130

.130ACDSee Catalog File

ACD Systems · 1994

Developer
ACD Systems
Category
Database
MIME Type
application/x-acdsee-catalog
First Released
1994
Open Format
No
File Signature
Not widely documented or consistently used as a primary identifier.
At a Glance
.130
ACDSee Catalog File

A .130 file is a database used by ACDSee software to keep track of your digital photo collection and its associated metadata.

Reviewed on April 30, 2026
Compression
Binary
Transparency
N/A
Editability
Low (requires ACDSee)
Best for
Photo library indexing

Key Features

  • Stores image metadata and organizational data.
  • Indexes digital media collections for quick access.
  • Allows for rapid searching and sorting of photos.
  • Proprietary binary database format.

Best For

  • Users of ACDSee software needing to manage extensive photo libraries.
  • Organizing and categorizing images efficiently.
  • Fast retrieval of image information without opening each file.
  • Maintaining a consistent library structure.

Less Ideal For

  • Storing the actual image data (use JPG, PNG, etc. instead).
  • Sharing photos directly with users who don't have ACDSee.
  • Archiving raw image files (this is metadata only).
  • Cross-platform compatibility without ACDSee.

Common Use Cases

  • Managing large collections of digital photographs.
  • Organizing photos with ratings, keywords, and labels.
  • Speeding up the browsing and searching of image libraries.
  • Maintaining a reference index for ACDSee users.

How to Open It

  1. Open the ACDSee software application.
  2. ACDSee automatically uses its .130 catalog files to manage your library.
  3. If you have a specific .130 file to import or associate, use ACDSee's 'Import Catalog' or 'Database' management options.
  4. Note: Direct viewing of the catalog content is not possible; it requires ACDSee to interpret the data.

What is a .130 file?

A .130 file is a catalog database created by ACDSee, a popular digital photo management and viewing application. It stores information about the images and other media files that ACDSee has indexed, rather than the media files themselves. This includes details like filenames, locations, ratings, keywords, and other metadata. By using these catalog files, ACDSee can quickly display and manage large collections of photos without needing to constantly rescan your hard drives. It's essentially a reference index for your media library.

Programs That Open .130 Files

PlatformProgram
WindowsACDSee Photo StudioPaidOfficial

Common Problems with .130 Files

⚠️ ACDSee not recognizing the .130 catalog file.
Ensure the catalog file is in the correct location, or try re-importing it into ACDSee. Check for file corruption.
⚠️ Lost or corrupted .130 catalog file.
If you have backups, restore the catalog. Otherwise, you may need to recreate the catalog by re-indexing your photo library within ACDSee.
⚠️ Unable to open .130 file on a computer without ACDSee.
This file format is proprietary to ACDSee and cannot be opened or viewed directly by other software. You need ACDSee installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a .130 file?

A .130 file is a catalog database created by ACDSee software that stores information about your digital media library, not the media itself.

Can I view the images directly from a .130 file?

No, you cannot view the actual images directly from a .130 file. It's a database that ACDSee uses to organize and reference your photos.

What happens if I delete a .130 file?

Deleting the .130 file will cause ACDSee to lose all the organizational data (ratings, keywords, etc.) for the indexed photos. The photos themselves will remain, but you will need to re-index them.

Is the .130 file the same as my photos?

No, the .130 file is a database containing information about your photos, such as their location, names, and any tags or ratings you've applied. The actual photo files (like .jpg, .png, etc.) are separate.

Technical Details

The .130 format is a proprietary binary database format developed by ACD Systems. It is structured to efficiently store and retrieve metadata related to image and media files, optimizing lookup times for large photo libraries. The file contains pointers to the actual media files, along with user-defined tags, ratings, and other organizational information.

Did You Know?

The .130 catalog file allows ACDSee to manage libraries with hundreds of thousands of photos efficiently.
ACDSee has been a staple in photo management since the mid-1990s, evolving its catalog format over time.

Security Information

Catalog files like .130 generally do not pose a direct security risk as they contain metadata and pointers, not executable code. However, always ensure your ACDSee software is up-to-date to protect against any potential vulnerabilities within the application itself.

Related Extensions