Image
What is a .pdb file?
A .pdb file is a Portable Database (version 1). This is an image format — a picture, drawing or graphic. Confusingly, this extension has been used by 10 different formats over the years — they're all listed below.
This extension has been used by more than one format
10 different formats have claimed .pdb over the years, so two files with the same extension aren't necessarily the same kind of thing.
- Portable DatabaseVersion 1 · fmt/1064
- PowerProject TeamplanNo version recorded · fmt/510
- Protein Data Bank FileVersion 3.3 · fmt/2009
- Portable DatabaseVersion 2 · fmt/1065
- Broderbund Print Shop DeluxeVersion 5-6 · fmt/1299
- Microsoft Program DatabaseVersion 7.00 · fmt/1079
- Microsoft Program DatabaseVersion 2.00 · fmt/1078
- Portable DatabaseVersion 3 · fmt/1066
- Palm Database ImageViewer FormatNo version recorded · fmt/1654
- Broderbund Print Shop DeluxeVersion 1-4 · x-fmt/168
How to open a .pdb 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 Portable Database, PowerProject Teamplan, Protein Data Bank File and others, so software from that family is the most likely match.
How to convert a .pdb file
- Open it in GIMP or XnView and export as .png (lossless) or .jpg (smaller).
The technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .pdb.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable Database | 1 | — | fmt/1064 |
| PowerProject Teamplan | — | — | fmt/510 |
| Protein Data Bank File | 3.3 | — | fmt/2009 |
| Portable Database | 2 | — | fmt/1065 |
| Broderbund Print Shop Deluxe | 5-6 | — | fmt/1299 |
| Microsoft Program Database | 7.00 | — | fmt/1079 |
| Microsoft Program Database | 2.00 | — | fmt/1078 |
| Portable Database | 3 | — | fmt/1066 |
| Palm Database ImageViewer Format | — | — | fmt/1654 |
| Broderbund Print Shop Deluxe | 1-4 | — | x-fmt/168 |