A file with a CDR extension is most likely a CorelDRAW image, that is, a vector image created using CorelDRAW to store text, images, effects, shapes, etc., usually for the purpose of creating layouts for letters, envelopes, web pages, banners and other documents.
Other CDR files can be Macintosh DVD/CD Master files, which contain folders and files in a single archive for the purpose of burning data to a disc, much like the ISO format you may be familiar with in Windows.
The Raw Audio CD data format also uses the .CDR file extension. These are ripped music files taken from a CD.
Another use for CDR files is as files for extracting crash data. They are generated by sensors installed on vehicles using a Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) device.
Format Description
CDR was developed by Corel Corporation specifically for its own software package, including Corel Photo-Pain, Corel CAPTURE and Corel TRACE.
A CDR project file is a compressed ZIP archive of several structured XML and RIFF files.
Since the CDR format is proprietary and licensed to Corel, almost all third-party editors do not support drawing processing in this extension.
We've compiled a list of third-party software that supports CDR and online services to open a CDR file online. However, this type of file, opened in “foreign” software, is only available for viewing, but not for editing.
How to convert a file with the CDR extension to other formats?
You can open a CDR file online and convert it to another format, for example: JPG, AI, PDF, EPS, TIFF, MIME, SVG, BMP, PNG, PSD and others.
Zamzar service
Let's look at the detailed instructions for use:
- Go to zamzar.com;
- In the main window, click Add Files, then select and upload the desired file in Explorer or use the Drag and Drop function;
- When the object is added, go to the Convert To line and indicate what format you want to convert the source extension to;
- Now click the Convert Now button and wait for the compression and content processing procedure to complete;
- To save content on a PC as standard, all you have to do is select the desired directory on your hard drive;
- If you check the Email when done box, the finished result will be sent to the email address you entered.
Online converter Convertio
Another good web resource for converting.
- Open Convertio.co in your browser;
- In the panel on the right, specify the import and export format;
- Click on the folder icon (located on the left) and select the desired object on the hard drive;
- To start the conversion, press the appropriate key and give permission to complete the task.
You can also use a good software product Uniconvertor , although it should be installed on your computer.
Open online
The universal viewer ofoct.com will help you open a CDR format file online - it can easily open and convert most graphic extensions.
To view the image:
- go to the start page of the site and in the “Online Tools” section select the CDR Viewer Online command;
- drag the desired file into the “Drag & Drop Files” field or place a direct link. Click "Open";
- in the “Options” column, set the quality parameter and click “View” next to it.
Online conversion time depends on the size of the source file.
The drawing will become available for viewing in a new window with a toolbar.
Ofoct - .cdr file viewer
If you need to open the file described above, then the Ofoct service can help you with this. It has simple and convenient functionality, but, unfortunately, the performance of the site is not at a high level, and cdr files are not always opened.
- To take advantage of its capabilities, go to this site https://www.ofoct.com/viewer/cdr-viewer-online.html.
- Click on the “Upload” button and upload the file you need in cdr format from your hard drive.
- Just below, select the required resolution (High resolution - high resolution, Low resolution - low), and click on “View” on the right.
- If file processing is successful, you will see the contents of your file.
Ofoct service
How to open on PC
We'll tell you how to open graphics in CDR format on the Windows platform.
XnView Extension. You can download a free viewer and image converter for Windows on our website. Install additional plugins to expand the functionality of the utility: add filters, manage color correction.
- Install and open the program;
- click “Browser” and find the desired file in the drop-down list;
- click on the image to open full size;
- Process photos with available tools.
To save the drawing, click “File” at the top and “Save” in the drop-down menu.
How to open a CDR file
Because there are several file formats that use the .CDR file extension, you must first understand what format your file is in before you can know what program can open it.
If you know that your CDR file is an image of some kind, it is most likely a CorelDRAW image file. The same is true for the other three; if you're on a Mac, read your DVD/CD Master or Raw Data CD Data file if you suspect it's music. Files taken from the Crash Data Retrieval device are in this format.
Open CorelDraw Image CDR files
CDR is the main file format used by CorelDRAW software. They can be saved as templates if you want to reuse the same document layout that the CDT format came from. They can also be compressed and saved as CDX files.
Here are some non-free CDR openers:
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
- CorelDRAW PaintShop
- CorelDRAW WordPerfect
- Adobe Illustrator
- ACD Systems Canvas
Some free programs that open these CDR image files include Inkscape and CDR Viewer.
Open Macintosh DVD/CD Master CDR file
CDR files in this format are created using the built-in macOS Disk Utility tool.
- Apple's Disk Utility or Mac's DiskImageMounter utility are your best bets.
- Another option is HFSExplorer, which opens CDR files on Windows, Mac and Linux. This program also supports similar file formats such as DMG, ISO, IMG, SPARSEIMAGE and SPARSEBUNDLE.
Open raw audio CD data
These CDR files are similar to WAV and AIF files. Some programs save ripped music files in this format.
- You can play CDR files using iTunes or open them for burning using ImgBurn
- MacOS users can also use iTunes to open CDR files or Roxio Toast to burn them to disk
Crash Retrieval Files
These files are used with the Bosch Crash Data Retrieval System software.
With all the different uses for CDR files, chances are your file is opening in another program that you don't want to use the CDR file with. If you're on Windows, learn how to change the default program for a specific file extension to change the program that opens the CDR file.
If you can't open your file using the programs mentioned here, make sure you're reading the file extension correctly. You may be dealing with a CBR or CDA (CD Audio Track shortcut) file.
Open CDR on macOS
Next, we’ll figure out how to open a CDR on Apple computers. Free editor INKSCAPE Draw Freely, similar to Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw. Suitable for beginners and professional designers. For full functionality, you will need the additional UniConvertor utility.
- download both programs to your computer. First open UniConvertor;
- click the captcha “Start”, then “All Programs”;
- here select the folder where INKSCAPE is installed;
- the program will start.
To open an illustration, click the “File” button at the top, then “Open”.
The edited document is saved in three options: complete saving under a new name, copy or saving in parts.
How to open a cdr file online on MacOS
This operating system allows you to view cdr files online, which is convenient and comfortable. But you need to download a program for such actions.
Inkscape
A convenient option for everyday use. Online you can not only view, but also edit illustrations. The Inkscape program is available here.
Adobe Illustrator CC
A suitable utility for such an extension. It has those functions that are useful to designers and illustrators (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Interface of the Adobe Illustrator CC application on MacOS devices
Alternative to CorelDraw
In addition to CorelDraw, there is an alternative tool - Adobe Illustrator.
You cannot work directly with CDRs in Adobe Illustrator. To do this, the drawing must be imported in a different extension - eps or pdf.
There are two options for opening: set a different format in CorelDraw or convert in an online service.
- In the first case, open the image in CorelDraw and click "File".
- In the drop-down list, select “Publish to PDF.”
- Set a new name for the document, select a folder for downloading.
- Click "Save".
In the second case, go to the Zamzar website and change the format of the drawing in three steps for further work in Adobe Illustrator.
- To upload a file, click "Choose Files".
- In the "Convert files to" field, select eps.
- Click "Convert". The image will be saved to the Downloads folder.
After that, load the drawing into Illustrator and continue editing.
How to open a cdr file other than corel
Not everyone knows how to open a cdr file other than corel, and whether this is possible in practice. There are special programs that solve such issues.
CDR Viewer
Designed to run and convert various graphic files. You can increase or decrease the size of the picture without affecting its quality.
ACD Systems Canvas 16
Graphic package for various illustrations that you create yourself. You can choose the appropriate object parameters at your discretion (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Opened cdr file in the ACD Systems Canvas 16 program
Adobe Illustrator CC
The utility converts documents with the appropriate format into different extensions. It is not prohibited to import several files at once.
Online services for working with CDR files
If you just need to open the file, the easiest way is to use an online converter that converts CDR to another format, for example, JPEG or GIF. Today there are several services. The most popular is filespazz. Just follow the link, upload the CDR file to the site, select the format to convert, add your email address and start the process. The finished file will be sent to the specified email in a few minutes. The maximum size of an uploaded document is 10 MB.
