What is the CRV file format?
A .crv file is a proprietary binary file used by Corel PHOTO-PAINT and CorelDRAW to store custom gradient presets. Rather than pixel or vector artwork, a .crv file holds the definitions for user-created gradient fills - color stop positions, color values, blending transitions, and fill type - which can be applied to objects within the Corel Graphics Suite.
The format was introduced with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 10 (around 2000) and is identifiable by a COREL PhotoPaint ASCII string at the start of the file. Some variants have been reported to use an OLE2/Compound File Binary (CFBF) container instead. No public format specification exists.
.crv files are small - typically 1 KB to 100 KB - and exist entirely within the Corel application ecosystem. They are not designed for exchange with other graphics software and have no support outside Corel products. The format is Windows-only, consistent with Corel's historically Windows-centric toolchain.
Custom gradients can be saved, named, and reloaded as .crv palettes, allowing designers to maintain consistent gradient styles across projects. The files are related to .cpt (Corel PHOTO-PAINT image files) and .cdr (CorelDRAW vector documents).
Security & safety
RISK: LOWCRV is a passive Corel data file with no executable content. No security risk from the Corel gradient variant.
Format details
in a nutshell- CarRec / CRV dashcam video - Some dash cameras (e.g. certain Honda in-car systems, generic dashcam firmware) write .crv video files - these are proprietary video containers, completely unrelated to Corel.
- Crystal Reports Variable - CRV can also be a Crystal Reports Variable file used in SAP Crystal Reports for storing report variable definitions.
Programs that open CRV files
Windows2 apps
CorelDRAW
Paid Import or load the .crv file via the gradient palette manager to apply custom gradients. 
Corel PHOTO-PAINT
Paid Bundled with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite; open the gradient palette with .crv file via Fill > Gradient options. Technical details
deep spec| Magic bytes at offset 0 | `COREL PhotoPaint` ASCII string (proprietary Corel header) |
| Alternate container | Some variants use OLE2/Compound File Binary Format (CFBF) - magic `D0 CF 11 E0` at offset 0 |
| Encoding | Binary, little-endian (standard for Windows Corel applications) |
| Content type | Gradient stop definitions: color values (RGB/CMYK), stop positions, blending mode, and fill type |
| Platform | Windows only |
| Application scope | Gradient fill presets used within Corel PHOTO-PAINT and CorelDRAW for object fills |
| Version compatibility | Tied to CorelDRAW Graphics Suite version; compatibility across major versions is not guaranteed |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 100 KB depending on the number of gradient definitions stored |
| Public specification | None; format is proprietary and undocumented |
| Related file workflows | Gradient presets complement `.cpt` (Corel PHOTO-PAINT image) and `.cdr` (CorelDRAW vector document) files in Corel workflows |
| Released | c. 2000 (CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 10) |
Community Q&A
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