Opening an SFF File

The SFF file type is primarily associated with Irfanview.

SFFFile Extension SFF
File extension: SFF
File type:  fax document (image)

What is an SFF file

SFF files mostly belong to Irfanview by Irfan Skiljan. Files with SFF filename extension usually contain sprites used by M.U.G.E.N, a 2D fighting game engine. Each SFF file is a small 2D bitmap containing the animation states of a fighter or an object. SFF filename extension is also associated with the Standard Flowgram Format used for DNA sequencing. This type of SFF files were originally created by the GS20 DNA sequencing machine developed by 454 Sequencing. You may view DNA sequences stored in SFF format with programs such as MATLAB (using sffread(). Fax documents stored as images in Structured Fax File format have SFF filename extension. Each SFF file contains one or more lossless black and white image(s) stored in CCITT Group 3 (G3) format.

How to open SFF files

You need a suitable software like Irfanview to open an SFF 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 SFF file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a SFF file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online SFF File Viewer

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How do you convert SFF files to JPG, PNG, SVG, PDF, ...

You can convert SFF files using our online SFF file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):
  1. Just click the "Choose your .sff file to view" button on this page.
  2. After your file is opened in browser,
  3. click "Save as..." in the menu.
  4. Then choose the image format (e.g. JPG, PNG, TIFF, PDF, ...) you want.
  5. Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert SFF files:

  1. Irfanview by Irfan Skiljan
    See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. SFF files are often referred to as Irfanview raster images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
  2. FRITZ!Fax (fax document (image)) by AVM
    FRITZ!Fax was a Windows-based software for sending fax documents directly to a computer through an ISDN Fritz card. It may also be used to view and print fax documents. FRITZ!Fax saved fax documents in SFF image files before printing them. This file format is classified as Raster Image.
  3. M.U.G.E.N (sprite) by Elecbyte
    M.U.G.E.N is a 2D fighting video game engine used by action, arcade, training, and survival video games. Sprites used to animate game characters and objects states in M.U.G.E.N engine are saved in SFF files. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Wikipedia M.U.G.E.N Page, Fighter Factory
  4. MATLAB (DNA data flowgram) by MathWorks
    MATLAB is a data plotting, visualization, analysis, and modeling platform mainly used in scientific fields. DNA sequence data and flowgrams stored in SFF format can be imported and used in MATLAB. Note that the DNA sequencing machine that outputs SFF files has been discontinued. This file format is classified as Data.
  5. PuppetMaster (stage scene) by Virpet
    PuppetMaster is a simulation program that allows puppeteers to control on-stage puppets in real-time. Puppet actions and states are transmitted through PuppetMaster via a joystick connected to a MIDI interface. Stage scenes used to by PuppetMaster are saved in SFF files. This file format is classified as Raster Image.
  6. RVS-COM (fax document (image)) by Living Byte Software GmbH
    RVS-COM is an ISDN, voice, and fax server software for enhancing network communications across PCs and mobile phones. Fax documents saved in SFF format can be read and printed via RVS-COM. This file format is classified as Raster Image.
  7. Soldier Front (game maps, weapons, & character models) by Aeria
    Soldier Front (also known as Special Force) was a first-person shooter video game for Windows desktop. Its 3D models, maps, weapons, and character models are saved in SFF files. This file format is classified as Game.
  8. XnView (fax document (image)) by XnSoft
    XnView is a photo management software that allows users to organize, edit, view, or convert digital images. It supports over 500 image formats including the SFF file format for transmitting fax documents across ISDN devices. This file format is classified as Raster Image.

SFF file format details:

Every file has a defined file format, i.e. how the data is arranged in the file. A file format is determined by the file extension and signature, so JPEG images have the extension .jpg and the first bytes in the file are ÿØÿ. Frequently, however, one file extension is used by different programs for different file formats, and one file format for different file extensions. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. In the following you will find our evaluation of the SFF files:

Files with the SFF extension are quite widely used. This file type includes different formats for different programs. But the following two file formats are common:

All other SFF files (25%) have no consistent format, often, for example, Structured Fax Format bitmap and sff. They are often associated with rechnung, omega, reimu, arab, room or tifa. If you want to find out what your SFF file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for SFF File Extension

File classification:
Raster Image
Related files:
Related links:

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: GraphicsConverterPro.sff, FileType: Structured Fax Format, AppName: GraphicsConverter-reg
EXEFile: GraphicsConverter.exe

ProgramID: IrfanView.sff, FileType: IrfanView SFF File, AppName: IrfanView
EXEFile: i_view32.exe

ProgramID: PC-TelephoneFax.Document, FileType: PC-Telephone Fax Document, AppName: PC-Telephone Fax Viewer

ProgramID: RVS-FAX
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\RVS\WCOM\SYSTEM\RVSFAXVW.EXE %1

ProgramID: sfffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Teledat\telvw32.exe %1

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

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: PC-TelephoneFax.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PC-TEL~1\FaxView.exe %1

ProgramID: IrfanView.sff
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IrfanView\i_view32.exe

ProgramID: sfffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\FRITZ!\frivw32.exe

ProgramID: IrfanView.sff
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IRFANV~1\i_view32.exe

ProgramID: sfffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\FRITZ!fax\frivw32.exe

ProgramID: MyViewPad.sff
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\My ViewPad\MyViewPad.exe


an sff fax document (image) is a special file format by Irfan Skiljan and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with SFF files

  • Associate the SFF file extension with the correct application.
  • Update your software that should actually open fax document (image)s. Because only the current version supports the latest SFF file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Irfan Skiljan manufacturer website after an available Irfanview update.
  • To make sure that your SFF file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
  • Click here to open your .SFF file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.
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