DCH File

What are DCH files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a DCH file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your DCH files.

What is a DCH file?

DCH files have multiple uses, and DipTrace Schematic is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

DipTrace Schematic

DipTrace Schematic is a binary project format used by the Schematic module of DipTrace, an electronic design automation (EDA) suite. It stores a circuit's logical representation - such as components, wires, buses, shapes, and multiple schematic sheets - that a designer builds when creating a circuit diagram. Schematics saved in this format can also serve as input to DipTrace's PCB Layout module, which interprets the logical connections for generating board layouts.

The file is written by DipTrace's Schematic module and read both by that module (for editing or viewing the schematic) and by the PCB Layout module (for converting the schematic into a physical layout). It supports complex schematic features like hierarchical sheets, component part-splitting (symbols made of multiple sections), origin and flip flags, part names, pin numbers, and netlists for later annotation or export.

As a technical identifier, the file begins with a signature in ASCII: at offset zero the bytes read ".DTSCHEM.B" (hex 0x074454534348454D0F42). The internal structure handles different versions: schemas before version 34 use different layouts (extra padding or fields) compared to newer ones. Fields include sheets, shapes, pins, symbols, and connections.

How to open DCH files

Important: Different programs may use files with the DCH file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your DCH file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested six different DCH openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: October 22, 2026

All known file formats using extension .DCH

While DipTrace Schematic is a popular type of DCH-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .DCH file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Draft Choice Drawing

We know that one DCH format is Draft Choice Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of DCH files. Remember, different programs may use DCH files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about DCH file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.