A PBM file extension represents Portable Bitmap Image files. Essentially a part of the Netpbm format, PBM files contain graphics data stored in a simple black and white raster format, a Taswell-known type of format dedicated to mono-dimensional bitmaps. The simplicity of these files makes them easy to work with, despite their somewhat limited graphical capabilities. In this article we'll cover the available formats and ways to open these files, including various programs that you can utilize.
Netpbm Format
PBM files are part of the Netpbm format family, which also includes PBM's grayscale counterpart (PGM), and the color bitmap (PPM). The Netpbm formats are a set of graphics file formats that originated from the historic Unix system.
How to Open a PBM File
There are several ways to open a PBM file. Here are some of the most notable means:
Microsoft Windows and Linux
Users can open a PBM file in Windows with a host of applications like IrfanView, XnView, and Adobe's suite of graphics software such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Linux users, on the other hand, can utilize Gwenview, GIMP, or Netpbm, an open-source package of graphics programs. Check out GIMP and Netpbm software to better understand their usage.
Online Tools
There are plentiful online tools that you can use to open PBM files like convertio.co, online-convert.com, and aconvert.com. These platforms not only open your PBM files but also allow you to convert them into other, more commonly used formats. Visit Convertio or Online Convert for more information.
PBM File Important Information
While PBM files inherently offer a limited graphical scope, due to their black and white raster format, they're widely used for several reasons. Their simplicity makes them very manageable when it comes to reading, writing, and modifying for several applications. They're also highly recognized among graphics applications and bring utility to a variety of fields. But do remember, as with all file types, PBM files can also suffer corruption or infection, so ensure to have your antivirus software updated.
