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Format

Windows Metafile Image

Summary

Name
Windows Metafile Image
Identifiers
  • MIME: image/wmf
  • PUID: x-fmt/119
Format type
Image (Vector)
Description
Windows Metafile is an image file format originally designed for Microsoft Windows in 1990. Windows Metafiles may contain both vector graphics and bitmap components.
File extensions
wmf
Source
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
Developed by
Microsoft Corporation
Supported by
Microsoft Corporation

Internal signatures

Windows Metafile Image with Placeable File Header

Note
Many applications that create metafiles prepend a 22-byte 'Placeable File Header' to the metafile: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms534075(v=vs.85).aspx Magic number 0x9AC6CDD7, 2-byte handle, always 0, skip 16 bytes, File type (1 or 2), header size in words, always 9.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
D7CDC69A0000{16}01000900
Endianness
None

Windows Metafile Image without Placeable File Header

Note
File type (1 or 2), header size in words, always 9. Version either 01 or 03

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
0100090000(01|03)
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Updated in V86

    Release date
    27 July 2016

    Windows Metafile Image: Added MIME type and description.

  • Updated in V84

    Release date
    21 January 2016

    Windows Metafile Image: Created second identification signature and highlighted that existing signature includes an optional 'Placeable File Header'.

  • Added in V58

    Release date
    21 March 2012

    Windows Metafile Image: Format name changed for greater accuracy and consistency.

    Windows Metafile Image: Signature submitted by Georgia Tech Research Institute, USA.