FAQ
B to PGM Conversion
What are B files?
.b is a specialized binary grid format developed by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to distribute coordinate transformation grids for GEOCON and NADCON 5.0 workflows. Designed originally by Dennis Milbert to standardize geoid and datum shift manipulations, a file of this type contains spatial coordinate corrections (latitude, longitude, or ellipsoidal height offsets) stored as continuous gridded records. The format features a unique structural characteristic rooted in its legacy FORTRAN generation: every data record is wrapped within leading and trailing 4-byte buffer artifacts that specify record length. A single .b file typically stores only one components of a three-dimensional transformation—such as latitude shifts—requiring complementary companion files with identical structures to fully execute a high-precision datum conversion across regions of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).
What are PGM files?
The PGM or Portable Graymap format is part of a package of open source graphics programs called Netpbm. Other Netpbm formats include PPM (Portable Pixmap) and PBM (Portable Bitmap), also known under the collective name of PNM (Portable Anymap). A PGM file includes a grayscale image, can work on a UNIX platform, as well as on Windows or Mac OS X, and can render a scope of up to 255 grayscale colors.
Can reaConverter convert B to PGM?
Yes! reaConverter instantly converts .b to .pgm with perfect quality preservation. With its batch processing feature, you can convert multiple files at once in just a few clicks. You can even convert images directly from Windows Explorer using the right-click menu — fast and convenient.
What is reaConverter used for?
reaConverter is a Windows converter for 800+ formats, GIS data among them. For B to PGM it replaces the usual detour through QGIS, ArcGIS or ogr2ogr: add the files, pick the output format, and the whole batch converts offline. Surveyors, planners and engineering teams use it to pass data between GIS, CAD and everyday document formats.
Why choose offline conversion with reaConverter?
reaConverter is a software program that is used for offline files conversion. Your proprietary documents never leave your computer – essential for architects, engineers, healthcare and government contractors handling classified projects. Meets GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and corporate security policies by ensuring files never cross borders or third-party systems.
Can I convert B to PGM online?
If you only need to convert a few B files to PGM format, feel free to try our free online free online B to PGM converter — perfect for small batches with no installation needed!
How can I turn B files into PGM on my computer?
The best way to change Bs to PGMs on your PC is to install a quality piece of software, such as reaConverter. This software is extremely efficient in managing a wide range of batch files conversions, including conversion from B to PGM.
How can I automate B to PGM files conversion?
reaConverter supports all the most useful automation features such as right-click сonversion and Watch Folders for the most efficient automated files conversion in any software of this type.
Is there a way to convert B files to PGM using the command prompt?
reaConverter provides full access to all its features via Windows command line, including a high-performance command-line b to pgm converter for batch processing.
What else can I do with reaConverter?
Vectorize imagesChange bit depthConvert RAW filesChange format settingsCopy metadata (EXIF, IPTC)
Related conversions
Other ways to convert B files, and other sources that convert to PGM.
