4 file types use the .lin file extension.

What is a LIN file?

Line type definition (also called a "linetype" or "line style") that defines the paths of a vector-based object used by AutoCAD; stores shapes information in a text-based format.

More Information

Category: CAD Files

Valve Leak Pointfile

A LIN file may also be a data file created by VBSP, a game level map compiling tool included with Valve Hammer Editor (version 4 or later). It contains information about one or more leak(s) in a Valve Map .VMF file detected by VBSP when compiling the VMF file. LIN files are generated in the same directory as the corresponding VMF file.

You can use Valve Hammer Editor to create custom level maps for various video games, such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike. The maps are saved as VMF files, which are working files that can be closed, re-opened, and edited. The files must be compiled to the Binary Space Partition (BSP) format before they can be loaded into BSP-based game engines.

The VBSP tool included with Valve Hammer Editor is used to compile VMF files. If the tool detects any points (leaks) where the black infinite area around the map makes contact with an entity in the map, it generates a LIN file in the same directory as the VMF file. You can then review the leak(s) in the file, fix them, then re-compile the map so it will work correctly in the game. If the leaks are fixed, the LIN file is deleted the next time VBSP runs.

[VMF filename].lin - The name of the LIN file is the same as the VMF file for which it contains the detected leaks.

Programs that open LIN files

Updated: August 14, 2019

X-Plane Painted Line File

Painted line file used by X-Plane, a professional flight simulator; contains data that defines taxiway markings on the ground.

The LIN file consists of a header and commands that define different aspects of the lines, such as the texture, size, scale, and direction (rounded or sharp corners).

Programs that open or reference LIN files

Updated: December 12, 2014

Bridge Base Online Hands File

A LIN file contains a series of Bridge card game "hands" (cards dealt to a player) in the plain text Bridge Base Online format. It also stores metadata about the series of hands in the file, such as the creator of the file, the Portable Bridge Notation .PBN file from which the LIN file is created, and the date, location, and event in which the file was created.

You will most likely only encounter a Bridge LIN file if you play Bridge on a computer. Bridge users often share LIN files with other players for tutorial purposes to teach what to do in certain situations. The files may be created by various Bridge card game programs to be uploaded to Bridge Base Online, which is a website where Bridge players can compete with others around the world.

You can open a LIN file by uploading it to Bridge Base Online. To do this, log in to Bridge Base Online, click the "Account" tab, select "Deal archive," choose the folder you want to import the LIN file to, then click Import LIN file .

Since LIN files are saved in plain text, you can also open and edit LIN files with a plain text editor. Keep in mind that LIN files opened in a text editor will not be displayed the same as if they were opened in Bridge Base Online.

Programs that open LIN files

Updated: August 26, 2020