XCF to RB Converter

XCF to RB e-book conversion — free and online

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Wide Compatibility

Convert XCF to RB and dozens of other formats. Convertio supports hundreds of conversion directions for maximum flexibility.

No Installation

Everything happens in the browser. Open Convertio, upload your XCF file, and download the RB result — zero setup required.

Batch Convert

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

How to convert XCF to RB

1

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

2

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

3

Let the file convert and you can download your rb 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
RB is the native ebook format of the Rocket eBook, one of the first commercially available dedicated e-reading devices, developed by NuvoMedia and released in October 1998. Founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning — who later co-founded Tesla Motors — NuvoMedia designed the Rocket eBook as a handheld device with a reflective LCD screen, capable of storing approximately ten books in its internal memory. The RB format packages HTML-based content along with embedded images, metadata, and a table of contents into a single binary container optimized for the device's limited hardware. Content was purchased and downloaded through NuvoMedia's RocketLibrarian desktop software. A notable advantage of the format was its early support for bookmarking, annotation, dictionary lookups, and adjustable font sizing — features now standard on modern e-readers but revolutionary in the late 1990s. The Rocket eBook demonstrated viable commercial demand for dedicated reading devices, paving the way for subsequent platforms from Sony, Amazon, and others. NuvoMedia was acquired by Gemstar-TV Guide International in 2000, which discontinued the device line in 2003. While RB files are largely a historical curiosity today, they can be converted to modern formats using ebook management tools, and the format remains significant as a pioneering chapter in the evolution of digital reading.
Developer: NuvoMedia
Initial release: 1998

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert XCF to RB?

XCF is GIMP's native format — converting to RB creates a shareable version that recipients can view without installing GIMP or managing layers.

What software opens RB?

RocketBook devices, Calibre e-book manager, and legacy REB-compatible e-readers.

Will the image quality change?

Image data is transferred faithfully from XCF to RB. The conversion itself does not degrade or enhance the original pixel information.

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.

Do I need to install anything?

No — the entire conversion runs in your web browser. There is nothing to download or install on your computer or phone to convert XCF to RB.

Are my files secure during conversion?

All file transfers use encrypted connections. Uploaded XCF files are deleted after processing, and RB outputs are purged within 24 hours.