What is the PMP file format?
A .pmp file is an AutoCAD Plot Model Parameters file that stores plotter calibration data produced by AutoCAD's Calibrate Plotter wizard. It holds the correction offsets that compensate for physical inaccuracies in a specific plotter or large-format printer - such as paper-size deviations, scaling errors, and feed inconsistencies measured during a physical calibration print test.
When a user runs the Calibrate Plotter wizard and prints the test pattern, AutoCAD calculates deviations between expected and actual output, then writes the results to a .pmp file. This file is automatically linked to the matching .pc3 plotter configuration file stored in AutoCAD's Plotters folder (%APPDATA%\Autodesk\AutoCAD\<version>\Plotter Manager\).
Custom paper sizes defined for a plotter are also embedded within the .pmp file. When transferring a plotter configuration to another workstation, both the .pc3 and its companion .pmp file must be copied together to preserve calibration data.
Users rarely interact with .pmp files directly - they are created and managed transparently by AutoCAD's plotter manager. If the .pmp file is deleted, AutoCAD continues to function using the .pc3 configuration but without calibration corrections. The format is binary and proprietary; no publicly documented specification exists.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPMP is a binary configuration data file with no executable code. No known security risks.
Format details
in a nutshell- Sony DSC-F1 Cyber-Shot Image File - Reportedly used by the Sony DSC-F1 digital camera (1996) for proprietary image data; format details are undocumented and camera is long obsolete.
- Poor Man's Podcast (PMP) - Some podcast distribution tools have used .pmp for podcast metadata or audio packages; very rare usage.
Programs that open PMP files
Windows2 apps
AutoCAD
Paid Access via Plot dialog → Plotter Configuration → Edit → Device and Document Settings → Custom Paper Sizes & Calibration. AutoCAD manages PMP files automatically. 
Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Binary proprietary (Autodesk) |
| Encoding | Binary, little-endian |
| Content | Plotter calibration offsets and custom paper size definitions |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 50 KB |
| Companion file | `.pc3` plotter configuration file - always stored and transferred as a linked pair |
| Creation method | Generated exclusively by AutoCAD's Calibrate Plotter wizard; not hand-editable |
| Storage location | `%APPDATA%\Autodesk\AutoCAD\<version>\Plotter Manager\` (Windows) |
| OS | Windows only |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Effect if missing | AutoCAD plots without calibration corrections; no error or crash occurs |
| Portability requirement | Must be transferred together with its `.pc3` companion to preserve calibration on another workstation |
| Supported products | AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, all versions since R14 (mid-1990s) |
| Released | mid-1990s (AutoCAD R14 era) |
| Latest version | AutoCAD 2025 (current; format unchanged for many versions) |
| Specification | help.autodesk.com |
PMP conversions
Community Q&A
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