DEEP File

What are DEEP files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a DEEP 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 DEEP files.

What is a DEEP file?

A .DEEP file is an IFF DEEP Animation/bitmap file.

IFF DEEP Animation/bitmap files store high-colour images using the IFF (Interchange File Format) container, in the "DEEP" form type. These files were introduced to allow images without a color lookup table, allowing storage of true-colour pixels (such as 24-bit RGB or 32-bit RGBA) so that each pixel holds full colour data rather than an index into a palette. Such files are used when accurate colour representation, deeper bit depths, or full transparency is required.

Files of this format are generated by applications that support TVPaint's "DEEP" IFF form or other IFF-based image systems able to write DEEP bitmaps. They are not part of the original IFF ILBM (Interleaved Bitmap) family unless specifically using the DEEP form. Once created, images inside these files are typically read by graphics software or viewers that understand true-colour IFF "DEEP" data; editing workflows usually involve converting or exporting from DEEP into more common formats if necessary.

These files begin with the standard IFF wrapper: the ASCII characters "FORM" at offset zero, followed by the FORM's length, then the form type "DEEP" in the 4 bytes starting at offset 8. Some implementations include "DGBL" (as "DEEPDGBL") in the early form headers.

How to open DEEP files

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

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

Last updated: October 22, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of DEEP files. Remember, different programs may use DEEP 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 DEEP file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.