pbmtopi3

Convert a PBM image to an Atari Degas PI3 image

$ pbmtopi3 [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/atari_image.pi3]

pbmtopi3 [PBMfile]

pbmtopi3 is a specialized utility within the comprehensive Netpbm package. Its primary function is to convert a Portable Bitmap (PBM) image file into the proprietary Imagen printer image file format, specifically known as 'pi3'. This format was historically used by Imagen brand laser printers, which were prevalent in professional and academic environments during the 1980s and early 1990s.

As PBM files represent monochrome (black and white) images, the output 'pi3' file is also inherently monochrome. This command serves as a filter, typically reading PBM data from standard input if no input file is specified, and writing the resulting Imagen 'pi3' data to standard output. Its existence highlights Netpbm's commitment to interoperability across a wide range of legacy and contemporary image formats and printing devices.

The primary limitation of pbmtopi3 is its focus on a highly legacy format; Imagen printers are largely obsolete. Therefore, its practical utility in modern computing environments is minimal, primarily serving historical or very niche emulation purposes.

The command processes only monochrome (black and white) images, as it operates on the Portable Bitmap (PBM) format. It does not support any command-line options for image manipulation or output customization, relying solely on the input PBM data.

To convert a PBM file named input.pbm to an Imagen 'pi3' file named output.pi3:
pbmtopi3 input.pbm > output.pi3

To use pbmtopi3 as part of a pipeline, for example, converting a PNM image to PBM first, then to 'pi3':
pnmtopbm input.pnm | pbmtopi3 > output.pi3

pbmtopi3 is a component of the Netpbm image manipulation toolkit, which has a long and rich history dating back to the late 1980s. The Netpbm project evolved from the 'pbmplus' package created by Jef Poskanzer, designed to provide a versatile set of tools for converting and manipulating various graphics formats.

Commands like pbmtopi3 were developed to support specific hardware prevalent at the time, such as Imagen printers, demonstrating the project's early commitment to broad device compatibility. While the target hardware is now historical, the command remains part of the Netpbm suite, maintained for completeness and historical fidelity.

pbm(5), netpbm(1), pbmtoepsi(1), pbmtoibm5204(1), pbmtopk(1)