PCX to PNG converter

.pcx

The PCX file format was developed by ZSoft Corporation, with the first release of the .pcx extension coming into the public domain in 1985. PCX is a contraction of PiCture eXchange, and was the first file format to support bitmap images; during its day of prime, PCX was the format of choice on computers that sport the DOS, and Windows operating system. However, the relevance of the PCX file format has been overshadowed by more recent and standard image formats like JPG, PNG, and GIF. The latest release of the PCX file format was in 1991, and as would be expected, the drop in popularity of the PCX has rendered its source company (ZSoft Corp) comatose.

As first of its kind, the PCX format was prolific in its hay days, most especially due to its singularity in supporting bitmap images. The standard PCX file has three main elements: a 128-byte header, the actual image data sandwiched in between, and an accompanying 256-color palette – that makes sure your image is not displayed in shades of gray. Another reason why PCX was the file format of choice for pictures in the 1980s was the tremendously low processing power required for data compression. Since PCs were giant in size but petty in processing power, PCX aided the conservation of the same for other essential activities.

ZSoft

.png

Microsoft Paint

PNG – is a scan-line graphic format developed as an alternative to GIF, a commercial license. However, they are both raster image types. PNG is based on the best features of the predecessor, including lossless compression and transparent background support. The PNG technology ensures the preservation of all stages of editing and the restoration of the step by preserving the quality. However, it does not allow us to save several pictures in one file at once, limiting its use in the development of animated images.

The PNG extension was proposed as a tool that helps to transfer and store images on the World Wide Web. The technology is limited to an 8-bit transparency channel so that you can adjust the colors from opaque to transparent. It supports 24-bit RGB colors, matching images, and shades of gray. However, as a non-professional format, PNG can not display other color spaces. Most programs allow you to open such files. They can also run in any browser. Images are different in small weight with good quality.

PNG Development Group (donated to W3C)