Extract text from Micrografx flowcharts (AF3)
To convert AF3 flowcharts to another format, you need ABC FlowCharter or other Vector Image software.
To convert other file formats to the "Legacy Flowchart Diagram" file type, you need software like ABC FlowCharter or a similar tool.
The .af3 file is a legacy flowchart document created by Micrografx ABC FlowCharter (primarily versions 3 and 4). It stores vector graphics, text strings, geometric shapes, and connecting lines used to map out business processes, network diagrams, and organizational charts.
Historically, these files were opened and edited using Micrografx ABC FlowCharter or later software suites from iGrafx.
The primary disadvantage of the .af3 format is that it is highly proprietary and obsolete. Popular in the 1990s, it is no longer supported by modern operating systems or default image viewers. Without the original legacy software installed, viewing or editing the flowchart is nearly impossible. Modern vector editors like Microsoft Visio or Adobe Illustrator cannot natively parse this vintage binary data, leaving users locked out of historical business records.
To preserve these diagrams, we recommend converting .af3 to modern, open vector formats like SVG or PDF to maintain scalable shapes and text. If you only need to view the diagram, converting to a raster format like PNG or JPG works well, although it will permanently flatten the vector layers.
Because .af3 is a closed, undocumented legacy format, standard online converters frequently fail to process it. Often, only the original software can properly read or export the specific line-routing logic. However, just drag and drop your file to identify the format, view it, and convert it when possible on convert.guru. If our analysis detects supported underlying or embedded vector objects (like WMF data), viewing or partial conversion may still be possible.
Convert.Guru analyzes your AF3 file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted FPRG and AF2 files.
If you want to convert AF3 file to SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, JPG, CDR, WMF, EMF, SWF, FLA, XFL or SKETCH, you can use ABC FlowCharter or similar software from the "Legacy Flowchart Diagram Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert AFPUB, EPS, FIG, VSD, SKETCH, VDX, AFPHOTO, PDF, AFDESIGN, SVG, VSDX or AI files to AF3, try ABC FlowCharter or another comparable tool in the "Legacy Flowchart Diagram Storage" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our AF3 converter.