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XCF to AW Converter

Convert XCF to AW — free online document tool

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Batch Convert

Have multiple XCF files? Upload them all at once and convert the entire batch to AW in a single session — saves significant time.

Browser-Based

No software to download or install. The entire XCF to AW conversion runs in your web browser — open the page and start converting.

Secure Processing

Your XCF files are deleted immediately after conversion. AW outputs are removed from servers within 24 hours — your images stay private.

How to convert XCF to AW

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

XCF (eXperimental Computing Facility) is the native file format of GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), named after the computing facility at UC Berkeley where Spencer Kimball and Peter Mattis originally developed GIMP as a student project, with the format introduced alongside GIMP 1.0 in 1998. XCF stores the complete editing state of a GIMP project: all layers with their positions, dimensions, opacity, and blending modes; layer masks; channels (including custom alpha channels); paths (vector shapes stored as Bezier curves); parasites (arbitrary named data attached to the image or individual layers); and the image's color profile, resolution, guides, and grid settings. The format supports 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit floating-point precision per channel in RGB, grayscale, and indexed color modes, and uses a tile-based internal structure where the image is divided into 64x64 pixel tiles that are individually RLE-compressed. Each layer in an XCF file is stored independently with its own dimensions (layers can be larger or smaller than the canvas), enabling non-destructive editing workflows where source material is preserved at full resolution. One advantage is complete state preservation: XCF files save everything needed to resume editing exactly where you left off — every layer, mask, path, and setting — making them the essential working format for any multi-session GIMP project. The format's open specification is another strength: the XCF structure is fully documented and readable by GIMP, XnView, ImageMagick, and various programming libraries, ensuring project files remain accessible without vendor lock-in.
Initial release: 1998
AW is the document format of Applix Words, the word processor component of the Applix office suite (later renamed Anyware Office) developed by Applix, Inc. for Unix and Linux workstations. The suite targeted enterprise Unix environments during the 1990s, providing word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and presentation capabilities on platforms like Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, and Linux where Microsoft Office was unavailable. AW files store formatted text documents with support for character and paragraph styling, page layout, tables, headers and footers, and embedded graphics. The format uses a proprietary binary structure optimized for the Applix application's internal document model. Applix Words gained particular visibility in the Linux community during the late 1990s when it was bundled with several commercial Linux distributions as their default word processor before OpenOffice.org became widely available. One advantage was native Unix platform support — Applix provided professional word processing capabilities on Unix workstations at a time when few commercial alternatives existed. The format's tight integration with other Applix suite components enabled cross-referencing between word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Applix was acquired by Cognos in 2003, and the office suite was discontinued. AW files are primarily encountered today in archived documents from Unix enterprise environments of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Developer: Applix, Inc.
Initial release: 1992

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert XCF to AW?

XCF stores layers and channels that only GIMP understands. Converting to AW flattens the project into a format any viewer can display.

What software opens AW?

Applix Words and legacy Applix office suite. LibreOffice can import some AW files.

Does this work on my phone?

Yes — the Convertio converter runs in any mobile browser. Upload your XCF file, pick AW, and download the result directly on your phone.

Where can I upload XCF files from?

You can upload from your local device, Google Drive, Dropbox, or paste a direct URL. Convertio pulls the XCF file from any of these sources.

Is XCF to AW conversion free?

Standard conversions are free on Convertio. Premium plans provide additional benefits for users who need to process larger volumes regularly.

Is the conversion fast?

Yes — XCF to AW conversion on Convertio runs on cloud servers and completes in seconds for typical image files.