What is a .CMAT file?
A .CMAT file is a type of resource file specifically used in video games developed by Retro Studios, including titles like Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The "CMAT" stands for "Cooked Material." This file format is used to store compressed shaders, which are programs that help handle the way graphics are rendered on the screen, such as colors, lighting, and texture details. These shaders are essential for creating visual effects and realistic environments in games.
The term "cooked" in this context means that the shaders have been pre-processed or compiled to be directly used by the game engine, optimizing game performance and load times. This is different from "raw" materials, which are not yet optimized for use.
As of now, there are no widely available programs specifically designed to open .CMAT files because they are proprietary to Retro Studios and are typically used internally in the development and running of their games. This means that these files are not meant to be opened or modified by users or developers outside of Retro Studios. If you need to work with .CMAT files, you would generally be part of the development team or have a specialized, proprietary tool provided by Retro Studios for this purpose.
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