CALS File – What is .cals file and how to open it?
CALS File Extension
CALS Raster Graphic File – file format by N/A
CALS (CALS Raster Graphic File) is a file extension for raster graphic files developed by the Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS) program. It is used for storing and exchanging technical drawings and other graphic data in a standard format.
Overview of CALS Files
CALS file format is a raster graphics file type associated with CALS (Computer Aided Logistics System). CALS is a set of standards developed by the US Department of Defense for the electronic exchange of technical information. CALS files are primarily utilized to store and transmit technical drawings, schematics, and other engineering data. They are characterized by their use of lossless compression algorithms, ensuring the preservation of image quality during transmission.
Properties and Usage of CALS Files
CALS files are typically black-and-white images, although they can also support color. The format is known for its high resolution and precision, making it suitable for the accurate representation of technical drawings and other detailed imagery. CALS files are frequently employed in various industry sectors, including engineering, manufacturing, and architecture. They are also used in military and government organizations for the exchange of sensitive technical information. Additionally, CALS files may contain metadata, such as image dimensions, color profiles, and creation dates, for easier management and identification.
Understanding CALS Raster Graphic File (CALS)
CALS (CALS Raster Graphic File) is a proprietary image file format developed by an unspecified entity. It is primarily associated with raster (bitmap) images, which are composed of a grid of individual pixels. CALS files are not widely used today and are considered a legacy format.
Opening CALS Files
Due to their limited usage, there are only a handful of software applications that can open CALS files. Some of these include:
- Adobe Photoshop (Paid): Adobe Photoshop, a popular image editing software, provides support for a wide range of image formats, including CALS.
- GIMP (Free): GIMP is a free and open-source image editing program that can be used to open CALS files. It offers basic image editing functionality and supports various image formats.
- XnView (Free): XnView is a free image viewer and converter that supports a comprehensive range of image formats, including CALS. It provides basic image viewing capabilities and allows for limited image adjustments.
CALS Raster Graphic File (.CALS)
The CALS Raster Graphic File (.CALS) is a raster image format used in the CALS (Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support) initiative, which aimed to streamline the sharing of technical information throughout the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The format is designed to provide a standardized way of storing and exchanging raster images, ensuring compatibility across different systems and platforms. The .CALS file extension indicates that the file contains a raster image encoded using the CALS raster graphics format.
The CALS raster graphics format supports a range of image compression methods, allowing for efficient storage and transmission of images. The format also includes metadata about the image, such as its dimensions, resolution, and colorspace. This metadata helps ensure that the image is displayed correctly when opened in different viewers or applications. The .CALS file extension is primarily used in military and aerospace applications, where the accurate and consistent exchange of technical images is crucial. However, it can also be used in other contexts where the reliable sharing of raster images is required.