DCR to BMP Converter

Kodak RAW (DCR) was Kodak’s first raw-image-file format. Released in the 1990s, it was part of the Kodak Digital Camera System (DCS) series of cameras and was accompanied by specialized software. While Kodak discontinued the DCS camera series in 2005, the DCR format is still supported by many Kodak cameras today. 

How to open a DCR file?

DCR opens easily with Kodak’s legacy software called Kodak Photodesk. While still available, it is important to note that Kodak discontinued this software program. Modern options for opening DCR include Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.

A free alternative for opening DCR is XnView MP, which works on multiple platforms. Since DCR is a raw bitmap file, it converts easily to more common file formats. However, in most cases, it is simply converted to JPEG (DCR to JPG).

Developed by: Kodak

Initial Release: 1991

Bitmap (BMP) is a pixel-based file format that stores two-dimensional images, generally without any compression. BMP utilizes a dot matrix data structure called raster graphics, which establishes the color depth of the image. BMP is mostly used for digital publishing of photographs. However, due to the lack of compression, BMP files are usually large.

How to open a BMP file?

BMP can be device-dependent or independent. BMP opens readily in the Microsoft Paint application and is often associated with Microsoft operating systems. Despite the association with Microsoft, a device-independent BMP, or DIB, can open on almost any device, operating system, or application. 

In addition to opening BMP files, many applications can be used to create them, such as Adobe Illustrator. Should you need to convert the BMP into a vector-based image, then consider using CorelDRAW. Other applications that can open BMP files include Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Photos, Apple Preview, Apple Photos, and ColorStrokes.

Developed by: Microsoft Corporation

Initial Release: 20 November 1985

Useful links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMP_file_format

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/gdi/bitmaps