EXR file: How to open? The best software for opening exr files

EXR

OpenEXR Image Format

File type: Bitmap image file

An exr file extension is used for images stored in the OpenEXR Image Format that was developed by the Industrial Light & Magic. OpenEXR image format was going to public in 2003 and it is supported by popular graphics applications, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, 3D Studio Max, Blender etc.

What is exr file?

File type category:
Bitmap image file

Date updated: January 2, 2025

The exr file extension (Extended Dynamic Range image file format) is associated with the OpenEXR image file format

OpenEXR was developed in 1999 by Industrial Light & Magic that is the leader in creating of movie digital tricks and is the open source high dynamic-range (HDR) graphic file format. The main advantage of that format are up to 32-bit floating-point pixels and multiple lossless image compression algorithms up to 2:1 lossless compression on film grained images.

OpenEXR is used by ILM on all motion pictures currently in production. The first movies to employ OpenEXR were Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, Men in Black II, Gangs of New York, and Signs. Since then, OpenEXR has become ILM's main image file format.

OpenEXR supports higher dynamic range and color precision than existing image file formats. It is full compatible with nVidia GeForce and Quadro 3D graphics solutions. It uses multiple lossless image compression algorithms.

OpenEXR is also supported by variety of popular graphics and video editing applications, for example Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, 3D Studio Max, Blender, CINEMA 4D, TerraGen etc.

How to open exr file?

Popular graphics and video editing applications, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, 3D Studio Max are able to view EXR file stored in OpenEXR Image Format.

How to convert exr file?

Use any of popular graphics applications such as Adobe Photoshop, 3D Studio Max, Blender to convert EXR file to another image format.

Suggested software to open exr file:

Associated software actions with the exr file

EXR