CIF File - opening and understanding
Did your computer fail to open a CIF file? We explain what they are used for and recommend software that we know can open or otherwise handle your .CIF files.
What is a CIF file?
Caltech Intermediate Form file extension or .cif file is a text file format that is used to render descriptive instructions for integrated circuits or most commonly known as a chip. The chip is so miniscule that applying any creation or alteration using unaided human capacity is a hard task. CIF addresses this problem, and it is now widely used for describing a chip. CIF serves as a 'microscope' that helps users see through the chip.
CIF is generated to provide integration of various research tools into a common database structure. CIF also provides a limited set of graphic primitives that are very useful for describing the 2D shapes on the different layers of a chip. It also allows hierarchical description and that makes the representation brief, but comprehensive. In addition, it is a direct- to- the- point human-readable text format, so use of .If files are easier and more efficient for reconstruction and deconstruction of integrated circuits.
How to open CIF files
You will need a program compatible with the specific file you are trying to open, as different programs may use files with file extension CIF for different purposes.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different CIF openers which you will find listed below.
Suggest another file format using extension CIF
While we know of one file format using the .CIF file extension, there may be more. It is widespread that different programs use files with the same file extension for very different types of data. Please let us know if you are aware of a different kind of .CIF file.
Various viewers for this file format
These apps are known to open certain types of CIF files. Remember, different programs may use CIF files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | PowerISO | User submitted |
 | Switch Sound File Converter | User submitted |
 | WavePad Sound Editor | User submitted |
 | IsoBuster | User submitted |
 | DiscCopier Executable | User submitted |
 | Roxio DiscCopier | User submitted |
 | UltraISO Premium | User submitted |
 | WinArchiver | User submitted |
 | Mercury | User submitted |
 | RasWin | User submitted |
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