Multiple source images
Only one image is decoded; a concatenated image sequence is not exported as a complete set.
Convert PPM to HDR
- In your browser
- No upload
- Private by design
What happens when you convert PPM to HDR?
An HDR container adds no captured range
This stores display pixels in RGBE; it does not create new HDR detail.
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.
PPM
Source
PPM
Portable Pixmap
Compression: UncompressedTransparency: NoMetadata: Header, Comments
Portable Pixmap: simple uncompressed raster samples for image-processing pipelines.
Explore PPM 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 PPM → HDR right for you?
Good choice when
- HDR fits your delivery use: Lighting environments & radiometry.
- You can choose the source image or part needed for delivery.
- You need an image in an HDR-capable working pipeline.
- You need lossless storage of the rendered samples supported by HDR.
Probably not when
- You require a complete collection, page set or multipart round trip.
- You expect new highlight or shadow detail from a container change.
- You expect lossless encoding to restore lost details or editing structure.
- You require identical samples without a defined colour and precision policy.
PPM to HDR conversion details
- Multiple source images
- Only one image is decoded; a concatenated image sequence is not exported as a complete set.
- An HDR container adds no captured range
- This stores display pixels in RGBE; it does not create new HDR detail.
- 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
- PPM: Uncompressed → HDR: Lossless PPM: Netpbm stores these samples without compression. Reducing colour, thresholding or changing maxval can still lose information before storage; text and binary representations change the layout, not its image meaning. 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.
- Colour depth
- PPM: maxval up to 65535 → HDR: 32-bit RGBE / XYZE pixel
- HDR
- 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 every source image be exported?
Only one image is decoded; a concatenated image sequence is not exported as a complete set.
Can HDR recover clipped highlights?
This stores display pixels in RGBE; it does not create new HDR detail.
Does lossless output mean an unchanged source?
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.
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?
Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.