VP3 File

What are VP3 files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a VP3 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 VP3 files.

What is a VP3 file?

VP3 files have multiple uses, and On2 Technologies VP3 Video is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

On2 Technologies VP3 Video File

On2 Technologies VP3 Video File is a compressed video file created by the VP3 codec, originally developed by On2 Technologies. VP3 is a lossy codec designed for streaming and digital video, where its aim is to reduce file size while preserving visual quality. It compresses video using techniques such as block-based motion compensation and discrete cosine transforms in the Y′CbCr 4:2:0 colour space. VP3 was donated by On2 to the Xiph.org Foundation in 2002, basis for development of the Theora codec.

Software and media players use VP3 Video Files to decode and play back motion picture content; they are not intended for storing raw video or editing frames at high fidelity. VP3 files are transmitted or stored in a container (such as AVI or Ogg) that carries the compressed bitstream. VP3 is most often encountered in streaming contexts where bandwidth fluctuates, as its output bitrate may vary.

The bitstream format of VP3 has no formal published specification: On2 published source code which Xiph.org and others have used for decoder implementations. Some higher-level descriptions have been produced independently, such as by Mike Melanson, and portions of those were later adopted in Theora's specification.

The file may begin with a four-character code (FOURCC) identifying the codec variant, for example "VP30", "VP31", or "VP32", and use internal structures known as macroblocks, superblocks, fragments, token streams, quantization tables, motion vectors, and so on, similar to VP4 and other early On2 codecs.

How to open VP3 files

We have identified one VP3 opener that is compatible with this specific type of VP3 file.

Programs that open On2 Technologies VP3 Video files

Last updated: August 14, 2026

All known file formats using extension .VP3

While On2 Technologies VP3 Video File is a popular type of VP3-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .VP3 file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

VP3 Sewing Machine File

The VP3 Sewing Machine File is a design file used by Husqvarna-Viking and Pfaff embroidery machines to stitch embroidery patterns. It contains machine-ready instructions including stitch coordinates, thread color changes, and trimming or jump commands so the design can be executed directly by the machine for embroidery work. It is not an image but a control file telling the sewing machine what to do.

Embroidery digitizing software creates or converts designs into VP3 format. Users store their designs - often created or edited on a computer - and then transfer VP3 files (via USB or memory card) to their compatible sewing machine. Machines load the VP3 file and carry out the stitch-by-stitch instructions. The format supports storing multiple color blocks (segments of stitches in distinct thread colors) and sometimes multiple design blocks (often only one). The SewWhat-Pro application is known to import, view, edit, and convert VP3 embroidery files.

VP3 files begin with a five-character ASCII signature "%vsm%" at offset 0.

VP3 opener for Windows

We have identified one VP3 opener that is compatible with this specific type of VP3 file.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of VP3 files. Remember, different programs may use VP3 files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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