.XCF File Extension
GIMP Image
Developer | GIMP |
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What is an XCF file?
An XCF file is an image file created by GIMP, a free and open-source image editing tool. It is the native format for saving files with GIMP, storing layers, channels, paths, guides, and other image data. XCF files retain the complete editing structure of the image, allowing GIMP users to close and re-open images to edit them further and then export them to other, more widely-supported formats, such as .JPEG or .PNG, for sharing or publishing purposes.
More Information
GIMP offers image-editing tools that graphic designers, photographers, and illustrators use to create and modify different types of raster graphics. The software is also extensible, allowing you to add capabilities via plugins.
Since XCF files may grow large, GIMP allows you to apply compression to XCF images to reduce sizes when saving them, which is helpful when backing up or transferring XCF files. Compression options include gzip, bzip2, and XZ.
NOTE: XCF stands for "eXperimental Computing Facility," which is a group of mainly undergraduate students interested in advancing Computer Science.
How to open an XCF file
How to convert an XCF file
Several programs, including GIMP and XnViewMP, can convert XCF files to other file types.
For example, GIMP can convert XCF files to the following formats: