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CGM to EMF Converter

Convert CGM to EMF online for free. Fast, secure, and high-quality conversion with no sign-up or software required.

Free to useNo file stored beyond 1 hourEncrypted over TLS 1.2/1.3No watermarks

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How it works

Three steps to your converted file

Everything happens in your browser tab - upload, pick a format, download. The heavy lifting runs on our servers.

01

Upload your file

Drag and drop, click to browse, or paste a URL. Batches take up to 20 files at once - 230+ input formats across video, audio, image, document, and archive types.

02

Choose an output format

Pick from over a hundred output formats. Filter by category or search by name - every option is open to everyone, no account needed.

03

Convert & download

Hit Convert and grab your download link moments later. Originals are erased when the job completes; results are cleared within about an hour.

What is a CGM file?

The Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) is an open, platform-independent standard defined by ISO/IEC 8632 for the storage and exchange of 2D vector graphics, raster images, and text. Unlike proprietary formats, CGM is explicitly designed for interoperability in engineering, aviation, and technical illustration, utilizing a clear-text, binary, or character-based encoding. It serves as a specific standard in industries like the ATA (Air Transport Association) for technical manuals and geophysical data visualization.

How to open a CGM file

CGM files are primarily viewed using specialized CAD and engineering software such as Cortona2D Viewer, PTC Arbortext IsoView, or Siemens NX. General image viewers like IrfanView (with plugins) and XnView can display them on Windows. While web browsers do not support CGM natively, 'WebCGM' profiles exist for specialized implementations. Conversion to SVG is recommended for modern web usage.

CGM Technical Info

Full Name
Computer Graphics Metafile
Developed By
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 24
Initial Release
1987
MIME Type
image/cgm

What is an EMF file?

The Enhanced Metafile (EMF) is a 32-bit vector graphics format developed by Microsoft as a successor to the 16-bit Windows Metafile (WMF). It stores a sequence of device-independent GDI (Graphics Device Interface) drawing commands, allowing graphics to be rendered seamlessly across different output devices like printers and high-resolution displays. EMF resolves the coordinate limit issues of WMF and is commonly used within the Microsoft Office ecosystem for clipart and vector data storage.

How to open an EMF file

EMF files are natively supported by the Microsoft Windows operating system and can be opened with Windows Photo Viewer, Microsoft Paint, and Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint). On macOS, Apple Preview can convert and display EMF files. Cross-platform editing is possible using LibreOffice Draw or Inkscape, which can interpret the GDI commands and convert them to standard SVG paths.

EMF Technical Info

Full Name
Enhanced Metafile
Developed By
Microsoft
Initial Release
1993
MIME Type
image/emf

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Why RunConvert

The fastest way to convert any file

Purpose-built for speed, privacy, and breadth of format support.

Convert CGM to EMF in seconds

Every CGM to EMF conversion runs on our servers, so your device stays fast and the output quality stays intact.

Fast, cloud-powered

No queue, no waiting. Files are processed on high-performance servers and returned in seconds, even for large files.

Secure & private

Encrypted in transit and never shared with anyone. Uploads are erased the moment your job completes, and results shortly after.

Free - no account needed

Convert without creating an account - no credit card, no trial clock. Sign in only if you want history and higher daily limits.

Developer API

Convert CGM to EMF via API

Automate CGM to EMF conversions in three steps: create a job, upload your file, then poll for the result.

# 1. Create job
curl -X POST https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "tag": "cgm-to-emf",
    "tasks": {
      "upload-file": {
        "operation": "import/upload"
      },
      "convert": {
        "operation": "convert",
        "input": "upload-file",
        "output_format": "emf"
      },
      "export-result": {
        "operation": "export/url",
        "input": "convert"
      }
    }
  }'

# 2. Upload your file (use upload_url from the response)
curl -X PUT "$UPLOAD_URL" --upload-file input.cgm

# 3. Poll for result
curl https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs/$JOB_ID?include=tasks \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RunConvert API key. Get your free API key at runconvert.com/api.