Image
What is a .pic file?
A .pic file is a Lotus 1-2-3 Chart. This is an image format — a picture, drawing or graphic. Confusingly, this extension has been used by 8 different formats over the years — they're all listed below.
This extension has been used by more than one format
8 different formats have claimed .pic over the years, so two files with the same extension aren't necessarily the same kind of thing.
- Lotus 1-2-3 ChartNo version recorded · x-fmt/82
- PC Paint BitmapNo version recorded · x-fmt/170
- Macintosh PICT ImageVersion 2.0 · fmt/341
- Radiance RGBE Image FormatNo version recorded · fmt/591
- Softimage 3D Picture File FormatNo version recorded · fmt/1167
- Micrografx In-A-Vision DrawingNo version recorded · fmt/1481
- Psion Series 3 BitmapNo version recorded · fmt/1744
- Koala MicroIllustrator Graphic FileNo version recorded · fmt/1780
How to open a .pic 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 Lotus 1-2-3 Chart, PC Paint Bitmap, Macintosh PICT Image and others, so software from that family is the most likely match.
How to convert a .pic file
- Open it in GIMP or XnView and export as .png (lossless) or .jpg (smaller).
MIME type
When a .pic file travels over the web, servers label it with one of these MIME types:
image/x-pictimage/vnd.radianceThe technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .pic.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus 1-2-3 Chart | — | — | x-fmt/82 |
| PC Paint Bitmap | — | — | x-fmt/170 |
| Macintosh PICT Image | 2.0 | image/x-pict | fmt/341 |
| Radiance RGBE Image Format | — | image/vnd.radiance | fmt/591 |
| Softimage 3D Picture File Format | — | — | fmt/1167 |
| Micrografx In-A-Vision Drawing | — | — | fmt/1481 |
| Psion Series 3 Bitmap | — | — | fmt/1744 |
| Koala MicroIllustrator Graphic File | — | — | fmt/1780 |