5 file types use the .asc file extension.

What is an ASC file?

An ASC file is an armored ASCII file used by Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), an encryption program utilized for secure communication. It contains a digitally signed message and may store plain-text written information, as well as binary information encoded as text. ASC files also include a key as clear-signed text, which can be verified using PGP authentication methods.

More Information

Category: Encoded Files

ActionScript Communication File

Script written in ActionScript, a programming language used to control Flash-based applications; contains code that is executed by the Flash Media Server hosting software; used for controlling application events, such as loading Flash applications, communicating with other servers, accessing resources, and streaming multimedia content.

ASC files may be generated by Adobe Media Encoder (included with Adobe's Creative Suite) or the free Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder. They may be used by either Flash Media Streaming Server (for simple applications) or Flash Media Interactive Server (for applications that require multiway communication).

By default, Flash Media Server executes the file main.asc when it runs an application.

Programs that open or reference ASC files

Updated: April 8, 2010

Autodesk ASCII Export File

An ASC file may also be a text file containing geometric shapes and points information exported by various Autodesk programs, such as Civil 3D and Moldflow Insight. It stores data in a text format encoded in the ASCII standard, which is more compatible with other programs.

While exporting models to ASC files allows you to import them into a larger number of applications, it also may remove data. For example, if you export an .IGS model to an ASC file with Moldflow Insight, information about keywords, materials, and unused property sets will not be exported.

You can create ASC files with various Autodesk applications, and the method differs with each application. For example, to save a model in the ASCII format with Moldflow Insight, click the Application button, select Export → Model and choose the ASCII export format from the "Save as type" dropdown menu.

You can open an ASC file with various CAD applications, including Autodesk applications. The method in which you open the ASC files is different with each application.

Since ASC files contain plain text, you can open them with any text editor or word processor. Possible options include:

Many text editors and word processors, including Microsoft Wordpad, Microsoft Word, and Apple TextEdit, can convert ASC files to other formats.

For example, select File → Save as in Microsoft Wordpad to convert ASC files to one of the following formats:

Programs that open ASC files

Updated: June 17, 2022

ASCII Text File

An ASC file may also be a plain text file encoded in the American Standard Code for Information Interchange ( ASCII ) standard. Various applications may create ASC files for different reasons, such as a word processor exporting the plain text of a document without formatting or a GIS application exporting the coordinates of a location. You can open an ASC file with most text editors and word processors.

The ASCII standard dates back to the 1960s and derives from telegraph code. The American National Standards Institute ( ANSI ) has revised the standard several times, and many applications have adopted it over the years.

Because of its widespread adoption, many applications support exporting information in the ASCII standard and creating ASC files. For example, a GIS application may allow you to export data recorded by the application as an ASC file you can import into a spreadsheet application to view the data.

You can open an ASC file with any text editor or word processor. Possible options include:

In some programs, such as Microsoft Notepad, you may have to select All files (*.*) from the Open window before you can open your ASC file.

Many applications, including Microsoft WordPad , Apple TextEdit , and OpenOffice Writer , can convert ASC files to other formats. For example, TextEdit can convert ASC files to the following formats:

Programs that open ASC files

Updated: June 29, 2022

LTspice Circuit Schematic File

An ASC file may also be a CAD file created by Linear Technology LTspice, a Spice III circuit simulation application. It contains information about a circuit schematic in plain text, including the circuit layout, symbols (components stored in .ASY files), and connections. LTspice users often design circuit schematics, save them as ASC files, then test them in the software.

LTspice is a free Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE) for Windows and macOS. It includes tools for creating and simulating analog circuit schematics.

When saving a circuit schematic with LTspice, the software creates an ASC file to store the contents of the circuit schematic. After saving the file, you can close the circuit schematic, then re-open it to edit it further. To create an ASC file, select File → Save or Save as .

You can only open an ASC file with Linear Technology LTspice in Windows and macOS. To open an ASC file, select File → Open... .

Opening an ASC file with a text editor

Since ASC files contain information in plain text, you can also open them with a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad (Windows) or Apple TextEdit (Mac), or a source code editor. You may need to rename the .asc file extension to .txt for the text editor to recognize it.

When opened in a text editor or source code editor, you can modify the properties of the ASC file. However, if you incorrectly edit the file, you may inadvertently corrupt the model.

Linear Technology LTspice can convert an ASC file to SPICE Netlist NET files and Waveform Data RAW files. To convert an ASC file, right-click the schematic, select View , and choose the format you want to convert the ASC file.

Programs that open ASC files

Updated: May 24, 2022