About the Xcf file format
- Name
- GIMP Image
- Extension
- .xcf
- Format
- Binary
- Category
- Raster Image
- Developer
- GIMP
- Description
- The XCF file format is the native image format used by GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image editing, free-form drawing, converting between different image formats, and more specialized tasks. XCF stands for eXperimental Computing Facility, which was the name of the lab where GIMP was originally developed. XCF files are designed to store all the information that GIMP needs to accurately render an image.
- MIME Type
- application/x-xcf
- Sample
- sample.xcf
- Wikipedia
- .xcf on Wikipedia
GIMP, initially referred to as (General Image Manipulation Program), is a Free and open-source software Raster graphics editor that mainly used for Image editing and retouching. The name of the file was later changed to GNU and released under (General Public License). It is a free form drawing file that does more specialized tasks, including editing and creating image files.
GIMP file uses the XCF file extension (eXperimental Computing Facility). The XCF is used in the GIMP files to store layers, paths, transparency settings, and any other information about the photos related to a project. Once the file is opened, the parameters of the files are easily accessible, allowing editing of the layers and images, among other things.
GIMP file supports exports and imports of a large number of various File formats. It also stores all the available information about the image. Users of the GIMP file can compress their photos making the files smaller. The compression does not affect the dimension of the photos. This allows the display of large images on business websites or even sharing of the pictures in their original sizes.
The GIMP file is available for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS. Irfanview, Inkscape, XnView, and Digikam are among the image editors/viewers that can open the XCF files.