.VTF File Extension

A VTF file contains a texture used by a video game developed using the Valve Source Engine. These textures are 2D raster images used to skin 3D models. Instead of a single flat texture, some VTF files instead contain environment maps or volumetric textures.

The Source Engine is a 3D game engine that Valve uses to develop video games, such as Half Life 2, Left 4 Dead, and Portal 2. Games developed using the Source Engine use textures saved in the Valve Texture Format. These textures are usually created by converting a .TGA file to the VTF format, using Source's Vtex tool.

The texture a VTF file contains can typically be up to 4096 x 4096 pixels. Instead of a single texture, some VTF files contain environment maps, comprised of a six-faced cube, or volumetric textures, comprised of several, stacked 16 x 16 textures.

You can open a VTF file with VTFEdit (Windows) or VTF Explorer (Windows). VTFEdit allows you to view, edit, and convert VTF files. VTF Explorer allows you only to view VTF files.

You can use VTFEdit (Windows) to convert VTF files to the following formats:

• .TGA - Targa Graphic
• .BMP - Bitmap Image
• .JPG - JPEG Image
• .PNG - Portable Network Graphic

Three-dimensional design created with Vision Numeric 3DESIGN CAD, a real-time jewelry and graphic object creation program; includes 3D model, surface, and texture data; can be exported to a standard .STL file from within 3DESIGN CAD.

"VTF" stands for Vision Numeric / Three Design / File.