Free webp to jpg
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Image MIME Reference
Harlequin-PGB

Global Graphics Page Graphics Buffer

image/vnd.globalgraphics.pgb
VS

X Pixmap

image/x-xpixmap
XPM

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

Equal browser support

Feature Support

Feature Harlequin-PGB XPM
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 →
X Pixmap
image/x-xpixmap
Extension
.xpm
Container C Source Code Header (.c / .h)
Compression Uncompressed (Source Code)
Algorithm
None
Color Depth Indexed Color (Custom Palette with RGB and Alpha 'None')
Developed by Daniel Dardailler and Colas Nahaboo (Bull / X Consortium)
Released 1989
Magic Bytes
2F 2A 20 58 50 4D 20 2A 2F (ASCII '/* XPM */')
Full XPM reference →

Browser Support Comparison

Browser Harlequin-PGB XPM
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
XPM

XPM Strengths

  • Can be compiled directly into C or C++ source code without requiring an external asset loading mechanism
  • Human-readable palette mapping allows developers to inspect, modify, or hand-craft icons directly within a text editor
  • Native support for color palettes and transparency via the 'None' keyword
Limitations
  • Extremely inefficient storage structure for large images, resulting in massive file bloat compared to binary formats like PNG
  • Completely obsolete and unsupported in modern web browsers
  • Parsing overhead requires compiling or interpreting text-based color tables at runtime

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
XPM
Use XPM when…
  • X Window System (X11) Application Icons and Cursors
  • Embedded C/C++ Firmware Color UI Assets
  • Early Linux Desktop Environment Themes

More comparisons

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