act

.act — Adobe Color Table

Adobe Systems · 1990

Developer

Adobe Systems

Key Features

Stores custom color palettes for graphics applications.
Supports up to 256 RGB color entries per palette.
Facilitates color consistency in design projects.
Enables quick access to frequently used color sets.

Best For

Storing and recalling custom color palettes in Photoshop.
Ensuring brand color consistency across digital assets.
Sharing specific color selections with other designers.

Less Ideal For

Storing actual image data (like photos or graphics).
Defining complex color profiles (like ICC profiles).
Using as a universal format for color across all software.
Storing vector graphics or editable artwork.

Common Use Cases

Saving and sharing specific color schemes for brand guidelines.
Creating custom gradients or lookup tables for digital art.
Maintaining consistent color palettes across a series of illustrations.
Archiving color sets used in previous design projects.

How to Open It

In Adobe Photoshop, go to Window > Swatches, then click the Swatches panel menu and select 'Load Swatches' to import an .act file.
Some other graphics editors like GIMP can import .act files via plugins or specific import functions.
While not directly viewable, the palette defined within the .act file can be applied to selections or layers within image editing software.

What is a .act file?

The .act file format is used by Adobe Photoshop to store color palettes. These palettes are essentially custom sets of colors that designers can use repeatedly in their projects. Think of it as a personalized swatch book saved digitally. By loading an ACT file, you can quickly access and apply specific color schemes, ensuring consistency across different design elements or even across multiple projects. It's a handy tool for maintaining brand colors or replicating specific artistic looks.

Programs That Open .act Files

Platform	Program
Windows	Adobe Photoshop	Paid	Official
macOS	Adobe Photoshop	Paid	Official
Linux	GIMP	Free

How to Convert .act Files

Format	Method
.ACO	Adobe Photoshop
.GPL	GIMP, Online Converters

Common Problems with .act Files

⚠️ Cannot open .act file directly as an image.

.act files are not image files but color palettes; they need to be imported into compatible graphics software like Photoshop.

⚠️ Compatibility issues with non-Adobe software.

While some software supports .act, conversion to more common palette formats like .gpl or .aco might be necessary for wider compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of an .act file?▼

Its primary purpose is to store a custom set of colors, known as a palette, for use in Adobe Photoshop and similar image editing applications.

Can I view the colors in an .act file without Photoshop?▼

Direct viewing is not typically supported. You need to load the .act file into compatible software to see and use the colors.

How many colors can an .act file hold?▼

An .act file can store up to 256 individual color entries.

Technical Details

An ACT file is a binary file that contains an array of RGB color values. Each color entry typically consists of three bytes, representing red, green, and blue components. The file can store up to 256 distinct colors, defining a specific color palette that can be loaded and applied within compatible image editing applications.

Did You Know?

The .act format is a proprietary Adobe format, making its direct support outside of Adobe products less common.

While primarily for Photoshop, some alternative graphics programs can import or utilize .act palettes, often through plugins.

Security Information

ACT files themselves do not typically pose a security risk as they only contain color data. However, always download files from trusted sources to avoid potential malware embedded in other associated files.