XC to G3 Converter

Online XC to G3 — instant image conversion

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Batch Processing

Handle multiple XC files in a single session. Every file converts to G3 independently for organized output.

Fast Conversion

Quick turnaround from XC to G3 — powered by high-performance cloud servers that handle conversions efficiently.

Fully Browser-Based

Browser-only workflow — visit the page, upload XC, download G3. Works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

How to convert XC to G3

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose g3 or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your g3 file right afterwards

About formats

XC (X window Color) is a procedural pseudo-format built into ImageMagick, the open-source image processing suite originally created by John Cristy at DuPont and first released on August 1, 1990. Rather than reading pixel data from a file, the XC format generates a solid-color canvas of specified dimensions, filled with a single uniform color value. The color can be specified using any of ImageMagick's supported color specification methods: named X11 colors (red, dodgerblue, linen), hex triplets (#FF6600), RGB/RGBA functional notation (rgb(255,102,0)), HSL, CMYK, or any other supported color space representation. XC canvases are created through ImageMagick's command-line interface using the special colon syntax (e.g., convert -size 800x600 xc:navy output.png) and serve as foundational building blocks in ImageMagick's compositing and image construction workflows. Common uses include creating background layers for compositing operations, generating masks and mattes of specific colors, initializing canvases for drawing operations, producing test images for pipeline validation, and creating placeholder images for web and application development. One advantage is workflow integration: XC canvases feed directly into ImageMagick's processing pipeline, enabling operations like gradient overlays, text rendering onto colored backgrounds, or template generation without requiring any input file. The pseudo-format's support for ImageMagick's complete color specification system is another strength — any color expressible in any supported color space can be used, including semi-transparent colors via RGBA notation, making XC a versatile primitive for programmatic image construction.
Initial release: 1990
G3 is a monochrome image format based on the ITU-T Group 3 facsimile coding standard (Recommendation T.4), ratified by the CCITT in 1980 as the universal compression method for fax transmission over telephone networks. G3 files contain 1-bit (black and white) image data encoded using Modified Huffman (MH) one-dimensional coding, where each scanline is independently compressed by replacing runs of consecutive white or black pixels with variable-length codewords from a predefined Huffman table optimized for typical document content. The standard also defines an optional two-dimensional coding mode (Modified READ) that encodes each line as differences from the previous line, achieving better compression for pages with vertical redundancy. Standard G3 resolution is 204 pixels per inch horizontally and either 98 (standard) or 196 (fine) pixels per inch vertically, producing the characteristic slightly-stretched appearance of received fax documents. The encoding was carefully optimized for the real-time transmission constraints of 1980s modems operating at 2400 to 14400 bps, where encoding and decoding speed had to match the communication channel rate. One advantage is universal telecommunications compatibility: Group 3 encoding remains the mandatory baseline codec for every fax machine manufactured, ensuring that G3 image data can be transmitted to or received from any fax device worldwide. The format's efficiency for document content is another strength — the Huffman tables were statistically tuned to the run-length distributions found in business documents, and typical pages compress to under 30 KB. G3 files are supported by LibreOffice, ImageMagick, and fax server software.
Developer: ITU-T (CCITT)
Initial release: 1980

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert XC to G3?

XC data from creating backgrounds and test patterns becomes universally viewable once converted to G3 format.

How do I open G3 files?

You can open G3 with fax software, IrfanView. No specialized software is needed on most modern systems.

Do I need to install anything?

Zero installs needed. Open Convertio in any browser, upload XC, and download G3 — that simple.

Does the conversion happen on my device?

Convertio handles all processing on its servers — your device just uploads the XC and downloads the G3 result.

Is my XC data kept private?

Convertio deletes uploaded XC files immediately after conversion. G3 outputs are automatically purged within 24 hours.

How long does XC to G3 conversion take?

Conversion is fast — usually a matter of seconds. Complex or large XC files may need slightly more time.