TIFF vs XPM
Ein detaillierter Vergleich von TIFF Image und X PixMap — Dateigröße, Qualität, Kompatibilität und welches je nach Workflow zu wählen ist.
TIFF Image
Raster & Vector ImagesTIFF is a flexible, high-quality image format widely used in publishing, printing, and professional photography. It supports multiple compression methods and color spaces including CMYK.
Über TIFF-DateienX PixMap
Raster & Vector ImagesXPM (X PixMap) is a color image format for the X Window System that stores pixel data as ASCII text with a color palette. Unlike XBM, it supports full color and transparency through a simple text-based representation.
Über XPM-DateienVorteilsvergleich
TIFF Vorteile
- Lossless by default — no generation loss on successive edits and saves.
- Supports any bit depth (1 to 32 bits per channel), any color model, any number of channels.
- Extensible tag system means vendor-specific data survives alongside standard tags.
- Multi-page containers are perfect for scanned documents, faxes, and DICOM-like stacks.
- Industry-standard for archival, museums, scientific imaging, and high-end print prepress.
XPM Vorteile
- Valid C source — directly embeddable in code.
- Text-editable in any editor.
- Transparency via "None" color value.
- Stable since 1989 with no breaking changes.
Einschränkungen
TIFF Einschränkungen
- File sizes are huge compared to JPEG/WebP/AVIF — often 10-30× larger.
- Not a web format — no browser displays TIFF natively.
- Ambiguous spec areas mean some TIFFs only open correctly in the tool that created them.
- Weak animation support — designed for still imagery.
XPM Einschränkungen
- Enormous file sizes vs compressed formats.
- Only useful within X11 / legacy Unix GUI ecosystem.
- Limited color palette in classic form (256 colors max practical).
- Superseded by PNG and SVG for modern UI.
Technische Spezifikationen
| Spezifikation | TIFF | XPM |
|---|---|---|
| MIME type | image/tiff | image/x-xpixmap |
| Extensions | .tif, .tiff | — |
| Standard | TIFF 6.0 (1992); BigTIFF extension for 64-bit offsets | — |
| Max file size | 4 GB (TIFF); 2^64 bytes (BigTIFF) | — |
| Compression options | None, LZW, Deflate, JPEG, CCITT G3/G4, PackBits, JBIG | — |
| Extension | — | .xpm |
| Encoding | — | ASCII text (valid C source) |
| Native environment | — | X Window System (X11) |
| Predecessor | — | .xbm (X Bitmap, 1-bit) |
Typische Dateigrößen
TIFF
- Scanned A4 page (300 dpi, B&W) 100-300 KB
- Scanned A4 page (600 dpi, color) 15-40 MB
- Print-quality magazine photo 30-150 MB
- Satellite GeoTIFF tile 50 MB - 5 GB
XPM
- Small icon (32×32, 16 colors) 2-5 KB
- Toolbar button set 10-50 KB
Bereit zum Umwandeln?
Wandle zwischen TIFF und XPM online um, kostenlos und ohne Installation. Verschlüsselter Upload, automatische Löschung in 60 Minuten.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible raster image format developed by Aldus Corporation in 1986. It supports lossless compression, multiple pages, layers, and high color depths, making it the standard for professional printing and scanning.
TIFF (Tagged Image formatoo de arquivo) is a flexible raster image formato developed by Aldus Corporation in 1986. It suporta sem perdas compressão, multiple pages, layers, e alta color depths, making it the padrão para profissional printing e scanning.
TIFF files open in Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Windows Photos, macOS Preview, and IrfanView. Multi-page TIFFs may require specialized viewers or Adobe Acrobat.
TIFF arquivos abrir in Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Windows Photos, macOS Preview, e IrfanView. Multi-page TIFFs may require specialized viewers ou Adobe Acrobat.
Use TIFF for professional print workflows, scanning, and archival where multi-page support and CMYK color spaces are needed. Use PNG for web graphics and screen display where smaller file sizes and transparency are priorities.
Use TIFF para profissional print workflows, scanning, e archival where multi-page support e CMYK color spaces are needed. usar PNG para web graphics e screen display where smaller tamanho do arquivos e transparência are priorities.