Opening PC3 Files

The PC3 file type is primarily associated with AutoCAD.

PC3	File extension: PC3
	File type:	plotter configuration

What is a PC3 file?

PC3 files mostly belong to AutoCAD by Autodesk. PC3 filename extension is mainly associated with plotter configuration files created by AutoCAD 2D/3D design software. The settings defined in each PC3 file may include media type, print quality, color depth, merge controls, and media sources. Plotter configurations saved in PC3 files may be reused across multiple projects. PC3 is also the filename extension of monochrome bitmap image files created with DEGAS, a raster graphics editor for Atari ST operating system. ChartXL, a discontinued graphics presentation software, stored its custom palettes in PC3 files.

How to open PC3 files

You need a suitable software like AutoCAD to open a PC3 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 PC3 file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PC3 file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PC3 File Viewer

Choose your .pc3 file to view this image

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How do you convert PC3 files to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

If you want to convert or edit a PC3 file, you can use our free Online PC3 File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):

Just click the "Choose your .pc3 file to view this image" button on this page.
Your PC3 file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert PC3 files:

AutoCAD by Autodesk
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PC3 files are often referred to as AutoCAD settings because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
ChartXL (custom palette) by Serif
ChartXL is a discontinued data presentation software for classic Windows operating systems. It allowed users to create various types of charts from data prepared in spreadsheet programs. Custom palettes created with ChartXL are stored in PC3 files. This file format is classified as Raster Image.
DEGAS (black and white image) by Batteries Included
DEGAS (short for Design & Entertainment Graphic Arts System) was a raster graphics editor for Atari ST operating system. 2-color compressed bitmaps created with DEGAS were stored in PC3 files. This file format is classified as Raster Image. Related links: XnView
STABCAL (aqueous systems stability calculations) by Montana Technological University
STABCAL was a computer program used to calculate the stability of complex aqueous systems used in geochemistry, academic, and industrial applications. Some data used by STABCAL were stored in PC3 files. This file format is classified as Data.

PC3 file format:

Why is it important to know the file format? This is the only way to find out which program to use to open the file. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). Nonetheless, different programs can utilize the same file extension to represent distinct file formats. Double-clicking on the file often results in an error when opening. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Our evaluation of the PC3 files looks like this:

PC3 is rarely used as a file extension and mainly uses a defined PC3 format. The two most popular formats are as follows:

95% of all PC3 files are AutoCAD Plotter Configuration files. The contents of these files cannot be read by a human; only a computer program can interpret the data. PC3 files are between 1 KB and 1.3 KB in size. The file type is old but is used even today. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. PIAFILEVERSION_2.0,PC3VER1,compress and pmzlibcodec. An example of a file name is DWG To PDF.pc3 or AutoCAD PDF (General Documentation).pc3. Such files sometimes refer to high, printer, adobe, print, quality and plot.

All other PC3 files (5%) have different formats. Sometimes used for dwgtopdf, windows or system. If you want to find out which format your PC3 file belongs to, just click on the button "Choose your .pc3 file to view this image".

Technical Data for PC3 File Extension

File classification:

Settings

Related files:

ctb, p3c, zip, dwg, fap, log, pcp, bc3, save, max, pc2

Mime type:

application/octet-stream, image/x-pc3

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: CompleteR16PlotConfigurationFile, FileType: AutoCAD LT Plotter Configuration File, AppName: Autodesk Hardcopy Plotter Configuration Editor
EXEFile: PC3EXE.EXE

ProgramID: CompleteR16PlotConfigurationFile, FileType: AutoCAD Plotter Configuration File, AppName: Autodesk Hardcopy Plotter Configuration Editor

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACAD2000\PC3EXE.EXE %1

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD 2002\PC3EXE.EXE %1

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD LT 2000i Ita\PC3EXE.EXE %1

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3\PC3EXE.EXE %1

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

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD 2000i\PC3EXE.EXE %1

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Autodesk Building Systems 3\PC3EXE.EXE %1

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD LT 2002\PC3EXE.EXE %1

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD LT 2000i\PC3EXE.EXE

ProgramID: CompleteR15PlotConfigurationFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD LT 2000\\PC3EXE.EXE

Show all 12 listings To Top

a pc3 plotter configuration is a special file format by Autodesk and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PC3 files

Associate the PC3 file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open plotter configurations. Because only the current version supports the latest PC3 file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Autodesk manufacturer website after an available AutoCAD update.
To make sure that your PC3 file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .PC3 file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.