.XBM File Extension

X BitMap Graphic

Developer	N/A
Popularity	Average rating 3.7 / 5. Vote count: 15
Category	Raster Image Files
Format	.XBM
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an XBM file?

.XBM files, or X BitMap Graphic files, are a type of plain text file used to store bitmap images. They are primarily associated with the X Window System, a graphical windowing system used on Unix-like operating systems. These files are used to represent monochrome bitmaps, meaning each pixel can be either black or white.

More Information.

The initial purpose of the .XBM file format was to provide a simple way to define and use bitmap images within the X Window System. The text-based nature of the format made it convenient for embedding directly in source code, allowing developers to easily define and modify graphical elements.

Origin Of This File.

The .XBM file format was developed as part of the X Window System, which originated in the mid-1980s. It was created to facilitate the storage and manipulation of simple bitmap images in a text-based format, making it easy to include in C source code.

File Structure Technical Specification.

.XBM files are plain text files containing C source code. They define bitmaps using a series of macros and arrays. Each .XBM file starts with a few preprocessor directives and then defines the bitmap width, height, and pixel data. The pixel data is stored in an array of hexadecimal values.

How to Convert the File?

Windows

Using GIMP:

Download and install GIMP: GIMP Official Website.
Open the .XBM file:
- Open GIMP.
- Go to File > Open... and select your .XBM file.
Convert and save the file:
- After the file is loaded, go to File > Export As....
- Choose the desired format (e.g., PNG, JPEG) and click Export.

Using IrfanView:

Download and install IrfanView: IrfanView Official Website.
Open the .XBM file:
- Open IrfanView.
- Go to File > Open... and select your .XBM file.
Convert and save the file:
- Go to File > Save As....
- Choose the desired format (e.g., PNG, JPEG) and click Save.

Linux

Using ImageMagick (command-line):

Install ImageMagick:
- For Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install imagemagick
- For Fedora: sudo dnf install imagemagick

Using GIMP:

Install GIMP:
- For Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install gimp
- For Fedora: sudo dnf install gimp
Open and convert the file:
- Open GIMP.
- Go to File > Open... and select your .XBM file.
- Go to File > Export As..., choose the desired format, and click Export.

macOS

Using GIMP:

Download and install GIMP: GIMP Official Website.
Open and convert the file:
- Open GIMP.
- Go to File > Open... and select your .XBM file.
- Go to File > Export As..., choose the desired format, and click Export.

Using XnViewMP:

Download and install XnViewMP: XnViewMP Official Website.
Open and convert the file:
- Open XnViewMP.
- Go to File > Open... and select your .XBM file.
- Go to File > Export..., choose the desired format, and click Export.

Android

Using Image Converter:

Download and install Image Converter from the Google Play Store.
Open the app and select the .XBM file:
- Choose the .XBM file from your device.
Convert and save the file:
- Select the desired output format and convert the file.

Android:

Download and install File Viewer for Android from the Google Play Store.
Open the app and select the .XBM file:
- Open the .XBM file in the app.
Convert the file:
- Use the app’s conversion feature to save the file in the desired format.

iOS

Using File Viewer for iOS:

Download and install File Viewer for iOS from the App Store.
Open the app and select the .XBM file:
- Open the .XBM file in the app.
Convert the file:
- Use the app’s conversion feature to save the file in the desired format.

Using Convert Images:

Download and install Convert Images from the App Store.
Open the app and select the .XBM file:
- Choose the .XBM file from your device.
Convert and save the file:
- Select the desired output format and convert the file.

Others

Using Online Tools (e.g., Online-Convert):

Visit the website: Online-Convert.
Upload the .XBM file:
- Choose the .XBM file from your device.
Select the desired output format:
- Choose the format you want to convert to (e.g., PNG, JPEG).
Convert and download the file:
- Click the Convert button and download the converted file.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

Text-based format: Easy to edit and embed in source code.
Simple structure: Easy to parse and generate.
Small file size: Efficient for storing simple monochrome images.

Disadvantages:

Limited to monochrome: Cannot store color or grayscale images.
Outdated: Largely replaced by more modern image formats.
Manual editing required: Can be cumbersome to create and modify complex images.

How to Open XBM?

Open In Windows

GIMP: A powerful, open-source image editor that supports .XBM files.
IrfanView: A lightweight image viewer that can open and convert .XBM files.

Open In Linux

GIMP: Available for Linux, it can open and edit .XBM files.
XnViewMP: A versatile image viewer that supports .XBM files.
xv: An older image viewer specifically for the X Window System.

Open In MAC

GIMP: Also available for macOS, capable of opening .XBM files.
XnViewMP: A multi-platform image viewer that supports .XBM files.

Open In Android

Image Converter: An app that can convert and view various image formats, including .XBM.
File Viewer for Android: Supports viewing multiple file types, including .XBM.

Open In IOS

File Viewer for iOS: A general file viewer app that can handle .XBM files.
Convert Images: An app that can convert and view .XBM files.

Open in Others

Web-based tools: Online converters and viewers like Online-Convert can handle .XBM files.
Command-line tools: Tools like ImageMagick are available on various platforms and can convert .XBM files to other formats.