Open DCS files

  • Full name
    QuarkXPress Desktop Color Separation Format
  • Developer
    Quark Software
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a DCS 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 DCS file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your DCS file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is DCS file?

The file extension DCS identifies so-called Desktop Color Separation (DCS 2.0) Specification files. A DCS file is an EPS format based file that contains information for the different layers of color.

More info

The files are mainly used for the exchange of bitmap images between different pre-press applications, but sometimes also vector and text data are used.

The format developed by Quark exists until version 2.0, which was introduced in 1995. As of version 2.0, it was possible to save all color layer files in a single file with the extension DCS, before that individual files were always output for each layer (suffix c, m, y, k). Meanwhile, the DCS system is no longer recommended for use with CMYK due to better alternatives and common problems.

Programs which can open a DCS file

How to open file with DCS extension?

In order to open a file with DCS extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening DCS 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 DCS files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install QuarkXPress or other program from the list

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

Set QuarkXPress as the default program for opening DCS 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 DCS 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 QuarkXPress applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where QuarkXPress has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with DCS files

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

  • File data is corrupted
  • DCS 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 DCS files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • DCS 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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