4 file types use the .bms file extension.

What is a BMS file?

A BMS file is a plain text script used by QuickBMS, a file extraction tool used primarily to extract assets from video game asset archives. It contains directives written in the Binary MultiEx Script (BMS) language. You can open a BMS file in any text editor; you can run the script it contains in QuickBMS.

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How to open a BMS file

Category: Executable Files

Be-Music Source File

A BMS file may also be a song data file saved in the text-based Be-Music Source (BMS) format developed by Urao Yane for the BM98 program based on the now-discontinued BeatMania DJ rhythm game. It contains song information, which includes the song title, artist, genre, BPM (beats per minute), number of players, note positions, and references to sound effect files.

Konami developed BeatMania and initially released it in 1997. In the game, you are a club DJ who must move the controls in step with the song playing (the songs are each saved as BMS files) to gain the audience's approval. To advance to the next level (a more difficult song), you have to achieve a certain level of audience approval.

Due to the popularity of BeatMania, gamers developed various PC-based clones of BeatMania. One of the developers, Urao Yane, developed the BMS format in 1998 to store songs for BM98, a simulated version of BeatMania used to practice charts.

While Yane and others ceased developing BM98, developers of other BeatMania variants added support for Yane's BMS song format and continued to improve it. BMS has since become one of the most common formats in the beat rhythm gaming community.

NOTE: BMS may also stand for "Be-Music Script."

You can open BMS files with various beat players, including beatoraja (multiplatform), Lunatic Rave 2 (Windows), and Bemusic Bemuse (Web). Since BMS files store plain text, you can also open them with a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad or Apple TextEdit .

You can convert BMS files to the following formats with Be-Music Translator:

Programs that open BMS files

Updated: October 27, 2023

TheEngine 3D Model

A BMS file may also be a 3D model used by a video game developed with TheEngine, a Russian graphics engine used by games published by 1C Company. It is used to show an object in-game. For example, the Dawn of Magic series uses 3D models saved as BMS files (stored in .BM archives).

Several video games published by 1C Company, including games in the Dawn of Magic (Blood Magic) and King's Bounty series, use TheEngine as their 3D graphics engine. Each of these games also uses 3D models saved in the BMS format.

Most players will never encounter or need to open a game's BMS files. However, video game modders sometimes enjoy opening, examining, editing, and replacing a game's BMS files, to modify a game's gameplay.

NOTE: Some TheEngine 3D models are instead saved as .BMA files.

You can use 3D Object Converter to open BMS files and view the models they contain. To do so, select File → Open... from the program's menu bar. Then, navigate to and open your BMS file. The 3D model your BMS file contains will then appear in 3D Object Converter.

3D Object Converter can convert BMS files to dozens of 3D model formats, including the following common formats (and many app-specific formats):

To convert a BMS file, open it in 3D Object Converter and select File → Save as... . Then, choose the format to which you want to convert your BMS file, and save the file.

Programs that open or reference BMS files

Updated: May 11, 2023

BIOWRAP Multi-Layer Security File

Encrypted file generated in the BIOWRAP Multi-Layer Security (BMS) format; can incorporate both biometric and digital authentication mechanisms; may contain any type of digital data such as a text document or a large business data archive; used for safely sending digital files using email attachments, discs, flash drives, and other mediums.

BMS files can be opened with the free BIOWRAP Reader desktop application. They can also be viewed through the BIOWRAP online website application, which runs in a Web browser. Additionally, they can be accessed using the BIOWRAP Reader Web Service, which allows BMS documents to be integrated into existing document process flow platforms.

BMS files are generated using Nation Technologies' BIOWRAP software (Professional, Enterprise, and Industry editions). This software and the BIOWRAP Web interface enable users to specify retention rights and fine grained access control constraints, which limit file access based on specific criteria.

The BIOWRAP System utilizes identity-based encryption to certify the identity and credentials (company, group, industry, etc.) of an individual creating encrypted files. Encrypted files are stamped with the level of authentication used to perform the encryption. Supported identification mechanisms include biometrics, x509 PKI certificates, and BIOWRAP usernames and passwords.

NOTE: BIOWRAP Reader has been discontinued.

Programs that open BMS files

Updated: February 15, 2018