Convert HDR to PDF

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What happens when you convert HDR to PDF?

HDR to SDR

HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.

Pixels on a PDF page

Output is a one-page raster PDF at 96 DPI, not an editable vector document.

Transparency

The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.

HDR

Source

HDR

Radiance HDR / RGBE

Compression: LosslessTransparency: NoMetadata: Radiance header, EXPOSURE, FORMAT

Radiance pictures with a shared exponent for high-dynamic-range lighting values.

Explore HDR format →

PDF

Target

PDF

Portable Document Format

Compression: Depends on variantTransparency: YesMetadata: Document information, XMP, ICC output intents

A fixed-page document format mixing text, vectors and raster images. Image conversion requires deliberate page rendering.

Explore PDF format →

Is HDR → PDF right for you?

Good choice when

PDF fits your delivery use: Fixed-layout documents & print.
You need an SDR delivery copy and can review its tone mapping.
You need a document page for printing or delivery.
You can validate the destination’s sample precision and colour interpretation.
You need a PDF-compatible workflow that can hold transparency added in a separate edit.

Probably not when

You need the original HDR range for relighting or grading.
You expect OCR, vector tracing or a smaller image from a PDF wrapper.
You require identical samples without a defined colour and precision policy.
You expect automatic background removal or transparency.

HDR to PDF conversion details

HDR to SDR: HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.
Pixels on a PDF page: Output is a one-page raster PDF at 96 DPI, not an editable vector document.
Transparency: The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.
Sample precision & colour: Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
Metadata & colour: Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
Compression: HDR: Lossless → PDF: Depends on variant HDR: RLE preserves stored RGBE bytes; RGBE quantization is not exact storage of arbitrary float RGB. The .hdr format is distinct from the general concept of HDR photography. PDF: PDF has no single compression quality. Different streams may use lossless or lossy filters; page rasterization can remove document structure even when the resulting pixels are encoded losslessly.
Transparency: Transparency is replaced with white by default. Change the background in Advanced options.
Colour depth: HDR: 32-bit RGBE / XYZE pixel
HDR: HDR: Radiometric values
Multiple images: PDF: Page tree
Vector graphics: PDF: Paths & text on pages
Dimensions: Rendered image dimensions are retained within the converter limits; this tool does not offer resizing. Orientation handling depends on the source decoder.
Metadata: Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.

Common questions

How will HDR brightness be mapped?

HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.

Will PDF turn the image into searchable text or vectors?

Output is a one-page raster PDF at 96 DPI, not an editable vector document.

Will the background become transparent?

The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.

Are bit depth and colour values guaranteed to match?

Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.

Will metadata and colour profiles be retained?