.WMF File Extension

Windows Metafile

Developer	Microsoft
Popularity	Average rating 3.6 / 5. Vote count: 56
Category	Vector Image Files
Format	.WMF
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an WMF file?

WMF (Windows Metafile) is a graphics file format originally developed by Microsoft. It stores a sequence of drawing commands that can be replayed to recreate vector graphics. It is commonly used for clip art and illustrations.

More Information.

The primary purpose of WMF was to provide a format for storing and exchanging vector graphics between Windows applications. It was widely used in the early days of Windows for clip art and drawings.

Origin Of This File.

WMF was first introduced with Windows 3.0 in 1990 as a successor to the older Metafile (EMF) format. It was designed to support scalable 2D vector graphics.

File Structure Technical Specification.

Format: WMF files contain a list of graphical objects such as lines, arcs, rectangles, and text, stored as records of Windows GDI (Graphics Device Interface) function calls.
Metadata: WMF files can also include metadata like color palettes and font definitions.
Scalability: They support scalable graphics without loss of quality, as they are based on vector graphics.

How to Convert the File?

Windows:

Using Microsoft Paint:
- Open the WMF file in Microsoft Paint.
- Save the file as another format like PNG or JPEG using the “Save As” option.
Using Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW:
- Open the WMF file in Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
- Export or save the file in a different vector format such as SVG or PDF.

Linux:

Using Inkscape:
- Open Inkscape and import the WMF file.
- Save the file as SVG or another format supported by Inkscape using the “Save As” option.
Using ImageMagick:
- Install ImageMagick if not already installed (sudo apt-get install imagemagick on Debian-based systems).
- Use the convert command to convert WMF to other formats.

macOS:

Using Inkscape:
- Install Inkscape for macOS and open the WMF file.
- Save the file as SVG or another format supported by Inkscape using the “Save As” option.
Using Online Converters:
- Use online converters like CloudConvert or Zamzar to upload the WMF file and convert it to a desired format like PNG or SVG.

Android:

Using File Converter Apps:
- Install a file converter app from the Google Play Store that supports WMF conversion.
- Select the WMF file and choose the output format (e.g., PNG, JPEG) to convert and save the file.

iOS:

Using Online Converters or Apps:
- Similar to Android, use online converters accessible through a web browser or download a specific app from the App Store that supports WMF conversion.
- Upload the WMF file and convert it to a compatible format like PNG or JPEG.

Other Platforms:

For other platforms not specifically listed (e.g., Chrome OS, Unix variants):