CLD File

What are CLD files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CLD 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 CLD files.

What is a CLD file?

CLD files have multiple uses, and Canon CD Label Template is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Canon CD Label Template

Files that contain the .cld file extension are most commonly associated with various Canon Pixma printers. The CD label creation software that is included with these printers allows a user to create custom labels and covers for their CDs and DVDs.

The CLD files that are used by this software contain the CD and DVD label templates which allow a user to enter personalized data into pre-set format fields.

How to open CLD files

We have identified one CLD opener that is compatible with this specific type of CLD file.

Programs that open Canon CD Label Template files

Last updated: August 31, 2026

All known file formats using extension .CLD

While Canon CD Label Template is a popular type of CLD-file, we know of 3 different uses of the .CLD file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Clam AntiVirus Data File

The Clam AntiVirus Data File format stores a complete, uncompressed copy of ClamAV's signature database. These files are generated by the FreshClam update tool when the existing database archive (commonly a signed, compressed CVD file) is updated using one or more CDIFF patch files.

These files are used by the ClamAV engine (in tools like clamd or clamscan) to perform malware signature matching. When a CLD archive is present, ClamAV loads its signature files directly from it rather than decompressing or verifying a signed container. FreshClam may produce a CLD archive instead of a CVD when updates are applied incrementally via CDIFF patches.

FreshClam's configuration file offers a setting (CompressLocalDatabase) that controls whether local databases are kept as uncompressed CLD files (the default) or compressed into CVD files. Setting this option to compress will convert future databases after updates accordingly.

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

World Construction Set Cloud Map

World Construction Set Cloud Map format is a data file used by the Amiga program World Construction Set, a terrain modelling and landscape rendering tool made by Questar Productions. It encodes cloud maps - graphical overlays that simulate cloud coverage in the sky of a rendered landscape, for use in aerial or environmental scenes. World Construction Set writes these files when rendering scenes that include cloud layers; the software reads them when building the final image or animation to integrate clouds into the sky.

Cloud maps are produced as part of a rendering workflow: the terrain and elevation data are generated first, then cloud behaviour or appearance is specified (for example type, density, shape), and finally this cloud map file holds the result of that process so that it can be composited in view renders or used in animations. These files are stored alongside other WCS asset files (such as elevation maps, texture data, camera/parameter settings) so that the cloud information can be reused or re-rendered consistent with terrain and lighting.

Internally the file begins with the ASCII signature WCSCloud at offset zero, followed by additional data which defines the cloud pattern. The signature bytes are 57 43 53 43 6C 6F 75 64 0A ("WCSCloud\n") at the start of the file.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of CLD files. Remember, different programs may use CLD 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 CLD file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.