Convert XPM to PCX

The XPM (X PixMap) file extension is a format used for storing pixmap images, primarily in the X Window System for Unix-based systems. Developed in the late 1980s, it allows for the storage of images in plain text, making it human-readable and editable. XPM files are mainly utilized for defining icons and graphical elements in software applications. They support transparency and can be easily integrated into programming languages such as C, enhancing the customization and visual appeal of user interfaces. The format's simplicity and flexibility have cemented its role in software development and graphical design.

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.