PAM files exist as 3 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: PopCap Games Animation File
File Function
| Title | File Function |
| Primary Function | Animation storage |
| Additional Functions | Game resource |
File Characteristics
| Title | File Characteristics |
| Binary Format | Yes |
| Compression | Yes |
| Editable | Indirectly |
Use Cases
| Title | Use Cases |
| Game Development | Yes |
| Animation Viewing | Yes |
| Modding | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Title | Security and Practices |
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Backup, Verify sources |
Historical/Version Information
| Title | Historical/Version Information |
| Initial Release | Early 2000s |
| Latest Version | Varies by game |
Associated Types
| Title | Associated Types |
| Game Files | .dat, .properties |
| Image Files | .png, .jpeg |
| Audio Files | .mp3, .wav |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Title |
||
 PopCap Games Framework |
Proprietary | Varies by game |
| Game Extractors |
Free, Open-source | Windows, Linux, Mac |
Type 2: Portable Arbitrary Map Image
General Information
| Title | PAM File Extension |
| Extension | .pam |
| Full Form | Portable Arbitrary Map |
| File Type | Image File |
| Developer | Part of Netpbm project |
| MIME Type | image/x-portable-arbitrarymap |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store images |
| Additional Functions | Support transparency, Multi-channel |
| Features | Flexible, High depth |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | Yes |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Image Manipulation | Yes |
| Image Conversion | Yes |
| Scientific Imaging | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Validate authenticity |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Late 2000 |
| Part of Netpbm | Yes |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .pbm, .pgm, .ppm, .pnm |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Netpbm |
Free | Cross-platform |
 GIMP |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| ImageMagick |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
Type 3: PlayStation Advanced Movie
A PAM file contains video and audio. You cannot directly open and play PAM files. But you can convert the video and audio in PAM files to more common formats. For example, VGMToolbox (Windows) convert...
General Information
| Title | PAM File Extension |
| Extension | .pam |
| Full Form | PlayStation Advanced Movie |
| File Type | Video File |
| Developer | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store video |
| Additional Functions | Store audio, subtitles |
| Features | High compression, Proprietary |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | No |
Use Cases
| Gameplay Videos | Yes |
| Cutscenes | Yes |
| Promotional Media | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Keep updated, Firmware |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Associated with PS3 |
| Latest Version | Varies with game |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .mp4, .avi, .mkv |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 PlayStation Console |
Built-in | PlayStation Firmware |
| PlayStation Media Player |
Free | PlayStation |