Open RIF files

  • Full name
    Corel Painter Raster Image Format
  • Developer
    Corel
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a RIF file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a RIF file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your RIF file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is RIF file?

Files with the extension RIF contain bitmap images of the painting software Corel Painter in the format Resource Interchange File Format. This format was introduced by IBM and Microsoft in 1991. It is based on IFF (Interchange File Format), which was developed by Electronic Arts (EA) and Commodore for the Amiga. Painter uses a special, slightly modified version of RIFF.

More info

RIFF is the basis for various Microsoft container formats such as AVI, ANI, and WAV. Apple implemented its own variant with AIFF. Google's WebP and Corels CDR also use RIFF as a container.

The format is designed to contain a wide variety of data. It's a wrapper, similar to a modern container format, but simpler in design. The files can contain audio data, pictures, videos or even texts.

The basic structure consists of chunks, in which the format and the properties are defined, also metadata are possible. A chunk then contains the actual data. These can be textual, raw or numeric.

Corel Painter is a paint program that physically simulates various surfaces, painting and drawing techniques.

Programs which can open a RIF file

How to open file with RIF extension?

In order to open a file with RIF extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening RIF file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with RIF files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Corel Painter or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening RIF files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support RIF files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of RIF files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Corel Painter as the default program for opening RIF files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate RIF files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Corel Painter applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Corel Painter has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with RIF files

Sometimes problems with opening RIF files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • RIF files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open RIF files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • RIF file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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