AFM File Extension

What is AFM file?

Files with the AFM extension belong to the font file category.

What do AFM files contain?

The content of files with the AFM extension are fonts created by Adobe. AFM files contain all the parameters defining the appearance of individual characters, written using the PostScript scripting language. The content of files with the AFM extension includes a header and a data sector. This last section stores all information about a specific font saved in a file with the AFM extension.

Can I convert AFM files?

With dedicated applications, you can convert fonts from AFM files to other popular formats, as well as generate new files with the AFM extension based on various font standards. Many of the converters work online, so the user does not have to install any software, but only upload the selected file with the AFM extension to a special website that will perform the conversion on the server and return the font in the target format.

Programs which support AFM file extension

The list that follows enumerates programs compatible with AFM files, divided into 2 categories based on operating system on which they are available. AFM files can be encountered on all system platforms, including mobile, yet there is no guarantee each will properly support such files.

Updated: 03/06/2024

How to open file with AFM extension?

Problems with accessing AFM may be due to various reasons. On the bright side, the most encountered issues pertaining to Adobe Font Metrics Format files aren’t complex. In most cases they can be addressed swiftly and effectively without assistance from a specialist. The following is a list of guidelines that will help you identify and solve file-related problems.

Step 1. Get the Referenced by programs that use system fonts

The main and most frequent cause precluding users form opening AFM files is that no program that can handle AFM files is installed on user’s system. This one is an easy one. Select Referenced by programs that use system fonts or one of the recommended programs (for example, Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud) and download it from appropriate source and install on your system. Above you will find a complete listing of programs that support AFM files, classified according to system platforms for which they are available. If you want to download Referenced by programs that use system fonts installer in the most secured manner, we suggest you visit website and download from their official repositories.

Step 2. Update Referenced by programs that use system fonts to the latest version

You still cannot access AFM files although Referenced by programs that use system fonts is installed on your system? Make sure that the software is up to date. Sometimes software developers introduce new formats in place of that already supports along with newer versions of their applications. This can be one of the causes why AFM files are not compatible with Referenced by programs that use system fonts. The most recent version of Referenced by programs that use system fonts is backward compatible and can handle file formats supported by older versions of the software.

Step 3. Assign Referenced by programs that use system fonts to AFM files

After installing Referenced by programs that use system fonts (the most recent version) make sure that it is set as the default application to open AFM files. The process of associating file formats with default application may differ in details depending on platform, but the basic procedure is very similar.

The procedure to change the default program in Windows

• Right-click the AFM file and choose Open with option
• Click Choose another app and then select More apps option
• The last step is to select Look for another app on this PC option supply the directory path to the folder where Referenced by programs that use system fonts is installed. Now all that is left is to confirm your choice by selecting Always use this app to open AFM files and clicking OK.

The procedure to change the default program in Mac OS

• By clicking right mouse button on the selected AFM file open the file menu and choose Information
• Find the Open with option – click the title if its hidden
• Select the appropriate software and save your settings by clicking Change all
• A message window should appear informing that This change will be applied to all files with AFM extension. By clicking Continue you confirm your selection.

Step 4. Verify that the AFM is not faulty

Should the problem still occur after following steps 1-3, check if the AFM file is valid. It is probable that the file is corrupted and thus cannot be accessed.

1. Verify that the AFM in question is not infected with a computer virus

If the AFM is indeed infected, it is possible that the malware is blocking it from opening. Scan the AFM file as well as your computer for malware or viruses. If the scanner detected that the AFM file is unsafe, proceed as instructed by the antivirus program to neutralize the threat.

2. Ensure the file with AFM extension is complete and error-free

If the AFM file was sent to you by someone else, ask this person to resend the file to you. During the copy process of the file errors may occurred rendering the file incomplete or corrupted. This could be the source of encountered problems with the file. When downloading the file with AFM extension from the internet an error may occurred resulting in incomplete file. Try downloading the file again.

3. Ensure that you have appropriate access rights

There is a possibility that the file in question can only be accessed by users with sufficient system privileges. Switch to an account that has required privileges and try opening the Adobe Font Metrics Format file again.

4. Verify that your device fulfills the requirements to be able to open Referenced by programs that use system fonts

If the system is under havy load, it may not be able to handle the program that you use to open files with AFM extension. In this case close the other applications.

5. Ensure that you have the latest drivers and system updates and patches installed

Up-to-date system and drivers not only makes your computer more secure, but also may solve problems with Adobe Font Metrics Format file. It is possible that one of the available system or driver updates may solve the problems with AFM files affecting older versions of given software.

Do you want to help?

If you have additional information about the AFM file, we will be grateful if you share it with our users. To do this, use the form here and send us your information on AFM file.