Open IFF files

  • Full name
    Autodesk Maya Image Interchange Format
  • Developer
    Electronic Arts
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a IFF 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 IFF file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your IFF file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is IFF file?

With the file extension IFF media files (mostly pictures) in the so-called Interchange File Format, which was developed by Electronic Arts (EA) and Commodore, marked. The biggest spread was on the Commodore Amiga.

More info

Today, it is a universal format that, with its simple structure and flexibility, is often the basis for other formats.

The format is designed to contain a wide variety of data. It's a wrapper, similar to a container format, but simpler in design. The files can contain audio data, pictures, videos or even texts.

The basic structure consists of chunks, in which the format and the properties are defined, also metadata are possible. A chunk then contains the actual data. These can be textual, raw or numeric.

The Maxis 'DieSims' and 'Sims Online' games use a variation of the IFF format. These can be edited with the Windows program IFF Pencil and the MacOSX program IFF Snooper.

Programs which can open a IFF file

How to open file with IFF extension?

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

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

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

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Check the section that lists most common problems with IFF files

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

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