The file extension PCX is defined as an earlier bitmap image format which was created by Zsoft. Zsoft is a producer of various types of software and is well known for the Zsoft Uninstaller which is used to uninstall applications on a PC. The PCX bitmap image format was originally created by the Zsoft PC Paintbrush Pro software application installed in the MS-DOS operating system. MS-DOS is a Microsoft operating system which preceded Windows.
The PCX bitmap image format is still used with a variety of fax and scanning applications as well as desktop publishing programs. Since the file extension PCX is an earlier image format, the file is limited in terms of the type of image formats it supports. PCX bitmap images can support grayscale in an 8-bit format as well as color images which are 24-bit. PCX files are also commonly associated with the DCX file extension, especially if they originate from a scanner or fax.
How to Open PCX Files
Although the file extension PCX is an older bitmap format, it can be opened using a variety of current image editing applications. If you have come across a PCX file, try double clicking on the file to see if it will automatically find a default program you have installed on your PC.
If you are using the Windows operating system, PCX files can be opened using PaintShop Pro X6 or WordPerfect Office X6. Both applications are available in a free trial version on the Corel Corporation website. You can also opt to use Canvas 14 and ACDSee 15, which are image editing applications available on the ACDSee website. Microsoft Windows Picture and Fax Viewer included in Windows will also open PCX files.
For Mac OS X you can use Adobe Photoshop CS6 or Photoshop Elements 11 to open the file extension PCX. Both applications are available in a free trial version on the Adobe website and are compatible with the Windows operating system as well.
PCX files can also be opened using Nuance OmniPage, which is a software application used to convert documents and digital images in a variety of formats. If you are using Windows, you should use OmniPage 18 and for Mac OS X you can use OmniPage Pro X. Both applications are available as a paid download on the Nuance website.
If you are looking for a cross platform application to open the file extension PCX, you can use GIMP, which is an open source image editing application capable of handling a wide variety of image formats. GIMP is available as a free download on the GIMP.org website and is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and the Linux operating system.
It is also important to mention that the Zsoft Paintbrush application is still available as freeware on the Shareware Connection website. Zsoft Paintbrush is designed for use with the Windows operating system.
