Convert MTV to PBM

The MTV Raytracing Image Format, named after its creator Mark T. VandeWettering, is a simple, uncompressed true-color raster image format used primarily by the MTV Ray Tracer program. It employs the MTV or PIC file extension and is similar to the binary PPM format. Developed in the early days of ray tracing, the MTV format gained popularity due to its straightforward design and ease of use. It supports true-color images and is often utilized in conjunction with other ray-tracing utilities for rendering high-quality graphics.

The PBM (Portable Bitmap) file extension, part of the Netpbm project, originated in the late 1980s to facilitate efficient and portable graphics file interchange. Primarily, PBM files are used to store monochrome bitmaps in a simple ASCII text format, ensuring easy compatibility across different systems and platforms. This format supports only black-and-white imagery, making it particularly useful in scenarios where simplicity and minimalism are prioritized, such as in Unix environments for bitmap manipulation and transfer. Its historical significance lies in promoting a standardized approach to bitmap graphics in early computer technology.