.bdx — Bitstream Data eXchange
Bitstream Inc. · 1993
.bdx files are primarily used for storing and exchanging font data, especially for Bitstream's Font Navigator software.
Key Features
- Contains detailed font metrics and character information.
- Designed for font exchange and management.
- Proprietary format linked to Bitstream software.
- Primarily used in older Windows environments.
Best For
- Managing font collections within the Bitstream Font Navigator ecosystem.
- Ensuring font compatibility on legacy Windows systems that relied on this format.
- Archiving font data in a format understood by older design software.
Less Ideal For
- Modern font distribution and web use (use WOFF, WOFF2, TTF, OTF instead).
- Cross-platform font sharing (use universal formats like TTF or OTF).
- Embedding fonts in documents intended for broad compatibility (use standard formats).
- Creating new font projects.
Common Use Cases
- Storing font libraries for the Bitstream Font Navigator.
- Exchanging font definitions between different applications that supported the format.
- Archiving specific font sets used in older desktop publishing projects.
- Enabling font portability on systems where it was natively supported.
How to Open It
- Attempt to open with older versions of Bitstream Font Navigator if available.
- Explore font management utilities from the era (Windows 95/98) that might have supported .bdx.
- Consider using font conversion tools that might have legacy support for .bdx, though success is unlikely.
- If the file contains text or data, try opening it with a plain text editor to inspect potential readable content.
What is a .bdx file?
The .bdx file format was developed by Bitstream Inc. as a way to exchange font data, particularly for their Font Navigator software. It aimed to provide a structured method for storing and transferring font metrics, character sets, and other essential font information. While useful in its time for font management, it has largely been superseded by more modern and universally adopted font formats. Primarily associated with older Windows operating systems, it's not commonly encountered today.
Programs That Open .bdx Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Bitstream Font Navigator | Paid | Official |
How to Convert .bdx Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .TTF | Bitstream Font Navigator (if available and supports export), Legacy font conversion utilities |
| .OTF | Bitstream Font Navigator (if available and supports export), Legacy font conversion utilities |
Common Problems with .bdx Files
Frequently Asked Questions
A .bdx file is a proprietary font data exchange file format developed by Bitstream Inc., primarily used with their Font Navigator software.
It is very difficult to open .bdx files on modern computers, as the software that created them is no longer actively supported or widely available. You may need to find very old software or specialized converters.
No, .bdx is a proprietary format and not a widely adopted standard like TTF or OTF.
Technical Details
Bitstream Data eXchange (.bdx) files are binary files that contain font information. They store data such as font metrics, character mappings, and potentially outline data, making them a proprietary format for managing and sharing fonts. The exact structure is specific to Bitstream's software and is not openly documented.