What is MIME type "application/x-captureone"?

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

application/x-captureone is a MIME type for files created by Capture One software. It marks data that contains an Enhanced Image Package meant for advanced image editing.

Files with this MIME type use the file extension EIP. The package bundles image data, edit settings, and metadata together. This allows the software to store non-destructive adjustments and detailed image information.

Professional Workflow: Manages edits, adjustments, and session settings in one container.
Non-Destructive Editing: Retains all changes and metadata without altering the original image.
Data Integrity: Keeps image processing details intact for reliable recall and further editing.
Software Specific: Meant to be opened and worked on within Capture One.

This MIME type is not standard but is widely used within the Capture One ecosystem. It ensures that image adjustments and workflows are seamlessly maintained for professionals using the software. For more details on the file extension EIP, you can explore external resources.

Associated file extensions

.eip

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-captureone

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-captureone">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-captureone');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.eip

FAQs

What is the application/x-captureone MIME type used for?

This MIME type represents Enhanced Image Package files used by Capture One photo editing software. It identifies EIP files, which act as containers bundling an original RAW image together with its specific adjustments and metadata settings.

Can web browsers display application/x-captureone files?

No, web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari cannot render these files natively. Because application/x-captureone is a proprietary format for professional photography, browsers will force the file to download rather than displaying it in the window.

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

To ensure your server sends the correct headers, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/x-captureone .eip. This tells the server to associate the EIP extension with this specific MIME type.

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

You can add the type definition inside your mime.types file or within a specific server block. Use the directive: types { application/x-captureone eip; }. This ensures clients receive the correct Content-Type header when downloading the file.

Why does this MIME type start with "x-"?

The x- prefix indicates that application/x-captureone is a non-standard or private MIME type. It was defined specifically by the software vendor (Phase One/Capture One) rather than being a standard type registered with the IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority).

How do I open a file sent with this MIME type?

You must use Capture One software to open and edit these files. Since the file is a package containing a RAW image and editing instructions, standard image viewers usually cannot process the application/x-captureone data stream.

Is application/x-captureone a binary or text format?

It is a binary format. Internally, an EIP file functions similarly to a ZIP archive, containing the binary RAW image data alongside XML configuration files. When transferring these files via FTP or HTTP, always use binary mode to prevent data corruption.

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.