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Convert EXR to PDF - Share HDR Renders Easily

Turn OpenEXR files into universally viewable PDF documents.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Need to Share EXR Files?

EXR files are the standard for VFX and film production, but they're impossible to open without specialized software. When you need to share renders with clients, directors, or team members who don't have Nuke or Photoshop, PDF solves the problem instantly.

Converting EXR files to PDF creates a document anyone can open on any device. No plugins, no special viewers, no explanation needed.

How to Convert EXR to PDF

  1. Upload your EXR file - Drag and drop or click to select your OpenEXR image
  2. Confirm PDF output - PDF is selected as your target format
  3. Download your document - Your EXR is now a shareable PDF

The entire process takes seconds. In our testing, a 32-bit EXR render converted to PDF in under 3 seconds.

Why Convert EXR to PDF?

EXR (OpenEXR) is an industrial-strength format developed by Industrial Light & Magic for visual effects work. It supports 16-bit and 32-bit floating point color data, multiple layers, and extreme dynamic range. But that power comes with a drawback: almost nobody outside of production can open them.

Client Reviews

Need to show a render to a client for approval? They probably don't have compositing software. A PDF opens in any browser, any email client, any device. Send the PDF and get feedback immediately.

Production Documentation

Creating lookdev documents, render breakdowns, or shot notes? Embedding renders as PDF pages makes them accessible to everyone on the production, from artists to producers.

Archival Reference

PDF is a stable format that will be readable decades from now. Converting final renders to PDF alongside your EXR archives ensures future accessibility.

What Happens During Conversion

When you convert EXR to PDF, the high dynamic range data gets tone-mapped to fit standard display range. This is similar to what happens when you view an EXR in any viewer - the extreme lights and darks get compressed to visible levels.

The result is a clean, viewable representation of your image. For full HDR fidelity, keep your original EXR. For sharing and review, the PDF captures what matters.

If you need to preserve more detail for print or further editing, consider EXR to PNG which maintains higher color depth than PDF typically displays.

When to Use a Different Format

PDF is ideal for sharing and documentation, but not for every use case:

  • Need to edit the image? Convert to JPG or PNG for standard image editing workflows
  • Need to preserve layers? Keep the EXR - PDF flattens everything
  • Need HDR data? PDF doesn't preserve high dynamic range values
  • Need transparency? PDF doesn't support alpha channels the same way

For quick sharing where the recipient just needs to see the image, PDF works perfectly.

Works in Your Browser

No need to install Nuke, After Effects, or any desktop software. Convert EXR to PDF directly in your web browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • Even works on tablets and phones

Conversion happens locally in your browser. Your files stay on your device.

Pro Tip

When sending EXR renders for client review, convert to PDF and include the PDF inline in your email rather than as an attachment. Most email clients display PDFs directly, so clients see your work without any extra clicks.

Common Mistake

Expecting PDF to preserve HDR stops. If your render relies on viewing at different exposures, include multiple PDFs at different exposure levels, or add a note that this is the display-referred version only.

Best For

Quick client approvals and production documentation where recipients don't have VFX software. Perfect for dailies reviews, lookdev signoffs, and render progress updates.

Not Recommended

Color-critical reviews where ACES compliance matters, or any workflow where you need to adjust exposure after conversion. Keep the EXR for that - PDF is for viewing only.

Frequently Asked Questions

EXR (OpenEXR) is a high dynamic range image format developed by Industrial Light & Magic. It's the industry standard for visual effects and film production, supporting 16-bit and 32-bit color depth and multiple image layers.

The PDF will show a tone-mapped version of your EXR. Since PDF doesn't support high dynamic range, extreme highlights and shadows get compressed to viewable levels - similar to how any standard display shows an EXR.

The converter flattens multi-layer EXR files to a single image in the PDF. If you need to preserve individual layers, you'll need to export them separately from your compositing software.

The PDF maintains the pixel dimensions of your original EXR. A 4K render stays 4K in the PDF. You can view it at any zoom level without losing quality up to the original resolution.

Currently, each EXR converts to its own PDF. For multi-page PDFs from a sequence of EXRs, convert them individually and combine them using a PDF merger tool.

Yes, in the sense that HDR data is lost. The visible image is preserved at display quality, but the floating-point color information and extreme dynamic range data can't be stored in PDF format.

EXR requires specialized software like Nuke, Photoshop, or dedicated EXR viewers. Most computers don't have these installed by default. PDF, by contrast, opens in any web browser or free PDF reader.

The conversion outputs sRGB color space for maximum compatibility. If your EXR uses ACES or another working color space, the PDF shows the sRGB-converted result - suitable for general viewing but not color-critical work.

You can convert individual frames from an EXR sequence. For animated content, consider converting to a video format instead, or select key frames to convert to PDF for review purposes.

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