Image format
What is a CIN file?
CIN (Cineon) is a 10-bit logarithmic image format Kodak built in the early 1990s to represent scanned film frames for digital effects work.
Kodak developed the Cineon system to bridge physical film and digital compositing: scan a negative, edit or add effects digitally, then record the result back onto film without a visible generation loss. To make that round-trip work, the Cineon file format stores each pixel as a 10-bit logarithmic value that mirrors film density rather than a straight linear brightness — the same encoding scheme film stock itself uses — so highlights that would clip in an ordinary 8-bit format stay recoverable. The Cineon product line was discontinued in the late 1990s, but the file format it introduced lived on as the direct basis for DPX, the SMPTE-standardized format that replaced it in most modern VFX pipelines.
How to open a CIN file
CIN isn't something ordinary photo viewers or browsers open — it needs DaVinci Resolve, Nuke, Adobe After Effects (with a plugin).
CIN is a specialist film/VFX format — it needs professional compositing or grading software, not a general image viewer.
Strengths & limitations
Good for
- log encoding preserves film-like highlight and shadow detail
- historically the reference format for scanned film work
Watch out for
- superseded by DPX in most modern pipelines
- not supported by mainstream photo or design software
Convert CIN files
Orbfile can convert CIN both ways, entirely in your browser — pick a direction below:
Frequently asked questions
What does a CIN file contain?+
CIN (Cineon) is a 10-bit logarithmic image format Kodak built in the early 1990s to represent scanned film frames for digital effects work.
Can I convert CIN for free?+
Yes — Orbfile's image converter handles CIN for free, with no file limit, watermark, or account, and it runs entirely in your browser.
Is converting a CIN file safe and private?+
Yes. Orbfile processes CIN files locally on your device using WebAssembly — nothing is uploaded to a server, so there's nothing to leak or store.
Who created the CIN format?+
CIN was developed by Kodak, first released around circa 1990.
Browse the full file format guide.