What"s a DRF File and How Do You Open One? Here"s the Answer
Question: What is a DRF File?
Did you find a DRF file on your computer and wonder what program should open it? Maybe someone emailed you a DRF file but you're not sure how to use it. Perhaps you tried to open the DRF file but Windows told you that it could not open it.
Before you can open a DRF file (assuming it's even a file format that's intended to be viewed or edited), you'll need to determine what kind of file the .DRF file extension refers to.
Answer: A file with the DRF file extension is a VIZ Render file.
DRF files are created using the rendering application VIZ Render, which is bundled with older versions of AutoCAD Architectural software.
Some DRF files may instead be a Dynojet Run file or Delphi Resource file.
Other types of files may also use the DRF file extension. If you know of any additional file formats that use the .DRF extension, please let me know so I can update this information.
The easiest way to open a DRF file is to double-click on it and let your PC decide which default application should open the file. If no program opens the DRF file then you probably don't have an application installed that can view and/or edit DRF files.
Warning: Take great care when opening executable file formats received via email or downloaded from websites you're not familiar with. See my List of Executable File Extensions for a listing of file extensions to avoid and why. Fortunately, DRF files are not usually a concern.
DRF files that are VIZ Render files can be opened using Autodesk 3ds Max.
Other DRF files, such as Dynojet Run files, can be opened using Dynojet WinPEP, while Delphi Resource files can be opened with Embarcadero Delphi.
If you know of anything else about DRF files, please let me know so I can update this page.
Tip: Use Notepad or another text editor to open the DRF file. Many files are text-only files meaning no matter the file extension, a text editor may be able to properly display the file's contents. This may or may not be the case with DRF files but it's worth a try.
If you find that an application on your PC does try to open the DRF file but it's the wrong application or if you would rather have another installed program open DRF files, see my How To Change the Default Program for a Specific File Extension guide for making that change in Windows.
There are two main ways to attempt to convert a DRF file to another file type:
The first option involving opening the DRF file in its native program is preferable because it's both easier and will probably result in a more accurate file conversion. Of course if you don't have a program that opens DRF files, a third-party file conversion tool (the second option) could be very useful.
Important: You cannot usually change a file extension (like the DRF file extension) to one that your computer recognizes and expect the newly renamed file to be usable. An actual file format conversion using one of the methods described above must take place in most cases.
See Get More Help for information about contacting me on social networks or via email, posting on tech support forums, and more. Let me know what kinds of problems you're having with opening or using the DRF file and I'll see what I can do to help.
Did you find a DRF file on your computer and wonder what program should open it? Maybe someone emailed you a DRF file but you're not sure how to use it. Perhaps you tried to open the DRF file but Windows told you that it could not open it.
Before you can open a DRF file (assuming it's even a file format that's intended to be viewed or edited), you'll need to determine what kind of file the .DRF file extension refers to.
Answer: A file with the DRF file extension is a VIZ Render file.
DRF files are created using the rendering application VIZ Render, which is bundled with older versions of AutoCAD Architectural software.
Some DRF files may instead be a Dynojet Run file or Delphi Resource file.
Other types of files may also use the DRF file extension. If you know of any additional file formats that use the .DRF extension, please let me know so I can update this information.
How To Open a DRF File
The easiest way to open a DRF file is to double-click on it and let your PC decide which default application should open the file. If no program opens the DRF file then you probably don't have an application installed that can view and/or edit DRF files.
Warning: Take great care when opening executable file formats received via email or downloaded from websites you're not familiar with. See my List of Executable File Extensions for a listing of file extensions to avoid and why. Fortunately, DRF files are not usually a concern.
DRF files that are VIZ Render files can be opened using Autodesk 3ds Max.
Other DRF files, such as Dynojet Run files, can be opened using Dynojet WinPEP, while Delphi Resource files can be opened with Embarcadero Delphi.
If you know of anything else about DRF files, please let me know so I can update this page.
Tip: Use Notepad or another text editor to open the DRF file. Many files are text-only files meaning no matter the file extension, a text editor may be able to properly display the file's contents. This may or may not be the case with DRF files but it's worth a try.
If you find that an application on your PC does try to open the DRF file but it's the wrong application or if you would rather have another installed program open DRF files, see my How To Change the Default Program for a Specific File Extension guide for making that change in Windows.
How To Convert a DRF File
There are two main ways to attempt to convert a DRF file to another file type:
- Open the DRF file in its default program and choose to save the open file as another file format.
- Use a File Conversion Online Service or Software Program to convert the DRF file to another file format.
The first option involving opening the DRF file in its native program is preferable because it's both easier and will probably result in a more accurate file conversion. Of course if you don't have a program that opens DRF files, a third-party file conversion tool (the second option) could be very useful.
Important: You cannot usually change a file extension (like the DRF file extension) to one that your computer recognizes and expect the newly renamed file to be usable. An actual file format conversion using one of the methods described above must take place in most cases.
Still Having Problems Opening or Using a DRF File?
See Get More Help for information about contacting me on social networks or via email, posting on tech support forums, and more. Let me know what kinds of problems you're having with opening or using the DRF file and I'll see what I can do to help.
