All about MAP Files

The MAP file type is primarily associated with Visual Studio.

MAP	File extension: MAP
	File type:	map file

What is a MAP file?

MAP files mostly belong to Visual Studio by Microsoft. MAP files are used by a lot of software. They are mainly associated with the game maps used in the Quake video game developed using the Quake engine.

Main Use: Quake is a first-person shooter game developed by id Software. MAP game files store uncompiled level map information belonging to the Quake game. The data in the MAP files are saved in a text format and contains information related to the structural layout of the game level. The visibility and brightness information in the Quake MAP files needs to be adjusted and compiled into the ready to use BSP format. The original MAP format has since then been expanded into games built on other game engines such as Dark, Unreal, Goldsource and Torque.
Other Uses: MAP files are also used as a weather map format by the weather supervision program, Weather Defender developed by SWIFT. These MAP files consist of information related to custom made geographic layers. The MAP weather files can be quickly loaded to visualize weather forecasts and are useful in predicting severe weather conditions. NAVIGON GPS navigation devices also use MAP files to store information linked to several routes and places of interest in a particular place.

How to open a MAP file

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

Online MAP File Viewer

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How to convert a MAP file to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

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

To do this, click the button "Choose your .map file to view this image" on this page.
Your MAP 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.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert MAP files:

Visual Studio by Microsoft
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MAP files are often referred to as Visual Studio developers because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
3Com Network Supervisor (network topology map file) by 3Com
3Com Network Supervisor is a network management application that maps and graphicaly displays network links and IP devices.The MAP file stores a network topology map for 3Com Network Supervisor. This file format is classified as Misc. Related links: 3Com Network Supervisor Product Details, 3Com Network Supervisor Data Sheet
Actian X (termcap file) by Actian
Actian X is a database software combining an analytic engine and the Ingres relational database management system (RDBMS). MAP files are termcap file in Ingres, which store a description of all supported terminals. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: Actian X on Wikipedia, Termcap on Wikipedia, Role of the Termcap File, Location of MAP Files, Writing Termcap Descriptions in Ingres
Blood (game map file) by Monolith
Blood is a first-person shooter video game developed by Monolith. A MAP file stores a map for Blood. The map has information required to describe a level in the game. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Blood on Wikipedia, Mods and Maps in Blood
Carnivores (game map file) by Action Forms
Carnivores is a series of hunting simulation video games developed by Action Forms. A MAP file stores a map for Carnivores. The map has information required to describe a level in the game. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Carnivores (series), MAP File Format (Spanish), MAP File Viewer and Files for Downloading, Carnivores Information and Resources, Carnivores Playthrough
Command & Conquer (game map file) by Electronic Arts
Command & Conquer is a series of real-time strategy games first developed by Westwood Studios, which was taken over by Electronic Arts. A MAP file stores a map for Command & Conquer. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Command & Conquer on Wikipedia, Command & Conquer Maps Website, How to Add a Map in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, Creating Maps for Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, Command & Conquer Playthrough
Creo (hint map file) by PTC
Creo is a suite of 3D comupter aided design/manufacturing/engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) software. It has replaced PTC's older product, Pro/Engineer. The MAP file format is used by a hint map file in Creo. This file format is classified as CAD. Related links: Creo on Wikipedia, MAP File in Creo Documentation, Creo Tutorials
Diablo (game progress file) by Blizzard Entertainment
Diablo is a series of cross-platform action role-playing video game from Blizzard Entertainment. A MAP file stores a players progress through a map in Diablo II. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Diablo (series) on Wikipedia, Diablo II on Wikipedia, Forum Thread About MAP Files, MAP Files Mentioned in Diablo II Article
Duke Nukem (level map file) by 3D Realms
Duke Nukem is a series of video games that is developed by 3D Realms (previously named Apogee Software). A MAP file stores a map for Duke Nukem 3D, the third game in the series. The map has information required to describe a level in the game. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Duke Nukem (series) on Wikipedia, Duke Nukem 3D on Wikipedia, Level Editing in Duke Nukem 3D, Basics of Level Building in Duke Nukem 3D, Duke Nukem 3D Playthrough
Edge (server side image map file) by Microsoft
Edge is a web browser from Microsoft. The MAP file format is used by a server-side image map, a special type of Hypertext REFerence (HREF) that allows specific actions based on where a person clicks on an image on a website. Server-side image maps can be accessed by all web browsers, including Edge. This file format is classified as Web (source). Related links: Edge on Wikipedia, Image Map on Wikipedia, Image Mapping Description, Making Image Maps, Edge Browser Review
Furcadia (game map file) by Dragon's Eye Productions
Furcadia is a fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). MAP files are game map files in Furcadia. MAP files can be edited using Furcadia Dream Editor (DreamEd.exe). This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Furcadia on Wikipedia, Furcadia FAQs, Map Editor Guide in Furcadia, Original Kickstarter Video for Furcadia
Hex Workshop (character map file) by BreakPoint Software
Hex Workshop is a hexadecimal development software for Windows. The MAP file extension is associated with a character map file in Hex Workshop. This file format is classified as Developer. Related links: Hex Workshop FAQs, Hex Workshop on CNET
Imagination Image Map Editor (image map file) by Multimedia Australia
Imagination Image Map Editor is a tool for visually creating HTML image maps. An image map is a special type of Hypertext REFerence (HREF) that allows specific actions based on where a person clicks on an image on a website. A MAP file This file format is classified as Web (source). Related links: Imagination Image Map Editor on Softpedia, Image Map on Wikipedia
Manifold System (Manifold project) by Manifold
Manifold System is a geographical information system (GIS). Manifold System project files have the MAP extension. This file format is classified as GIS. Related links: Manifold System on Wikipedia, Manifold System User Manual, MAP Files in Manifold System, Open Using Free Viewer from Manifold, Manifold System Video Tutorial
Map Maker (map file) by Map Maker
Map Maker is a Geographical Information System (GIS) developed by Eric Dudly that allows users to create and edit maps. A MAP file stores a map created using Map Maker. This file format is classified as GIS. Related links: Map Maker Manual, Map Maker Spanish Manual, Map Maker Videos
MapInfo (map object file) by Precisely
MapInfo is a geographic information system (GIS) software used for mapping and location analysis. A MAP file stores the graphic and geographic information needed to display each object on a map. This is vector data. This file format is classified as GIS. Related links: MapInfo on Wikipedia, MapInfo User Guide, Wikipedia Article Mentioning MAP Files, MapInfo File Formats, MapInfo Tutorial
Offline Explorer (Offline Explorer project map) by MetaProducts
Offline Explorer is a software for downloading internet content, such as emails or web pages, for offline viewing. The MAP file is a project map, which provides list of the downloaded files. This file format is classified as Simple text file. Related links: Offline Explorer Guide Describing MAP Files, Offline Explorer on CNET
OziExplorer (map file) by Des & Lorraine Newman
OziExplorer is a GPS mapping software from D & L Newman that allows users to load digital maps and plan routes on their computer. The software is used to upload waypoints, routes, and tracks to GPS devices and track GPS position on the map in real time. A MAP file stores a map in OziExplorer. This file format is classified as GIS. Related links: OziExplorer on Wikipedia, MAP File Format, Using Maps in OziExplorer, MAP File Tutorial, Video Tutorial About Creating Maps for OziExplorer
Poser (3D map file) by Bondware
Poser is a 3D rendering and animation software that is optimized for the 3D modeling of human figures. The MAP file format may be associated with a 3D map file in Poser. This file format is classified as 3D Image. Related links: Poser on Wikipedia, Poser User Manual
Source SDK (level map file) by Valve
Source SDK is the software development kit for the Source game engine. It includes a level editor named Hammer Editor for creating maps. Game maps created using Hammer Editor have the MAP file extension. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Source SDK on Wikipedia, Source SDK FAQs, Level Design FAQs, Hammer Editor Wiki, Hammer Editor Video Tutorial
SpellForce (game map file) by THQ Nordic
SpellForce is a series of real-time straregy and role playing games initially developed by Phenomic. It is now published by THQ Nordic. A MAP file stores a map for Blood. The map has information required to describe a level in the game. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: SpellForce on Wikipedia, SpellForce Playthrough, SpellForce on Steam

MAP file format details:

Every file has a defined file format, i.e. how the data is arranged in the file. Often, the file format can be deduced from the file extension or the initial bytes (called the signature). 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. When there is a problem with a file, the first step to solving it is to determine the file format. Our analysis of the MAP files produces the following result:

MAP is one of the most common file extensions and has no uniform or dominant file format. However, the following two file formats are common:

9% of all MAP files are associated with Mapsforge Binary Map. The contents of these files cannot be read by a human; only a computer program can interpret the data. A typical file size is 29 MB. The file type is old but is used even today. The files contain the following words: Mercator, mapsforge binary OSM and mapsforge-map-writer-0. Such MAP files store data about spain, zona, pakistan, brazil and cache.
8% of all MAP files are MapInfo MapBasic map data files. If you open these files in a text editor, you will see only illegible characters. Most of these files are 2 KB to 14 MB in size. The files contain the following words: #OWc. Files like these are about zone, districts, boundary, area, grid and site.

The remaining 83% of all MAP files are different files with different signatures, frequently e.g. OziExplorer Map data, Gen Surf map, Ardour Midi Map/bindings, PCRaster map, Electronic Arts interactive sequence, Navigon map, Ulead color Map, ZIP, XML, DOC, zlib, PNG, MAP, Archive, daeh, Spectral, HHYZ, Lin and RES. Tagged as chunk, level, sample, index, world or bundle. If you want to find out what your MAP file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for MAP File Extension

File classification:

Developer

Related files:

ozf2, ttp, tab, ozfx3, zip, id, tmap, fmaps, dat, osm, ma0, yrm, ped, ozf, hafmma, tlv, ind, mapx, plr, ma1, cs, mdp, suo

Mime type:

application/octet-stream, text/plain

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.map, FileType: Fenix Map, AppName: GraphicsConverter-reg
EXEFile: GraphicsConverter.exe

ProgramID: mapfile, FileType: Linker Address Map, AppName: Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002
EXEFile: devenv.exe

ProgramID: CodeWarrior_MAP
EXEFile: E:\CodeWarrior\bin\IDE.EXE %1

ProgramID: mapfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe /dde

ProgramID: MXmap
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\mfw\pfe\pfe32.exe %1

ProgramID: TextPipe.Map
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\TextPipe\textpipe.exe /m

ProgramID: txtfile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

ProgramID: VisualStudio.map.7.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe /dde

ProgramID: VisualStudio.map.7.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Visual Studio .NET 2003\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe /dde

ProgramID: CACheMAP
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Fujitsu\CAChe\cache.exe %1

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

ProgramID: VisualStudio.map.8.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe /dde %1

ProgramID: DotHalo
EXEFile: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\H2 modded maps\DotHalo v1.0b3.0\DotHalo.exe %1

ProgramID: VCExpress.map.8.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\VCExpress.exe /dde %1

ProgramID: MapLinx.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IMSI\MapLinx\MAPLINX.EXE /dde

ProgramID: MapThis.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MapThis\MapThis.exe %1

ProgramID: VCExpress.map.8.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\VCExpress.exe /dde

ProgramID: DEP_MAP
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Furcadia\dreamed.exe

ProgramID: txtfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Boxer Text Editor\b.exe

ProgramID: PDVDfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PowerDVD.exe

ProgramID: VisualStudio.map.9.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe

ProgramID: VCExpress.map.9.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\VCExpress.exe

Show all 22 listings To Top

a map map file is a special file format by Microsoft and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MAP files

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