.VDF File Extension
Valve Data File
Developer | Valve |
Popularity |
4.1 | 649 Votes |
What is a VDF file?
A VDF file is a data file format used by Valve's Source game engine. It contains various kinds of game metadata, including data for resources, installation scripts, configuration scripts, and visualization elements.
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VDF files can often be seen when installing games distributed through Valve's Steam game client, such as Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike. The file features Valve's KeyValues format, which is a plain text format that saves key-value parameters in a tree hierarchy. The format is similar to JSON and YAML. While VDF files are meant to be used by the Valve Source game engine, you can open the files with a text editor to view the contents.
Use of the VDF format outside of the Valve Source game engine
Steam, which is a video game digital distribution service and storefront, also uses the VDF format. For example, Steam Auto-Cloud allows apps to use Steam Cloud (a remote file storage system for games) without modifying the game. In this case, it creates a steam_autocloud.vdf file in the location(s) specified by the Steamworks cloud paths.
Programs that open or reference VDF files
AntiVir Virus Definitions File
Developer | Avira Operations |
Popularity |
3.8 | 81 Votes |
Data file used by AntiVir, an antivirus application for Windows; saves virus definitions, which contain signatures that are used for recognizing viruses on the computer system; often downloaded during software updates so the software can check for new viruses.
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VDF files are saved to the AntiVir installation directory and have the filenames vbase000.vdf, vbase001.vdf, etc.
Programs that open or reference VDF files
VirtualDub Video Filter
Developer | Avery Lee |
Popularity |
3.7 | 75 Votes |
A VDF file may also be a plug-in used by VirtualDub, a video capture and processing utility for Windows. It is used to add additional editing features to VirtualDub. Some VDF files also allow VirtualDub to output video in additional video formats.
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VirtualDub is a free application that allows users to capture, edit, and process videos. Users edit and process videos using "filters," which are features that allow users to add special effects, adjust a video's aspect ratio, enhance a video's quality, change a video's encoding, and more.
Users who want to add additional filters to VirtualDub can do so by downloading and installing filter plug-ins, which are saved as VDF files. VirtualDub's many users have created hundreds of custom filter plug-ins, which typically include additional editing features, support for additional encoding formats, or both.
How to open a VDF file
To use a VDF file with VirtualDub (Windows), either:
- Place the file in VirtualDub's plugins folder. (If your VirtualDub installation does not include a plugins folder, create one in the program's main directory.)
- Open VirtualDub, select Video → Filters... → Add... → Load..., and load your VDF file.
You can also use VDF files with VirtualDub2 (Windows) and VirtualDubMod (Windows), which are modified versions of VirtualDub.
Programs that open or reference VDF files
Gothic Game Data File
Developer | Piranha Bytes |
Popularity |
3.8 | 49 Votes |
Data file used by the Gothic video game series; contains worlds, characters, 3D models, textures, and sounds; Gothic II VDF files are stored in the /Gothic II/Data folder.
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VDF files may be edited with GoMan or a hex-editor, but typically should not be altered. Incorrectly modifying VDF files may make them unusable.