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DFF File - What is a .dff file and how do I open it?
Learn about .DFF files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a DFF file? A DFF file contains a three-dimensional model saved in the RenderWare binary stream format. It is used in 3D games that utilize the RenderWare 3 graphics engine, such as the Grand Theft Auto 3 (GTA3) series. DFF files typically store models for humans and vehicles, such as cars, buses, and boats.
More Information You will most likely only encounter DFF files if you are a gamer looking to modify the appearance of players and vehicles in the game. Besides the GTA3 series, some other examples of games that use DFF files include SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom , The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminder , and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron . DFF files are organized into multiple sections that describe the geometry and materials that compose the model. Sections in the DFF file may include texture, reflection material, model skins, the behavior of breakable objects, and specular lighting material. NOTE: While DFF files store models for GTA3 games, textures are saved in .TXD archives and animations are stored in .ANM animation files.
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DeveloperSony and Philips
Popularity4.0 | 103 Votes
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In-Depth
.DFF File Extension
2 file types use the .dff file extension.
RenderWare Model File
| Developer | Criterion Software |
| Popularity |
4.3 | 436 Votes |
What is a DFF file?
A DFF file contains a three-dimensional model saved in the RenderWare binary stream format. It is used in 3D games that utilize the RenderWare 3 graphics engine, such as the Grand Theft Auto 3 (GTA3) series. DFF files typically store models for humans and vehicles, such as cars, buses, and boats.
More Information
You will most likely only encounter DFF files if you are a gamer looking to modify the appearance of players and vehicles in the game. Besides the GTA3 series, some other examples of games that use DFF files include SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom , The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminder , and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron .
DFF files are organized into multiple sections that describe the geometry and materials that compose the model. Sections in the DFF file may include texture, reflection material, model skins, the behavior of breakable objects, and specular lighting material.
NOTE: While DFF files store models for GTA3 games, textures are saved in .TXD archives and animations are stored in .ANM animation files.
How to open a DFF file
You can open DFF files with Zanoza ZModeler (Windows) to alter RenderWare models. You can also open DFF files with Blender , but you must also have the DragonFF plugin installed.
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Programs that open DFF files
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Windows
Zanoza ZModeler
Free Trial
Blender with DragonFF plugin
Free
Mac
Blender with DragonFF plugin
Free
Linux
Blender with DragonFF plugin
Free
Category: 3D Image Files
Updated: January 2, 2026
Direct Stream Digital Audio
| Developer | Sony and Philips |
| Popularity |
4.0 | 103 Votes |
A DFF file may also be an audio file saved in the Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format, which Sony and Phillips created for use with Super Audio CDs (SACDs). It typically contains an album that was previously stored on an SACD or downloaded from a digital music marketplace. DFF files contain high-quality audio that can consist of up to six channels.
More Information
Sony and Phillips developed the Super Audio CD optical disc format to replace typical audio CDs. Notably, the audio tracks that SACDs contain have a higher bitrate than normal CD audio and can contain more audio channels (up to six). This makes SACD audio higher quality than typical CD audio.
These SACD audio files are saved in the Direct Stream Digital format and typically use the .dff file extension. Typically, SACD users will never directly encounter DFF files. However, users who have ripped audio from an SACD or downloaded an .ISO image that contains a copy of an SACD might encounter DFF files and want to play the audio they contain.
Technical information
The audio that DFF files contain is sampled at 2.8224 MHz and encoded using 1-bit sigma-delta modulation. Each SACD can typically contain up to 110 minutes of DSD audio, which may be split among multiple DFF files.
How to open a DFF file
You can open a DFF file and play the audio it contains with VideoLAN VLC media player (multiplatform) or Foobar2000 (Windows). When using Foobar2000, you'll likely have to install an SACD plug-in, such as Super Audio CD Decoder, to play your DFF file.
How to convert a DFF file
You can use VideoLAN VLC media player to convert the audio a DFF file contains to the following formats:
Programs that open DFF files
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Platform
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Windows
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Signalyst HQPlayer
Free Trial
Foobar2000
Free
Super Audio CD Decoder
Free
Mac
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Signalyst HQPlayer
Free Trial
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Signalyst HQPlayer
Free Trial
iOS
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Android
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Category: Audio Files
Updated: July 11, 2023