What is MIME type "application/x-authorware-map"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type application/x-authorware-map is used by the Authorware system to define interactive areas within multimedia projects. It holds mapping data that tells the software where clickable zones or hotspots are placed. This setup enables dynamic navigation and user-triggered actions within an interactive presentation.

It configures interactive hotspots within a project.
It guides the software on where and how user actions should trigger media responses.
It is used alongside AAM files to complete the project’s interactive design.

This MIME type is part of legacy multimedia technology and was popular when Authorware projects flourished. For additional background, visit the Authorware Wikipedia page.

Associated file extensions

.aam

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-authorware-map

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-authorware-map">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-authorware-map');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.aam

FAQs

What file extension uses the MIME type application/x-authorware-map?

This MIME type is exclusively associated with the .aam file extension. It is used by Adobe (formerly Macromedia) Authorware to store mapping data for interactive multimedia projects. For more details on this extension, check our page on .aam.

Do modern web browsers support application/x-authorware-map?

No, modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not natively support this type. It requires the Authorware Web Player plugin, which has been discontinued and is no longer supported by most browser vendors due to security and architecture changes.

How do I configure Apache to serve .aam files correctly?

To serve these files with the correct headers, add the following directive to your .htaccess file or httpd.conf: AddType application/x-authorware-map .aam. This ensures the server tells the client exactly what type of data is being transferred.

How can I add support for this MIME type in Nginx?

You should modify your mime.types file or the types block within your server configuration. Add the line application/x-authorware-map aam; and reload Nginx. This allows the server to identify .aam files and send the correct Content-Type header.

What is the function of an application/x-authorware-map file?

This file type acts as a coordinate map for Authorware projects. It defines specific "hotspots" or interactive areas on the screen where user clicks should trigger navigation or media events. It works in conjunction with other Authorware files like .aas (segments) or .a7p (packaged files).

Is it safe to open application/x-authorware-map files?

Because this is a legacy binary format associated with discontinued software, exercise caution. Only open these files if you trust the source, as legacy media players can sometimes have unpatched security vulnerabilities.

Can I edit an application/x-authorware-map file with a text editor?

No, these are binary files, not plain text. Opening them in a text editor like Notepad or VS Code will display unreadable characters. To edit the interactive mapping, you would need the original Adobe Authorware authoring software.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.