What is a RAY file?
The .RAY file extension is primarily used for a Synopsys Light Ray Data File. Engineers and optical designers use these files to store light source ray data. Software applications like Synopsys LightTools and TracePro read these files to simulate how light travels through optical systems, such as LED fixtures and camera lenses.
Because the .RAY extension is versatile, it can also represent other data types. Historically, it was used as a 3D raytracer scene description file for rendering engines like SBT-raytracer or Rayshade. Less commonly, it functions as an X-ray analysis project file for Bruker AXS software.
How to open RAY files?
To open an optical .RAY file on your computer, you usually need specialized engineering software like Synopsys LightTools. Opening 3D scene .RAY files requires the specific command-line raytracing engine that created them.
Because a .RAY file has multiple possible meanings, it is difficult to know which software you need just by looking at the extension. We recommend using viewer.online/ray to identify the actual format of your file. The platform analyzes .RAY files to identify their exact format and creator software, shows which programs can open the file, and usually previews it.
Software and tools
If you need to share optical simulation data with a colleague who does not have access to Synopsys software, you might need to convert the file. We recommend using convert.guru to convert .RAY files into standard data formats. Depending on the original structure, you can often convert the ray data into .CSV or .TXT formats for basic spreadsheet analysis.
Summary
viewer.online/ray directly opens and previews .RAY files in the browser, eliminating the need to install software or troubleshoot compatibility issues.