HDR File Extension

What is HDR file?

Full format name of files that use HDR extension is High Dynamic Range Image Format. High Dynamic Range Image Format format was developed by HDRsoft. HDR files are supported by software applications available for devices running Mac OS, Windows. HDR file format, along with 522 other file formats, belongs to the Raster Image Files category. The most popular program for handling HDR files is Photomatix, but users can choose among 5 different programs that support this file format.

Programs which support HDR file extension

The following list contains programs grouped by 2 operating systems that support HDR files. HDR files can be encountered on all system platforms, including mobile, yet there is no guarantee each will properly support such files.

How to open file with HDR extension?

Problems with accessing HDR may be due to various reasons. On the bright side, the most encountered issues pertaining to High Dynamic Range Image Format files aren’t complex. In most cases they can be addressed swiftly and effectively without assistance from a specialist. The list below will guide you through the process of addressing the encountered problem.

Step 1. Download and install Photomatix

The main and most frequent cause precluding users form opening HDR files is that no program that can handle HDR files is installed on user’s system. This issue can be addressed by downloading and installing Photomatix or different compatible program, such as Adobe Photoshop, ACDSee. On the top of the page a list that contains all programs grouped based on operating systems supported can be found. The safest method of downloading Photomatix installed is by going to developer’s website () and downloading the software using provided links.

Step 2. Check the version of Photomatix and update if needed

If you already have Photomatix installed on your systems and HDR files are still not opened properly, check if you have the latest version of the software. Software developers may implement support for more modern file formats in updated versions of their products. This can be one of the causes why HDR files are not compatible with Photomatix. All of the file formats that were handled just fine by the previous versions of given program should be also possible to open using Photomatix.

Step 3. Set the default application to open HDR files to Photomatix

If you have the latest version of Photomatix installed and the problem persists, select it as the default program to be used to manage HDR on your device. The next step should pose no problems. The procedure is straightforward and largely system-independent

Selecting the first-choice application in Windows

• Choose the Open with entry from the file menu accessed by right-mouse clicking on the HDR file
• Click Choose another app and then select More apps option
• The last step is to select Look for another app on this PC option supply the directory path to the folder where Photomatix is installed. Now all that is left is to confirm your choice by selecting Always use this app to open HDR files and clicking OK.

Selecting the first-choice application in Mac OS

• By clicking right mouse button on the selected HDR file open the file menu and choose Information
• Open the Open with section by clicking its name
• Select the appropriate software and save your settings by clicking Change all
• If you followed the previous steps a message should appear: This change will be applied to all files with HDR extension. Next, click the Continue button to finalize the process.

Step 4. Verify that the HDR is not faulty

If you followed the instructions form the previous steps yet the issue is still not solved, you should verify the HDR file in question. Being unable to access the file can be related to various issues.

1. The HDR may be infected with malware – make sure to scan it with an antivirus tool.

If the HDR is indeed infected, it is possible that the malware is blocking it from opening. Scan the HDR file as well as your computer for malware or viruses. If the scanner detected that the HDR file is unsafe, proceed as instructed by the antivirus program to neutralize the threat.

2. Ensure the file with HDR extension is complete and error-free

If the HDR file was sent to you by someone else, ask this person to resend the file to you. The file might have been copied erroneously and the data lost integrity, which precludes from accessing the file. It could happen the the download process of file with HDR extension was interrupted and the file data is defective. Download the file again from the same source.

3. Ensure that you have appropriate access rights

There is a possibility that the file in question can only be accessed by users with sufficient system privileges. Switch to an account that has required privileges and try opening the High Dynamic Range Image Format file again.

4. Make sure that the system has sufficient resources to run Photomatix

If the systems has insufficient resources to open HDR files, try closing all currently running applications and try again.

5. Check if you have the latest updates to the operating system and drivers

Latest versions of programs and drivers may help you solve problems with High Dynamic Range Image Format files and ensure security of your device and operating system. It is possible that one of the available system or driver updates may solve the problems with HDR files affecting older versions of given software.

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