CRI File

What are CRI files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CRI 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 CRI files.

What is a CRI file?

CRI files have multiple uses, and Calamus Raster Information is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Calamus Raster Information

Calamus Raster Information files store rasterization settings used by the Calamus desktop publishing application. Calamus is a RIP-style DTP program that supports specifying how text and graphics should be rasterized per document, page, or frame. Raster Information files hold data such as the type of raster dot (shape, resolution), the screening method, dot percentage or halftoning settings, dot clipping along frame or page boundaries, and similar parameters that control how continuous-tone or bitmap fills are rendered and printed. These files allow Calamus to reuse or apply consistent screening and raster styles without storing pixel data directly.

These files are produced by Calamus when defining or modifying the raster or screening setup, for example in the Raster Generator or a raster style dialog. The raster settings are applied when printing, preparing output for imagesetters, or exporting pages with filled raster frames. Calamus reads these Raster Information files to apply consistent machine-sensitive raster characteristics, but they do not contain the actual image content itself.

Internally such a file begins with an ASCII signature "DMCCALAMUSFGEN" at offset zero. That header identifies the file as a Calamus Raster Information file, separating it from other formats using the same extension.

How to open CRI files

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

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

Last updated: September 18, 2026

All known file formats using extension .CRI

While Calamus Raster Information is a popular type of CRI-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .CRI file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Crush Archive Index

We know that one CRI format is Crush Archive Index. 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 CRI files. Remember, different programs may use CRI 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 CRI file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.