Convert PNG to HDR

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What happens when you convert PNG to HDR?

Animation becomes a still

Still image output. Animated files use only the first frame; animation is not preserved.

HDR display encoding

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

Opaque output

Transparency is replaced with white by default. Change the background in Advanced options.

Lossless sample storage

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. HDR can store its supported image samples without lossy compression. This applies after rendering and sample conversion: it does not guarantee preservation of source precision, colour space or document structure, and cannot undo earlier losses.

PNG

Source

PNG

Portable Network Graphics

Compression: LosslessTransparency: YesMetadata: Exif, ICC, Text

Lossless raster images with precise edges and optional transparency. The PNG standard also defines APNG animation.

Explore PNG format →

HDR

Target

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 →

Is PNG → HDR right for you?

Good choice when

HDR fits your delivery use: Lighting environments & radiometry.
You want a still illustration from an animated source.
You need HDR-capable delivery and can validate its encoding and colour signalling.
An opaque image is acceptable for your destination.

Probably not when

Motion, frame timing or loop behaviour must survive.
You require guaranteed scene-linear values or HDR appearance.
You need cutouts or translucent edges for compositing.
You expect lossless encoding to restore lost details or editing structure.

Conversion considerations

An animated PNG has a timed sequence; HDR is a still-image destination in this workflow. A still export loses motion and timing. Frame choice, blending and disposal must be defined by the future engine; a first-frame export is not promised.
The source can carry HDR information and HDR has HDR-capable variants. Working radiometric values and display-referred HDR are different representations. Range, primaries, transfer function and signalling must be mapped explicitly; the future engine may instead produce SDR. HDR preservation is not promised by format support.
If PNG contains transparency, HDR cannot retain it as transparent output areas. Those pixels need compositing against an opaque background. Matte colour, alpha interpretation and edge treatment are future engine decisions; no background colour is selected yet.

PNG to HDR conversion details

Animation becomes a still: Still image output. Animated files use only the first frame; animation is not preserved.
HDR display encoding: HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.
Opaque output: Transparency is replaced with white by default. Change the background in Advanced options.
Lossless sample storage: 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. HDR can store its supported image samples without lossy compression. This applies after rendering and sample conversion: it does not guarantee preservation of source precision, colour space or document structure, and cannot undo earlier losses.
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: PNG: Lossless → HDR: Lossless PNG: PNG compression is lossless. Palette conversion, resizing or reducing bit depth before encoding can still discard information. Animation is the APNG extension included in the third edition. 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.
Transparency: Transparency is replaced with white by default. Change the background in Advanced options.
Animation: Still image output. Animated files use only the first frame; animation is not preserved.
Colour depth: PNG: 1–16 bits/sample → HDR: 32-bit RGBE / XYZE pixel
HDR: PNG: Third-edition signalling → HDR: Radiometric values
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

Will the output keep animation?

Still image output. Animated files use only the first frame; animation is not preserved.

Will HDR automatically survive in HDR?

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

What happens to transparent areas?

Transparency is replaced with white by default. Change the background in Advanced options.

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?