# phpman > man > pbmtomda(1) > **TLDR:** Convert a PBM image to a Microdesign MDA file. > - Convert a PBM image to a MDA file: `pbmtomda {{path/to/image.pbm}} > {{path/to/output.mda}}` - Invert the colors in the input image: `pbmtomda -i {{path/to/image.pbm}} > {{path/to/output.mda}}` - Halve the input image's height: `pbmtomda -d {{path/to/image.pbm}} > {{path/to/output.mda}}` *Source: tldr-pages* --- [pbmtomda(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/pbmtomda/1/markdown) General Commands Manual [pbmtomda(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/pbmtomda/1/markdown) ## NAME pbmtomda - convert a portable bitmap to a Microdesign .mda ## SYNOPSIS **pbmtomda** [**-d**][**-i**][**--**] _[_ _pbmfile_ _]_ ## DESCRIPTION Reads a portable bitmap file as input. Reads from stdin if input file is omitted. Produces a MicroDesign 2 area file (.MDA) as output. ## OPTIONS ### -d croDesign files. ### -i **--** End of options (use this if the filename starts with "-") ## BUGS There's no way to produce files in MicroDesign 3 format. MD3 itself and [mdatopbm(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/mdatopbm/1/markdown) can read files in either format. ## SEE ALSO [mdatopbm(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/mdatopbm/1/markdown), [pbm(5)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/pbm/5/markdown) ## AUTHOR Copyright (C) 1999 John Elliott <>. 3 June 1999 [pbmtomda(1)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/pbmtomda/1/markdown)