Open XCF files

  • Full name
    GIMP XCF Bitmap Image Format
  • Developer
    GIMP
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a XCF file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a XCF file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your XCF file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is XCF file?

XCF is the file extension of the standard image format of the free open-source image editor GIMP. In addition to the image information, an XCF file also contains layers, channels, paths and the selection when saving.

More info

As long as you work on an image with GIMP, you should use the XCF format, as other formats such as jpeg or png will lose this information. Of course, Xcf is a lossless format.

Programs which can open a XCF file

How to open file with XCF extension?

In order to open a file with XCF extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening XCF file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with XCF files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install GIMP or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening XCF files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support XCF files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of XCF files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set GIMP as the default program for opening XCF files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate XCF files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the GIMP applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where GIMP has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with XCF files

Sometimes problems with opening XCF files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • XCF files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open XCF files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • XCF file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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