.RMD File Extension

An RMD file is an R Markdown file created using RStudio, an open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the R programming language. It contains YAML metadata, Markdown-formatted plain text, and chunks of R code that, when rendered using RStudio, combine to form a sophisticated data analysis document.

Typically, you should open an RMD file in RStudio, as it supports RMD syntax and can actually execute the code contained within an RMD file. However, if you wish to simply view the contents of an RMD file, you can open it using any text editor.

An RMD file may also be a data file created by Reference Manager, an application used for creating bibliographies. It saves the references for the bibliography and is also saved with a separate .RMX index file. RMD files are used for storing citations and other references.

An RMD file may also be a media file used by RealPlayer, a multimedia playback and streaming program. It may include audio or video data, or a reference to a streaming media location that is played back while it is downloaded. RMD files are often used for standalone audio and video, or Internet radio and video streams.

An RMD file may also be a video metadata file created by REDCINE-X, a video editing application for RED digital video cameras. It contains edits, such as color and sharpness adjustments, for a raw REDCODE .R3D video file. RMD files are similar to .XMP files in that they enable a user to perform non-destructive edits on an R3D video file.

RED developed the RED Metadata (RMD) format to not only provide nondestructive editing capabilities, but the format also allows you to manage "looks" for R3D video. For example, if you have created a Sepia aesthetic that you want to load directly in a compatible RED video camera, you can save your settings by selecting File → Save Current Look... in REDCINE-X.

If you do not explicitly save an RMD file to load in a digital camera, REDCINE-X automatically generates an RMD file to store your edits when you modify the properties of R3D video. REDCINE-X saves the RMD file in the same directory as the R3D file and names it the same as the R3D file. For example, the RMD file accompanying a video.r3d file is named video.rmd.

NOTE: If you delete the RMD file, you will lose all edits to the corresponding R3D video file.

RMD files are not intended to be opened manually. Instead, they are referenced by the application that supports the corresponding R3D video file for which the RMD file stores metadata. REDCINE-X (multiplatform) and Adobe Premiere Pro (multiplatform) support R3D video and their RMD metadata files.

Since RMD files are saved in plain text, you can open them with a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad (Windows) and Apple TextEdit (Mac) to view and edit the metadata.