.RAY File Extension

RAY files exist as 2 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Synopsys Light Ray Data File

General Information

Title .RAY File Extension
Extension .ray
Full Form Synopsys Light Ray Data File
File Type Data File
Developer Synopsys
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store ray data
Additional Functions Simulation, Analysis
Features 3D Data, Optical Properties

File Characteristics

Quality High precision
Supports Layers No
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable With software

Use Cases

Optical System Design Yes
Light Propagation Simulation Yes
Photonic Device Analysis Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low
Best Practices Regular updates, Licensed software use

Historical/Version Information

Associated With Optical Engineering Software
Versioning Depends on software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .opt, .zmx, .lens

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Synopsys RSoft Photonic Component Design Suite Commercial Windows, Linux
Synopsys CODE V Commercial Windows

Type 2: Rayshade Image

The ray file extension is used by the Rayshade software to store ray-traced images. Rayshade runs on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. The .ray files contain picture images created in Rayshade. To open .ra...

General Information

Title .RAY File Extension
Extension .ray
Full Form Rayshade Image File
File Type Image File
Developer Craig Kolb
MIME Type image/x-rayshade

File Function

Primary Function Store rendered image
Additional Functions 3D scene representation
Features 3D modeling, Rendering output

File Characteristics

Quality High resolution
Supports Layers No
Supports Transparency Depends on render
Editable No

Use Cases

3D Rendering Yes
Graphic Design Yes
Animation Possible

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Scan for viruses

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Early 1990s
Latest Version Depends on implementation

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .tga, .bmp, .png

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Rayshade Free Cross-platform
XnView Free Windows, Mac, Linux