ZIM files exist as 2 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: OpenZIM Wiki Archive
The ZIM file format stores wiki content for offline usage. The openZIM project defines the format. The project also supports an open-source ZIM reader called Kiwix. The format primarily stores Wikiped...
The ZIM file format stores wiki content for offline usage. The openZIM project defines the format. The project also supports an open-source ZIM reader called Kiwix. The format primarily stores Wikipedia articles, search indices, and auxiliary files. ZIM replaces the earlier Zeno format. Its compression uses LZMA2 and Zstandard. OpenZIM is sponsored by Wikimedia CH and the Wikimedia Foundation.
A ZIM archive can be embedded in a file at a specific offset. For ZIM, the header start is offset 0. Readers must adapt the offset to read an embedded archive. The MIME list follows the header. Its position defines the header end and size.
Kiwix supports ZIM files. To open, select File -> Open. Since ZIM uses Zip compression, rename the .zim extension to .zip. Then open with a Zip utility to access files directly. Issues opening ZIM files can also come from corruption or problems with the software.
Open ZIM files with SimLab Composer for Windows and macOS. Select File - Open. The .ZIM file format is a Zip-compressed container. It includes a 3D scene .SIM file and resources. Rename .zim to .zip t...
Open ZIM files with SimLab Composer for Windows and macOS. Select File – Open. The .ZIM file format is a Zip-compressed container. It includes a 3D scene .SIM file and resources. Rename .zim to .zip to access files directly with a Zip utility.
SimLab Composer exports to ZIM. Create scene, select File – Export, choose SimLab Archive format. The .ZIM format shares custom 3D scenes. The SimLab plug-in for 3ds Max and SketchUp also creates ZIM files. Use SimLab Composer to render, animate and model 3D scenes.
SimLab supports various import and export formats. It offers plug-ins to integrate with CAD software. Supported import formats include 3D PDF, 3DS MAX .3ds. The .ZIM format is for distributing 3D content. View it with ZIM readers like Kiwix. Kiwix makes Wikipedia available offline.
Kiwix
SimLab Composer