What is an HKSHAPE file? An HKSHAPE file is a game data file used by Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition to store collision and physics shape information. It contains Havok physics shape data that defines how units, buildings, and other objects interact physically in the game world, which allows the game to determine boundaries, hit detection, and how objects respond when they collide or overlap.

More Information Information saved in the HKSHAPE format includes collision geometry and simplified physical shapes, such as bounding boxes, convex hulls, and low-detail collision meshes. The Havok physics engine uses these shapes to detect collisions and handle physical interactions in a game. In Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition , the developers export this physics-shape data into HKSHAPE files, which serve as packaged versions of Havok’s internal shape structures for use by the game engine. The game then loads these files at runtime to apply physics behavior to 3D models, allowing units, buildings, and environmental objects to have accurate collision boundaries without relying on their full visual meshes. HKSHAPE files often work alongside visual model formats such as .GR2 or .FBX , with the model providing the graphics, and the HKSHAPE file providing the corresponding physics geometry.