.iff files come under the category of Audio Files.

Purpose of the .iff file format

The .iff file format was developed to facilitate easy transfer of data between software produced by various companies.

Structure of .iff files

.iff files contain sections of data. A section of data is referred to as “chunks”, and each chunk is defined by four-letter IDs.

Three main chunk types are:

• FORM - This section of data specifies the format of the .iff file.
• LIST - This section of data specifies the properties of the .iff file.
• CAT - This section of data contains the rest of data.

Generally, the top-level structure of an .iff file contains the FORM chunk type. Each of the three chunk types may contain numerical, text, or raw data.

Names of the programs that can open .iff files

If you use Windows, you may open an .iff file using any of the following programs:

• IFF Pencil
• Apple QuickTime Player
• ACD Systems Canvas 11
• ACDSee Photo Manager 12
• XnView
• IrfanView
• Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3
• Cloanto Amiga Forever

If you use a Mac OS, you may open an .iff file using any of the following programs:

• IFFSnooper
• Apple QuickTime Player
• Cloanto Amiga Forever

If you use Linux, you may open an .iff file using any of the following programs:

• XnView
• Cloanto Amiga Forever

Names of other file types that use the .iff file extension

Besides the Interchange File Format, 16 other file types are recorded using the .iff file extension. Their names are:

1. Amiga bitmap image file
2. Amiga Sound file
3. The Sims data file
4. TextCraft document file
5. Alias Wavefront TDI Explore image
6. Alias Wavefront image
7. Bitmap image
8. Sun TAAC image file format
9. Deluxe Paint bitmap image
10. Electronics Arts bitmap image
11. ProWrite document file
12. Simple Musical Score file
13. Phillips CDi file
14. DESR VFF grayscale bitmap image
15. Autodesk Maya image format
16. Image Deluxe Paint

In case you encounter a file type error while opening an .iff file, we recommend that you use a reliable file extension repair tool to access the file. A good file extension repair tool will allow you to open, edit, and save various file types, as well as fix file extension errors.

.prn files come under the category of Page Layout Files and are created when you select the Print to file option in the Print dialog box. When you choose the Print to file option, the program outputs whatever information it may have sent your printer to a file. The .prn file can then be printed through any other printer that has the same printer driver as your printer.

.prn files store the content that needs to be printed and instructions for the printer, such as what printer tray to use, the number of pages to print, size of the paper, etc.

You can open .prn files using any text editor, such as Notepad. However, you are likely to see a lot of junk characters along with your text.

Purpose of the .prn file

The main aim of .prn files is to allow computer users to print a file even when the program that creates the file is not installed or open. For instance, you want to send a brochure created in Microsoft Publisher to different people for printing, but the problem is that the recipients don’t have Microsoft Publisher installed on their computers. In this case, rather than asking them to install Microsoft Publisher, you can e-mail the .prn file which they can print even when Microsoft Publisher is not installed on their computer.

There are a couple of pre-requisites for using the .prn file.

1. The software with which the file is created should be able to print the file.
2. All the printers on which the .prn file is going to be printed should have the same printer driver as your printer. To elaborate on this, let’s continue with the above example. When you send the .prn file to various recipients, they should be using the same printer driver as your printer, as only then will they be able to print the .prn file. Remember, when a .prn file is created, the output is formatted for a specific printer.

There is a misconception about .prn files – many users believe that to print a .prn file on different computers, you need to have the same printer installed on the second computer that was installed on the system that created the .prn file. In truth, all you need is the same printer driver.

How to create a .prn file

Perform the following steps to create a .prn file:

1. Click the File menu of your program and select Print.
2. In the Print Dialog box, select the printer, and then select Print to file.
3. Check other print options and click OK.
4. Type the name for your .prn file and save it in the desired location.

How to print a .prn file in Windows

To print a .prn file, right-click the file, and then select “Microsoft Office Document Imaging”. You can also print .prn files through DOS command. Further, free utilities are also available that allow you to print .prn files.

Names of the programs that can open a .prn file in Windows:

• Microsoft Document Imaging
• AllWeb Fast Print
• ACD Systems Canvas 11
• Free Raw Print
• Any compatible printer driver that can print .prn files

In case you encounter a file extension error when you try to open a .prn file, then you may use FileCure to open the required file. FileCure is a reliable file extension repair tool that not only allows users to fix various file extension errors, but also permits them to view various file types.

.mod files identify the common Music module file format widely adopted in the Music Industry.  These files are compatible on a variety of audio tracking software. A .mod file stores the pitch, intensity, modulation patterns of a musical note and varied factors linked with playing musical instruments like volume, tempo, vibrato, cues, etc. It contains descriptive sound patterns and samples used by diverse musical instruments and these samples are allotted to the specific tracks inside a module and are then ordered and used for playing back in sync with the musical notes.

.mod files also identify the compiled code written in the FORTRAN programming language. These compiled fortran .mod files are self-contained files that encapsulate a batch of related procedures and data values in a single file. These files are referenced or called on by other modules programmed in FORTRAN.

.mod files also refer to the ArchiCAD software file format. ArchiCAD is an architecture software used for Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) workings. These types of files are extensively used by architects for creating 3D building models, engineering drafting and drawing for construction purposes. ArchiCAD is a product of a Hungary based firm named Graphisoft.

What are the programs used to open .mod files?

Based on the type of .mod file, it can be opened by any of the programs or freeware listed below.

• VLC media player
• Winamp Media Player
• StarTreker
• FastTracker
• Noise Tracker
• Intel Fortran Compiler
• XMPlayIBM XL Fortran
• Fujitsu Fortran for LinuxGxine
• Graphisoft ArchiCAD.

If you do not have any of the above software installed in your PC, do not rack your brains unnecessarily to decode and work with your .mod files. Get FileCure installed on your PC to open, edit and save.mod files.

The .prf file extension is a PRoFile file which is mainly associated with Microsoft Outlook. This file type is also associated with the Windows system file known as Personnel Readiness File.

What is the .prf file extension used for?

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is the most popular personal mail client designed by Microsoft. As this software was bundled with the Microsoft Office Suite, it was also known as Microsoft Office Outlook. But the version 2007 of Outlook can be downloaded as an individual package from the Microsoft website. It can work as a stand-alone application for a single user or can be configured with the Exchange server and Office SharePoint server for multiple users.

Once a user is created in Microsoft Outlook, the user information and preferences for the user are stored in a profile file with the .prf file extension. In addition to these settings, the .prf file also includes account settings, mail folder shortcuts, signatures and other reference settings. When a .prf file is imported to Outlook, all the profile settings are automatically updated in the profile folder. This is very helpful when a user changes systems and needs his old profile settings.

The profile files of Outlook can be exported to a series of systems at the same time. MS-Office provides an Office resource kit which can be used to create profile files with the .prf file extension. This kit also includes a Custom Installation Wizard (CIW) which can be used to position or deploy these .prf files on multiple systems.

Windows System Files

Windows is the most popular and widely used Operating system and it can be used by one or multiple users. Windows uses profile files with the .prf file extension to store settings and preferences related to the operating system and can be exported to any another Windows OS. These profile files can also be used by certain programs to store settings for multiple users.

What are the different kinds of software used to open the .prf file extension?

The .prf file extension format can be opened using the software listed below-

• Microsoft Outlook for both Windows and Mac OS
• Windows OS

PPTX is an acronym for Power Point Template XML and is associated with the PowerPoint Application designed by Microsoft.

What is the .pptx file extension used for?

PowerPoint is an extremely popular presentation application which is used to display data in the form of digital slides on a computer. PowerPoint software helps users to create and share dynamic presentations using these digital slides. You can integrate high-resolution images, videos and text to design the presentations.

PowerPoint is widely used because firstly, it has a powerful editor which can be used to format and embed text into digital slides. Secondly, it has an Image editor which helps in editing high resolution images which can be inserted into the slide. Finally, it has a slide show tool which helps in displaying slides.

PowerPoint is a part of the MS-Office suite, but when their 2007 version was released, it was also made available as a stand-alone application.  The 2010 Office version includes the PowerPoint software which has been upgraded to the web version, which means you can view and edit presentations with the .pptx file format online free of cost. The normal version of the PowerPoint 2010 application is also available for purchase.

How is a .pptx file different from a .ppt file?

A file with the .pptx file extension is very similar to a .ppt file with only one prominent difference, the .pptx file is based on the Microsoft Office Open XML Format. This .pptx file extension format makes it easily compatible with other presentation software like OpenOffice. <

What are the different kinds of software used to open a .pptx File?

PowerPoint Viewer is a free software provided by Microsoft to view files with the .pptx file extension. The PPT viewer can only view files, but it cannot edit them. To edit files you need to purchase the professional version of the PowerPoint software.  There are a range of software apart from PowerPoint which can open files with the .pptx file extension. They are:

Open Source Software

• OpenOffice
• StarOffice

Web Based Software

• ZOHO
• Google Docs
• Microsoft Office 2010

Mac OS

• Microsoft Office
• AppleWorks
• OpenOSX

Linux

• OpenOffice
• KOffice
• GNOME Office

Description of an application that uses this file format is given in detail below. We have also listed the names of all other applications that are known to be associated with the .pro file type.

File Type – ProPresenter Export File

ProPresenter is lyric presentation software that is available for use only on the Mac OS operating system. The software allows Mac OS users to create presentations that contain lyrics of songs. The .pro file format is one of many file formats that this software uses. The .pro files (ProPresenter Export Files) store video and lyrics.

You can open a .pro file on a Mac OS using Renewed Vision ProPresenter.

Names of other applications that are associated with the .pro file format

1. Xilinx Integrated Software Environment
2. Atari
3. Terramodel
4. DOS Graphics Profile File
5. Euphoria
6. PC|SCHEMATIC Automation
7. Unknown Apple II File
8. Chord Pro
9. Sid Meier’s SimGolf
10. Qt
11. Pegasus Mail
12. IDL
13. Guitar Chord File
14. Creamware Pulsar Audio File
15. Fast-Talk
16. PV-WAVE Procedure File
17. Pagis Pro
18. Infinity Game Engine
19. Pro/ENGINEER
20. Punch Pro Home Design File
21. Lorenz Graf HTML Tool
22. PROLOG Program File

I’ve received a .pro file attachment, how do I open it?

To open a .pro file, just double-click on it. If the program that is used for opening the file is installed on your computer then the file will load automatically. Otherwise, you will receive an error message stating, Windows can’t open this file. When this happens, you can use any of the following methods to open the .pro file:

• Identify the program that created the .pro file that you have received as an email attachment. Next, install this program on your computer and then open the file.
• Use a file opener program to open the .pro files. One such file opener program that allows you to easily open various file types, including .pro files is FileCure.

The .pln file extension is a PLaN file and is mainly associated with the ArchiCAD design software. It is also associated with the flight simulator game designed by Microsoft.

What is the .pln file extension used for?

ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD is a CAD (computer aided design) software package which is used for building information Modeling (BIM). GraphiSoft is a Hungarian company established in the year 1982 which had first designed the ArchiCAD software for Apple Macintosh systems and became the first CAD software ever designed for a personal computer. It is used to support 2D drawings and all the designs were stored in the .pln file extension format.

It became very popular once the Virtual Building concept was built into the ArchiCAD software which helped architects to generate and manage the data related to the structure’s life cycle. It was used to create designs, interiors, exteriors and complete landscapes for a structure using BIM technology. The designs created using this modeling type were also stored in the .pln file extension format. The new version of ArchiCAD supported both 2D and 3D images to be created on the screen and ArchiCAD was the first to implement the 3D concept into their software.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft flight simulator is a very popular video game which was designed for the personal computer and it holds the record for the longest running video game series of all time. It was first released in the year 1982 and was designed and marketed by Microsoft. The .pln file extension format is a plan file that stores the complete ‘flight path plan’ in an XML format. All the detailed parameters of the player like destination and departure locations, waypoints, altitude, and the route taken were stored within the plan file with the .pln file extension. The older versions of the flight simulator never had the .pln file extension because it was introduced in version 2000.

What are the different kinds of software used to open .pln file extensions?

The .pln file extension format can be opened using the software listed below-

Windows and Mac OS

ArchiCAD by Graphisoft

Microsoft Flight Simulator plan file

Microsoft Flight Simulator Deluxe

FileCure Software – FileCure is a powerful application which is used to fix errors related to file associations and also helps in associating files with the correct applications. This software can be used to open files with the .pln file extension.

The .pkg file extension is an acronym for PacKaGe file and is a format associated mainly with the Apple OS X installer package. It is also associated with the PlayStation store files and Newton OS files.

What is the .pkg file extension used for?

Apple Installer files

A software package refers to a series of files compressed in an archived format to be installed on a system using package installer software. Apple’s installer application reads the .pkg file extension format and installs the software which are archived within the package. The package file is widely used to install files on the Mac OS X operating system. The installer file provides an interface to install the software easily for both Apple and third party applications designed for Apple OS X. In the OS X platform, once the file with the .pkg file extension is double clicked the files are extracted and installed. To view the files of the package you can just use the ‘Control-click’ option and select the “Show package contents” option.

PlayStation Store Files

PlayStation is an extremely popular gaming console designed by Sony. With the announcement of PlayStation 3, a new PlayStation network platform was announced for multiplayer gaming. The PlayStation store is an online shopping service provided for PlayStation games on the new PlayStation Network and the files downloaded from this store contain the .pkg file extension. The package files can contain games, movies, game updates and demos of various games stored in an encrypted format. This encrypted format carrying the .pkg file extension is recognized only by Sony devices and once downloaded can be ported to PS3 or PSP using a flash drive or a network connection.

Newton OS

Apple Computers started work on a personal digital assistant (PDA) hardware in the year 1989 and this was the first tablet platform. The Operating system for this hardware was called the Newton OS which was developed mainly by the Sharp Corporation. The installer packages and applications designed for the Newton OS had the .pkg file extension. The package file of the Newton OS and Mac OS X has no correlation which means one cannot open the other.

What are the different kinds of software used to open the .pkg file extension?

The .pkg file extension format can be opened using the software listed below

Mac OS Package files

• Mac OS X

PlayStation Store Files

• PS3
• PSP

Newton OS files

• Newton OS

The .pif file extension is an acronym for Program Information File and is a format associated with MS-DOS and the Windows operating system.

What is the .pif file extension used for?

MS-DOS was an x86 based operating system which was designed by Microsoft for personal computers. IBM and Apple had good and powerful operating systems, but were confined to their own hardware. MS-DOS was a revolutionary operating system because it was able to run on every personal computer irrespective of their hardware. This made MS-DOS very popular and applications were designed for this OS.

MS-DOS was a command line interface (CLI) programming language which had a series of files with the .exe file extension. Once the system was started the computer used to load the OS and a command prompt appeared on the screen. Programs could be run on system from the command prompt using the .exe programs and DOS syntax. The .pif file extension format is a program information file which is used by MS-DOS to run a list of programs, functions and can contain pieces of source code. The .pif format used to define a complete multitasking environment for a specific program.  Such .pif files contained :

• the specific .exe program
• the path where it will be found
• the memory it will use
• Type of screen to be used like full screen or size in pixels

The .pif file extension format was originally used as a link file or a shortcut to the original file. The shortcut used to contain all the settings which were saved for the executable file in the .pif file format. The .pif file was never considered an exe file and was not provided many resources. They were always run using the ShellExecute function of Windows which used to execute them according to the content they encapsulated.

Because the .pif file extension format can handle pieces of code and exe files in one file; several viruses started to pack themselves into these files. These viruses were then distributed as email attachments.   So, it is always better to scan attachments carrying these files.  .pif files are rarely used nowadays due to the lack of MS-DOS applications.

What are the different kinds of software used to open .pif file extensions?

The .pif file extension format can be opened using either MS-DOS or can be run in the Windows environment.

FileCure Software – FileCure is a powerful application which can open files with the .pif file extension. This software can not only open any kind of file format, but can also fix file association errors.

The .pcx file extension is an acronym for Personal Computer eXchange and is a format majorly associated with the image file format. The first application to support this format was the PaintBrush application.

What is the .pcx file extension used for?

The .pcx file extension format is an image format which was developed by Zsoft Corporation. It is a format which is native to the PC paintbrush application and is the first to be widely accepted as an image standard for MS-DOS. The .pcx file extension format is a bitmap image format which is device independent and stores data about the image like resolution, color depth, and color pallets in its header file.

If the image is transferred to a different location or opened by another application, the original image data maintained in the header file is accessed and the image is opened. This way the originality of the image is preserved on multiple platforms and applications.

The .pcx file extension format can store image information varying from 2,4,16 to 256 colors and has been extended to even 24-bit images as well. It can display 8-bit gray scale images, indexed images and monochromatic images often called 1-bit images.

This compressed format uses the RLE encoding and is majorly used by DOS and Windows platforms.

The use of the .pcx file extension format has declined because more lossless formats like jpeg, png and gif have emerged. Even then, the .pcx file extension format is still used by some fax / scanning applications. Multiple pages of fax containing .pcx image files are piled up in a sequence with one header file and are stored using the .dcx file format which is an extension of the .pcx format.

What are the different kinds of software used to open the .pcx file extension?

The .pcx file extension can be opened using image viewing and editing applications designed for both Mac and Windows applications. As this is a standard image format there are lots of applications which are designed to view the .pcx file extension format. Some of them are -

Mac and Windows OS

• Adobe Photoshop
• Nuance OmniPage Pro
• XnView

Windows Only

• ZSoft PC Paintbrush
• IrfanView
• Corel PaintShop
• ACDSee Photo Manager

FileCure Software – FileCure is a powerful application which can open any kind of file format, so it can be used to open files with the .pcx file extension. This software is commonly used to fix file association errors.