CAD file format description

Many people share .cad files without attaching instructions on how to use it. Yet it isn’t evident for everyone which program a .cad file can be edited, converted or printed with. On this page, we try to provide assistance for handling .cad files.

1 filename extension(s) found in our database.

Naturally, other applications may also use the .cad file extension. Even harmful programs can create .cad files. Be especially cautious with .cad files coming from an unknown source!

Can't open a .cad file?

When you double-click a file to open it, Windows examines the filename extension. If Windows recognizes the filename extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that filename extension. When Windows does not recognize a filename extension, you receive the following message:

Windows can't open this file:

example.cad

To open this file, Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select one from a list of programs that are installed on your computer.

To avoid this error, you need to set the file association correctly.

• Open Control Panel > Control Panel Home > Default Programs > Set Associations.
• Select a file type in the list and click Change Program.

The .cad file extension is often given incorrectly!

According to the searches on our site, these misspellings were the most common in the past year:

sad, acd, dad, cxd, cda, cax, cas, caf, cac, ad, fad, czd, cwd, cd, cav

Is it possible that the filename extension is misspelled?

Similar file extensions in our database:

.acd

Sony ACID Pro Project

.cd

Steinberg WaveLab Basic Audio CD Project

.car

BREW MP Component Application Resource

.cac

DB/TextWorks SQL Access Control File

.fad

LightJockey Fader Data

.acd

MODTRAN ACD Spectral Output File

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If you have useful information about the .cad file format, then write to us!