.asat — Aseprite Sprite Sheet
David Reid (Aseprite) · 2014
.asat is the native project file format for Aseprite, used for creating and managing pixel art sprites and animations.
Key Features
- Preserves layers, frames, and color palettes.
- Includes full undo history for seamless editing.
- Supports advanced animation features like onion skinning.
- Optimized for pixel art and sprite sheet creation.
Best For
- Saving ongoing pixel art animation projects.
- Storing complex sprite sheets with multiple frames.
- Maintaining editable layers and palettes for pixel art.
- Collaborating on pixel art projects within Aseprite.
Less Ideal For
- Distributing final, ready-to-display images or animations.
- Web embedding where a universally supported format is needed.
- Sharing simple static images that don't require editing.
- Archiving large collections of individual frames without animation context.
Common Use Cases
- Creating sprite sheets for video games.
- Designing animated characters and objects for indie games.
- Developing animated GIFs and short looping animations.
- Prototyping UI elements with animation.
How to Open It
- Open the .asat file directly within Aseprite.
- Ensure you have Aseprite installed on your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
- If you only have the exported image, you will not be able to edit it as an .asat file.
What is a .asat file?
The .asat file format is the native file format for Aseprite, a popular pixel art and animation editor. It's designed specifically for creating and managing sprite sheets, allowing artists to store multiple frames of animation or individual sprites within a single file. This format preserves all the editing information, including layers, frames, color palettes, and undo history, making it ideal for iterative design and complex animation projects. Unlike static image formats, .asat files act as a comprehensive project file, ensuring that all your creative assets and editing states are saved and accessible.
Programs That Open .asat Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Aseprite | Paid | Official |
| macOS | Aseprite | Paid | Official |
| Linux | Aseprite | Paid | Official |
How to Convert .asat Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .PNG | Aseprite Export, ImageMagick |
| .GIF | Aseprite Export |
Common Problems with .asat Files
Frequently Asked Questions
No, .asat is a proprietary format for Aseprite and cannot be directly opened or edited in software like Adobe Photoshop.
The .ase (Aseprite) format is an older version or an alternative save format for Aseprite, while .asat is the current, more feature-rich native project format.
No, .asat is a project file container that stores all editing data, including pixel information, layers, and animation frames, rather than being a final compressed image format.
Technical Details
Aseprite's .asat files are binary files that contain all project data. This includes pixel data for each frame, layer information, palette data, and metadata like undo history. The format is structured to efficiently store and retrieve animation frames, making it suitable for real-time game development and animation workflows. It's not a compressed image format in the typical sense but rather a project container.