MDC File

What are MDC files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a MDC 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 MDC files.

What is a MDC file?

MDC files have multiple uses, and Camera RAW Image File (Minolta) is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Camera RAW Image File (Minolta)

Camera RAW Image File (Minolta) is a RAW photo file format produced by certain Minolta digital cameras, notably including the Minolta RD-175. It stores unprocessed data from the camera's image sensor, preserving full tonal range, color fidelity, and metadata so that photographers can apply adjustments (such as exposure, white balance, and color correction) after the photo is taken without image degradation.

The file is created in the camera when set to shoot in RAW mode; there is no in-camera processing to convert it into a standard format like JPEG. After capture, these files are typically transferred to a computer or editing workstation. Software that supports this RAW format can read the sensor data, interpret the embedded metadata, and then allow conversion or editing, often exporting to formats like TIFF or JPEG once editing is complete.

On the technical side, RDC-175 .MDC files include data recorded by all three sensors in that camera (red, green, blue), and they contain header metadata such as exposure settings, white-balance, date/time, and possibly other capture parameters. Signature or magic-byte identification for this exact format is less documented in published vendor sources.

How to open MDC files

We have identified one MDC opener that is compatible with this specific type of MDC file.

Programs that open Camera RAW Image File (Minolta) files

Last updated: August 9, 2026

All known file formats using extension .MDC

While Camera RAW Image File (Minolta) is a popular type of MDC-file, we know of 5 different uses of the .MDC file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Marc's Disk Cruncher Compressed Disk Image

We know that one MDC format is Marc's Disk Cruncher Compressed Disk Image. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

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

MDC Compressed 3D Model

We know that one MDC format is MDC Compressed 3D Model. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Merkaartor Document

Merkaartor Document files (.MDC) store saved map‐editing projects created by Merkaartor, the free cross-platform editor for OpenStreetMap (OSM). These files preserve a user's work in progress, including roads, areas, points of interest, annotations, visibility settings, map view, layers and styles. Because the file is project‐oriented rather than simply map data export, it keeps track of edits, what is currently selected or visible, zoom or viewport settings, and other work session state.

A Merkaartor Document is written and read by the Merkaartor application. Users open a .MDC when resuming editing a map project they previously saved; they can also save additional changes within the same project. Typical workflows involve downloading OSM data inside Merkaartor, making edits, then saving the project in .MDC format until ready to export the data (for example in .OSM, .GPX or .KML) or upload it back to OSM.

The file is an XML‐based format. It begins with an XML declaration and includes tags such as MerkaartorDocument version, ImageMapLayer XML, MapView, Viewport, Creator, Selected, Visible, BottomLeft Lon, TopRight Lon, Name, Enabled, Alpha, BGType and similar tags which identify map layers, layer visibility, view bounds, and editing metadata.

MDC opener for Windows

We have identified one MDC opener that is compatible with this specific type of MDC file.

MidiCo Karaoke

We know that one MDC format is MidiCo Karaoke. 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 MDC files. Remember, different programs may use MDC 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 MDC file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.