BW File Extension

Silicon Graphics Image
- File Type bw
- Developer Paul Haeberli
- Popularity
- Application PhotoFiltre Studio
- Category Raster Image Files
What is a BW file?
Silicon Graphics Image, identified by the BW extension, is a Raster Image Files type and includes 575 files.
BW files are supported by Mac OS, Linux and Windows. You can view a BW file using one of 2 programs, for example XnView and PhotoFiltre Studio.
Programs that support BW files
How to open a BW file?
The most common reason why a BW file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.
The most popular programs for working with BW files are XnView and PhotoFiltre Studio. To get the latest version of PhotoFiltre Studio, open the Antonio Da Cruz website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.
Once setup is done, your operating system should assign PhotoFiltre Studio as the default app for BW files.
Make PhotoFiltre Studio the default BW viewer
Changing the default program in Windows
- Start by right-clicking on your BW file and selecting the "Open With" option. From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
- Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose PhotoFiltre Studio as the application to associate with your BW file;
- Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".
Change the default app to open files on Mac
- Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired BW file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
- Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
- Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
- In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to PhotoFiltre Studio. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.
Convert to and from BW
If a BW file is difficult to handle, you might try converting it to formats such as PNG or similar, which may be easier to work with.
Please note that after converting a BW file, some functionality may differ from the original. However, in many cases, it can be converted back to its original format.
Convert BW to other file formats
Finding answers to BW file problems
If you encounter issues with BW files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.
What are the signs that my BW file is damaged?
Corrupted BW raster image files may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Poor performance when editing a file in PhotoFiltre Studio;
- Opening or processing the file in PhotoFiltre Studio or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
- The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
- Unexpected expansion of the total size of the BW file;
- Working with the file triggers the display of error messages;
Why does PhotoFiltre Studio quit or crash unexpectedly?
PhotoFiltre Studio crashes can be attributed to outdated software. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Antonio Da Cruz products.
A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.
What methods can be used to repair a damaged BW file?
Use a recovery program to open the damaged BW file and navigate to the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged raster image files.
How to edit a BW file?
To edit BW files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify raster image files. Online BW editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for Silicon Graphics Image.
List of Top BW editors 2026
Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended BW editors.
| BW Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhotoFiltre Studio | Antonio Da Cruz | Windows | 4.3 out of 5 (44 reviews) |





