Free webp to jpg
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Image MIME Reference
Harlequin-PGB

Global Graphics Page Graphics Buffer

image/vnd.globalgraphics.pgb
VS

Apple PICT Image

image/x-pict
PICT

A complete technical comparison of Global Graphics Page Graphics Buffer and Apple PICT Image — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.

Equal browser support

Feature Support

Feature Harlequin-PGB PICT
Transparency (Alpha) ✕ No Yes
Animation Support ✕ No ✕ No
Progressive Loading ✕ No ✕ No
HDR Support ✕ No ✕ No
EXIF Metadata ✕ No ✕ No
ICC Color Profile Yes ✕ No
Global Graphics Page Graphics Buffer
image/vnd.globalgraphics.pgb
Extension
.pgb
Container Proprietary Harlequin Raster Container
Compression Uncompressed / Run-Length Encoding (RLE)
Algorithm
Proprietary RLENone
Color Depth 1-bit (Monochrome Separations), 8-bit (Grayscale), 8-bit/10-bit (Contone), CMYK / N-Color Spot Channels
Developed by Global Graphics Software (Hybrid Software Group)
Released 1990s
Magic Bytes
Unknown (Proprietary Harlequin Header)
Full Harlequin-PGB reference →
Apple PICT Image
image/x-pict
Extension
.pict.pct.pic
Container QuickDraw Metafile
Compression Uncompressed / Run-Length Encoding (RLE) / QuickTime Compressors (JPEG, SMC)
Algorithm
Apple PackBits (RLE)QuickTime Image Compression Manager (ICM)
Color Depth 1-bit, 2-bit, 4-bit, 8-bit (Indexed), 16-bit (High Color), 24-bit (True Color), 32-bit (RGBA)
Developed by Apple Computer, Inc.
Released 1984
Magic Bytes
None (Requires offset parsing, e.g., 00 11 02 FF at byte 522)
Full PICT reference →

Browser Support Comparison

Browser Harlequin-PGB PICT
Chrome Chrome
✕ ✕
Firefox Firefox
✕ ✕
Safari Safari
✕ ✕
Edge Edge
✕ ✕
IE IE (Legacy)
✕ ✕
Harlequin-PGB

Harlequin-PGB Strengths

  • Unlike generic 1-bit TIFFs, PGB files inherently encapsulate vital print-job metadata within their headers (e.g., job name, page number, separation colors, screening angles)
  • Highly optimized for ultra-fast viewing and processing within professional printing workflows
Limitations
  • Completely proprietary and closed-source, locking its usage strictly to Harlequin-powered RIP environments
  • Zero support in standard desktop operating systems, web browsers, or consumer image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP
PICT

PICT Strengths

  • Incredibly versatile for its time, allowing a single file to cleanly scale text and vector shapes while simultaneously housing raster photos
  • Served as the flawless universal clipboard format for the classic Mac OS, enabling seamless copy/pasting between wildly different applications
Limitations
  • Deeply tied to Apple's legacy QuickDraw graphics architecture, making it exceptionally difficult to write accurate third-party parsers on modern operating systems
  • Lack of a standard magic header makes file detection unreliable without seeking 522 bytes deep into the file
  • Completely unsupported in modern web environments and discontinued by Apple itself

When to choose which format

Harlequin-PGB
Use Harlequin-PGB when…
  • Commercial Printing Output
  • Computer-to-Plate (CTP) Manufacturing
  • Prepress Soft Proofing (e.g., FirstPROOF)
  • Harlequin RIP Spooling Pipelines
PICT
Use PICT when…
  • Classic Mac OS Clipboard Data
  • Legacy Macintosh Desktop Publishing (Aldus PageMaker, QuarkXPress)
  • 1980s/1990s Digital Clip Art

More comparisons

Harlequin-PGB vs ACES → PICT vs ACES → Harlequin-PGB vs APNG → PICT vs APNG → Harlequin-PGB vs AVCI → PICT vs AVCI → Harlequin-PGB vs AVCS → PICT vs AVCS → Harlequin-PGB vs AVIF → PICT vs AVIF → All comparisons →
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