What is the DS file format?
.ds is a DAZ Studio Script file containing source code written in DAZ Script 1 - a JavaScript-like scripting language used to automate operations in DAZ Studio, a 3D figure posing and rendering application from DAZ 3D. Scripts can adjust poses, modify materials, configure render settings and manipulate scene objects through the DAZ Studio API.
The .ds format is plain ASCII text, introduced with DAZ Studio 1.x around 2004. It was superseded by .dsa (DAZ Script 2 ASCII) and .dsb (DAZ Script 2 Binary), which offer expanded API access and better load performance. DAZ Studio 4.x still loads .ds files for backward compatibility, but new scripts should target .dsa or .dsb.
.ds files can be opened and edited in any plain-text editor such as Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code. The encrypted script variant uses the .dse extension. Scene and content data in modern DAZ Studio are stored in DSF or .duf files, which are unrelated to scripting.
Note: Apple macOS automatically creates .DS_Store files in directories - these are completely unrelated binary Finder metadata files and should not be confused with DAZ Studio .ds scripts.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMA .ds file is a script that executes code inside DAZ Studio. A malicious .ds script could theoretically read/write files or access the file system via DAZ Script's App.filePath() API. Only run .ds scripts from trusted sources such as official DAZ 3D content vendors.
Format details
in a nutshell- Microsoft SQL Server Data Source - Some older Microsoft SQL Server tools used .ds for data source connection files; rarely encountered today.
- TWAIN Data Source Library (macOS) - macOS TWAIN scanner drivers use .ds extension for scanner data source bundles in /Library/Image Capture/TWAIN Data Sources/.
Programs that open DS files
Windows3 apps
DAZ Studio 4
Free Window → Panes (Tabs) → Script Editor → open the .ds file, then click Run. Or double-click the file in DAZ Studio's Content Library.
Notepad++ (view/edit)
Open-source Open .ds file directly; use JavaScript syntax highlighting for readability.
Visual Studio Code (view/edit)
Open-source Open .ds file; apply JavaScript language mode for syntax highlighting. 
macOS1 app
Technical details
deep spec| Developer | DAZ 3D, Inc. (DAZ Productions) |
| Encoding | Plain ASCII text |
| Encryption | None (encrypted variant uses .dse extension) |
| Scripting language | DAZ Script 1 - JavaScript-like syntax for DAZ Studio API automation |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 500 KB |
| Platform | Windows, macOS |
| API scope | Scene manipulation: pose changes, material adjustments, render settings, object control |
| Format generation | DAZ Script 1 (legacy); superseded by .dsa (Script 2 ASCII) and .dsb (Script 2 Binary) in DAZ Studio 2+ |
| Current compatibility | DAZ Studio 4.x loads .ds for backward compatibility; new scripts should use .dsa or .dsb |
| Script family | .ds (Script 1 ASCII), .dsa (Script 2 ASCII), .dsb (Script 2 Binary), .dse (encrypted) |
| Common confusion | Unrelated to Apple macOS .DS_Store - a completely different binary Finder metadata file |
| Released | circa 2004 (DAZ Studio 1.x) |
| Latest version | Superseded by .dsa (DAZ Script 2 ASCII) in DAZ Studio 2+; .ds still loadable in DAZ Studio 4.x |
| Specification | docs.daz3d.com |
DS conversions
Community Q&A
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