.MAC File Extension

2 file types use the .mac file extension.

MacPaint Image

Developer Apple
Popularity
2.7  |  21 Votes
 

What is a MAC file?

A MAC file is a bitmap image created by MacPaint, a drawing program available for old Macintosh computers. It is a black-and-white image, drawn using MacPaint's drawing tools. While MacPaint is discontinued, several modern image viewers and editors can open and convert MAC files.

More Information

Screenshot of a .mac file in XnViewMP
MAC file open in XnViewMP

MacPaint was a digital drawing application released alongside the original Macintosh. It allowed users to create black-and-white graphics, which they could then export and use in other applications (such as MacWrite, a word processor for the original Macintosh).

Images created by MacPaint were saved in a proprietary format, often referred to as the MacPaint image format. While most images created by MacPaint were saved with the .PNTG extension, others were saved as MAC or .PIC files.

NOTE: The images that MAC files contain are always 576 x 720 pixels.

How to open a MAC file

You can open a MAC file with XnViewMP or Tom's Editor, to view the image it contains.

How to convert a MAC file

You can use XnViewMP, Tom's Editor, Logipole Konvertor, or Deark to convert MAC files to other, more common image formats. For example, Tom's Editor can convert MAC files to the following formats (and several others):

  • .JPG - JPEG Image
  • .PNG - Portable Network Graphic
  • .BMP - Bitmap Image
  • .GIF - Graphical Interchange Format
  • .WEBP - WebP Image
Open over 400 file formats with File Viewer Plus.Free Download

Programs that open MAC files

Windows
XnViewMP
Free
Logipole Konvertor
Free
Deark
Free
Mac
XnViewMP
Free
Lemkesoft GraphicConverter
Free Trial
Apple MacPaint  —  Discontinued
Free
Web
Tom's Editor
Free

Application Macro File

Developer N/A
Popularity
2.4  |  7 Votes
 

A MAC file contains a macro, which may be created by various programs, such as UltraEdit, Minitab, and Cabrilog Cabri Geometry II. It contains a list of commands in plain text that are used to perform functions in the respective application. Users can open MAC files with the programs that created them.

More Information

Macros are especially helpful for automating repetitive tasks. Users can record various types of functions, whether it be inserting a snippet of information, performing edits to an image, or calculating an equation, then execute them at a later time with just a couple of mouse clicks or key combinations.

When saving a recorded function, the MAC file is created to store the commands that were performed to complete the function. The commands are stored in plain text in the MAC file and can be opened and edited by a text editor. However, a macro stored in a MAC file can only be executed by the program used to create it.

NOTE: MAC files are potentially dangerous files because they may be used to store malware. It is important that you verify the source of a MAC file before opening it.

Programs that open MAC files

Windows
Minitab
Free Trial
IDM UltraEdit
Free Trial
Mac
IDM UltraEdit
Free Trial
Linux
IDM UltraEdit
Free Trial

Verified by FileInfo.com

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