cli

data2image

Convert any file to a PNG image and back, from the command line.

Installation

npm install -g data2image

Usage

Encode a file

data2image encode photo.jpg
# → photo.jpg.d2i.png

Decode it back

data2image decode photo.jpg.d2i.png
# → photo.jpg

Bulk operations

# Encode multiple files
data2image encode *.pdf *.docx

# Encode with output directory
data2image encode documents/*.pdf -o output/

# Decode all .d2i.png files
data2image decode *.d2i.png -o restored/

Pipe to stdout

# Encode to stdout (single file)
data2image encode secret.txt --stdout > secret.d2i.png

# Use in pipelines
data2image encode data.json --stdout | someOtherCommand

Commands

encode <files...>

Encode file(s) into PNG image(s).

Arguments:

• <files...>: File path(s) or glob pattern(s) to encode

Options:

• -o, --output <dir>: Output directory (default: same as input file)
• --stdout: Write PNG to stdout (single file only)

Examples:

data2image encode report.pdf
data2image encode *.txt -o encoded/
data2image encode archive.zip --stdout > out.png

decode <files...>

Decode Data2Image PNG(s) back to original file(s).

Arguments:

• <files...>: PNG file path(s) or glob pattern(s) to decode

Options:

• -o, --output <dir>: Output directory (default: same as input file)

Examples:

data2image decode image.d2i.png
data2image decode *.d2i.png -o restored/

Features

• Encode any file type to PNG
• Perfect lossless round-trip
• Glob pattern support for bulk operations
• CRC-32 integrity verification
• Progress indicators
• Stdout support for piping
• Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)

How It Works

1. File data is compressed with deflate
2. Wrapped in a binary frame with magic bytes, CRC-32, and filename
3. Laid out as RGBA pixels in a square PNG image
4. Decode reverses the process and verifies integrity

Encoded files use .d2i.png extension so they're still viewable as regular PNG images.

Related Packages

• @data2image/core: Core library (use this for programmatic access)
• Website: Web app with drag-and-drop

Use Cases

• Archive files as images for platforms that only accept images
• Embed data in image-sharing sites
• Create visual representations of file data
• Backup files as PNGs
• Data exfiltration research/testing

License

GPLv3