.EXR File Extension

OpenEXR Image

Developer	Academy Software Foundation
Popularity	Average rating 3.8 / 5. Vote count: 40
Category	Raster Image Files
Format	.EXR
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an EXR file?

The .EXR file extension refers to OpenEXR, which is an image file format developed by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in 1999. It is designed for high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) and is widely used in visual effects, animation, and film industries due to its ability to store high-quality images with a wide range of colors and brightness.

More Information.

OpenEXR was initially created by ILM for use in their computer graphics productions, particularly in film visual effects. It was released as an open-source project in 2003, allowing broader adoption across various industries beyond ILM’s proprietary usage.

Origin Of This File.

OpenEXR was developed by ILM to address the limitations of existing image formats in handling high dynamic range and wide color gamut images used in computer graphics and digital compositing.

File Structure Technical Specification.

Compression: OpenEXR files can be stored with various compression methods such as lossless or lossy compression.
Channels: Supports multiple channels including RGBA color channels, depth, and arbitrary data channels.
Metadata: Allows embedding of metadata such as color space information and image description.
Floating Point Precision: Capable of storing images with high precision floating-point data, enabling preservation of subtle details in highlights and shadows.

How to Convert the File?

Windows:

Adobe Photoshop:
- Open Adobe Photoshop.
- Go to File > Open, select your .EXR file.
- Optionally, go to File > Save As and choose a different format (e.g., PNG, JPEG).
GIMP:
- Open GIMP.
- Go to File > Open, select your .EXR file.
- Go to File > Export As and choose the desired format (e.g., PNG, JPEG).
Online Converters:
- Use online services like Convertio or Zamzar to convert .EXR files to other formats.
- Upload your .EXR file, select the output format, and download the converted file.

Linux:

GIMP:
- Open GIMP.
- Go to File > Open, select your .EXR file.
- Go to File > Export As and choose the desired format (e.g., PNG, JPEG).
Command Line Tools:
- Install imagemagick package (sudo apt-get install imagemagick).
- Use convert command to convert .EXR to other formats (e.g., convert input.exr output.png).
Online Converters:
- Similar to Windows, use online services that support Linux to convert .EXR files.

macOS:

Adobe Photoshop:
- Open Adobe Photoshop.
- Go to File > Open, select your .EXR file.
- Optionally, go to File > Save As and choose a different format (e.g., PNG, JPEG).
GIMP:
- Open GIMP.
- Go to File > Open, select your .EXR file.
- Go to File > Export As and choose the desired format (e.g., PNG, JPEG).
Preview (with Plugins):
- Install OpenEXR plugin for Preview (if not installed).
- Open .EXR file in Preview and export to desired format.

Android:

OpenEXR Viewer App:
- Install an OpenEXR viewer app from the Google Play Store (e.g., OpenEXR Viewer).
- Open your .EXR file using the app.
- Some apps may allow exporting to other image formats directly from within the app.

iOS:

OpenEXR Viewer App:
- Install an OpenEXR viewer app from the App Store (e.g., OpenEXR Viewer).
- Open your .EXR file using the app.
- Some apps may allow exporting to other image formats directly from within the app.

Others:

Online Converters:
- Use online services that support a wide range of platforms and browsers to convert .EXR files.
- Upload your .EXR file, select the output format, and download the converted file.
Specialized Software:
- Some specialized software tools for image processing and conversion may support .EXR files and offer conversion to other formats specific to certain industries or applications.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

Excellent support for high dynamic range images.
Flexible and extensible with support for multiple channels and metadata.
Lossless and lossy compression options available.
Widely used in professional graphics and visual effects industries.

Disadvantages:

Larger file sizes compared to standard image formats due to high precision data.
Compatibility issues with some older software that do not support the OpenEXR format.