atc

.atc — Adobe Texture Compressed

Adobe · 2000s

Developer

Adobe

Key Features

Optimized for 3D texture storage
Efficient lossy compression (LZX)
Supports multiple texture maps
Designed for real-time rendering performance

Best For

Game development texture assets
Efficient storage of PBR texture maps
Workflows involving Adobe Substance Painter

Less Ideal For

General image sharing (e.g., web)
Archival of lossless photographic images
Documents or vector graphics
Images requiring broad compatibility with non-3D software

Common Use Cases

Storing diffuse maps for 3D models
Packaging normal maps for game engines
Creating PBR texture sets
Exporting textures from 3D painting software

How to Open It

Open ATC files directly in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Substance 3D Painter.
Use texture editing tools that support the ATC format for viewing and modification.
Convert ATC files to more common image formats like PNG or TGA using specialized converters if direct software support is unavailable.

What is a .atc file?

Adobe Texture Compressed (.atc) is a proprietary image format developed by Adobe Systems. It is primarily used within Adobe's Creative Suite applications, especially Photoshop and Adobe Substance 3D Painter. The format is designed to store textures for 3D applications, offering efficient compression that balances file size with image quality. While not an open standard, it provides a streamlined way to handle texture assets for game development and digital art workflows. ATC files can contain various texture maps, such as diffuse, normal, or metallic maps, optimized for real-time rendering.

Programs That Open .atc Files

Platform	Program
Windows	Adobe Photoshop	Paid	Official
	Adobe Substance 3D Painter	Paid	Official
macOS	Adobe Photoshop	Paid	Official
	Adobe Substance 3D Painter	Paid	Official

How to Convert .atc Files

Format	Method
.PNG	Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Substance 3D Painter, Third-party texture converters
.TGA	Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Substance 3D Painter, Third-party texture converters

Common Problems with .atc Files

⚠️ ATC files are not recognized by common image viewers.

Use software specifically designed for 3D texturing or image editing that supports the ATC format, or convert the file to a more standard format like PNG or TGA.

⚠️ Difficulty finding free converters for ATC files.

While official Adobe software is the most reliable, search for specialized 3D asset conversion tools or plugins that might offer ATC support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ATC a common image format for general use?▼

No, ATC is a specialized format primarily for 3D texture maps and is not typically used for everyday images like photos or web graphics.

Can I use ATC files in game engines?▼

Many modern game engines can import and utilize ATC files, as they are optimized for real-time rendering. However, some engines might prefer more standard formats like DDS or KTX.

Is ATC a lossless format?▼

ATC primarily uses lossy compression (LZX), although uncompressed variants may exist. For lossless storage, formats like PNG or TIFF are generally preferred.

Technical Details

ATC files utilize LZX compression for lossy texture data and can also support uncompressed formats. They are essentially containers for image data, often structured to store multiple texture channels or types within a single file. The format is optimized for GPU rendering, allowing for faster loading and processing of texture assets in real-time applications.

Did You Know?

The ATC format is closely tied to the development of Adobe's 3D creative tools.

Its compression scheme is optimized for the specific needs of rendering textures on 3D models rather than photographic fidelity.

Security Information

As a proprietary Adobe format, ATC files are generally safe, but like any file type, they can potentially be used to embed malicious data if opened with untrusted software. Always ensure your software is up-to-date and obtained from official sources.