Open DCM files

  • Full name
    Dicom Medicine Image File Format
  • Developer
    NEMA
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a DCM file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a DCM file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your DCM file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is DCM file?

DCM files are image files in the so-called DICOM format. The DICOM format (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is an open standard for the exchange of information in medicine. DICOM images are lossy or lossless in TIFF or JPEG format and are embedded in the DCM file.

More info

In addition to images from, for example, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray and CT devices, the files may also contain segmentation, patient data, findings and image registrations. Also 3D data is possible. At the same time, the DICOM standard also represents the protocol standard that is implemented in almost every medical device for imaging and image processing procedures.

In addition, DICOM forms the basis for the PACS digital image archiving system in hospitals and clinics (Picture Archiving and Communication System). Other, often used extensions for dicom files are dic and dicom. Partially the ending is omitted altogether.

Programs which can open a DCM file

How to open file with DCM extension?

In order to open a file with DCM extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening DCM file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with DCM files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Adobe Photoshop or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening DCM files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support DCM files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of DCM files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Adobe Photoshop as the default program for opening DCM files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate DCM files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Adobe Photoshop applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Adobe Photoshop has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with DCM files

Sometimes problems with opening DCM files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • DCM files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open DCM files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • DCM file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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