Opening RAD Files

The RAD file type is primarily associated with Radiance.

RAD	File extension: RAD
	File type:	3D scene description

What is a RAD file?

RAD files mostly belong to Radiance by Greg Ward. The RAD file extension is primarily associated with 3D scenes created using Radiance, a ray-tracing software. A RAD file created with Radiance contains lighting, objects, and material data that is used to generate an OCT (octree) scene file which the computer renders. VRAD, a command line application for modifying video games uses the RAD file extension to store LDR and HDR lighting data used to specify the appearance of 3D object surfaces. Radar Viewpoint, a data analysis software for radars uses the RAD file extension to store data that is used to monitor an airspace or locate an aircraft. The RAD file extension is also associated with rapid application delivery files containing references to hosted program profiles used to open streamed programs in XenApp, a virtualization program. Napster, a peer-to-peer music streaming service stores a Real Rhapsody cache in a RAD file.

How to open a RAD file

You need a suitable software like Radiance to open a RAD file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your RAD file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a RAD file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online RAD File Viewer

Choose your .rad file to view this image

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert RAD files to OBJ, STL, PLY, 3DS, FBX, STP, ...

You can convert RAD files using our online RAD file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):

Just click the "Choose your .rad file to view this image" button on this page.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then select the 3D format (e.g. STL, OBJ, 3DS, X, X3D, STP, PLY, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert RAD files:

Radiance by Greg Ward
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. RAD files are often referred to as Radiance 3d images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Reality AdLib Tracker (2-op FM music) by Reality Adlib Tracker
Reality Adlib Tracker is a legacy, DOS software used for tracking audio data. RAD files used by Adlib Tracker contain information about instruments, notes, patterns, and song data. Such RAD files can also be played using Winamp with the AdPlug plug-in. This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: Winamp, AdPlug
Rhapsody (cache) by RealNetworks
Rhapsody is peer-to-peer music streaming service. After the first time an audio file is played from its servers, subsequent playback of that file is loaded from the Residual Audio Data (RAD) file that is cached on the user's machine. This file format is classified as Audio.
ViewPoint
ViewPoint is a radar software for data analysis. Its RAD files are used to monitor airspaces and track aircrafts. This file format is classified as GIS.
VRAD (lights) by Valve
VRAD is a command line utility for embedding lights data in a compiled BSP map in first-person shooter games. RAD files used by VRAD contain XML-formatted settings and lighting used to define the appearance of 3D objects in the game. This file format is classified as 3D Image.

Technical Data for RAD File Extension

File classification:

3D Image

Related files:

rd3, exprot, exprot2, rar, cor, jdp, hdr, txt, mrk, xml, zip, exe, oct, zbf

Related links:

XnView

Mime type:

image/vnd.radiance, text/plain, audio/x-mod

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: GraphicsConverterPro.rad, FileType: Radiance, AppName: GraphicsConverter-reg
EXEFile: GraphicsConverter.exe

ProgramID: konvertor
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Konvertor\Konvertor.exe %1

ProgramID: RADDeveloper.Project
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\RDev100\RDev1.Exe %1

ProgramID: WinDev.RAD.7
EXEFile: D:\WDDemo\Programs\WINDEV75.EXE %1

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: RealPlayer.RA.6
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealOne Player\RealPlay.exe %1

Show all 6 listings To Top

a rad 3D scene description is a special file format by Greg Ward and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with RAD files

Associate the RAD file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open 3d scene descriptions. Because only the current version supports the latest RAD file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Greg Ward manufacturer website after an available Radiance update.
To make sure that your RAD file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .RAD file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.