π Basically, an .IMA container fits for storing and processing virtual hard drives (VHDs), disk images of CDs, hard drives, or floppy disks. Primarily, the .IMA entity stores the certain disk image as an unformatted, raw binary data layout that can be flawlessly mounted by multiple disk utility solutions, such as MagicISO, UltraISO, Nero, and WinImage, in order to be recognized, comprehended and opened by appropriate computer means and applets. Most often, all of the .IMA samples are generated by WinImage, a disk-imaging distributive applied to adjust, read, and write corresponding disk images. WinImage user community members are allowed to build up new .IMA instances to store multiple categories of disk images but most frequently generate the .IMA branch nodes to store a relevant disk image of a 1.44MB 3.5ββ floppy disk carrier. Users are suggested and recommended to compress target .IMA content due to the introduction of WinImage bundle in order to economize and save required disk space. Compressed .IMA pattern elements are generated and constructed as .IMZ entries by interfering with the WinImage solution.
π Another possible variation of the .IMA data category correlates with an HTML-compliant email message operated by ACT!, a solid, feature-packed contact management toolkit. Precisely, this proper .IMA extension area may include HTML email message or plain textual email note, and may also comprise one or several file attachments. The .IMA data technology was initially announced and released with the publication of ACT! 6.0.3 build as a subsequent replacement of the former .DET technological principle. In contrast with .DET standard foundation, .IMA entities may comprise a range of multiple attachments in scope of a single, unified file object. Miscellaneously, .IMA branch samples are built on the basis of typical HTML code that may be properly reviewed, opened, and tracked in scope of a web-browser. Since 2013, Sage ACT! project is distributed and shared under the Swiftpage Act! entitlement.
π Finally, one more apparent clause of the .IMA format utilization relies on the audio files stored and compressed by ADPCM (the abbreviation which stands for Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation term) encoding algorithm designed and coded by IMA (abbreviated from Interactive Media Association structure) organization. Accurately, the following .IMA record category includes 4-bit audio data, and it does not internally maintain an identifying header section. As long as most of the .IMA arrangement nodes do not contain a header and are pretty uncommon, most media players cannot open up, reproduce and playback them directly. In exceptional conditions, some individual devices and software packages store audio data encoded and bundled with the involvement of IMA ADPCM encoding mechanics as .IMA resources. For instance, the commonly known software project Simplicity Studio, which is distributed within a bundle of the Silicon Labsβ Thunderboard Sense development framework, is capable of saving the outcome audio sequences and samples in the .IMA definition. Distinctively from .WAV, .MP3, and other typical audio principles, .IMA resources do not comprise the identifying headers, which build up the outcome file attributes and contents. For this particular reason, a majority of the media players cannot playback the .IMA data constitution. Even most solid and proficient toolkits and players, that can audibly reproject almost any of the broadly known audio format specifications, such as VLC initiative, cannot play the .IMA content in the accustomed and strict approach.
How to open an .IMA file?
π The .IMA file composition can be seamlessly and immersively opened, researched, and explored by WinImage, UltraISO, Nero, MagicISO, and other virtual image emulators, accessible in the up-to-date web sphere. In exceptional circumstances, the .IMA file layout may comprise custom email messages operated and sustained by Swiftpage Act! toolkit, a powerful and flexible software initiative for contact management targets. In the rest of the preconditions, it would be considerable and wise to make service of the Audacity audio-editing package. The less skillful and experienced community members are suggested to experiment with Convertio web-service, runnable from a typical web-browser and able to convert the source .IMA tracks to .MP3, .WAV or other typical audio file patterns.