Ribbons ndots file
File type: Various data file
The ndots file extension is used by Ribbons on Microsoft Windows. An ndots file is an ASCII text file containing a list of filenames, with one filename on each line.
Each listed file is a .tri file containing polygons, limited to triangles, or a .dot file containing dots that require normals.
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: September 27, 2026
Ribbons uses ndots files to define groups of triangles or dots. The files listed in an ndots file provide the graphical objects whose attributes can be modified in Ribbons.
An ndots file is a list rather than a geometry file: each line names a related .tri or .dot file. The list connects the individual polygon or dot data files with the group of objects handled by Ribbons.
The format is associated with the Microsoft Windows version of Ribbons and is intended for use within that software. It is a specialised auxiliary data format rather than a general-purpose interchange format.
Open an ndots file with Ribbons on Microsoft Windows. Ribbons can use the file to load the listed .tri and .dot objects and apply graphical changes to the resulting group.
Because the file is plain ASCII text, a text editor can also display its list of filenames, but editing it outside Ribbons may prevent the referenced files from being found or loaded correctly.
There is no meaningful general conversion from an ndots file to another graphics format. It is a Ribbons-specific list of references, not a self-contained geometry file.
If you need to change the group, edit the list of .tri and .dot filenames. The referenced geometry files must be handled separately.
Software applications that handle other tasks involving ndots files:
Microsoft Windows
Ribbons
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