Extract text from Vector data files (VEC)
To convert VEC Vector files to another format, you need fastText or other Data software.
To convert other file formats to the "Vector Data Model" file type, you need software like fastText or a similar tool.
The .VEC format is a generic file extension heavily fragmented across multiple industries to store mathematical "vector" data. Today, its most prominent uses are in machine learning for fastText pre-trained word embeddings and OpenCV Haar cascade positive image training samples. Historically, it was widely used as a proprietary container for vector graphics, CAD drawings from software like DataCAD, OMNeT++ simulation outputs, and even TechSmith Camtasia XML media libraries. Depending on its exact origin, a .VEC file might be opened by Python libraries like Gensim, specialized CAD engines, or data science environments.
Because .VEC acts as a wildcard extension, it poses severe usability challenges. The primary disadvantage is sheer ambiguity: operating systems like Windows and macOS cannot natively route these files because the OS does not know if the file is a 5GB binary word embedding, a compressed ZIP of orthotic CAD data, or a plain-text XML video project. This fragmentation makes sharing and archiving incredibly frustrating. Proprietary graphics variants lock you into expensive software ecosystems, while machine learning vectors often require dedicated programming environments just to view the contents.
To overcome these barriers, converting your .VEC files is the most pragmatic solution. For machine learning and data analysis, convert the file to CSV or TXT to make the raw numerical arrays readable in standard spreadsheets. For CAD drawings and legacy vector graphics, converting to SVG ensures universal web browser compatibility, while converting to PDF is ideal for secure sharing and high-quality print archiving without losing vector scalability.
Convert.Guru analyzes your VEC file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted VCE, PDF, XMIND, PNG, DRL, DDB and 85V files.
If you want to convert VEC file to SHP, KML, KMZ, GPX, GEOJSON, TOPOJSON, TIF, TIFF, ECW, SID, IMG or DEM, you can use fastText or similar software from the "Vector Data and Graphics Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert LAZ, KMZ, DTM, CSV, DEM, PRJ, LAS, GPX, DSM, SHP, DBF or KML files to VEC, try fastText or another comparable tool in the "Vector Data and Graphics 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 VEC converter.