XWD to PDB Converter

Convert XWD images to PDB e-book format online

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Batch Processing

Upload multiple XWD files at once and convert them all to PDB in a single session — ideal when you have many legacy images to migrate.

E-Book Conversion

Transform XWD graphics into PDB e-book format — your images become accessible on Kindle, Kobo, and other reading devices.

Privacy Protected

Your XWD files are deleted immediately after conversion to PDB. Converted files are automatically removed from servers within 24 hours.

How to convert XWD to PDB

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

XWD (X Window Dump) is a screen capture image format defined as part of the X Window System by the MIT X Consortium, dating to approximately 1987. The xwd command-line utility captures the contents of an X window or the entire screen and saves it as an XWD file — functionally equivalent to a screenshot utility but predating the concept by years. XWD files contain a detailed header specifying the X server's visual type, bit depth, byte order, bitmap unit and padding, the window's dimensions, border width, and color map information, followed by the raw pixel data exactly as represented in the X server's framebuffer. This means XWD files faithfully capture the exact pixel representation used by the display hardware — including server-specific byte ordering, padding, and color organization — making them primarily useful on the system where they were captured or on systems with compatible display configurations. The header also stores the window name string and the full color map entries for indexed-color visuals. XWD supports all X11 visual types: StaticGray, GrayScale, StaticColor, PseudoColor, TrueColor, and DirectColor, at any bit depth supported by the X server. One advantage is exact framebuffer fidelity: XWD captures the window's pixel data in its native format without any color space conversion or compression, making it the definitive record of what the X server was actually displaying. The format's integration with the X11 command-line toolkit provides another practical benefit — xwd can capture specific windows by ID or name, be triggered remotely via SSH, and piped directly to format converters. XWD files are handled by ImageMagick, GIMP, xwud (the viewer companion to xwd), and xv.
Developer: MIT X Consortium
Initial release: 1987
PDB (Palm Database) is a generic database container format created by Palm, Inc. for the Palm OS platform, first appearing with the original PalmPilot in March 1996. In the ebook context, PDB files most commonly use the PalmDOC or Plucker encoding to store readable text with basic formatting. The format consists of a 78-byte header identifying the database name, creation date, and record count, followed by a record index table and the data records themselves. PalmDOC-encoded PDB files use a simple LZ77-based compression scheme to pack plain text efficiently, while Plucker extends this with HTML rendering, image support, and hyperlink navigation. PDB ebooks powered a thriving mobile reading ecosystem years before dedicated e-readers existed — millions of Palm OS users carried entire libraries on devices like the Palm V, Tungsten, and Treo handhelds. A primary advantage is extreme simplicity: the flat record structure and minimal overhead mean PDB files parse instantly even on severely constrained hardware with limited memory and processing power. The open, well-documented structure is another strength, having spawned numerous reader applications across Palm OS, Windows, and later mobile platforms. Though the Palm platform is long discontinued, PDB ebooks remain accessible through conversion tools and readers like Calibre, and the format holds historical significance as one of the earliest practical mobile ebook solutions.
Developer: Palm, Inc.
Initial release: March 1996

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I convert XWD to PDB?

PDB (data container used on Palm OS devices) lets you include XWD graphics in e-book collections, accessible on dedicated readers and mobile apps.

How do I open a PDB file?

Software that handles PDB includes Calibre, Palm OS emulators, some e-reader apps — giving you options on every major operating system.

What platforms support this XWD converter?

Since it runs in the browser, any operating system works — desktop or mobile. No platform-specific software is needed to convert XWD to PDB.

Is my XWD file safe when converting online?

Yes — Convertio deletes uploaded files right after conversion. Converted files are removed from servers within 24 hours for complete privacy.

How long does XWD to PDB conversion take?

Most XWD to PDB conversions complete within a few seconds. The lightweight nature of XWD images means fast processing times.

Does converting XWD to PDB affect quality?

Your image content stays intact during conversion. Any differences depend on PDB characteristics — such as color depth or compression method.