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Convert HDR to XML - Extract Structured Image Data

Transform Radiance HDR images into structured XML data for technical workflows.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Convert HDR to XML?

HDR (High Dynamic Range) files store complex luminance data that standard image formats cannot capture. When you need to extract this data for analysis, documentation, or integration with other systems, XML provides the perfect structured format.

Converting HDR files to XML extracts the image metadata, color values, and technical properties into a human-readable text format that can be processed by scripts, databases, and applications.

How to Convert HDR to XML

  1. Upload your HDR file - Drag and drop or click to select your Radiance HDR image
  2. Select XML as output - Choose XML from the available format options
  3. Download your XML file - Get your structured data file instantly

The conversion happens entirely in your browser. Your HDR files are processed locally without uploading to any server.

Understanding HDR Files

Radiance HDR format (also called RGBE) was developed by Greg Ward for lighting simulation software. Unlike standard 8-bit images, HDR stores each pixel with a shared exponent that allows for extreme brightness ranges. In our testing, HDR files can represent luminance values from near-black shadows to intensely bright light sources in a single image.

This format uses 32 bits per pixel and is commonly found in:

  • 3D rendering - Environment maps for realistic lighting
  • Architectural visualization - Capturing real-world lighting conditions
  • Photography - Storing raw HDR data before tone mapping
  • Game development - Image-based lighting and skyboxes

When XML Output Makes Sense

XML conversion serves specific technical purposes rather than visual display:

  • Metadata extraction - Pull header information, dimensions, and color primaries into a readable format
  • Data pipelines - Feed image properties into automated workflows
  • Documentation - Create text records of HDR file specifications
  • Cross-platform integration - XML works with virtually any programming language or system

If you need the actual image in a viewable format, consider HDR to JPG or HDR to PNG conversion instead.

Alternative Formats

Depending on your goal, other output formats may serve you better:

  • JPG or PNG - For viewable images with tone mapping applied
  • EXR - Another HDR format with better software support
  • HTML - For web-based display of image information
  • TXT - For simpler plain-text data extraction

Works on Any Device

This browser-based converter runs on:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • Tablets and mobile devices

No software installation required. Just upload and convert.

Pro Tip

When working with HDR environment maps for 3D rendering, extracting metadata to XML first helps verify the color space and exposure values before applying the map to your scene.

Common Mistake

Expecting XML output to contain viewable image data. XML captures structured metadata and text representations, not the visual content. Use JPG or PNG conversion for viewable images.

Best For

Developers and technical artists who need to extract HDR file properties for scripts, documentation, or data pipelines without visual processing.

Not Recommended

Don't use XML conversion if you want to view or share the HDR image. Choose JPG for compressed viewing or PNG for lossless quality with tone mapping applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is an image format that stores extended luminance data beyond standard 8-bit images. Radiance HDR format uses 32 bits per pixel with a shared exponent to represent extreme brightness ranges, commonly used in 3D rendering and lighting simulation.

The XML output contains the image metadata including dimensions, color space information, and any header data stored in the HDR file. The exact content depends on your source file's embedded information.

No. XML conversion extracts metadata and text representations, not the full pixel data needed to reconstruct the original HDR image. For image-to-image conversion, use formats like JPG, PNG, or EXR.

Yes, completely free with no registration required. Upload your HDR file and download the XML output at no cost.

No. The conversion processes entirely in your browser. Your HDR files never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy.

HDR files are created by 3D software like Blender, Cinema 4D, and 3ds Max. They're also generated by HDR photography software and lighting capture tools. The format originated with the Radiance lighting simulation software.

Yes. Upload multiple HDR files at once and convert them all to XML in a single batch operation.

Both are high dynamic range formats. HDR (Radiance) is older with a simpler structure using RGBE encoding. EXR (OpenEXR) is newer, supports more features like layers and arbitrary metadata, and is more common in modern VFX pipelines.

Common reasons include extracting metadata for documentation, feeding image properties into automated pipelines, creating structured records for asset management, or parsing HDR specifications with scripts and programming tools.

XML is a universal data format supported by virtually every programming language, database, and modern application. The output can be parsed, transformed, or imported into any system that handles XML.

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