What is the SETUP file format?
.setup files in a CryENGINE game development context are XML configuration files that define character animation parameters for the CryENGINE character system. Each file acts as a binding document, referencing the character's skeleton file (.cal), inverse kinematics setup (.ik), attachment point definitions, and animation layer parameters.
The format was introduced with CryENGINE 1 and 2 - the engines powering games such as *Far Cry* and *Crysis* (2007) - and is plain-text XML, typically encoded in ASCII or UTF-8. The file schema is tied to the SDK version; structure changed significantly across CryENGINE 2, 3, and CRYENGINE V.
In CRYENGINE 5, the .setup role was largely superseded by the .chrparams format, which provides a more structured approach to character parameters. Legacy .setup files from older projects may still be present in CryENGINE 2/3 game asset directories.
Important note: .setup is also used by macOS Setup Assistant for system configuration documents - an entirely unrelated format. In a game development context, especially when found alongside .cal and .ik files, the CryENGINE interpretation applies.
Key characteristics:
- Plain XML; editable in any text editor such as Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code
- No compiled or binary content - fully human-readable
- Part of a trio:
.setup+.cal+.ikdefine a complete character animation rig - Windows-only in practice (CryENGINE targets Windows for development)
Security & safety
RISK: LOWXML text file; no executable content. Safe to open in a text editor. macOS .setup files in /var/db/ are system-owned - do not modify unless you know what you are doing.
Format details
in a nutshell- Apple macOS Setup Assistant file - macOS stores Setup Assistant internal configuration in .setup files in /var/db/; these are not user-facing and not created by users.
- Generic installer/setup file - Some Windows installers use .setup as an alias for .exe or a configuration file for setup scripts - no standardized format.
Programs that open SETUP files
Windows3 apps
NotePad++ text editor
Open-source Open directly for viewing/editing XML content; no CryENGINE-specific validation. 
CRYENGINE (CryENGINE SDK)
Free Open inside the CRYENGINE Editor; navigate to the character asset in the asset browser. The .setup file loads as part of the character rig, not standalone. 
Visual Studio Code
Open-source Open as XML; install XML extension for syntax highlighting and formatting. Technical details
deep spec| Developer | Crytek GmbH |
| Encoding | Plain text (UTF-8 or ASCII) |
| Container | XML document |
| MIME type | text/xml |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 50 KB |
| Referenced file types | .cal (skeleton), .ik (inverse kinematics), .cdf (character definition), .chrparams |
| Function | Binds skeleton, IK config, attachment points, and animation layers for a character rig |
| Schema versioning | Tied to CryENGINE SDK version (2, 3, V); schema changed across major versions |
| Superseded by | .chrparams in CRYENGINE V / CRYENGINE 5 |
| Platform | Windows (CryENGINE development environment) |
| Distinguishing note | Unrelated to macOS Setup Assistant .setup documents - context determines meaning |
| Released | 2004-2006 (CryENGINE 1/2 era) |
SETUP conversions
Community Q&A
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