CDE File

What are CDE files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CDE file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your CDE files.

What is a CDE file?

CDE files have multiple uses, and IdeCAD Compressed Project is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

IdeCAD Compressed Project

IdeCAD Compressed Project files are compacted project archives produced by ideCAD software to reduce storage size and simplify transfer or backup of work. These files contain only the core building model data and project settings; any results of analysis or detailed design computations are omitted. Their smaller size makes them useful for sharing, sending by email, or uploading without excess bulk.

The ideCAD program creates these when the user selects the "Save Compact" (also called "Save Compressed") command via the ideCAD logo menu. The compressed project retains project configuration, architectural or structural model elements, and 2D drawing data needed to restore the project before detailed analysis, but resets or strips out post-analysis results so that disk usage drops significantly compared to a fully saved, analyzed project.

Files in this format begin with readable identifiers. The first bytes include ASCII text "IDE BUILDING DESIGNER PROJECT FILE" (with accompanying strings such as "SubVer", "ARCHITECTURAL TEMPLATE PROJECT", "COPYRIGHT IDE YAPI"). Also a recognizable byte sequence beginning at offset 0 "IDEBUILDINGDESIGNERPROJECTFILE…Ver" and a compressed-data marker "x\x9c\xed" at offset 145 help distinguishing them.

How to open CDE files

Important: Different programs may use files with the CDE file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your CDE file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested six different CDE openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 31, 2026

All known file formats using extension .CDE

While IdeCAD Compressed Project is a popular type of CDE-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .CDE file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

MicroHof Code Encoded Data

We know that one CDE format is MicroHof Code Encoded Data. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of CDE files. Remember, different programs may use CDE files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about CDE file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.