Convert PCX to JIF

The PCX file extension, standing for PiCture eXchange, is a raster image format developed by ZSoft Corporation in 1985 for its PC Paintbrush software. It became one of the first widely accepted DOS imaging standards, supporting palette-indexed images from 2 to 256 colors and later true-color (24-bit) images. PCX files use RLE (Run-Length Encoding) compression, making them smaller in size. Although largely replaced by formats like BMP, JPEG, and PNG, PCX was pivotal in early computer graphics and is still supported by various image processing software.

The JIF (Joint Photographic Experts Group Interchange Format) is a standard for compressing and encoding digital images. Initially introduced in 1992 by the Joint Photographic Experts Group, JIF became widely adopted due to its efficient lossy compression method, which significantly reduces file size without a substantial loss in image quality. Primarily used for web graphics and digital photography, JIF has influenced the development of other formats like JPEG and its various subtypes, ensuring high compatibility across different platforms and devices.