Autodesk Maya image interchange format
File type: Bitmap image file
Files with iff file extension might be found as images in Autodesk Maya Image Interchange format. Special bitmap image file type.
Found 4 different file type records with the same iff filename suffix.
File type category:
Bitmap image file
Date updated: March 24, 2024
The iff file extension is related to Maya, a 3D computer graphics software originally developed by Alias|Wavefront and later acquired by Autodesk.
The iff file is the default image interchange format used by the program. These images can have 8 or 16 bit per channel RGB, and optionally Alpha, and can optionally contain a 32-bit floating point depth map (sometimes called a Z-buffer).
You can work with this image format in Autodesk Maya or view it using XnView.
It seems this file type can be exported to some of the other 3D graphics formats.
Software applications that can open iff files:
Multiplatform
Software applications that can edit iff files:
Multiplatform
Software capable of saving iff files:
Multiplatform
Programs for viewing iff files:
Multiplatform
Software apps that create iff files:
Multiplatform
Software apps that print iff files:
Multiplatform
File type category:
Audio and sound file
Bitmap image file
Date updated: June 23, 2025
The iff file extension is associated with Amiga Interchange File Format that is used to transfer documents to and from Commodore Amiga computers.
The iff file standard is extremely flexible, and allows all a few formats, not only images, including text to be stored inside an IFF file. IFF files can be exported from an Amiga to a PC. The format can also be created on a PC, but the extension of the file name will then change to LBM or to CE (Depending on the application).
However, the basic file structure remains the same. The standard form for IFF image files created on a PC is called ILBM. ILBM is formed by means of compressing all images as planes. This is much slower, but it means that these compressed files will be accessible by any application able to read an IFF file, even if they are exported back to an Amiga.
The iff file extension is also used by obsolete Sun TAAC Image format.
Use XnView or other bitmap image viewer to view *.iff documents.
Use compatible tools to export *.iff files to other formats.
Software applications that can open iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Software applications that can edit iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Software capable of saving iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Programs for viewing iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Software apps that create iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Software apps that convert iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Software apps that import iff files:
Multiplatform
Software apps that export iff files:
Multiplatform
Software apps that print iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Software applications that handle other tasks involving iff files:
Microsoft Windows
File type category:
Graphics file
Date updated: September 28, 2026
Electronic Arts defined the IFF format in 1985 as a general-purpose way to store and exchange structured data. Its simple structure is quick to read and decompress, but the format does not provide a strong general-purpose compression scheme.
Because of its limited compression, IFF is inefficient for storing deep-color images. An IFF file is not necessarily an image file: depending on the application that created it, it can contain images, sound clips, animations, text, or other data.
The default extension is .iff, although other extensions such as MP, HAM, ILBM, and LBM are also encountered. PMView Pro uses the format for image files, while Deluxe Paint can create and open compatible image files. The Sims uses IFF files as part of its Windows game data.
On Microsoft Windows, try opening an image-based .iff file with PMView Pro. On Microsoft MS-DOS, Deluxe Paint can open compatible IFF image files.
IFF files used by The Sims should be handled by the game or by software designed for its game data. PMView Pro and Deluxe Paint will not necessarily recognize every IFF file, especially one containing sound, text, animation, or application-specific data.
Image-based IFF files can usually be opened in PMView Pro or Deluxe Paint and saved or exported in another image format supported by that program.
There is no single conversion method for every IFF file because the format can contain different types of data. IFF files used by The Sims or other applications should remain in their original format unless software made for that application provides an export function.
Programs for viewing iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Software applications that handle other tasks involving iff files:
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft MS-DOS
File type category:
Temporary file
Date updated: August 27, 2019
The iff file extension is associated with the SmartWare, a programming platform built on the Faircom database engine. It also includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and communication modules.
The iff file contains temporary merge data.
Probably not meant to be accessed by the user.
Probably cannot be converted to anything else.
Software applications that handle other tasks involving iff files:
Microsoft Windows
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