LinuxWhat is the CMX file format?
A .cmx file is a Corel Presentation Exchange vector image, a format introduced with CorelDRAW 4 in 1993. Designed as the interchange format across the CorelDRAW Suite - CorelDRAW, Corel Presentations, Corel Photo-Paint - it also served as the container for the large clipart libraries bundled on CorelDRAW CD-ROMs throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Internally, .cmx uses the RIFF chunk-based container (the same structure that underpins .wav and AVI files). The RIFF form type at byte offset 8 is CMX1, which uniquely identifies the file as Corel Presentation Exchange rather than another RIFF-based format. Files open with RIFF in little-endian (Intel) byte order or RIFX in big-endian (Motorola) byte order.
A .cmx file may contain both resolution-independent vector objects and embedded bitmap art. It supports PANTONE, RGB, and CMYK color spaces and can hold multi-page presentations. A DISP chunk stores a preview thumbnail. The format has 16-bit and 32-bit sub-variants (CMX v1 and v2) tied to the CorelDRAW release that created the file.
Corel's native .cdr format is the preferred working format today, and .svg is the modern open-standard equivalent for vector interchange. .cmx files remain readable in CorelDRAW, Inkscape, LibreOffice Draw, and the sK1 open-source vector editor.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWCMX is a static vector metafile format with no macro, script or executable capability. Opening a CMX file in CorelDRAW, Inkscape or LibreOffice is safe. Old clipart .cmx files from Corel CDs are harmless data; no known exploit vector exists for this format. The only risk is cosmetic - incorrect rendering in non-CorelDRAW tools.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMECorel Presentation Exchange Imageaka Corel Metafile Exchange, CMX vector file
DEVELOPERCorel Corporationsince 1993 (CorelDRAW 4 / Corel Presentation Exchange v1)
CATEGORYVector Image Files
MIME TYPEimage/x-cmx
TYPERIFF-based vector metafile (binary)
This extension is also used by…
- Collage Complete clip-art format - Older Collage graphic software used .cmx for its own clip-art format, unrelated to Corel CMX.
- Yamaha CMX MIDI sequence file - Some Yamaha keyboard models use .cmx for a proprietary MIDI sequence; completely unrelated to the vector format.
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
00010203
HEX
52494646
ASCII
RIFF
CMX uses the RIFF envelope: bytes 0-3 are "RIFF" (Intel/little-endian) or "RIFX" (Motorola/big-endian); bytes 4-7 are the file size (little-endian DWORD); bytes 8-11 are "CMX1" - the RIFF form type that uniquely identifies this as a Corel Presentation Exchange file, distinguishing it from WAV, AVI and other RIFF-based formats.
Programs that open CMX files
Windows6 apps
CorelDRAW
Paid File > Open the .cmx - CorelDRAW is the native editor and gives full-fidelity rendering. 
XnView
Freemium Browse and preview CMX clipart thumbnails - useful for scanning large clip-art archives. 
WordPerfect Office
Paid Inserts and renders CMX images within WordPerfect documents as part of the Corel suite. 
Inkscape
Open-source File > Open the .cmx - Inkscape imports CMX via its UniConvertor library (basic; some fills or text may not render correctly). 
LibreOffice Draw
Open-source File > Open the .cmx in LibreOffice Draw - free, partial CMX support; verify rendering after import. 
macOS1 app
Technical details
deep spec| File type | RIFF-based vector metafile (binary) |
| Magic bytes | RIFF (or RIFX) at offset 0; CMX1 form type at offset 8 |
| Byte order | Little-endian (RIFF/Intel variant) or big-endian (RIFX/Motorola variant), declared at offset 0 |
| Developer | Corel Corporation |
| Container | RIFF with CMX1 form type at offset 8; same envelope used by WAV, AVI, and other RIFF formats |
| Compression | None - uncompressed chunk-based metafile |
| Color spaces | PANTONE, RGB, and CMYK |
| Content types | Vector objects and optionally embedded bitmaps within the same file |
| Internal chunks | DISP (preview thumbnail), PACK/PAGE (per-page objects), FNTL (font table), CLRT (color table) |
| Format versions | CMX v1 (CorelDRAW 4, 16-bit) and CMX v2 (CorelDRAW 5+, 32-bit) |
| Typical file size | 50 KB - 10 MB (single clipart to multi-page presentation) |
| Use case | Interchange format across the CorelDRAW Suite and distribution container for Corel clipart libraries |
| Platform support | Windows (native in CorelDRAW); Linux and macOS via Inkscape and sK1 |
| MIME type | image/x-cmx |
| Released | 1993 (CorelDRAW 4 / Corel Presentation Exchange v1) |
| Latest version | CMX v2 (16-bit and 32-bit variants, CorelDRAW 5/6 era) |
| Specification | docs.aspose.net |
CMX conversions
Possible
.CMX .PNGGUIDE
Yes, CMX converts to PNG -- the fastest route is CorelDRAW's File > Export on Windows, or Inkscape (free) on…
How to convert
.CMX .BMPGUIDE
Yes, you can convert CMX to BMP - open the file in CorelDRAW or Inkscape, then export as BMP.
How to convert
.CMX .JPGGUIDE
Yes, you can convert CMX to JPG - the fastest route is CorelDRAW (File > Export > JPEG), or free Inkscape if…
How to convert
.CMX .SVGGUIDE
Yes, CMX can be converted to SVG; the fastest method is CorelDRAW's File > Export, while Inkscape is the free…
How to convert
.CMX .PDFGUIDE
Yes - open the CMX in CorelDRAW and use File > Publish to PDF; that is the fastest and most reliable route.
How to convert
.CMX .AIGUIDE
Yes, CMX can be converted to AI; the only reliable method is CorelDRAW on Windows using File > Export and…
How to convert
.CMX .DRWGUIDE
Conversion is technically possible through older CorelDRAW versions that included Micrografx Draw export,…
How to convert
.CMX .CCXGUIDE
Yes - open the CMX in CorelDRAW and save it as CCX to get a smaller, gzip-compressed copy of the same artwork.
How to convert
.CMX .EPSGUIDE
Yes - open the CMX in CorelDRAW and use File > Export to save it as EPS.
How to convert
Community Q&A
asked by users
D
Frequently asked questions
What is a CMX file?
A Corel Presentation Exchange vector image - a RIFF-based proprietary Corel format used mainly for the CorelDRAW clipart library and as an interchange format within the Corel Suite (CorelDRAW, Corel Presentations, WordPerfect Office).
How do I open a CMX file?
CorelDRAW on Windows gives full fidelity. Free alternatives: Inkscape (File > Open, partial rendering) or LibreOffice Draw. XnView can preview thumbnails.
How do I convert a CMX file to SVG or PNG?
Open in CorelDRAW and use File > Export (choose SVG for vectors, PNG for raster). In Inkscape, File > Open the .cmx, then Save As SVG or File > Export PNG Image.
Why does my CMX file look wrong in Inkscape?
CMX is a proprietary Corel format; Inkscape's import is partial and some fills, fonts or effects may not render correctly. CorelDRAW is required for full fidelity.
What is the difference between CMX and CDR?
CDR is CorelDRAW's native project format (richer, versioned, editable in CorelDRAW). CMX is a simpler interchange/metafile format for sharing outside the editing context; it was used for clipart distribution. CDR is the format for active design work.
Can I open a CMX file on a Mac or Linux?
Yes - install Inkscape (free, available for macOS and Linux) and use File > Open. Rendering fidelity may be limited compared with CorelDRAW on Windows.
Are CMX files from old Corel CDs safe to open?
Yes - CMX is a passive vector data format with no scripting. Old Corel clipart CMX files are harmless.
References
1Just Solve the File Format Problem - CMXjustsolve.archiveteam.org
2Aspose - CMX file format documentationdocs.aspose.net
