Extract text from Carmageddon archives (ZAD)
To convert ZAD archives to another format, you need 7-Zip or other Game software.
To convert other file formats to the "Game Data Archive" file type, you need software like 7-Zip or a similar tool.
The .ZAD file extension is primarily used as a Carmageddon Game Data Archive by Stainless Games. Under the hood, these files are simply standard ZIP archives that have been renamed to prevent casual users from accidentally modifying the contents. They contain critical game assets such as textures, 3D models, and audio files required by the Carmageddon engine.
Because the .ZAD format uses a custom file extension, built-in operating system tools like Windows Explorer or macOS Archive Utility will not recognize or extract them automatically. This makes accessing the internal game assets frustrating for modders or players attempting to tweak game data.
To bypass this limitation, you should convert or extract the .ZAD file to standard ZIP, RAR, or 7Z formats using third-party archiving software like 7-Zip.
Standard online converters often fail to process proprietary game extensions because they do not look past the file name. However, you can drag and drop your .ZAD file into convert.guru to see what it is and convert it if supported. Our system analyzes the file's internal hex signature, detects the underlying ZIP compression, and allows you to inspect or extract the embedded assets seamlessly.
Convert.Guru analyzes your ZAD file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted TXT and ZVD files.
If you want to convert ZAD file to EXE, ISO, BIN, CUE, PAK, WAD, PK3, PK4, BSP, MAP, SAV or DAT, you can use 7-Zip or similar software from the "Game Asset Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MOD, BIN, CFG, SCX, DAT, MPQ, LOG, CUE, INI, EXE, SCM or ISO files to ZAD, try 7-Zip or another comparable tool in the "Game Asset Storage" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our ZAD converter.