View CINs

View any image in your browser. Filesizes up to 2.5GB. For free, forever.

All local

Our converter runs in your browser, so we never see your data.

Blazing fast

No uploading your files to a server—conversions start instantly.

Secure by default

Unlike other converters, your files are never uploaded to us.

What is the CIN format?

Cineon Image File

The CIN image format, standing for Cineon Image File, is a specialized file type primarily used in the motion picture industry. Developed by Kodak in the early 1990s as part of the Cineon digital film system, it was created to facilitate the storage, handling, and digital processing of images captured on film. The Cineon system, including the CIN format, was a pioneering effort in digital intermediate processes, bridging the gap between analog film photography and digital post-production.

CIN files are characterized by their ability to store image data in a log format, which mimics the density characteristics of film. This log format is instrumental in preserving the high dynamic range (HDR) captured by film, accommodating a broader spectrum of luminance than standard digital image formats. This capability makes CIN an ideal format for maintaining the visual depth and detail found in film, particularly useful for complex color grading and visual effects processing in post-production.

A CIN file encapsulates raw, uncompressed pixel data. This data is typically stored in a 10-bit log space, representing over a billion colors. The resolution of CIN files is flexible, catering to various film formats up to 4K resolution, which suits the diverse requirements of film and television production. The high fidelity and color accuracy of the CIN format are due to its uncompressed nature, ensuring that the image quality is preserved without the loss that accompanies many other compression methods.

The structure of a CIN file is fairly straightforward yet efficient, consisting mainly of a file header, image data, and optional metadata. The file header contains critical information such as image dimensions, bit depth, color model (usually RGB), and the file version. Following the header, the bulk of the file is composed of the image data, with each frame being stored sequentially if the file represents a sequence. Lastly, metadata within the file can include information such as timecodes, frame rates, and color correction settings, facilitating a seamless workflow in post-production.

CIN files employ a unique approach to image storage using logarithmic encoding. This method contrasts with the linear representation found in most digital image formats. In a linear format, equal differences in numerical value correspond to equal differences in perceived brightness. However, film responds to light in a logarithmic manner, where equal physical increments of light exposure result in proportional increments in optical density. By adopting this logarithmic encoding, the CIN format closely mimics film's response to light, preserving its natural look and feel.

The adoption of the CIN format necessitates specialized software for viewing, editing, and converting these files. Various digital intermediate and color grading software packages support the CIN format, recognizing its importance in the film and television post-production landscape. Additionally, tools and plugins are available to convert between CIN and more widely used digital formats, enabling broader compatibility and facilitating workflows that integrate digital and film-based elements.

While the CIN format plays a critical role in maintaining the visual integrity of film-based projects during digital post-production, it also presents certain challenges. The primary challenge is the large file sizes resulting from its high resolution and lack of compression. Storing and handling these large files require significant storage capacity and robust data management strategies. Furthermore, the processing of CIN files demands powerful computing resources, given the complex computations involved in color grading and applying visual effects in a high-bit depth log space.

Moreover, the specialized nature of the CIN format means that it is less universal than other image formats, such as JPEG or PNG. This limitation necessitates a learning curve and potentially specialized training for professionals working with these files. Additionally, while the CIN format excels at preserving image quality for post-production, its large file size and specific use case scenario make it less suitable for end-consumer distribution, where formats like H.264 for video and JPEG for still images remain dominant.

Nevertheless, the CIN format's strengths in preserving film's dynamic range and facilitating high-end color grading and visual effects work have cemented its place in the professional post-production workflow. Its contribution to the digital intermediate process allows filmmakers to achieve a seamless blend of digital and analog elements, ensuring that the artistic vision of the cinematographer and director is preserved through to the final project output.

The future of the CIN format, like many specialized digital formats, may be influenced by the evolving technology landscape. As new imaging technologies emerge, offering higher resolutions and dynamic ranges, formats like CIN must adapt to remain relevant. Additionally, advances in compression techniques could address the issue of large file sizes, making the format more accessible and manageable. The continued development of software that supports CIN, improving usability and integration with other digital media tools, will also play a crucial role in its longevity.

The CIN format serves as a bridge between the traditional film industry and modern digital post-production, enabling the preservation of film's unique characteristics while benefiting from the flexibility and power of digital workflows. Despite the challenges associated with its use, the format's ability to faithfully reproduce the wide dynamic range and nuanced coloration of analog film makes it an invaluable tool in the professional post-production arena. As technology advances, the CIN format's adaptability will determine its continued relevance in an industry that is perpetually on the cusp of the next digital breakthrough.

In conclusion, the CIN image format represents a critical piece of technology in the evolution of film and television production. Its development by Kodak marked a significant milestone in bridging the gap between analog and digital realms, offering filmmakers unparalleled control over the look of their projects in post-production. Despite its challenges, such as large file sizes and the need for specialized software, the CIN format has proved irreplaceable for tasks that demand the highest fidelity and dynamic range. As the media production landscape continues to evolve, the CIN format's role may change, but its contribution to the art and science of filmmaking will remain a significant chapter in the history of cinema.

Supported formats

AAI.aai

AAI Dune image

AI.ai

Adobe Illustrator CS2

AVIF.avif

AV1 Image File Format

AVS.avs

AVS X image

BAYER.bayer

Raw Bayer Image

BMP.bmp

Microsoft Windows bitmap image

CIN.cin

Cineon Image File

CLIP.clip

Image Clip Mask

CMYK.cmyk

Raw cyan, magenta, yellow, and black samples

CMYKA.cmyka

Raw cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and alpha samples

CUR.cur

Microsoft icon

DCX.dcx

ZSoft IBM PC multi-page Paintbrush

DDS.dds

Microsoft DirectDraw Surface

DPX.dpx

SMTPE 268M-2003 (DPX 2.0) image

DXT1.dxt1

Microsoft DirectDraw Surface

EPDF.epdf

Encapsulated Portable Document Format

EPI.epi

Adobe Encapsulated PostScript Interchange format

EPS.eps

Adobe Encapsulated PostScript

EPSF.epsf

Adobe Encapsulated PostScript

EPSI.epsi

Adobe Encapsulated PostScript Interchange format

EPT.ept

Encapsulated PostScript with TIFF preview

EPT2.ept2

Encapsulated PostScript Level II with TIFF preview

EXR.exr

High dynamic-range (HDR) image

FARBFELD.ff

Farbfeld

FF.ff

Farbfeld

FITS.fits

Flexible Image Transport System

GIF.gif

CompuServe graphics interchange format

GIF87.gif87

CompuServe graphics interchange format (version 87a)

GROUP4.group4

Raw CCITT Group4

HDR.hdr

High Dynamic Range image

HRZ.hrz

Slow Scan TeleVision

ICO.ico

Microsoft icon

ICON.icon

Microsoft icon

IPL.ipl

IP2 Location Image

J2C.j2c

JPEG-2000 codestream

J2K.j2k

JPEG-2000 codestream

JNG.jng

JPEG Network Graphics

JP2.jp2

JPEG-2000 File Format Syntax

JPC.jpc

JPEG-2000 codestream

JPE.jpe

Joint Photographic Experts Group JFIF format

JPEG.jpeg

Joint Photographic Experts Group JFIF format

JPG.jpg

Joint Photographic Experts Group JFIF format

JPM.jpm

JPEG-2000 File Format Syntax

JPS.jps

Joint Photographic Experts Group JPS format

JPT.jpt

JPEG-2000 File Format Syntax

JXL.jxl

JPEG XL image

MAP.map

Multi-resolution Seamless Image Database (MrSID)

MAT.mat

MATLAB level 5 image format

PAL.pal

Palm pixmap

PALM.palm

Palm pixmap

PAM.pam

Common 2-dimensional bitmap format

PBM.pbm

Portable bitmap format (black and white)

PCD.pcd

Photo CD

PCDS.pcds

Photo CD

PCT.pct

Apple Macintosh QuickDraw/PICT

PCX.pcx

ZSoft IBM PC Paintbrush

PDB.pdb

Palm Database ImageViewer Format

PDF.pdf

Portable Document Format

PDFA.pdfa

Portable Document Archive Format

PFM.pfm

Portable float format

PGM.pgm

Portable graymap format (gray scale)

PGX.pgx

JPEG 2000 uncompressed format

PICON.picon

Personal Icon

PICT.pict

Apple Macintosh QuickDraw/PICT

PJPEG.pjpeg

Joint Photographic Experts Group JFIF format

PNG.png

Portable Network Graphics

PNG00.png00

PNG inheriting bit-depth, color-type from original image

PNG24.png24

Opaque or binary transparent 24-bit RGB (zlib 1.2.11)

PNG32.png32

Opaque or binary transparent 32-bit RGBA

PNG48.png48

Opaque or binary transparent 48-bit RGB

PNG64.png64

Opaque or binary transparent 64-bit RGBA

PNG8.png8

Opaque or binary transparent 8-bit indexed

PNM.pnm

Portable anymap

PPM.ppm

Portable pixmap format (color)

PS.ps

Adobe PostScript file

PSB.psb

Adobe Large Document Format

PSD.psd

Adobe Photoshop bitmap

RGB.rgb

Raw red, green, and blue samples

RGBA.rgba

Raw red, green, blue, and alpha samples

RGBO.rgbo

Raw red, green, blue, and opacity samples

SIX.six

DEC SIXEL Graphics Format

SUN.sun

Sun Rasterfile

SVG.svg

Scalable Vector Graphics

SVGZ.svgz

Compressed Scalable Vector Graphics

TIFF.tiff

Tagged Image File Format

VDA.vda

Truevision Targa image

VIPS.vips

VIPS image

WBMP.wbmp

Wireless Bitmap (level 0) image

WEBP.webp

WebP Image Format

YUV.yuv

CCIR 601 4:1:1 or 4:2:2

Frequently asked questions

How does this work?

This converter runs entirely in your browser. When you select a file, it is read into memory and converted to the selected format. You can then download the converted file.

How long does it take to convert a file?

Conversions start instantly, and most files are converted in under a second. Larger files may take longer.

What happens to my files?

Your files are never uploaded to our servers. They are converted in your browser, and the converted file is then downloaded. We never see your files.

What file types can I convert?

We support converting between all image formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG, BMP, TIFF, and more.

How much does this cost?

This converter is completely free, and will always be free. Because it runs in your browser, we don't have to pay for servers, so we don't need to charge you.

Can I convert multiple files at once?

Yes! You can convert as many files as you want at once. Just select multiple files when you add them.