screens, pixmap buttons, and themed UI elements throughout the 1990s and 2000s. One advantage is the combined benefits of being a valid C source file and a color image: XPM files can be compiled into applications, edited in any text editor, processed by text tools, and version-controlled, while supporting up to 256 colors with transparency (using the 'None' color keyword). The X11 ecosystem's reliance on XPM ensures broad tool support. XPM files are handled by all X11 toolkits, ImageMagick, GIMP, and web browsers (legacy support).
Initial release: 1989

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert XC to XPM?

XC data from creating backgrounds and test patterns becomes universally viewable once converted to XPM format.

How do I open XPM files?

Open XPM files with X Window apps, GIMP, text editors. Most operating systems handle XPM natively or with built-in viewers.

Can I use this converter on any operating system?

The tool is browser-based and works on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and mobile platforms — no OS-specific software needed.

What quality can I expect from XPM output?

Expect solid results — XPM delivers color X11 icon in ASCII format, and the converter maximizes output fidelity.

How long does XC to XPM conversion take?

Seconds for most files. Convertio processes XC data on powerful servers, so even bigger files convert quickly.

Is XC to XPM conversion accurate?

Yes — the conversion engine renders XC content precisely into XPM format, retaining visual accuracy throughout.