CPF File

What are CPF files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CPF 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 CPF files.

What is a CPF file?

CPF files have multiple uses, and Abuse Level Cached Data is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Abuse Level Cached Data

Abuse Level Cached Data files hold data produced by the game Abuse by Crack dot Com to help optimize levels during editing and playback. These files record which graphics, sounds, and other assets a level uses, so that the game can preload or cache them to reduce disk access and improve performance. They are generated by the level editor/abuse engine's "cache profiling" feature and are not strictly necessary for the level to work, but improve efficiency when present.

These files are created when a level designer uses the editor's Start Cache Profile command, plays through the level, then uses End or Save Cache Profile upon returning to edit mode. The profiling tracks resources - images, tiles, sprites, sound effects, compiled scripts - accessed during a full play-through. The cached data file is then saved with a name matching the level file and this format, so that subsequent play in the level or distribution can load the most used resources first or preload them. Designers use it to optimize levels they have already completed. Levels without a cache profile still function, but may load more slowly.

Files of this type begin with the ASCII header SPEC1.0 at offset 0, followed by data including ".cacheprofileinfo" and strings such as CACHE PROFILE INFO and LCACHE00.TMP elsewhere in the file.

How to open CPF files

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

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

Last updated: September 2, 2026

All known file formats using extension .CPF

While Abuse Level Cached Data is a popular type of CPF-file, we know of 4 different uses of the .CPF file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Cal3D Morph-animation File

Cal3D Morph-animation files store shape-key (morph target) animation tracks created by the Cal3D library. These files describe mesh deformations over time: each track corresponds to a morph target and contains keyframes defining how much the morph contributes at specific times. They are used to animate changes in a model's surface - such as facial expressions - rather than skeletal motion.

These files are produced by tools that use Cal3D exporters, typically when exporting morph animations made in a 3D modelling program. After creation, they are loaded by Cal3D alongside mesh and skeleton files; during runtime the engine interpolates between the morph keyframes to blend mesh shapes.

Inside each file the data begins with a header containing a magic token, version number, total duration in seconds, and track count. Then for each track the morph ID, mesh ID, and keyframes are listed. Each keyframe includes a time float and a morph weight float. Keyframes are grouped per track (one per morph target). The header includes the ASCII signature "CPF\0" and version integer (often 1200) at fixed offsets.

Canon EOS Custom Picture Profile

We know that one CPF format is Canon EOS Custom Picture Profile. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Consolidated Laser Ranging Prediction Format

Consolidated Laser Ranging Prediction Format files hold predictions for upcoming laser ranging to satellites, lunar retro-reflectors, and transponder-equipped targets. They are generated by prediction centers participating in the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS). These files provide regularly spaced state-vectors (positions, optionally velocities) in geocentric Earth-fixed coordinates, allowing tracking stations to compute pointing and timing for laser ranging operations over several days. They are designed for high accuracy under diverse conditions, including low Earth orbit, lunar distances, and transponders.

Creation of these prediction files follows procedures set out in ILRS specifications (CPF version 1.00 initially, replaced by version 2.00 as of 1 October 2021). Version 2 supports enhancements such as sub-daily ephemeris sequence numbers, separate target reflector type and location fields, free-format header records, and improved support for transponders like ELT. CPF files offer sufficient data density to allow interpolation (often via a 9-point or 10-point Lagrange polynomials) to reach range accuracy on the order of half a nanosecond when properly used.

Byte signature details help software detect the format: files begin with ASCII characters "H1CPF" (hex 0x48312043504620) at offset zero. Internal record types include headers H1, H2, H4, H9, data records like record 10 (instantaneous geocenter-satellite vector) and record 99, with versions defining various additional header and data fields.

Various apps that use files with this extension

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

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