How to Open and Convert a PPM File?

PPM is an image file format widely used in digital and technical fields. However, PPM files are not supported by many image viewer tools. That's because PPM is an uncompressed image format that stores vast amounts of digital image information. Since they demand lots of storage, they are usually unsuitable as a general-purpose image format.

Nevertheless, PPM is an important image format, and this guide will explain in detail everything you need to know about PPM files, including what they are, how to open them, how to convert them into other formats, and so on. Before we get there, let's start with a brief introduction to this file format.

Part 1: What is PPM File?

PPM, short for Portable PixMap, is a bitmap image format that stores image information in binary or text format. It stores each pixel individually without compression, which results in huge file sizes. The raster-based file format stores and renders information without loss of quality. Therefore, Portable PixMap is useful in contexts that require high visual fidelity.

Typically, PPM files are associated with Adobe Photoshop. However, the file format was created by Jef Poskanzer in the 1980s. It was designed to be a transitional image format during image editing. In the initial years, PPM was a smash hit, but its popularity has dwindled over the years in favor of other modern formats.

PPM stores pixel data in simple, human-readable structures. Unlike PGM, the PPM format can store 256 colors.

Part 2: How to Open PPM Files

1. GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful image editing tool that supports PPM file format. It's free and open-source. Its vast variety of features and tools make it an excellent alternative to Adobe Photoshop. It offers many features found in Photoshop, including layer support, customizable UI, retouching tools, etc. Although it's quite a complex tool, users will have no trouble opening a ppm file on GIMP.

2. Jumpshare

Jumpshare is a free online file viewer for PPM file format. Its clean interface and drag-and-drop feature make it a straightforward process for users to view their PPM files on Jumpshare. However, Jumpshare imposes a file size limit of 100MB, which can be a problem when you wish to open a bigger PPM file. Additionally, Jumpshare offers powerful sharing and analytics capabilities that can be of interest to some users.

3. IrfanView

IrfanView is an excellent PPM file viewer for several reasons. It's fast, lightweight, and has a minimalist GUI. It can open PPM files effortlessly, no matter their size. Also, it can open PPM files individually or in batches and even lets users make edits to them. Although IrfanView is free for personal use, commercial users must purchase a license. All in all, IrfanView is a good all-rounder image viewer to have on your desktop, especially if you have PPM files.

Part 3: How to Convert PPM to JPG/PNG for Free

1. Univd Image Converter

Image editing professionals who need to perform a large number of PPM to JPG conversions choose HitPaw Univd for their needs. Univd Image Converter's batch conversion capabilities make it the ideal choice for simple PPM to JPG conversions as well as image editing requirements. HitPaw Univd is built for high performance, which means that PPM to JPG conversions are fast and easy.

Guide to Batch Convert PPM to JPG Free in Univd

Step 1: Import PPMFiles to HitPaw

Once you launch HitPaw Univd, navigate to the "Photo" tab >> Click "Image Converter" >> Click the "Add Image" button to find, select, and import PPM files.

Step 2: Preview and Check (Optional)

Preview the PPM images you imported and delete any files you don't need converted

Step 3: Choose to Convert PPM to JPG/PNG

Open the "Convert all to" dropdown and select the output format as JPG >> Click the "Save to" box to open File Explorer and select the destination folder for output.

Step 4: Start PPM to JPG Conversion Process

Click "Convert All" to start convert PPM to JPG/PNG at fast speed.

2. Adobe Photoshop

Since PPM files were native to Adobe Photoshop at one point, it makes sense to use it to convert them to other formats like JPG. However, it must be noted that Adobe Photoshop is a premium tool that requires a subscription. If you already have access to Photoshop, here are the easy-to-follow instructions to convert PPM files to JPG.

Step 1: Open PPM Files

Launch Adobe Photoshop >> In the main menu, click "File" >> Select "Open" >> Use the dialog box to navigate to your PPM files and import all of them.

Step 2: Select "Save As"Option

After importing the PPM file into Photoshop, click "File" >> Select "Save As"

Step 3: Choose JPG as Output Format

In the dialog box that pops open, click "Format" drop-down menu >> Select JPEG >> Choose output destination folder >> Hit "Save"

While the above process is for the Mac version of Adobe Photoshop, the process is almost identical for Windows PCs, with minor differences.

FAQs about PPM File

Q1. What is the difference between PPM and PGM?

A1. The most important difference between PPM and PGM file formats is that the former is a color image format, while the latter is greyscale only.

Q2. How to open PPM file in Windows 11?

A2. While the PPM file format is not native to Windows 11 and cannot be opened with built-in tools, several third-party tools can be used for the purpose. These include GIMP, IrfanView, XnView, Adobe Photoshop, and so on.

Q3. How to make a PPM file?

A3. There are several ways to create a PPM file. The most convenient options are using an image editor like GIMP's "export" feature or a command-line tool like ImageMagick. Perhaps the most difficult and tedious option is to create a PPM file manually using a text editor.

Conclusion

Portable PixMap file format is an outdated image format that superior technologies have replaced. However, its pervasive usage in its heyday means that many important image files from the era were stored in this format. To convert all of these PPM files to JPG or other versatile format, HitPaw Univd is the ultimate choice. It's fast and supports converting up to 5,000 PPM files to JPG in a single batch. HitPaw Univd's powerful capabilities make it the default choice of professional and amateur users for basic image editing and efficient conversion. Download HitPaw Univd today.

Select the product rating：

Join the discussion and share your voice here