XBM to VICAR Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
Convert planetary VICAR frames to PNG, or write VICAR for JPL tooling. If your files are still in XBM format, this page is the shortcut: XBM is a bitmap stored as C source code — literally an array of hex bytes that a C compiler includes. It was the original X11 icon format, and it still compiles.
iLoveConverter processes everything locally on your computer, which makes it private and fast: no upload wait, no server storage, no limits. Add as many files as you like — batch conversion is built in.
How XBM compares to VICAR
| XBM | VICAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | C #defines + hex byte array | VICAR Planetary Image coder |
| Compatibility | X11, C compilers, GTK | ImageMagick, specialty tools |
| Best for | Compiled-in cursors and icons | Legacy and specialty pipelines |
How to convert XBM to VICAR
- 1
Select your files
Drag & drop your XBM files onto the area above, or click to browse. You can add multiple files at once for batch conversion.
- 2
Convert instantly
Click "Convert to VICAR". The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly — no upload, no queue, no waiting.
- 3
Download results
Download each converted VICAR file individually, or grab everything at once as a ZIP archive.
About the XBM format
XBM is the most honest image format ever shipped: the "file" is a C source array of hex bytes, compiled straight into X11 applications as cursor and icon bitmaps. Rendered, it is 1-bit black and white — the ancestors of every pixel-art cursor you still use.
Because it compiles, XBM never died: firmware UIs, embedded icons and retro Unix tooling still want it. Converting a PNG down to XBM gives embeddable, compilable art; the other direction previews what the C array actually draws.
+ Strengths
- ✓Compiles directly into C/C++ programs
- ✓Zero-payload format — text only
- ✓Still required by embedded and Unix tooling
! Limitations
- −1-bit black & white only
- −Human-hostile representation
- −X11 bit order trips up hand-rolled decoders
About the VICAR format
The VICAR Planetary Image coder of the ImageMagick set — the planetary-science format is written natively by the magick.wasm engine, entirely in your browser.
Obscure coder formats like this are exactly what template-driven converters list and never actually convert — here it really works.
+ Strengths
- ✓Written natively by ImageMagick
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser
- ✓Free, private, no watermarks
! Limitations
- −Niche format — few modern readers
- −Feature subset varies by coder
- −Keep the original for re-editing
Why convert XBM to VICAR?
Think of it as moving your file to the container that fits the job. 1-bit black & white only VICAR works differently: Written natively by ImageMagick If any of that sounds like your task, run the conversion — it takes seconds and nothing leaves your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is this XBM to VICAR converter really free?
Yes — completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily conversion limits. The site is supported by advertising.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your files never leave your device — that is what makes it instant and private.
Does it work on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Anything with a modern browser works: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. No software installation is required.
Will I lose quality converting XBM to VICAR?
No — VICAR is a lossless format, so every pixel of the converted image matches your original XBM file. You can also adjust the quality/size balance before converting when the target format supports compression.
Will transparent areas survive the conversion to VICAR?
Transparency is kept whenever VICAR actually supports an alpha channel. If the target format has none (like JPG), transparent areas are flattened onto a white background — that is a property of the format, not of this tool.
What happens to EXIF data and other metadata?
Conversions here re-encode the image, and re-encoding generally does not carry the original metadata over. If the EXIF data of your XBM files matters (camera model, GPS, timestamps), keep the original file as the master and treat the converted copy as the shareable version.