What is the VAR file format?
A .var file is a Virt-A-Mate Addon Package - a self-contained content bundle for Virt-A-Mate (VaM), a Windows 3D simulation application developed by Meshed VR. Structurally, .var is a renamed ZIP archive: any ZIP utility can open it and browse its internal layout.
Each package follows a strict three-part naming convention: Creator.PackageName.Version.var (for example, Author.MyScene.1.var). Inside the archive, VaM expects a meta.json manifest at the root, which declares the package identity, version, license, and any dependencies on other .var packages. The remaining contents - scenes, looks, morphs, clothing, textures, and plugin scripts - are arranged in VaM's standard internal folder structure.
Installation does not require extraction. Drop .var files directly into VaM's AddonPackages folder; VaM reads them in place and resolves cross-package dependencies automatically at runtime.
Package sizes range from a few megabytes for simple morphs or presets to several hundred megabytes for look packages with high-resolution textures. Integrity is maintained by the standard ZIP CRC-32 checksum on each internal entry; no application-level signing or encryption is applied.
Note that .var is also used as a file extension by unrelated software, so the extension alone does not confirm a VaM package - look for the internal meta.json and the three-part file name pattern.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMA .var is a content package, not an executable, but VaM packages can include plugins (CSharp scripts) that run inside VaM, and the content is adult-oriented (18+). Install .var files only from reputable sources (the VaM Hub), be cautious with packages that ship plugins, and keep VaM updated. As a ZIP, a malformed .var could in theory exploit an archive-parser bug, so scan downloads. If your .var is actually a generic 'variable'/data file from other software, treat it per that program's guidance instead.
Format details
in a nutshell- Generic variable/data file - Many tools save a plain .var as a generic 'variable' or settings/data file (text or binary), unrelated to Virt-A-Mate.
- WebHub session data (legacy) - The DB labels .var as WebHub web-session data; a niche/legacy web-app data use, not the dominant meaning today.
Programs that open VAR files
Windows3 apps
7-Zip
Open-source Right-click > Open archive to inspect the .var's contents (it's a ZIP) without installing it in VaM. 
Virt-A-Mate (VaM)
Paid Copy the .var into the AddonPackages folder of your VaM install (do NOT extract), launch VaM, and load the content from the in-app browser.
Windows Explorer / WinRAR
Built-in Rename a copy to .zip (or open directly) to browse the package contents; keep the original named .var for VaM. Technical details
deep spec| Container format | Standard ZIP archive (PKZIP); opens with any ZIP-compatible utility such as 7-Zip or WinRAR |
| Magic bytes | 50 4B 03 04 at offset 0 - standard ZIP local file header signature ("PK") |
| Naming convention | Three-part dot-separated: Creator.PackageName.Version.var (e.g. Author.MyScene.1.var) |
| Manifest file | meta.json at the archive root - declares name, version, license, and cross-package dependency list |
| Compression | DEFLATE per ZIP specification; entries may also be STORED (uncompressed) for assets such as JPEG textures that are already compressed |
| Byte order | Little-endian (ZIP format specification) |
| Typical file size | A few MB for simple morphs or presets up to several hundred MB for texture-heavy looks and scenes |
| Installation method | Drop into VaM's AddonPackages folder without extraction; VaM reads the archive in place at runtime |
| Integrity | ZIP CRC-32 checksum per internal entry; no application-level digital signature or encryption |
| Internal asset types | Scenes, looks, morphs, clothing, hair, textures (.jpg / .png), and plugin scripts (.cs / .cslist) |
| Dependency system | meta.json lists required .var packages by Creator.Package.Version triplet; VaM resolves them automatically at load time |
| MIME type | application/zip (also served as application/octet-stream by some distribution hosts) |
| Platform | Windows only - Virt-A-Mate is a Windows application and .var packages are loaded exclusively by it |
| Typical entry count | Approximately 5 to 130 files per package; ZIP format ceiling is 65,535 entries (ZIP64 extension lifts this limit) |
| Name disambiguation | .var is also used by unrelated software (e.g. Synology, some scripting environments); the internal meta.json and three-part file name distinguish genuine VaM packages |
| Released | Virt-A-Mate 1.x package system (late 2010s) |
| Latest version | VaM 1.x package format (meta.json schema) |
| Specification | hub.virtamate.com |
VAR conversions
Community Q&A
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