.CIF File Extension
Easy CD Creator Disk Image
| Developer | Corel |
| Popularity |
3.8 | 18 Votes |
What is a CIF file?
A CIF file is a disc image format used by Roxio's Easy CD Creator (now known as Roxio Creator) to store an exact copy of a CD. It contains the full disk structure, including files, directories, and system information, and can be mounted to appear like a physical CD in a computer's file management system. CIF files let users create backup copies of CDs and share data without physical media.
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CIF files are typically found on systems with Roxio Creator installed, primarily for users who frequently manage or duplicate CDs. To create a CIF file, users typically exported a CD's contents using Easy CD Creator.
NOTE: Easy CD Creator was a popular tool for creating and managing disk images, but the CIF format is now considered deprecated, as newer and more versatile formats like .ISO have become more prevalent.
How to open a CIF file
You can open CIF files with Roxio Creator, Smart Projects IsoBuster, and EZB Systems UltraISO. MagicISO also supports CIF files, but the program is no longer developed.
How to convert a CIF file
You can convert CIF files with various disk utilities, such as Smart Projects IsoBuster and EZB Systems UltraISO. For example, you can convert a CIF file to an .ISO file with IsoBuster.
Programs that open CIF files
Crystallographic Information File
| Developer | International Union of Crystallography |
| Popularity |
3.8 | 10 Votes |
A CIF file may also be a Crystallographic data exchange format used to store crystallographic data. It contains various information on the creation of the CIF, atom properties, cell parameters, database management details, and structure refinement parameters, which are organized into categories, such as _audit_, _atom_, _cell_, _database_, and _refine_. Scientists and researchers utilize CIF files for the archiving and distribution of crystallographic information.
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The International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) developed the CIF format and adopted it as a standard in 1990. It is widely used for reporting crystal structure determinations in scientific research.
Crystallographers typically create and export CIF files using crystallography software in laboratories and academic settings to ensure accurate data exchange and consistent formatting. The structured nature of CIF files supports easy data sharing and integration with scientific databases and analysis tools. Additionally, CIF formats have evolved to support new data categories and reflect advances in crystallographic research.
How to open a CIF file
You can open CIF files using various applications, including Mercury, which is part of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), and Jmol, a free molecular visualization tool. Additionally, Cif File Reader and CrystalMaker also support the CIF format.