Image
What is a .bw file?
A .bw file is a Silicon Graphics Image. This is an image format — a picture, drawing or graphic.
How to open a .bw file
- GIMP (free) and IrfanView open a very wide range of image formats, including obsolete ones.
- XnView MP is the best bet for unusual or legacy image types.
- Your operating system's built-in viewer may work for mainstream formats.
The registry records this extension against Silicon Graphics Image, so software from that family is the most likely match.
How to convert a .bw file
- Open it in GIMP or XnView and export as .png (lossless) or .jpg (smaller).
MIME type
When a .bw file travels over the web, servers label it with this MIME type:
image/x-sgi-bwThe technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .bw.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon Graphics Image | — | image/x-sgi-bw | x-fmt/140 |