.MAT File Extension

Binary data container format used by MATLAB; may include arrays, variables, functions, and other types of data; can be saved in different formats by choosing a version within the MATLAB Preferences (select General → MAT-Files).

Level 4 MAT-Files support two-dimensional matrices and character strings, while Level 5 MAT-Files include additional support for multidimensional numeric arrays, character arrays, cell arrays, sparse arrays, objects, and structures.

MAT-files may also be used to represent audio in 64-bit floating point, 16-bit signed integer, and 8-bit unsigned integer formats.

Microsoft Access Table (MAT) shortcut file created by Microsoft Access, a relational database program for desktop computers; contains a shortcut to a table within an Access database; opens a relational database table without first having to open Microsoft Access.

MAT files can be created in Access by clicking and dragging a table to the desktop.

File used by 3ds Max, a 3D modeling and animation software package; stores a material, which defines the way textures and lighting are applied to a surface; can be accessed from the Material Editor component in 3ds Max.

File created by E-on Vue software programs, which are used to create 2D and 3D visualizations as well as computer graphics materials; contains images and textures that can be applied to 3D objects; used as components, or building blocks, to create an overall Vue scene.

E-on Vue is available in the following versions:

• Infinite
• xStream
• Ozone
• Esprit
• Studio
• Complete
• Pioneer
• Theme Packs

The Vue MetaView plug-in is also available for Mac OS X.

Contains materials, or texture styles, that can be loaded into 3D design programs using the V-Ray plugin; V-Ray is a surface material generation and editing plugin developed by Chaos Group.