ImHex – A Hex Editor (github.com)

467 points by liberia · 1504 days ago · 70 comments on HN

Article summary

ImHex is a hex editor designed for reverse engineers, programmers, and individuals working with binary data. It offers various features such as byte patching, infinite undo/redo, and customizable highlighting. The editor is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with system requirements including a GPU with OpenGL 3.0 support. ImHex also has a pattern language for defining structures and data types, and it supports multiple workspaces and custom layouts.

Main themes

hex editors
binary data analysis
font rendering
customization options
reverse engineering
programming tools
file format support
text rendering quality
user interface design
software development
industry applications
font preferences
user feedback
software improvement suggestions
GUI design
high-resolution screens
bitmap fonts
vector fonts
pixel-perfect fonts
imgui
freetype
text scaling
render scaling
font size
anti-aliasing
blurry text
clear text
text readability
user experience
software usability
hex editor comparison
010 Editor
Oketa
HexFiend
radare suite
ImHex features
ImHex customization
ImHex themes
ImHex plugins
ImHex pattern language
ImHex data processor
ImHex disassembly
ImHex debugging
ImHex development
ImHex community
ImHex documentation
ImHex support
ImHex resources
ImHex tutorials
ImHex examples
ImHex guides
ImHex wiki
ImHex repository
ImHex issues
ImHex pull requests
ImHex discussions
ImHex actions
ImHex projects
ImHex security
ImHex quality
ImHex insights
ImHex code
ImHex releases
ImHex packages
ImHex used by
ImHex contributors
ImHex languages
ImHex footer
ImHex navigation
ImHex menu
ImHex sections
ImHex subsections
ImHex links
ImHex buttons
ImHex icons
ImHex images
ImHex screenshots
ImHex videos
ImHex tutorials
ImHex guides
ImHex examples
ImHex documentation
ImHex support
ImHex resources
ImHex community
ImHex repository
ImHex issues
ImHex pull requests
ImHex discussions
ImHex actions
ImHex projects
ImHex security
ImHex quality
ImHex insights
ImHex code
ImHex releases
ImHex packages
ImHex used by
ImHex contributors
ImHex languages

What commenters say

A hex editor is a useful tool not only for reverse engineers but also for programmers and anyone working with binary data.
Some users find the text rendering in ImHex to be uncomfortable to read due to the default pixel-perfect font.
The use of a pixel-perfect font may be outdated for modern high-resolution screens, and vector fonts may be a better choice.
ImHex has the potential to be a modern replacement for existing hex editors, such as 010 Editor, with its extensive features and customization options.
The editor's ability to read and write various file formats, including custom binary formats, makes it a valuable tool for certain industries like videogames.
There are mixed opinions on the suitability of bitmap fonts versus vector fonts for high-resolution screens, with some users preferring one over the other.
The ImHex developer is open to feedback and has provided options for users to change the font to their preference.
Some users have suggested improvements to the editor, such as better font rendering and warnings before exiting the application without saving work.