What is an XCF file Format, and how do you open it?

 

What are .XCF files?

XCF stands for eXperimental Computing Facility, which describes a canvas stack of channels and layers. The format has a series of data structures whose order is generalized and insignificant. The XCF image structure appears at the beginning of the file extension, while its tile data blocks follow closely. 

The XCF files can be identified using the .XCF file extension. The format was created to store the entire GIMP state, which is particular to a single image excluding key bindings, tool options, or cut buffer, and is not undo data. As such, data stored in the XCF file is heterogeneous and linked to GIMP internals.

The XCF format is unique compared to PNG or JPEG since it supports and saves created and edited vector and bitmap graphics, such as image selection, guides, channels, layers, and paths. XCF files allow the stored image data to be compressed using the simple Run Length Encoding (RLE) algorithm. 

Compared to other image formats, including JPG, XCF files permit non-destructive editing. This allows users such as digital artists, photographers, and graphic designers to make limitless design modifications while preserving the original image quality and file details.

History of XCF image files

The XCF was created by the Experimental Computing Facility, a group of students who intended to advance computer sciences. Version 1 of the XCF format was created on 24 November 1997, but it was replaced on 31 August 2006 by a more comprehensive version by Henning Makholm. 

On 14 November 2022, XCF was moved from the source code to the developer's website. The format was created to assist in graphic design and digital imaging, especially in the open-source community. It offers unique flexibility via comprehensive layer preservation and non-destructive editing. 

The GIMP file extension allows users to extensively adjust and refine the XCF format without affecting the integrity and quality of the primary image file. The XCF format is currently unpopular, but it is an alternative to the proprietary file types of different image editing programs like PSD files. 

The XCF files are primarily compatible and only supported by the GIMP tool and must be exported or converted to other file formats to work with different software and applications. This limits the universal adoption and usage of the XCF format.

What are XCF files used for?

XCF files are used in graphic design, digital artwork, and image editing with GIMP. They allow users to create, adjust, and edit high-quality visual content. XCF preserves individual image layers, paths, channels, and other elements, enabling non-destructive editing by allowing users to modify specific components without affecting the entire image during design or post-processing.

Pros and cons of XCF files

The XCF file format stores paths, transparency information, the current position when saved, layers, channels, and other edited elements. XCF files are larger, high-quality, and support simple RLE compression. While using them, it is better to note the format's benefits and demerits. 

Advantages of XCF files

1. Interoperability: XCF files are native to the GIMP tool, but they can be converted to different file types.
2. Non-Destructive Editing: XCF files allow non-destructive editing, where all adjustments made are reversible and ensure image quality retention. 
3. Flexibility: XCF files allow post-processing and editing, ensuring photographers can use masking, layering, and adjustment methods, giving designers and artists freedom of creativity.
4. Layer Preservation: XCF files preserve separate adjustments, masks, and layer settings, enabling users to edit and access particular image features.
5. High-Quality Images: The XCF files are detailed and data-rich because the format supports lossless compression RLE algorithms, ensuring all image data are preserved. 

Disadvantages of XCF files

1. Larger Files: The XCF files support lossless compression, ensuring all file details are preserved; this covers a larger storage space than smaller formats like JPEG.
2. Special Editing Software: XCF files are GIMP's proprietary format, which must be converted to a more compatible file type to be opened and edited using other editing programs. 
3. Transferring problem: XCF files retain all image data, making them larger and complicated to transfer without converting to smaller formats like JPG or PNG. 

How to Open or View .XCF Files

You can open or view XCF files using GIMP by following the steps below.

1. Download and install GIMP to your PC.
2. Launch the program and go to the Menu bar.
3. Go to File > Open to open the Open Image dialog box. 
4. Navigate to the XCF file and click Open. 

Note: While the Open Image dialog hardly has a preview pane, locating the XCF file based on a thumbnail is difficult. GIMP 2.2 integrated a new Open Image dialog, offering various features to aid users in navigating faster to the XCF file. It creates ‘bookmarks’ or Ã¢â‚¬ËœPlaces’ for folders used often. 

Using GIMP 2.2 to open XCF files, follow these steps.

1. Download and install GIMP 2.2 on your PC.
2. Launch the program and go to the Menu bar.
3. Go to File > Open to open the Open Image dialog box > Bookmarks. 
4. Choose the XCF image file entry on the list and click Open. 

Note: The bookmarks catalog emerges on the left side of the dialog box. Those at the top, like 'Desktop', are rendered automatically. Choose the XCF image file entry in the listing, and a preview will appear on the right side of the dialog, together with specific primary data about the XCF image. 

How to Create and Edit XCF Files

To create and edit XCF files, the user needs a program called GIMP. 

1. Download and install the GIMP software to your computer before opening and editing. 
2. From the Menu bar, go to File > New. 
3. From the Create a new image dialog box, modify XCF features and Save. 

On the other hand, follow the below steps to edit an XCF file

1. Launch you GIMP program 
2. Go to Menu > File > Open. 
3. Once opened on the edit workplace, edit the XCF file by adjusting contrast, brightness, and color balance and rotate or remove spots.
4. When done, Click Save.

How do I convert XCF photos?

You can convert XCF photos to TIFF, WEBP, TGA, PNG, JPEG, AI, GIF, PDF, SVG, ICO, PSD, and other identical file types using Convertjack. To realize this, visit our XCF file converter and follow the three steps below:

1. Upload the XCF file
2. Select your preferred format
3. Click Convert and download and save the converted file

XCF Files Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1 Why does GIMP use XCF?

GIMP uses XCF because it is its native image format capable of saving all of the image data that GIMP-program handles, such as layers, channels, the current selection, guides, paths, and transparency.

2 Can you convert XCF to PDF?

Yes, you can convert XCF to PDF. You can export XCF files from GIMP as PDF, or you can convert XCF to PDF using online tools like Convertjack.

3 What program opens XCF files?

The program that opens XCF files is GIMP. The latest GIMP versions can open any XCF files.

4 Are XCFs raster or vector files?

XCFs are raster files; they store image data as a grid of pixels.

5 How do you open an XCF file on mobile?

You can open an XCF file on mobile by following the below steps:

1. Download and install a mobile-compatible GIMP application from Play Store.
2. Launch the GIMP application.
3. Go to Menu > File > Open, which opens the Image dialog box. 
4. Navigate to the XCF file and click it. The XCF file will open for viewing and editing.

6 Can you open XCF files in Photoshop?

No, you cannot open XCF files in Photoshop. XCF files are exclusive to GIMP, but you can convert them to other file formats, such as PSD, which is compatible and supported in Photoshop.

7 How do I recover XCF files?

You can recover XCF files by checking the recycle bin, using backup solutions, or using file recovery software. When the recycle bin is empty without backup, use file recovery software such as Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery, or Recuva. Follow these steps to recover your XCF file using Disk Drill.

1. Download and install Disk Drill on your computer.
2. Launch the Disk Drill application 
3. From the Menu icon, go to Drive and choose the location of your XCF file.
4. Click the “Recover” button, then allow the Disk Drill to run. 
5. When the scan is complete, Browse through the recoverable files, locate your XCF file.
6. Click "Restore.

8 How do you change XCF to JPG on Android?

To change XCF to JPG files on Android, download a file converter APP like All Document Reader and Image Converter. But the best option is to use our free XCF to JPG converter by following these three simple steps:

1. Upload the XCF file you want to change
2. Select the format you want to change to, in this case, JPG
3. Click Convert, then download the converted file.