Files with ani extension are used for file format that contains Windows animated cursors which are used in many programs for icons.
ANI file extension - Animated cursor
What is ani file? How to open ani files?
File extension ani is traditionally and mostly used for animated mouse cursors in Windows operating system environment.
The ani file is a structured format (Microsoft RIFF) that contains information about the animation (author & title, steps, length & order of each step...) followed by several frames stored in the icon format.
Each frame/step in an animated cursor is displayed during a short time (delay or length): this is the frame timing. This time is measured in jiffies; 1 jiffy=1/60th of a second~16,66ms.
If your ani files are correctly associated, you can preview them using Windows Explorer: just hit an animated cursor file and select the File Properties shell menu command. Windows will then display the animated cursor on the Properties tab.
Updated: November 20, 2023
The default software associated to open ani file:
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
A family of operating systems developed by the Microsoft Corp. The first Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI add-on to MS-DOS. MS-DOS based Windows versions were developed to 2000, when was released the last version called Windows ME. Windows based on NT core started in 1993. Windows NT family are developed to these days, the latest version is called Microsoft Windows 11.
Company or developer:
Axialis Software
Axialis CursorWorkshop is a software used for making high quality of both static and animated cursors for Microsoft Windows, Windows applications and websites.
List of software applications associated to the .ani file extension
Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open ani file, edit ani file, convert ani file, view ani file, play ani file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).
Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting ani files.
Software that open ani file - Animated cursor
Programs supporting the exension ani on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open ani file action.
Microsoft Windows:
Main software associated with ani file by default:
CursorWorkshop
Other suggested software:
IconForge
Revelation Natural Art