XCF is GIMP's native format
XCF (eXperimental Computing Facility) stores GIMP's full working state — layers, masks, paths and channels. It's the GIMP equivalent of Photoshop's PSD, and GIMP is what creates it.
Want an XCF from your JPG? Here's why it needs GIMP — and the layered format that works everywhere.
You can't convert a JPG to XCF here — XCF is GIMP's own working format, written by GIMP itself.
XCF (eXperimental Computing Facility) stores GIMP's full working state — layers, masks, paths and channels. It's the GIMP equivalent of Photoshop's PSD, and GIMP is what creates it.
A JPG is a single flattened image. Saving it as XCF wouldn't add the layered, editable structure XCF exists for — so for most needs a standard format is the better target.
JPG (JPEG) is a lossy raster format that compresses photographs into small files by discarding detail the eye barely notices — the most widely used photo format on the web and in cameras.
How to open JPG opens in every browser, image viewer and editor with no special software.
Full JPG format guideXCF is GIMP’s native format preserving layers, paths and channels — the open-source equivalent of PSD.
How to open XCF opens in GIMP; export to PNG or PSD for other apps.
Full XCF format guideThe layered editor format that Photoshop, GIMP, Photopea and Affinity can all open.
JPG → PSDLossless with transparency — perfect for graphics, logos and screenshots.
JPG → PNGLossless and uncompressed — ideal for editing, archiving and print.
JPG → TIFF