Opening PCF Files

The PCF file type is primarily associated with X.Org Server.

PCF	File extension: PCF
	File type:	font

What is a PCF file?

PCF files mostly belong to X.Org Server by Linux Foundation. A PCF file is a bitmap font saved in Portable Compiled Format and used by X.Org Server display manager. UNIX and Linux based operating systems with X.Org Server support use PCF fonts. PCF is also the filename extension of particle system (explosions, smoke etc.) files used in Valve video games developed with Source engine. Solid Edge CAD software suite uses a PCF file to distribute (collaborative) design data. Data pre-compressed with PreComp is also saved in a PCF file. PaintShop uses PCF files to save foil presets. System Center systems manager saves settings in PCF files.

How to open a PCF file

You need a suitable software like X.Org Server to open a PCF file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your PCF file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PCF file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PCF Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert PCF files:

X.Org Server by Linux Foundation
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PCF files are often referred to as X.Org Server fonts because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Creo (data) by PTC
Creo is a computer-aided product design, manufacturing, and engineering software. It uses some kind of data saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Data.
DD PrintCenter (document) by Imagetech
DD PrintCenter is a defunct online document printing service. Documents downloaded from DD PrintCenter is saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Data.
HP 95LX (printer configuration) by Hewlett-Packard
HP 95LX is a discontinued palmtop computer developed and marketed by Hewlett-Packard. Its printer configuration is saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Settings.
PaintShop (colored foil preset) by Corel
PaintShop is a professional photo editor and graphics design program for Windows desktop. Its colored foil preset is saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Raster Image.
Point (data) by Calyx
Point is a mortgage and general loan management software. Some data used by this program is saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Data.
Power Calculator (functions and variables) by Microsoft
Power Calculator is a discontinued advanced calculator software for Windows. It used variables and functions saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Developer. Related links: Microsoft PowerToys
Precomp (pre-compressed data) by PreComp Developers
PreComp is a command line program that pre-compresses data in a way that allows compression software to better compress a file. Data pre-compressed by Precomp is saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Compressed.
Process Charter (data) by Scitor
Process Charter is a discontinued process modeler and data visualization software.. Some data used by this program is saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Data.
Solid Edge (design data) by Siemens
Solid Edge is a computer-aided parametric design and solid modeling program. It uses a PCF file to store collaborative design data. The contents of this file can include graphical representations of 2D and 3D models, their measurements/markup, and viewing data for drafts. This file format is classified as CAD.
Source Profiler (command) by Microsoft
Source Profiler is a command line utility consisting of two Windows executables built into Windows operating system. It uses profiler command data saved in PCF files. This file format is classified as System.
Steam (particle system) by Valve
Steam is a video game distribution and management software for desktop and mobile devices. Source game development and rendering engine is built into Steam. Video games that use Source engine use a PCF file to store particle systems (for fire, smoke, explosions etc.). This file format is classified as Game.
System Center (patron configuration) by Microsoft
System Center (previously Systems Management Server) is an enterprise software for managing multiple Windows systems in an organization. Its patron configuration is saved in a PCF file. This file format is classified as Settings.
VPN Client (configuration) by Cisco
VPN Client is a discontinued virtual private network for desktop environments. Its configuration is saved in a file with PCF filename extension. This file format is classified as Settings.

PCF format details:

To view or edit PCF files you need to know the file format, because it determines how the data in this file is stored. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. Our examination of the PCF files comes to the following conclusion:

PCF is rarely used as a file extension and includes very many different file formats. The two most popular formats are as follows:

20% of all PCF files are Valve particle storage files, which are using the popular XML file format. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple text-based format for representing structured information: documents, webpages, data, configuration, books, transactions, invoices, and much more. XML defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. These are binary files, so they do not contain words or text. Most of these files are 3 KB to 93 KB in size. The following keywords are characteristic: DmeParticleSystemDefinition, name, particleSystemDefinitions, DmElement, , untitled, cull and fallback replacement definition. Such PCF files store data about blood.
15% of all PCF files are Cisco VPN Profile Configuration File files, which are using the popular config file format. A configuration file is used by computer software to store settings. It consists of a text-based content with a structure and syntax comprising key–value pairs for properties, and sections that organize the properties. The contents of these files are easily readable with a text editor. The file size is in the range of 650 bytes to 750 bytes. The files contain the following words: [main], AuthType=1, GroupName, GroupPwd=, Host, enc_GroupPwd and Description=.

All other PCF files (65%) have no uniform format, such as Portable Compiled Format font, Piping Component File, Altera Pattern Capture Format and Solid Edge Packaged Collaboration File. Tagged as node, point, zone, meranohybrid or block. If you want to find out what your PCF file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for PCF File Extension

File classification:

Font

Related files:

seqf, rep, ncf, vac, vmt, gz, vtf, rar, pdf, exe, zip

Mime type:

application/x-font-pcf, application/octet-stream

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: PhoenixTechnologiesLTD.PcfMgr.1, FileType: PCF Manager, AppName: PCF Manager Local Server

ProgramID: x-sa-response, AppName: PCF Helper Application
EXEFile: PCFHelper.exe

ProgramID: pcfFile
EXEFile: C:\WINPOINT\pcf.exe -F%1

ProgramID: PNET.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AT&T Worldnet Accelerator\trayctl.exe %1

ProgramID: PNET.Document
EXEFile: C:\EarthLink TotalAccess\Accelerator\trayctl.exe %1

ProgramID: Port.Config
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ThePort\XML Player\XmlPlayer.exe %1

ProgramID: x-sa-response
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Insight\BBClient\Programs\PCFHelper.exe %1

ProgramID: ZipZag.pcf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ZipZag\zipzag.exe %1

ProgramID: PNET.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\EarthLink TotalAccess\Accelerator\trayctl.exe %1

ProgramID: PNET.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\BellSouth Accelerator Technology\trayctl.exe %1

ProgramID: PNET.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PeoplePC Accelerated\propelac.exe %1

ProgramID: PNET.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Propel Accelerator\trayctl.exe %1

ProgramID: PNET.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PeoplePC Accelerated\trayctl.exe %1

ProgramID: PCFFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\LiveNote Demonstration\LiveNote\LiveNote.exe /shcase %1

ProgramID: PhoenixTechnologiesLTD.PcfMgr.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PowerPanel\Program\PcfMgr.exe %1

ProgramID: PNET.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\LocalNet Express 2.0\trayctl.exe

ProgramID: pcffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\DD PlayCam\1.0\Print\Picprint.exe

ProgramID: PCFFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\LiveNote\LiveNote\LiveNote.exe /shcase

ProgramID: SmartView.SEMarkupDocument
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Solid Edge Viewer V19\Program\seviewer.EXE

ProgramID: Produit PHOTOCITE Collection
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PHOTOCITE Collection\PHOTOCITE_Collection.exe

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a pcf font is a special file format by Linux Foundation and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PCF files

Associate the PCF file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open fonts. Because only the current version supports the latest PCF file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Linux Foundation manufacturer website after an available X.Org Server update.
To make sure that your PCF file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .PCF file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.